A: This year (2026), The Rust Belt’s Annual Holiday Market will take place December 15th through December 24th. Every year, we welcome additional vendors to The Rust Belt family and open our doors to eager holiday shoppers each day from 11am to 8pm. The entire marketplace, including our bar, is open to the public.

2026 marks the 16th year of hosting this special event. The Rust Belt’s Annual Holiday Market embodies holiday charm during the most festive, feel-good time of the year!

A: Yes. Holiday vendors are required to commit to every single day we're open, from December 15th through December 24th, including all hours from 11am to 8pm.

A: Yes. Holiday vendors are required to be open to the public every day during all market hours. Everyone's space must be independently staffed at all times by either the artist/company owner or an employee/representative. Staffing cannot be shared by neighboring vendors.

A: Holiday vendors will be set up within our centrally located event room inside of The Rust Belt Market. Some spaces have usable walls and some do not; the rate for each space reflects wall usability and square footage.

All vendors will have access to electrical for basic needs such as lighting, phone charging, and standard point of sale terminals/iPads.

A: Yes—upon approval. While a few spaces are too small to accommodate a shared layout, most spaces can be shared by, at most, two vendors. We do not charge an additional fee for splitting a space; however, both vendors require approval by The Rust Belt Market.

Both companies/artists should submit an application. We’ve included a form field where you can indicate your desire to split a space along with the other company/artist’s name, website, and email address.

A: Accepted vendors have a full day prior to the start of the market to complete set up. This year, vendor set up will take place Monday, December 14th (2026).

A: The average rate for this year's 10-day holiday market is $1800.

Differences in space size, usable wall space, and location will be reflected in the final rate--which may be higher or lower than the average rate. Click on the “Map With Rates” button below the FAQs to view a layout with space numbers, square footage, and corresponding rates.

While we take space requests into consideration, The Rust Belt has final authority in assigning spaces to each vendor. We review and consider many aspects of each company/artist such as product types/media and styles, anticipated set-up, competitive positioning, flow, walkability, visual impact, etc. when curating the layout of the holiday market.

A: All applicants will receive an email of acceptance or denial by October 30th.

A: If paying in full, payment is due November 6th.

If paying in two equal installments, the first payment is due November 6th, and the balance is due December 4th. A convenience fee of $25 shall be included in both payments.

Failure to pay in a timely manner will result in the forfeiture of the reserved slot, and we will reach out to waitlisted applicants.

Each accepted vendor will receive an invoice or invoices according to their preferred aforementioned payment schedule. Accepted forms of payment include debit or credit card, ACH, Venmo, cash, business check, cashier's check, or money order.

PROCESSING FEES: A processing fee of 1% will be added to all ACH or Venmo payments. A processing fee of 3% will be added to all debit or credit card payments. No other forms of payment will incur a processing fee.

A: If you are accepted but can no longer commit to the holiday market and inform The Rust Belt in writing (email) before or on December 4th: You will only receive a refund for any amount we're able to capture by booking a replacement vendor—less any discounts we may have to extend in order to fill a last-minute opening. If we are unable to fill the vacancy, you will not receive a refund in any amount.

If you are accepted but know you can no longer participate in the holiday market once December 4th has passed: You forfeit 100% of all monies you’ve paid to The Rust Belt Market. This policy applies to cancellations as well as no-shows for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to: emergencies, tragedies, inconveniences, illness, weather, acts of god, windy sunburn, planes, trains, and automobiles.