CHRISTMAS FAIR 2026
Friday 4 December – Sunday 13 December
Stallholder Applications – open until 11:59pm on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Canberra Potters Christmas Fair is a curated retail event held annually in December in the Canberra Potters Gallery space. Makers are invited to apply to be a part of this enchanting and much anticipated Christmas shopping event, creating your own stall within the gallery, while Canberra Potters staff take care of the rest over the following 10 days! We provide point of sale, wrapping and packing materials, dedicated sales staff in the space, restocking and tidying of your stall for the duration, as well as professional photography, and a dedicated marketing campaign through our social media channels, membership, and coordinated partnerships with other arts and tourism institutions.
Always a popular Christmas shopping destination, with the implementation of a dedicated marketing strategy, the 2025 Christmas Fair attracted a 55% increase in sales from the previous year. With a continued development and commitment to resources in this area we project an increase in visitation again this year.
Stallholders will also be invited to attend the VIP Preview Shopping Night we host prior to the official opening of the event, a lovely opportunity to be present to interface with your audience, enjoy a beverage and some festive nibbles.
We warmly invite you to apply now to join us for the Canberra Potters Christmas Fair, an exciting opportunity to showcase your work for the enthusiastic crowds during a peak retail period. This opportunity is available to all members, with no restrictions on duration of membership. If you are not a current member, but would like to partake in the Christmas Fair, please click here to join now, following which you will be able to access the application form. Annual memberships start at $60.50 (Student/Concession/Senior).
Cost: $120 per 1.8m x 1m stall, plus 40% commission on sales made throughout the duration of the event.
Key Dates:
- Wednesday 2 December, 12pm – 8pm: Install
- Thursday 3 December, 10am – 2pm: Stall finalising and tidying
- Thursday 3 December, 6pm – 8pm: VIP Preview Shopping Night (point of sale managed by Canberra Potters, stallholders encouraged to attend but don’t need to be present)
- Friday 4 – Sunday 13 December: Fair duration (standard operating days – point of sale managed by Canberra Potters, stallholders don’t need to be present)
- Tuesday 15 December, 10am – 7pm: De-installation of stalls
What you will need:
- a table or appropriate market furniture for a 1.8m x 1m space
- inventory for the duration of the event
What Canberra Potters provide:
- Coordinated professional product photography for marketing purposes
- 1.8m x 1m allocated space in our Gallery
- Sales staff for the duration of the event
- Point of sale processing
- Wrapping materials and carry bags
- Ongoing marketing strategy for the lead up to and the duration of the event
- Hosting the busy VIP preview event
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be assessed by a selection panel, including Canberra Potters Staff and an external advisory group. The panel will consider quality of products, adherence to Assessment Criteria (see below) and the overall curation of a retail experience that offers a diverse representation of the Canberra Potters’ community output.
Canberra Potters Assessment Criteria for retail ceramic products:
- Work finished to a high quality
- Fit for purpose – for example teapots pour well etc.
- No cracks
- No chips
- No firing faults (dunting or pinholing etc)
- Well finished (bottoms sanded, finishing of glaze is well done etc.)
- Glaze well applied and fired to correct temperature
- Potters mark or identifying mark on piece
- Distribution of weight of clay consistent with functionality of work – for example teapots have good weight for pouring etc
- Is the object stable – if the shelf is bumped will it stay standing?
- Items intended for food and drink have food safe glazes
- Vessel appendages should be well considered eg. handles well attached
- Care instructions included – e.g. dishwasher, microwave, oven etc
- Originality of design – not copied or plagiarised
- Durability, strong enough to withstand consistent use
- Suitability of work for a retail environment
- Work should be made by the applicant or in the case of more than one maker both must be clearly identified
- Glaze finish should be unique to the artist
To Apply:
- Please complete the application form via the button below.
- You will need to be logged in as an active member to view this form.
- If you experience difficulties logging in or accessing the form, please email admin@canberrapotters.com.au.
- Once you have completed your application, please send an email to shop@canberrapotters.com.au with your name and “Christmas Fair 2026” in the subject line – we will use these details to crosscheck receipt of your application.
- Applications close at 4pm on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
