How to Apply for the 2026 Holiday Market at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

APPLY

Photos are required by applicants. THREE (3) digital photographs are required for submission of your application. 

PHOTO #1: Should show your current exhibit/display/booth stocked with your work. Artisans who have never shown before should gather their work and take a photograph that best shows their ability to present a well-stocked, high-quality booth at the Festival.

PHOTO #2: Should show the artisan working on their art. The photo should depict the artisan in their workspace or studio using the tools/implements needed to complete their craft; (e.g., a potter would be shown at their potter’s wheel, etc.)

 
PHOTO #3: Should be a close-up photo of a finished project representative of what the artisan plans to exhibit at the festival, showing the artistry and quality of the piece. Small groupings of items in the photo are allowed if one piece will not adequately represent your work.

 
Photos must be submitted digitally with your online application. If you are unable to upload photos to your application, please submit your photos by mail to: Holiday Market, 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 320, Newport News, VA 23606. Poor quality photos may hurt your chances of acceptance into the show, so please pay attention to clarity and lighting.

 
MEET DEADLINE

Your application must be submitted by November 9, 2026 by 5pm.

ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION

Notice of acceptance will be emailed by November 10, 2026 from the City of Newport News Parks and Recreation Department (only). Submission of this application does not guarantee selection or participation in the event. 

RECEIVE ASSIGNMENT

Booth assignments and important set-up information will be emailed by November 12, 2026. If you change your email address at any time during the application process, please notify us immediately.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

All vendors are responsible for providing their own tents with tent weights, tables, chairs, and electricity. The city will not be able to provide tents, tent weights, chairs, linens, or electricity.

ASK

Contact us if you have questions. Please call the Department of Parks & Recreation at (757) 926-1400, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., or e-mail grimesnl@nnva.gov.

Digital photographs are required by applicants. A total of THREE (3) digital photographs are required with your application.

PHOTO #1: Should show your current exhibit/display/booth stocked with your work. Artisans who have never shown before should gather their work and take a photograph that best shows their ability to present a well-stocked, high-quality booth at the event.

PHOTO #2: Should show the artisan working on their art. The photo should depict the artisan in their workspace or studio using the tools/implements needed to complete their work; (e.g., a potter would be shown at their potter’s wheel, etc.)

PHOTO #3: Should be a close-up photo of a finished project representative of what the artisan plans to exhibit at the festival, showing the artistry and quality of the piece. Small groupings of items in the photo are allowed if one piece will not adequately represent your work.

Terms and Conditions

On Saturday, December 5, 2026, vendors may arrive at City Center at Oyster Point (700 Town Center Dr.) and start their set up at 1:00pm and must be ready by 4:45pm. All vendors are responsible for providing their own tents with tent weights, tables, and chairs. Electricity is NOT available and generators are not permitted. It is the expectation that all vendors bring their own table dressings. Staff will be escorting vendors to their booth space from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Please DO NOT attempt to drive directly to a booth space without being checked in first by event staff. 

All vendors must be prepared with sufficient supplies to display for the duration of the event and must preside over their booth space at all times. Event staff will be unable to tent sit for any reason due to liability. We strongly urge you to bring a helper to assist with setup and breakdown. Please plan ahead by unloading first, parking and then setting-up/arranging your booth afterward. Vehicles will not be allowed in the event area after 4:00pm for safety. Vendor booths MUST remain open and fully operational until; the end of the event at 8:00pm.

Prohibited Items: Pets and alcohol are NOT permitted in the event area.

Inclement Weather: There is no rain site or rain date. The event will remain open unless event staff determines conditions to be severe. Vendors should come prepared with suitable materials to protect their items.

Breakdown: Vendors will be permitted to drive on site after the all clear sign has been given by event staff and the event site is clear of crowds. Please respect the safety of our patrons. You are allowed to continue selling until the all clear sign has been given, but you cannot breakdown before 8:00pm. Vendors are required to leave their booth/site in the same shape they found it (clean). Failure to clean your booth space will affect future event acceptance. Any garbage you would like to leave behind must be disposed in one of the event trash cans on site.