Since 2015 it has been the desire of Love, the Locals to create a market experience of curated makers to celebrate the talents of the maker community. We know how important it is when the community chooses to shop small and local, and poured our gratitude for that into this show.
Saturday, December 7th, 2024 | 5pm - 8pm | Canoyer Garden Center | Optional but Encouraged!
Sunday, December 8th, 2024 | 10am - 4pm | Canoyer Garden Center - Lincoln, NE
Please take a moment to read the following helpful information before applying.
Holiday Market
For our December Holiday Market 2024 we will once again be at the beautiful Canoyer Garden Center in Lincoln, NE. This is the 9th year for Love, The Locals and we are so excited to see how we have grown over the years. Last year was our first year at Canoyer and we loved the added space for vendors and shoppers alike. We can’t wait to infuse this space with some holiday magic again! We are excited to offer some of the finest handmade goods in Nebraska to our shoppers. Be sure to read about some of the NEW things for this show as you consider applying as a maker! If you have additional questions-please shoot us an email!
Applications for our 2024 Holiday Event are CLOSED.
Applicants will be notified of application status on or before September 30th.
FAQ’s (frequently asked questions)
WHEN and WHERE?
Love, The Locals Holiday Market will be held at Canoyer Garden Center in Lincoln, NE
Saturday, December 7th | 5-8PM | (Optional but Encouraged!)
Sunday, December 8th | 10AM - 4PM
WHAT'S THE PROCESS TO GET IN?
You'll need to complete an application to apply for Love, The Locals. This includes a $10 application fee that is non-refundable.
This is a curated show, we require applicants to fill out and submit and application. We are looking for high quality handmade goods that align with the vision of Love, The Locals. By curating the show we are able to make it a wonderful high quality experience for both makers and shoppers. Those curating the show will be giving special attention to:
unique and high-quality products
modern branding, designs, visuals, and high-quality photos
brands located in Nebraska (preferred, but not required)
brands with an established web presence and eCommerce platform
Due to the excitement for Love, The Locals, our applicant pool has been increasing! We spend 12+hours looking at applications, photos, websites and reading about the passion people have for their businesses. To offset the amount of time and energy it takes to review the applications and make selections to curate the show we are implementing a non-refundable application fee.
HOW MANY VENDORS ARE ACCEPTED?
We are excited to have more space this year to include more vendors! For our Holiday Market at Canoyer Garden Center we are looking for 70-80 vendors.
ARE THERE ANY VENDOR SPECIFICATIONS?
We are looking for makers of high quality handmade goods to apply. You must posses a Nebraska Sales Tax ID AND either sign a waiver or provide insurance coverage on your booth space.
Food Vendors will be required to show/provide appropriate food permits and work with the Health Department to ensure you are fully in compliance to be a food vendor.
FOOD TRUCKS
Are you a food truck style business that would like to participate? Our food trucks usually have the hottest selling items of the day! People are always hungry and our food trucks leave either sold out or completely overwhelmed by how much they sell. If this sounds good to you, apply!
For food trucks, the booth fee is reduced to $160 for both days (Sunday required). Food trucks must meet health standards and be in compliance with the Health Department. We request that you please be reliable. No refunds. Electricity is limited so please indicate on application if you need electricity. Swag donation not required for food trucks.
NEW - SECONDHAND/THRIFTED VENDORS
New this year we will be offering a very limited amount of secondhand/thrifted clothing vendor spaces. We understand the importance of secondhand, and the hustle that is behind the business. We will be specifically looking for secondhand clothing vendors.
SWAG
Each vendor will be required to donate at least 10 small items of swag. The swag will be used in swag bags for shoppers. This is wildly popular, and we have lines out the door just for the swag bags! Swag with your branding is a great way to spread the word about yourself. If you are unsure how to fulfill this, shoot us a message and we can chat to help you generate some creative ideas! Larger items would be acceptable for a Saturday evening giveaway. Please, no coupons.
SATURDAY NIGHT PRE-SALE SHOPPING EVENT
In efforts to keep things fun and fresh, 2 years ago we added a special Saturday night pre-sale shopping event, giving shoppers first dibs and a more intimate holiday shopping experience. Shoppers loved the more relaxed, intimate pace. Pre-Sale Tickets will be available and limited to benefit both the maker and the shopper! Saturday, Dec. 7th event hours will be shifted earlier this year to be 5-8PM.
DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SATURDAY SHOW?
No. Saturday night is an optional night to sell your goods. Many people come to shop this show for specific goods, gifts, and one-of-a-kind items. This allows you the opportunity to capture those sales, create special items only available for Saturday evening and to be able to make a little more holiday money! Offering shoppers an alternative fun night out has us all pretty excited!
Need we mention set up?! You’ll be able to set up your booth Saturday afternoon, sell your goods on Saturday evening and leave your display/goods overnight (Locked and Secured). On Sunday morning, enjoy a stress-free morning and start selling right away!
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN SATURDAY AND NOT SUNDAY?
No. You participate in both Saturday AND Sunday or just on Sunday. Preference will be given to vendors who can participate both days.
WHAT IS THE SET UP LIKE?
The holiday show will be an indoor show inside the Canoyer Garden Center. This is a beautiful large indoor glass greenhouse with concrete floors. The greenhouse is heated and will be able to be kept at a relatively comfortable temperature. Booth sizes will be a standard 10x10, electricity is extremely limited - please let us know if you will be requiring it.
You will be required to provide your own set-up and tables/display. Please do not bring a tent, as this is an indoor show. We strive to have an aesthetically pleasing market and hope that you'll put your best creative foot forward in making your display pop and easy to shop for your customers. Part of our selection process does include reviewing what a typical set up looks like for your business.
WHAT ABOUT BOOTH SHARING?
No booth sharing allowed. Only one booth space allowed per vendor.
What can I expect for an audience?
To give you an idea of audience size at our 2017 Winter show we had over 4,000 customers fill The Bay on a Sunday afternoon. In the first 30 minutes 1,000 people came through the doors. Our events have been drawing a consistently larger crowd every year.
Our preview night allows shoppers to purchase a ticket to come shop on Saturday evening. We are determining the appropriate number for ticket sales so it is beneficial to you as a vendor and also to the customer for the more intimate shopping experience.
We are looking forward to this holiday event, and can’t wait to party with you! While we can’t promise anything for your sales, we can promise you a good time, camaraderie with other local makers and some damn good eats and drinks!
How is it promoted?
Our event is heavily promoted through our social media (Facebook and Instagram). We will also be sending out event emails to our shoppers. Promotional flyers will be posted around Lincoln. Every year we work to be featured on local news stations in Lincoln.
We kindly ask that ALL participating makers + businesses join us in spreading the word, shouting from the rooftops, and telling everyone you know about the event. Social media graphics will be provided to you for promotional use once accepted.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER POLICY?
The show will go on rain or shine, sleet or snow.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
This is a non-refundable show. The show goes on no matter what! If you are unable to make it and can give us a heads up, we will do our best to fill your spot with someone on our waiting list. At that point, if we fill it, we will do our best to give you a refund of some sort.
Apply:
Applications for 2024 Holiday market are open until September 23rd. Applicants will be notified of application status on or before September 30th.
Pricing:
This is a two day event with Saturday being optional for vendors. There is one standard booth price. Ability to participate in both days will be considered during the selection process.
Saturday, December 7th from 5-8PM and Sunday, December 8th from 10AM -4PM.
10x10 Holiday Market Booth - $225 (plus swag donation)
Food Truck - $160 (swag donation not required)
APPLY FOR LOve, The locals 2024 Holiday Market
2024 Applications are now CLOSED.