Handmade Arcade Holiday Market 2023 > Register & Apply

HANDMADE ARCADE HOLIDAY MARKET 2023

The Holiday Market is Handmade Arcade’s longest-running and largest event, hosting up to 250 makers from Western Pennsylvania and beyond, and welcoming over 10,000 highly-engaged shoppers each year.

Looking for information about Handmade Arcade? Visit our website at handmadearcade.org.

Returning applicants, please note that we have clarified Handmade Arcade’s definition of a handmade business. Review the guidelines below before applying.

Does your business fit into Handmade Arcade’s definition of a handmade business?

  • You must be the artist(s) of the original products.
  • Recycling and repurposing items is permitted.
  • You cannot use mass-produced trademarked and licensed items in your work.
  • Copyrighted designs not owned by the artist are not permitted.
  • Your products must be 80% or more of your original creation.
  • You, the artist, must have created the piece.
  • You are permitted to reproduce your work in various mediums: as prints, on fabric, as stickers, on mugs, etc.
  • You cannot sell merchandise you have made with purchased, downloaded, or copied images and designs.

At this time, Handmade Arcade does not accept food vendors, including chocolates, honey, and candy. If you have specific questions regarding your products, please ask before you apply at info@handmadearcade.org. 

Before applying, please read the following information. 

Please note: ArtCall.org works best when used on a laptop or desktop. Past applicants to the Holiday Market should click the green "Login" button above. New applicants should first create an ArtCall.org account by clicking the blue "Register" button above.

Event Details: 

Two Day In-Person Marketplace: 

David L. Lawrence Convention Center: Upper-level hall with natural light, expanded space, and spacious lobby and balcony with river and city views. 

All accepted makers are required to:

  • Participate in BOTH Friday and Saturday, No exceptions.
  • Complete a Virtual Maker Profile page by Monday, November 6. See below for details.
  • Have Crafters Liability Insurance. For more information, visit actinsurance.com.

Friday, December 1 

  • 11 - 3 PM: Load-in with help from the Convention Center teamsters
  • 5 - 7:30 PM: Happy Hour Preview Party/Ticketed/Limited Attendees

Saturday, December 2 

  • 9 - 11 AM: Early Birdie shopping hour/Ticketed/Limited Attendees
  • 11 AM - 6 PM: General Admission (Free)

Virtual Maker Profile:

The Handmade Arcade Virtual Maker Profile will allow attendees to browse the makers participating in the Holiday Market before they attend the event. Over 26,000 users visited the Handmade Arcade website leading up to the 2022 event.

  • All accepted makers must create or update an existing virtual profile page.
  • Required fields include business name, profile photo or logo, product category, contact info, and at least ONE slide show photo.
  • Optional information includes the About Me narrative, website and social media links, and product images and links.

Updates to the Virtual Maker Profile must be completed by Monday, November 6. This is an opportunity for attendees to get to know the accepted vendors before the event.

Important Application Information:

Applications: $20 fee (non-refundable)*

  • Open on Monday, May 15, 2023
  • Close on Monday July 17, 2023, at 11:59 PM (ET) Late applications will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • Application notifications will be EMAILED in late August. (Exact date to be shared soon.)
    • Important to note: this email comes from HA’s MailChimp account and can end up in your SPAM account. HA sends emails to ALL applicants (accepted, waitlisted, and those not accepted). 
    • If you have unsubscribed to the Handmade Arcade email list, we will not be able to send you an email. You can resubscribe or check your status online here. It is a good idea to check if you are unsure. We cannot readd folks who have unsubscribed.

*Handmade Arcade is committed to making sure all makers have an opportunity to apply. If you are unable to pay the full application fee, visit our our application fee assistance form to receive a coupon. 

PLEASE NOTE: Handmade Arcade is unable to answer inquiries regarding application status prior to sending final notifications.