A handmade holiday, more than 20 years in the making.
For over 20 years, the Athens Holiday Market has been a fixture of the season — bringing together a rich community of artists who love their work, all in the courtyard of one of the city’s most beloved culinary spots, Big City Bread Cafe.
Carol John founded the market in 2002 with a simple idea: give local artists a warm, well-run place to sell their work during the holidays. Carol passed the baton to a small group of artists who had shown at the market since the very beginning. The market has grown ever since, but the heart of it hasn’t changed.
Two evenings, one very full courtyard.
If you’ve been, you know: the courtyard fills up fast and stays busy from the moment the lights come on until the last shopper heads home. Neighbors see neighbors, the perfect gifts are found, connections are made, and the same faces come back year after year — many of them have made the market part of their holidays for a decade or more. For our artists, that means a courtyard full of shoppers who came to buy handmade and to support the people who make it.
A little music by the fire.
Local musicians play around the fire both evenings — guitars, upright bass, a few voices — a warm, acoustic soundtrack that turns a shopping trip into a night out. Tap the clip for sound.
Made by artists, for artists.
The market is organized and run by working artists — people who have set up at shows for years and know exactly what makes a day behind the booth go well. We’ve been in your shoes, so we do everything we can to make the market comfortable, easy, and worth your time. That includes working with the bakery to have your meal pre-ordered and delivered right to your booth, so you never miss a sale.
Why we do it.
Our mission is to give new and established artists real economic opportunity and a genuine sense of community. We keep our booth fees low and don’t charge an application fee, so new artists can try a show without a big cost up front. We don’t make a profit — we donate the booth fees to support the arts and art education across the Southeast. Over the years, proceeds have supported Nuçi’s Space, Green River Preserve, the Kenneth Kase jewelry and metalwork award, Sweet Olive Farm, and the Brian Dixon Memorial Fund — more than $50,000 in all.
We’d love to see your work.
Applications open every year on Labor Day, and space is limited. We’re lucky to hear from exceptional artists across the region, and each year our jury curates the lineup. If you make something wonderful, we hope you’ll apply.
Before you apply
Everything you need to know before you apply. Still have a question? Get in touch — we’re happy to help.
When and where is the market?
Two evenings under the courtyard lights at Big City Bread Cafe — Thursday, December 10 and Friday, December 11, 2026, from 5–9pm both nights. The cafe is at the corner of Meigs & Finley Streets in Athens, GA.
How do I apply, and when do applications open?
Applications open on Labor Day each year — Monday, September 7 for 2026 — and close on October 1. It’s the same every year, so no one misses it. Space is limited, so we encourage you to apply early. You can apply right here on the site.
What do I need to apply?
Have these ready before you start:
- Your name, email, and mobile number
- A website or social link (optional)
- The medium of your work
- A short description of your work
- 3–6 photos of your work (under 10MB each)
- Whether you’d like to share a booth
How are artists selected?
Every application is reviewed by our jury. We curate for craftsmanship, originality, and a good mix of mediums across the market, so shoppers find something wonderful at every booth. A few things we look for:
- Handmade and original. Work must be designed and made by you — no mass-produced, imported, or resale items. Some upcycled items are welcome.
- Here in person, start to finish. You sell your own work at your booth and stay for the full market, both evenings. A helper is always welcome.
- Your real work. Photos should represent the actual work you’ll bring to sell.
How much is a booth?
The booth fee is $75, which covers both nights. Once you’re accepted, you’ll be billed by PayPal invoice, and your space is held once the fee is paid.
Can I share a booth?
Yes. Just let us know on your application that you’d like to share. Both artists must apply and be accepted to share a booth.
What's provided, and what should I bring?
This is an outdoor evening market, so plan to set up and light your own booth. Bring your own table and lighting. Our trusty electrician and juror Ryan will get power to your booth via extension cords, and battery or LED lighting is welcome too. Tents are not permitted.
When is setup and load-in?
Load-in is the afternoon of Thursday, December 10, and again on Friday, December 11, at 3:00pm. Check in with Jamie to get your parking pass and booth number. Plan to break down after 9pm each night and leave your space clean.
Is there food and drink?
Yes — during the market you can pre-order food and drinks from Big City Bread without standing in the long lines. It’s delivered straight to your booth, so you’re well fed through the evening and never miss a sale.
What if I'm not accepted this year?
We hear from more wonderful artists than we have room for, so a booth isn’t always possible. If your work impressed the jury, we may place you on our waitlist and reach out if a space opens. Either way, we’d love for you to apply again next year.