2026 Holiday Fair Vendor Application
Grand Central Holiday Fair
We are preparing for another exciting holiday season with the return of New York City’s longest-running indoor holiday market showcasing ~40 local artisan vendors offering one-of-a-kind products across a variety of categories.
The Grand Central Holiday Fair runs for six weeks from November 9 through December 24 in the stunning and climate-controlled Vanderbilt Hall. The Holiday Fair welcomes countless visitors for a shopping experience curated with a focus on handmade and unique products. The Fair is a destination for holiday shoppers.
Application Now Open!
For questions, reach out to: [email protected]
Vendors from recent holiday fairs have seen remarkable success, including:
- Securing wholesale accounts with major retailers
- Attracting attention from museums
- Landing brick-and-mortar store placements
- Securing book deals
- Expanding their customer base
- Boosting their social media presence
- Gaining TV exposure
By the Numbers
- The average booth size is 9x9 feet
- $155,000 Average Sales Per Vendor in 2025
- The Holiday Fair garners 1.6 billion average media impressions
- ~1 Million daily visitors to Grand Central Terminal during the holiday season
- Located in a central major transit hub serving New York City, Connecticut, Westchester and Long Island via Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Railroad, the 4, 5, 6, 7, and S subway lines, airport buses, and taxis
- Grand Central’s subway station sees over 45 million riders per year
Why Join The Grand Central Holiday Fair
- Prime Location: Grand Central Terminal, one of the busiest transit hubs in the world, welcomes almost 1M daily visitors during the holiday season. Serving commuters from NYC, Connecticut, Westchester, and Long Island, Grand Central is also home to the busiest subway station in the entire NYC subway system.
- Unmatched Opportunities: Past vendors have secured wholesale accounts, museum partnerships, book deals, and major retail placements after showcasing at the Grand Central Holiday Fair.
- Strong Sales Potential: In 2025, the average sales per vendor exceeded $155,000, proving this as a lucrative opportunity for business growth.
- Robust Promotion: The Holiday Fair is promoted across top-tier media outlets, digital ads, and Grand Central’s social platforms, with 300,000+ followers. The Holiday Fair garners 1.6 billion average media impressions, ensuring brand reach across an impressive audience.
- Turnkey Setup: Participation includes a booth structure, signage, basic lighting, and on-site management support and housekeeping. Design services are available for an additional fee.
- Security & Convenience: Enjoy 24/7 on-site security and a lockable booth to keep your product safe overnight—so you can focus on what matters most: selling.
- Exclusive Vendor Mix: The Holiday Fair carefully curates a diverse selection of exceptional artisans and small businesses, focusing on handmade, made-in-the-US, non-perishable products to ensure a unique shopping experience. The selection committee evaluates applicants based on design, craftsmanship, location, and willingness to engage in marketing initiatives. The Holiday Fair is truly unique, as you will not find a repeat vendor within a 10-block radius of Grand Central Terminal.
- Thriving Community: Join a growing network of designers, artisans, craftspeople, and small business owners. As part of our commitment to authenticity and connection, business owners are required to be present for most of the Fair’s operating days, fostering direct engagement with customers.
- Collective Booth Opportunity: There is potential for artists to share a booth, allowing them to merchandise and staff a collective space. Artists must form their collective before applying, and each member will need to submit a separate application.
Media Highlights
- "A festive spectacle that rivals any European holiday market." -Secret NYC
- "A bustling hub for artisan vendors and small businesses." -New York Post
- Grand Central Holiday Fair was listed as one of "The Best Holiday & Christmas Markets In NYC To Browse This Season" -Secret NYC
- “The most well-known (and accessible) is the Grand Central Holiday Fair inside the city’s transportation crown jewel, Grand Central Terminal.” -Condé Nast Traveler
Important Dates and Details
Application Deadline
- Application Deadline: May 18
Acceptances Sent: First week of June
Fees and Deposit
- Booth Rental Fee: $19,500
- Non-refundable Deposit Due ($8,000): June 30
- Final Payment Due ($11,500): October 12
- Certification of Insurance ($431)* Due: October 12
- Fee for New Vendor Signage ($275)**: October 12
Load-in and Load-out
- Vendor Load-In: November 7 & 8
- Vendor Load-Out: December 24 & 26
Fair Operating Hours
- Daily Hours:
- November 9 –December 16
- MON–SAT: 10AM–7PM
- SUN: 11AM–6PM
- Closed on Thanksgiving Day
- New! Christmas Week Hours: December 17 – December 23: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Christmas Eve: 10 AM – 6 PM
Reminder: Application now open!
*Price subject to change
**As required for new vendors and if existing signage is not in our inventory
