Arts and Craft Vendor Application

Welcome to the event! Browse through our application and let us know if you have any questions. This is an electronic agreement and by completing this application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN's 41st Annual Dickens of a Christmas is historic Downtown Franklin's annual Victorian-themed outdoor street festival. Dickens of a Christmas recreates the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s charming architecture as the backdrop. A variety of musicians, dancers and Dickens characters will fill the streets. Expect to see and interact with the nefarious Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the rest of the Cratchit family from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children.
 
The celebration typically attracts 100,000+ visitors over the course of the weekend. In 2025, we had approximately 120,000 visitors.

We invite artists and craftspeople who create their own items to apply. We are particularly interested in vendors with heritage crafts, holiday items and specialty gifts. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

The following information is provided for vendors to submit applications for Dickens of a Christmas.  If the application is accepted, the application and the terms set forth below will constitute a binding legal contract between the vendor and the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.

Festival Dates and Times:
Saturday, December 12, 2026; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 13, 2026; 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

This is a rain, shine, or snow event. Refunds will not be issued in the event of postponement or cancelation due to inclement weather. 

Acceptance and Payment

If your application is approved, your booth payment will be automatically processed on October 28th. If you decide to not participate in the festival, you must contact the festival team to request a withdrawal of your application.

Application Submission Requirements

• Dickens of a Christmas only accepts applications submitted through Eventeny.
• Applicant booth must feature original, handcrafted art, created by the artist or collaborative team who applied to the festival. 
• Each application must include five digital photographs: four photographs must clearly show work the artist intends on exhibiting and one photo must be an image of the artist’s booth completely setup. If there is no booth photo, artist may automatically be disqualified from the jury process.
• Each artist must pay a nonrefundable $40 fee for each application submitted as part of the application process on Eventeny. 
• Collaborative teams of no more than two artists are welcome to apply.
• Applicants must be 18 years and older.

Acceptance & Jury Process

Vendors are selected through a juried application process following the application deadline. Applications are reviewed based on originality, handcrafted quality, craftsmanship, presentation, and overall fit within the festival.

Acceptance notifications will be sent via Eventeny. Acceptance to a previous Main Street Festival or other Heritage Foundation festivals does not guarantee acceptance to future festivals.

The Festival is committed to showcasing original, handcrafted work created by the applying artist or approved collaborative team. To maintain this standard, the jury reserves the right to:

• Limit the number of vendors in any given category
• Decline applications that do not meet originality, handcrafted, quality, or category standards
• Consider diversity of media, style, and price point when making final selections

Applications are evaluated solely on the materials submitted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that images and descriptions accurately represent the work to be exhibited.

All jury decisions are final. The Festival reserves the right to revoke acceptance if an applicant’s work is found to be inconsistent with the submitted application, jury standards, or festival policies.

Booth Fees

$40 nonrefundable application fee
$450 per 10x10 booth space
$75 electrical fee (advance purchase; limited availability)
$95 electrical fee if added during the festival

Premium or corner booth pricing is not offered. All booths are equally priced.

Important Dates

• October 2, 2026 - Application deadline
• October 9, 2026 - Acceptance notifications sent
• October 28, 2026 - Booth & electricity fees processed via Eventeny
• November 6, 2026 - Final date to cancel participation and receive booth fee refund minus $50 administrative charge

Festival Schedule
Friday, December 11th
8:30p-10:00p – Vendor Check-in at the HF Tent and Booth Setup

Saturday, December 12th
6:00a-9:00a - Vendor Registration in HF Tent and Setup
8:30a-10:00a - Fire Marshal, Health, & City Inspection of all booths and food trucks
10:00a – Festival Opens
6:00p – Festival Ends
 
Sunday, December 13th
11:00a – Festival Opens 
5:00p – Festival Ends 
7:00p – Streets Open
 
Booth Fees
$40.00 - Application Fee (non-refundable)
$450.00 per 10x10 booth spot
$75.00 Electrical Fee (if needed. Is available on a first come, first served basis)
$95.00 Electrical Fee when added during the festival

We do not offer premium or corner booth spaces. All booths are equally priced.  

Important Dates
October 2, 2026 - Deadline to submit application

October 9, 2026 - Date that artists will receive notification of application status

October 28, 2026 - Payment processed via Eventeny for approved vendors

November 6, 2026 - Final date for when artists can cancel their festival participation and receive refund of their booth fee minus a $50 administrative charge.

Original & Handcrafted Work Requirement
All artwork and products must be original, handcrafted, and created by the applying artist or approved collaborative team.

The following are not permitted:

• Imported goods
• Commercially mass-produced or factory-manufactured items
• Kits, flea market items, or resale merchandise
• Items made using commercially purchased casts, molds, or patterns
• Pre-manufactured or factory-sewn clothing

Limited exceptions may be considered only when the artist can clearly demonstrate substantial personal modification as an integral part of the creative process. Final determination rests with the Festival jury and staff.

Handmade Verification & Proof of Production
Due to the increased availability of mass-produced goods through wholesale and fast-retail marketplaces, the Festival has implemented additional verification requirements to protect the integrity of the Arts & Crafts program and the artists who create their work by hand.

Certain product categories require proof of production during the application process, including but not limited to:

• Jewelry
• Crochet/knit items and plush
• Laser-cut items
• Stickers, prints, and digital art
• Tumblers and sublimation or vinyl products
• Candles and bath/body care
• Leather goods
• Pet accessories
• Toys and plush
• Wood signs

Required uploads may include:

• A photo of the artist’s workspace or studio clearly showing tools, materials, and works in progress
• A brief process video (preferred and may be requested to complete jury review)
• Submitted materials may be reviewed using reverse image searches and AI-supported verification tools to confirm originality and ensure items are not commercially mass-produced.

Applications that do not submit required proof or that indicate resale or mass production may be declined. Application fees are nonrefundable.

Licensing Requirement
All merchandise referencing protected characters, brands, logos, or sports teams must be properly licensed. Unlicensed or “fan-made” items are prohibited and may result in immediate removal without refund and restriction from future festivals.

Artisan & Craftsman Demonstrators
Vendors interested in serving as live Artisan or Craftsman Demonstrators must email Festival Staff with a brief description of their proposed demonstration. Once reviewed and approved, demonstrators will receive guaranteed Main Street placement and complimentary electricity via a coupon code.

Eligible categories include Jewelry, Painting, Furniture Making, Metalworking, Woodworking, Pottery, Ceramics, Textiles (including Quilting, Spinning, Weaving, and Rug Braiding or Hooking), and other traditional crafts.

Exclusions:

Demonstrations must show the process of creating the product. Demonstrations of finished products or product application (e.g., permanently affixing jewelry) do not qualify. Video or pre-recorded demonstrations are not permitted.

Booth Assignment & Placement
We understand that booth placement is important to vendors and that many artists have preferences based on past experiences or business needs. While we strive to create a fair, engaging, and balanced festival layout, booth assignments are determined by Festival Staff and cannot be guaranteed based on request.

Placement decisions consider multiple factors, including category balance, street layout, safety requirements, accessibility, demonstrations, activation zones, and overall festival flow.

Booth numbers will be assigned and emailed approximately two weeks prior to the festival. Once issued, booth assignments are final. Refunds will not be granted due to dissatisfaction with booth placement.

Booth Setup & Regulations

• Vendors must supply a freestanding white 10x10 tent
• All tents must be weighted with a minimum of 40 lbs per leg (City of Franklin requirement)
• Tent legs may not be staked into pavement
• No amplified sound is permitted
• Overstock may not be stored on sidewalks
• Tents using open flames must have a fully charged ABC fire extinguisher
• Vendors failing inspection may not be permitted to operate.

Rules & Conduct

• Artists must be present and operational during all festival hours
• Early breakdown is prohibited and may affect eligibility for future festivals
• Exhibited work must match the quality, category, and body of work approved by the jury
• All work must be available for sale
• No offensive, discriminatory, sexual, or drug-related merchandise or materials are permitted
• Artists are expected to maintain professional conduct at all times

Liability & Weather Disclaimer
Festival will proceed rain, snow or shine except in unsafe conditions. Refunds will not be issued in the event of postponement or cancelation due to inclement weather. Vendors participate at their own risk and are responsible for securing merchandise, displays, and maintaining appropriate liability insurance commensurate with their operations. Festival organizers are not liable for weather-related damages, losses, or disruptions to vendor operations.

Festival management reserves the right to remove any vendor whose conduct or merchandise violates festival policies or disrupts the event. Local law enforcement may be engaged if necessary.

By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with all festival policies, procedures, rules, terms, and conditions outlined in this application and any additional vendor materials provided by the Festival.

Additional Documents
Applicants are encouraged to review the following documents available within the application:

• Jury Details for Festivals
• Rules and Regulations for Festivals