We are excited to welcome you to another festive season at the Sandusky Christmas Market, filled with unique goods, handcrafted items, and delicious treats.

Our vendors are at the heart of what makes this event so special, and we are grateful for the creativity, care, and individuality each of you brings.

As the market continues to grow, we are thoughtfully working to build a well-balanced and diverse vendor mix that highlights a wide range of offerings and enhances the overall experience for our guests. This approach allows us to continue elevating the market while staying true to the spirit and charm that make it so meaningful.

To support a smooth, safe, and enjoyable event for all, we have outlined the following policies and guidelines. These expectations are designed to create a consistent, organized, and high-quality environment for both vendors and visitors.

The Sandusky Christmas Market, led by a dedicated group of volunteers, is rooted in bringing people together and celebrating the joy of the holiday season. Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, the event is held in honor of Jimm and his deep love for community, generosity, and togetherness—values that continue to guide and shape the market each year.

Thank you for being an important part of this experience—we truly appreciate your partnership in helping make the market memorable for all.

Event Participation - VENDORS

We thank you for your interest in participating in this year’s Sandusky Christmas Market.  Please be advised, the policies and guidelines set forth below will be enforced to create a safe, efficient and enjoyable event for participants AND visitors.  Please read through all details below regarding vendor requirements, vendor space/assignments, lighting/decoration requirements, etc.

Vendor Application

To apply to become a vendor at the 2026 Sandusky Christmas Market, please visit our Vendor Application page. It is the intention of the SCM Team to provide as many local artisans, crafters, and food vendors the opportunity to participate in this community event. As the Market continues to grow, we are thoughtfully curating a balanced mix of vendors to ensure a family-friendly atmosphere, alignment with the European Christmas Market theme, and a diverse range of offerings with minimal overlap in product types.

Application Review & Approval Process

All applications will be reviewed as they are submitted; however, responses may take some time as we carefully and thoughtfully evaluate each application to ensure a well-balanced vendor mix. If/When your application to participate is APPROVED, you will need to submit your non-refundable deposit, proof of necessary licensure, and SIGNED Vendor Policies/Guidelines Form within ten (10) days of approval.  Some vendors may be placed on a waitlist - this means that we may already have a vendor(s) offering a similar product/service; for any given reason, it has become necessary to put a HOLD on accepting additional vendors; or, the vendor spots are FULL.  Vendors on the waitlist will be notified if/when a spot becomes available.

Payment

Non-refundable deposit of $100, and proof of necessary licensure (if applicable) will be due no later than ten (10) days after date of acceptance.  Full payment is due within thirty (30) days of acceptance date, unless otherwise arranged with the SCM Team. Failure to make payment may result in forfeiture of your spot.

Event Dates/Hours

This year’s Market will run for three consecutive weekends.  Vendors that sign up for one, two, or all three weekends are required to operate for the entire market duration for each day they have committed to, regardless of weather conditions (unless the Sandusky Christmas Market (SCM) Team officially cancels the market due to inclement weather).  Vendors are prohibited from breaking down/leaving before the end of the event, unless authorized/agreed upon by the SCM Team. Vendors are additionally required to be fully set-up, and ready for visitors at least thirty (30) minutes prior to opening of the market.

2026Event Dates:

Friday, November 27th - Sunday, November 29th

Friday, December 4th - Sunday, December 6th

Friday, December 11th & Saturday, December 12th

(No Market on Sunday, December 13th)

Fridays: 5 pm-8 pm

Saturdays: 12 pm-8 pm

Sundays: 12 pm-6 pm

Vendor Booth Assignments

We are excited to announce that we will have several new booths this year, allowing more of our local artisans and crafters to participate in this event.  Vendors will be given the choice of the different options/layouts of booths.  The SCM Team will make every effort to accommodate each vendor’s preference; however, the SCM Team reserves the right to assign vendor locations, irrespective of that preference, if deemed necessary.

Vendor Booths - Requirements and Responsibilities

All booths will be cleaned and ready for vendors on the SCM’s Opening Day.  Each vendor will be responsible to remove ALL of their merchandise, decorations, etc., and clean the booth to its original condition, in preparation for the next vendor using the space.

The SCM Team will ensure that ALL booths have at least one 15 amp outlet and a propane heater.  Additional electricity may be provided for food trucks/vendors.  However, anyone with electricity needs beyond what is provided will be required to indicate those specific needs on the Vendor Application.  Those with certain electricity needs may need to use their own generator. 

The Sandusky Christmas Market will provide propane for heaters. Vendors are asked to be mindful of their usage, as excessive or repeated refills may result in an additional charge. Our goal is to ensure fair access and availability for all participants.

Vendors are responsible for supplying their own displays, signage, table, chair, and payment systems. 

Additionally, vendors are REQUIRED to decorate their booth.

Booth Decoration

Each vendor’s space/booth lends directly to the overall look and feel of the Sandusky Christmas Market.  All vendors are REQUIRED to decorate their booth, in a manner that reflects the joyous season and spirit of Christmas.  We encourage you to use your imagination to create a space that lends to the feel of an authentic Christmas Street Market with items such as small trees, wreaths, ample and tasteful lighting (LED lights ONLY), large ornaments, etc....  For inspiration and ideas, a few sample images of traditional decorated booths can be found here.

Vendor Preparedness for Weather Conditions

The Sandusky Christmas Market is an extended OUTDOOR event.  Conditions may include wind, frigid temperatures, snow, rain, ice, etc. Vendors should be adequately prepared for these conditions, including exposure to prolonged cold temps. Please plan and dress accordingly.  In the case of inclement weather that causes the market to cease operation, you will be notified as quickly as possible.

Trash/Refuse

SCM Team and volunteers will assist in the timely disposal of trash, however, vendors will be also responsible for managing their own trash, and ensuring it is disposed of in the proper receptacle(s), in such case someone from the SCM Team is unavailable.

Community Attendance at SCM

The SCM Team cannot guarantee any expected attendance at the Market.  We will work diligently to promote this event through all possible means, but attendance can fluctuate due to a variety of circumstances. As such, the SCM Team makes no guarantees for attendance during the Market operating hours.

Security

The SCM Team will have overnight security on duty to maintain security of booths and their contents. However, the SCM Team will not be held responsible or liable for any equipment, inventory, merchandise, or other items that may be lost, stolen, or otherwise.

Conditions

The SCM Team cannot be held responsible for any circumstances (i.e. inclement weather, “acts of God”, local safety/security issues, etc.) that may potentially interrupt or cancel the event.  As such, the SCM Team cannot be held responsible for any losses that may arise due to unforeseen circumstance

Food Vendors

Vendors providing/preparing/serving food products MUST be aware of, and comply with all regulations set forth by the Erie County Department of Health.  Food Truck Vendors, and other food vendors that are required to have a license to operate MUST submit a copy of their CURRENT licensure upon approval.

Donations/Contributions

The SCM Team is committed to giving back to the community and inspiring others to do the same. In our continuing effort to provide “GIVING” opportunities, we STRONGLY encourage ALL vendors to donate an item, or gift certificate from their business. This will be used in one of the charitable events we will host during the Market this year.

Promote/Advertise/Share

As part of our efforts to promote the Sandusky Christmas Market and showcase the incredible talent within our community, we love highlighting our vendors across our website, social media platforms, and marketing materials. By applying to be a vendor, you acknowledge and understand the following:

• If selected, your business, products, and booth may be photographed or filmed during the event.

• The Sandusky Christmas Market may use these images and videos for promotional and marketing purposes, including but not limited to social media, website content, press materials, and future event promotion.

• We may also share or repost content that you publicly post on your social media platforms that features your participation in the Market.

• We are committed to representing our vendors in a positive and professional way and love working together to showcase what makes each of you unique.

Media & Promotional Use

Vendor grants the Sandusky Christmas Market the right to photograph, film, and capture images of Vendor’s booth, products, and participation during the event. Vendor also grants permission for the Market to use, reproduce, and share any such images, as well as publicly posted photos or videos from Vendor’s social media, for promotional, marketing, and advertising purposes, in any format, without compensation.

Vendor confirms they have the rights to any content they post or provide and that such use does not infringe on any third-party rights.