Why Holiday Craft Fairs Are Different (And Why That Matters)
Holiday craft fairs aren't just regular craft fairs with tinsel. They're an entirely different beast — and for many vendors, they represent 50-70% of annual revenue packed into just 8-10 weekends.
The customers are different too. Instead of browsing for themselves, most shoppers are hunting for gifts. That changes everything: your pricing, your displays, your product mix, and even how you talk to people at your booth.
Whether you're a seasoned vendor gearing up for November or a newcomer wondering if holiday fairs are worth the hype, this guide covers everything you need to know to maximize your holiday craft fair season.
When Does Holiday Craft Fair Season Start?
The holiday craft fair season typically runs from late October through mid-December, with peak weekends falling in November. Here's the general timeline:
- Late October: Early holiday fairs and harvest festivals with holiday elements
- Early November: Season kicks into high gear
- Mid-November: Peak weekend — often the highest-grossing of the year
- Late November (Thanksgiving weekend): Small Business Saturday fairs are hugely popular
- First two weekends of December: Last big push before Christmas
- Mid-December onward: Season winds down (shoppers shift to retail stores)
Pro tip: The first weekend of November and Small Business Saturday weekend are typically your two highest-revenue opportunities. Prioritize applications for these dates.
How to Find Holiday Craft Fairs
Finding the best holiday fairs requires starting early — most applications open in June-August for November-December events. Here's where to look:
- TheCraftMap — Search by date range and filter for holiday and Christmas fairs near you
- Local chambers of commerce — Many organize annual holiday markets
- Churches and schools — Holiday bazaars are a staple (often lower booth fees)
- Social media groups — Facebook groups for craft fair vendors in your state
- Word of mouth — Ask other vendors which holiday fairs they return to year after year
Use TheCraftMap's calendar view to see all upcoming holiday fairs at a glance, and set up state alerts so you never miss a new listing.
Products That Sell Best at Holiday Craft Fairs
Holiday shoppers are buying gifts, which means different products shine compared to spring and summer fairs:
Top Sellers for Holiday Fairs
- Candles and wax melts — The #1 gift item at craft fairs. Scents like cinnamon, pine, vanilla, and peppermint fly off the table.
- Soaps and bath products — Gift sets in the $15-25 range are perfect impulse buys
- Ornaments and decorations — Personalized or handmade ornaments have massive appeal
- Jewelry — Especially pieces in the $20-50 range that work as gifts
- Food items — Baked goods, jams, honey, hot sauce, and candy in gift packaging
- Knitted/crocheted items — Scarves, hats, mittens — practical and giftable
- Art and prints — Small framed pieces and holiday-themed prints
- Pet items — Bandanas, treats, toys — pet parents love gifting their fur babies
Holiday Product Strategy
The key insight: create gift-ready bundles. Instead of selling individual items, package them:
- A candle + wax melt sampler = "Holiday Home Bundle" ($30)
- Three soaps in a gift box = "Self-Care Gift Set" ($25)
- Earrings + necklace in a jewelry box = "Complete Look Set" ($45)
Bundles increase your average transaction value by 40-60% compared to individual items.
Pricing Strategy for Holiday Fairs
Holiday pricing is different from regular craft fair pricing for several reasons:
Price Anchoring
Set up your booth with three clear price tiers:
- Stocking stuffers ($5-15) — Small items for impulse buys and budget shoppers
- Standard gifts ($20-40) — Your bread and butter, the range most gift-givers target
- Premium gifts ($50+) — Showcase items that make your booth look upscale
Having all three tiers means every customer can find something in their budget. The stocking stuffer tier is especially important — it converts browsers into buyers.
Don't Discount — Add Value
Resist the urge to slash prices during the holiday season. Instead:
- Offer free gift wrapping (costs you pennies, feels premium)
- Create "buy 3, get 1 free" deals on small items
- Include a handwritten gift tag with each purchase
- Offer a gift receipt option
These add perceived value without cutting into your margins.
Holiday Craft Fair Booth Setup
Your booth needs to scream "holiday shopping destination" without looking like a dollar store exploded. Here's how:
Visual Merchandising
- Height variation — Use risers, crates, and shelving to create a dynamic display
- Lighting — String lights or LED candles create warm, inviting ambiance (especially for indoor evening events)
- Signage — Clear price signs and "Gift Ideas" labels help shoppers navigate quickly
- Gift displays — Show your bundles front and center, already wrapped or boxed
Holiday-Specific Setup Tips
- Gift wrapping station — Set up a small area where you can wrap purchases on the spot
- Price visibility — Holiday shoppers are comparing options fast. Make prices obvious.
- Shopping bags — Branded bags with your social media handles turn customers into walking billboards
- Business cards with discount codes — "10% off your online order" drives post-fair sales
Booth Layout for High Traffic
Holiday fairs get CROWDED. Design your booth for traffic flow:
- Keep your display accessible from multiple angles
- Don't block the entrance with a table — create a welcoming open space
- Position your payment area to one side so paying customers don't block browsers
- Stack inventory under tables for quick restocking (you'll go through product fast)
What to Bring: Holiday Craft Fair Checklist
Beyond your standard craft fair checklist, holiday fairs need these extras:
Holiday Essentials
- Gift wrapping supplies (tissue paper, gift bags, ribbon)
- Gift tags and cards
- Extra inventory (bring 2-3x your normal stock)
- Holiday-themed tablecloths or runners
- String lights (with extra batteries or extension cord)
- Hand warmers (for outdoor fairs)
- Thermos with hot drink (you'll be there all day)
- Business cards with holiday messaging
- Email signup sheet or QR code
- Square/card reader (fully charged with backup)
Inventory Planning
A common mistake: bringing your normal inventory amount to a holiday fair. Bring 2-3 times your usual stock. Holiday fairs can do in one day what a regular fair does in a weekend.
Track your inventory carefully. If you're doing multiple holiday fairs, plan your production schedule backward from your first fair date.
Application Tips for Holiday Craft Fairs
Holiday fairs are competitive — the best ones get 3-5x more applications than spots available. Here are tips to stand out:
- Apply early — Submit your application the day it opens. Many fairs review on a first-come basis.
- Professional photos — Include high-quality photos of your products AND your booth setup
- Highlight holiday relevance — Mention gift-ready packaging, holiday scents/themes, price range variety
- Show experience — List other fairs you've done and any social media following
- Be specific about products — Don't just say "handmade crafts." Detail exactly what you sell.
- Follow up — If you haven't heard back in 2-3 weeks, send a polite follow-up email
Use TheCraftMap's deadline tracking to stay on top of application windows.
How Much Can You Make at Holiday Craft Fairs?
Holiday craft fairs consistently outperform regular-season fairs. Average daily sales jump from $300-800 at regular fairs to $800-2,500 at holiday fairs. Average transactions increase from $15-25 to $25-45. Customer traffic can double or triple, and conversion rates climb from 15-25% to 25-40%.
The higher numbers come from several factors: shoppers have a reason to buy (gifts), they're in a buying mood, and the urgency of holiday deadlines reduces browsing-without-buying.
To calculate your potential: check booth fees, estimate 3x your regular fair sales, and subtract costs. Most vendors find holiday fairs deliver their best ROI of the year, even with higher booth fees. Read more about tracking your craft fair ROI.
Marketing Before, During, and After
Before the Fair
- Post your holiday fair schedule on social media
- Email your customer list with dates and locations
- Tease new holiday products and gift sets
- Share behind-the-scenes production content
During the Fair
- Post Instagram/TikTok stories from your booth
- Encourage customers to tag you in their purchases
- Collect emails aggressively — "Join our list for a 15% online coupon"
- Take photos of your busy booth for future fair applications
After the Fair
- Send a thank-you email to new subscribers within 48 hours
- Post a recap with your best moments
- Drive online sales: "Missed us at the fair? Shop our holiday collection online"
- Review what sold and adjust inventory for the next fair
For more on vendor marketing, check out our guide on social media marketing for craft fair vendors.
Common Holiday Craft Fair Mistakes
1. Not Bringing Enough Inventory
The #1 regret vendors have after holiday fairs. When you sell out at 1 PM of a fair that runs until 5 PM, that's lost revenue. Overstock, not understock.
2. Ignoring the Gift Angle
If your products don't look "giftable," holiday shoppers will walk past. Invest in packaging that makes your products look ready to go under the tree.
3. Only Accepting Cash
Card readers are non-negotiable. Holiday shoppers often don't carry cash, and telling someone "cash only" loses you the sale. Read our complete guide to accepting payments at craft fairs.
4. Skipping the Email List
You're meeting hundreds of potential repeat customers. Every one who walks away without joining your email list is a missed opportunity for year-round sales.
5. Burning Out
Holiday season is a marathon. If you've booked every weekend from November through December, you'll be exhausted, your inventory will suffer, and your booth energy will drop. Pick your best 4-6 fairs rather than doing every single one.
Planning Your Holiday Fair Calendar
Start planning NOW, regardless of what month you're reading this. Here's a monthly breakdown:
- June-July: Research and apply to holiday fairs (the best ones fill up early)
- August-September: Confirm bookings, begin holiday inventory production
- October: Finalize displays, create gift bundles, test pricing
- November: Peak season — execute your plan
- December (first half): Final push, liquidate remaining seasonal inventory
- January: Review what worked, start planning for next year
Browse upcoming craft fairs on TheCraftMap to start building your holiday schedule today.
Final Thoughts
Holiday craft fairs are the Super Bowl of the vendor world. The preparation is intense, the days are long, and the competition for the best events is fierce. But for vendors who plan ahead, stock up, and present their products as the perfect gifts they are, the holiday season can be genuinely life-changing for your craft business.
Start early, bring extra everything, make it gift-ready, and don't forget to enjoy the magic of the season while you're at it. There's nothing quite like watching someone's face light up when they find the perfect handmade gift at your booth.
Ready to find holiday craft fairs near you? Search thousands of craft fairs on TheCraftMap and never miss an application deadline again.