Big Gay Halloween Market 2026

Big Gay Halloween Market

October 10th and 11th,12 PM to 5 PM

Applications Close: 09/05/2026

Acceptance Letters Sent By: 09/12/2026

Payments Due By: 09/19/2026

 

Located at:
The AMP at 16 Tech
1220 Waterway Blvd Container 1, Indianapolis, IN 46202

 

Please Note:

Set-up starts at 10 AM  on Saturday and  10 AM on Sunday

 

This will be a 100% indoor event. Vendor booths are 8x8 ft. Please note this when applying.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

This is an application that is subject to vendor selection by the Indy Gay Market team due to the availability of spaces at this location and the desire to serve as many queer artisans as possible!

Applications are judged based on:

1. Originality & Creativity (0-10 Weight 10) 
   Is the work distinctive?
   Avoids over-saturated tropes unless done in a new way
2. Craftsmanship / Product Quality (0-10 Weight 10) 
   Materials, durability, finish
   Does it feel polished and intentional?
3. Does the Applicant display the requested Pictures of booth display and products? (0-10 Weight 5) 
   Are photos provided or found clearly on their website or instagram?4.
4. Is the Artist QTBIPOC (Yes/No Weight 3)
   Complete Descriptions and Answers?(0-10 Weight 5)
5. Consistency of Brand / Work (0-10 Weight 10) 
   Clear aesthetic or product line
   Feels cohesive rather than random
6. Category Diversity: Higher score means they fill a gap (1-10 Weight 5) 
7. Local Maker? (Yes/No Weight 3) 
   In or closely outside of Indianapolis= Yes
   More than an hour away = No
8. Should we prioritize their participation? (1-5 Weight 10) 
   Higher score indicates not participating in recent events or past rejection
   Lower score indicates frequent vendor 

Important:

If your work is unique to your medium please make sure you tell us how and why to stand out!

Please ensure any social media links submitted are public pages so that we can accurately view your products and posts. Privated pages will not be considered and will lose point in the application process where necessary.

When submitting photos , please ONLY share photos of prior booth setups and product photos. The quality of your photos and products are being scored in your application and we want to see you shine!

 

Any product photos should be able to be seen on the website or social media provided! This is to encourage our artists to start practicing and improving their self promotion online as it is essential to business and event success long term! Our audience wants to see your work online!

We also are making an effort to rotate artists and create systems to help ensure more people get a fair chance, some of which include accounting for if you had a spot at our last event, prioritizing people of multiple minorities, and your locality. 

 

Acceptance notifications will be sent out 30 days prior to the event along with your vendor packet and details about the event logistics.

Booth fees will serve as confirmation of your attendance and will be automatically charged one week after acceptance.Using Eventeny, you will select which payment you need. The booth fee is $60 but there are financial aid options listed for those who are unable to pay the full booth fee.

 

When choosing a payment method you can choose between a card payment and linking your bank account. If you decide to use your bank account information please note that there will be in immediate ACH authorization fee of $7 that is not refundable and will apply as soon as your application is submitted. Indy Gay Market has absorbed all other fees for the event into the total cost of the booth. This fee only applies to bank accounts added as payment and not to card payments. This fee is apart of Eventeny's ACH authorization and does not go to benefit Indy Gay Market in any way. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

 

If you are not accepted into the event, you will not be charged at any time!

 

If you select multiple booths, you will still only be given one booth if accepted and we will charge the highest fee selected and any other booth fee added will be taken as donation so please only select one booth unless intending to make a donation!

 

Important Payment Information:

Please note: The card you place on file in this application will not be charged the booth fee unless you are accepted into the event. This fee will be charged 7 days after you are notified you are accepted. This fee will be automatically charged one week after acceptance. No need to log in and submit the fee or remember to confirm your attendance! Please the dates in question at the top of this page.

BOOTH INFORMATION:
Booth fees are $60 per booth. This is for a booth size of 8 ft by 8 ft. We apologize that we cannot accommodate 10x10 set-ups indoors at this location.  This fee will not need to be paid until after you have been accepted! We also offer assistance to vendors in need of financial sponsorship.

While this is a two-day event, each vendor can only reserve a booth for one of the days. 

 

NEW PLEASE READ: To help our team better track vendors assigned to each day and for clarity for vendors, you will need to select the day you prefer most in the Prices section of this application after completing the application questions. Financial aid options will still be available in the form of a discount code. Please see the description of each booth option on the Prices page and select ONE booth from either Saturday or Sunday. If you select both, you will only be considered for one and we will have to reach out to verify which date you perfer which will slow down the approval process. Help us approve vendors smoothly by ensuring you only select ONE booth! There will be a question in the application asking if you are open to either day. This means that in the event the day you are selected for is full, we will consider accepting you for the other day if there is availability. In the event that you are waitlisted, this also tells our team you are okay being assigned to either day! 99% of approved vendors will be assigned to their selected day, this is simply a back up measure!

 

VENDOR EXPECTATIONS

Please read to see recent updates:

• Vendors may only sell their own business’s products.
  • Please do not resell items purchased from other companies or made by AI. (Manufactured products of your own design are absolutely fine).
• Vendors are expected to read, understand, and agree to the vendor code of conduct. Please reach out ASAP with any questions about recent changes made to the code of conduct.
• You must provide your table, chairs, booth set-up, clothing racks, etc...
• Vendors CAN share booths. Each vendor must be listed in ONE application. You do not need to submit two applications if you are sharing a booth.
• Vendors will arrive on time and be fully set up by the start of the event.
• Vendors will be present at their table from start to finish.
  All emails sent before the market must be read thoroughly to ensure the event runs smoothly.
• Vendors should submit payment within the payment window provided or request assistance. This will be included in your acceptance email.
• If you are no longer able to attend and need to cancel, notice must be given 7 DAYS before the market date. Any cancellations less than 7 days before an event will not receive a refund of their booth payment. If you have extenuating circumstances, please feel free to email info@indygaymarket.com 

Any questions about the market may be sent  by using messaging Indy Gay Market using Eventeny or via email to info@indygaymarket.com

Volunteer With Us and Be Part of Something Bigger This isn’t just a volunteer shift, it’s a chance to help build something that truly matters. At Indy Gay Market, we create vibrant, inclusive spaces where LGBTQ+ artists, makers, and small businesses can thrive. Our volunteers are a huge part of making that happen. You’re not just helping run an event, you’re helping create a space where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated. What you’ll do: From vendor support and setup to greeting guests and keeping the energy flowing, you’ll play a key role in making the market welcoming, organized, and joyful. What we ask of you: We rely on our volunteers. When you sign up, we’re counting on you to show up ready, on time, and committed to your full shift. Every role matters, and the event can’t run smoothly without you. Reliability is not measured by the amount of work you can do, we accommodate any and all limitations and disabilities to ensure that volunteers have space to serve their community in their own way! Plans change and we totally get it. But out of respect for the team and the vendors who depend on us, we ask that you only sign up if you’re confident you can attend, and communicate as early as possible if something comes up. Consistent no-shows may impact eligibility for future volunteer opportunities. We are very understanding people and want to make sure you are okay! So just send us an email or a text if something comes up and you aren't able to make it to the event. What you’ll get: A behind-the-scenes role in a growing LGBTQ+ community event A fun, supportive team environment The chance to directly support local artists and small businesses An opportunity to meet new queer community members and start building your own micro-community of likeminded people Volunteer perks: We know that volunteering doesn't pay the bills. As trusted members of our community, the IGM team is happy to help make these opportunities more worthwhile. We can provide letters of recommendation, character letters, complete paperwork for community service requirements, and more. Have a job that reimburses community service hours? We can provide documentation for that too! Volunteering with us also opens up opportunities to join the Indy Gay Market Team when openings arise and even to build new roles to fit your skills if you are someone passionate about this community and looking for new ways to volunteer long term to expand our mission! New! - Any vendors who are interested in vending with IGM or who have vended in the past have a new opportunity. Vendors who volunteer at two events successfully will be given a free booth and guaranteed acceptance to one (1) market of their choice! We will be keeping track of volunteers and will notify you when this perk is available for you to use! Who this is for: People who are reliable, community-minded, and excited to be part of something bigger than themselves. No prior experience needed—just a good attitude and follow-through. Any disabilities or personal limitations should not deter someone from volunteering. Your presence is valued and we would love to have you be a part of our community and what makes our events exciting, fun, and successful. Thank you for your interest, we can't wait to work with you! Ready to show up and make an impact? We’d love to have you. Apply below and we will reach out via text/email with updates!