MAKERS ARCADE 2026 SPRING FAIR
VENDOR INFORMATION
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE FAIR?
Makers Arcade Spring Fair will be held at Balboa Park. We will be set up along 6th street between El Prado & Quince Dr.
Saturday, April 4, 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday, April 5, 10:00AM - 5:00PM
Load-in and set-up will take place on Friday, April 3rd.
Tear down will begin on Sunday, April 5th at 5:00PM. Vendors will not be allowed to load-out until they are fully packed up.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
Applications open on January 16 and will remain open until all categories are full.
All interested makers must complete the application linked at the bottom of this page. There is a non-refundable $15 application fee. If accepted, this application fee does not go toward your booth fee. Initial notifications will be sent out on February 6. Any applications submitted after February 6 will be notified within 7-10 business days after submitting a completed application. If your application is not accepted you will be placed on a waitlist and will be notified if a space becomes available in your category.
Once all categories are full, all applications will automatically be added to our waitlist. We still encourage you to apply so that if a spot in your category becomes available we will be able to notify you.
PLEASE NOTE: This application is for vendor booths selling physical products only, including craft and artisanal goods as well as pre-packaged food items (such as spices, honey, cookies, and packaged treats)..
This application is not for food trucks, hot food or catering vendors, musicians, workshops, sponsors, balloon artists, face painters, florists, coffee vendors, or other service-based or experience-driven businesses. These participants should instead submit an activation interest form here!
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN APPLICANTS?
Many things are taken into consideration during the application process including booth presentation, craftmanship and skill level, aesthetic and style, branding, website and online presence, ethical practices, and price point.
We prioritize artist and makers who are heavily or entirely involved in the design and production process of their handmade goods. Preference is given to original work that that reflects strong craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and attention to detail. We aim to curate a balanced and diverse vendor lineup, considering product category, materials, and overall market mix, while avoiding oversaturation of any single type of product. This helps ensure a strong experience for both shoppers and vendors. We are committed to representing artist and makers from a wide range of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Our events are a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all.
Professionalism matters. Vendors are expected to present their work with care, including a cohesive booth setup, clear pricing, and brand-aligned signage. We encourage applicants to take a look at photos of past makers on our Instagram account to get a sense of the quality, presentation, and overall vibe we look for at our events.
While many of our artists are based in Southern California, you do not have to be a local resident to apply.
If you are unsure if you should apply, feel free to email us at events@makersarcade.com with any questions you have!
More information can be found on our general Vendor F.A.Q. page.
WHAT’S THE COST TO PARTICIPATE?
The booth rental fee varies on size:
Outside Booth – 10’x10′ – $395
Outside Half Booth – 5’x10′ – $265
All accepted makers must participate both days.
A half booth is 1/2 of a 10x10 space. You do not need to have another vendor to share with- we are happy to match you up with another vendor for the event, however if you have someone in mind, please include that in your application. Vendors applying for a shared booth must each complete their own application and be accepted individually.
This year will be our first fair at Balboa Park and we are very excited about the foot-traffic at this new location. Booths will be able to leave their setup up at the venue overnight and we will have security all night. However, it is recommended to take home any valuables or items you do not feel comfortable leaving out overnight.
All artists are also required to contribute 10-15 items for swag and VIP bags. The value of the ten items TOTAL should be a minimum of $75 wholesale.
These donations are a great way to market your products and gain exposure so please include items you currently make and sell. If you only have larger, higher-priced items, you can either make something specifically for this purpose or opt out and pay a $50 fee which will be used to purchase items on your behalf. If donating to the giveaway is a significant hardship for you, please let us know so we can work with you. Any items that go unused from the event will be used for future Makers Arcade VIP bags or giveaways. No coupons will be accepted.
WHEN WILL I BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR MY BOOTH?
Applications Open: January 16
Early Review & Notification: All applicants who submit by February 5 will be notified of their application status no later than February 6
Invoice Due Date (Early Acceptances): Vendors accepted on February 6 will receive an invoice which must be paid no later than February 20 to secure their space.
Ongoing Review (As Space Allows): Applications will remain open until all vendor categories are full. Applicants who apply after February 5 will be reviewed on a rolling basis and notified of their status within 7-10 business days of applying.
Invoice Due Date (Rolling Acceptances): Vendors accepted after February 6 will receive an invoice that must be paid within one (1) week of acceptance to secure their space.
Waitlist:
Once all categories are full, the application will close and a waitlist will open. If you are placed on the waitlist, you will only be contacted if a space becomes availabele and you are accepted.
Application Status Inquiries:
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual status updates. If you have not heard from us within the timeline outlined above, your application is still under review.
Marketing + Promotion
Our vendor fees cover the cost of our venue, event features, permits, and marketing, so just like you, we rely on attendance to make a profit! Our marketing budget includes a professional Public Relations campaign, an extensive social media ad campaign, flyers and posters, banners, and a google ad campaign. In addition to our efforts, we ask our vendors to take part in promoting the event as well! The more we come together to spread the word, the more successful we all will be. Our team will provide you with graphics, videos, flyers, posters, and promotional tips, and we will also do our best to feature as many vendors as possible on our Instagram account!
CANCELLATION POLICY + TERMS & CONDITIONS
Any cancellations before March 4 will result in a 50% refund. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue refunds after that time.
Please make sure to read our full Vendor Terms & Conditions before you apply, which includes information on obtaining your San Diego sellers and/or food handlers permit if you have not already done that. You will need to obtain all proper permits to sell at our events.
By applying for this event, you are agreeing to our full vendor terms & conditions.
Click here to read our full vendor terms & conditions.
Links for more information: