Application

Merchant

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Deadline: May 31, 2026 11:59 pm (GMT-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
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Date: Aug 07, 2026 5:00 pm - Aug 09, 2026 10:00 pm (CDT)
place
Chicago, Illinois
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$920.00 - $1,615.00

About the application

Please note that upon your acceptance to the festival, your credit card on file will be automatically debited and processed for the full amount owed within 24hrs.  

 

PLEASE NOTE ALL APPLICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE AND AVAILABILITY.

About the event

Details Fri, August 7, 2026 | 5pm to 10pm Sat, August 8, 2026 | 11am to 10pm Sun, August 9, 2026 | 11am to 10pm Northalsted Market Days® is an annual street festival celebrating community in Chicago’s landmark Northalsted/Lakeview neighborhood. The 1/2 mile long summer festival features all-day lineups of live music on 4 stages, 250+ vendors, food and drink, dance exhibitions, drag performance, and more! Market Days is one of Thrillist’s Can’t Miss Queer Events, ranked in the top 10 Chicago festivals by BizBash, and a 2023 Best of GayCities Winner for Travel Worthy Festival. Northalsted Market Days is easily accessed via the CTA Red Line Addison station at Wrigley Field, CTA Red/Brown/Purple Lines at Belmont, multiple bus lines, and rideshare car/cab services to hotels and other lodging.
Special Events Management
Special Events Management
Special Events Management
Special Events Management

Terms & Conditions

NORTHALSTED MARKET DAYS 2026 RULES & REGULATIONS 

 

1. Contract Cancellation: CRSEM, LLC dba Special Events Management (hereinafter “SEM”) reserves the right to cancel a contract at any time for the good of the festival, or by the direction of the Northalsted Area Merchants Association dba Northalsted Business Alliance (AKA “Host Committee”). Any cancellations by management will be refunded if ALL rules and regulations have been followed. Cancellation or suspension due to lack of proper city licensing or failure to meet or maintain guidelines will not be eligible for refunds.

 

2. Water: Running water is not provided on site. You must supply your own fresh water.

 

3. Electricity: No small portable generators or car batteries are permitted within your booth. All electricity on site, if paid for, is portable and provided by a third-party licensed supplier. Any service disruptions and/or blackouts from electricity provided by CRSEM and its provider will not result in a rebate or refund.

 

4. Music: This event STRICTLY prohibits the playing of recorded or live music within your designated booth.

 

5. Securing Your Tent: Drilling in the street is not permitted to secure your tent or equipment. Violators will be subject to a city fine and space cancellation at the event. You are directly responsible for city violations and fines to your assigned space(s). All tent legs must be properly weighted! A 10x10 canopy tent typically needs 40lbs per leg in calm conditions and 75-125 lbs per leg in windy conditions. In contrast, a 10x20 canopy tent requires 60-80 lbs per leg under normal conditions and 150-250 lbs per leg in windy conditions. 

 

6. The sale of any THC based products are currently prohibited. All CBD and Delta 8 businesses must apply as a sponsor of the event in accordance with the City of Chicago current Ordinance. For pricing and a customized benefits package, please contact Karyn Terrones at karyn@chicagoevents.com, or 773-584-6625.

 

*The sale of hemp-derived products that include non-hemp derived additive(s) - psychotropics are prohibited. All vendors/sponsors are required to detail products planned for distribution/sale or sampling at the event. Vendors must adhere to all rules and regulations of the event. 

 

7. Set-up and Tear-down: Each participant is responsible for setup, take down and clean-up of their booth space. Vehicles are allowed on the street only for setup prior to the event and tear down once the festival closes. You will be notified when it is safe to bring your vehicle on the street. Unless otherwise noted, parking is not provided to any participant

but is available for an additional fee if arranged prior to the event. Load-in/set-up times will be provided to you by email one week prior to the event. You must remove your vehicle immediately after unloading your merchandise. You are allotted 2 hours from closing time of the event to vacate your booth space after the event.

 

8. No Show Policy: Participants who have not checked-in by 1:00 PM Friday, August 7th, 2026 will be considered a “no-show.” No Show participants/artist will NOT be eligible for refunds and assigned booth space will be forfeited.

 

9. Trash Disposal: Each space must be left clean throughout the event and each night. Trash receptacles and bags will not be provided, this is your responsibility. Trash (in bags) will be picked up from booths. May be subject to additional fees if your space is not maintained as delivered, upon vacating your event space.


Grease Disposal: Please be aware that all cooking oils and grease must be disposed of properly. These materials should never be disposed of on the pavement, down a sewer, or in a dumpster. Failure to comply with this policy may result in additional fees of $500 and/or ineligibility to participate in future events.

 

10. Indemnification: Northalsted Business Alliance, CRSEM, LLC dba Special Events Management, its employees, festival service providers, or any participating sponsors will NOT be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur to the exhibitor (Artist, Merchant or restaurant), any of the participant’s /employees or any property prior to, during or after the period covered by the participation exhibitor contract. We recommend

the removal of all valuable items off premises each evening. This signed contract states that you agree to the terms and indemnify all parties working and producing the event from any liability or claim.

 

11. Booth Space: Each vendor must use only the space that they are granted. Only a three-foot entry way is permitted. Sidewalks must be left unobstructed at all times. It is strictly prohibited to store items on the sidewalk across or adjacent to your booth. We reserve the right to relocate a participating artist/restaurant when necessary even after a

space has been assigned – based upon approval of the festival committee. The Host Committee and CRSEM are not responsible for any loss or damage to the exhibitor's equipment or any of its contents. We highly recommend removing all items of value off-premises each evening.

 

12. Third Party Vendors: You cannot resell or lease any space to a 3rd party to participate in the event in your booth.

 

13. Event Hours: All vendors must remain open during festival hours each day, and a company representative must be manning the booth at all times during festival hours

 

14. 2026 Refund Process: If the event is faced with inclement weather, Acts of God, Civil Unrest, Pandemic, Public Safety, Protest, and/or any situation that threatens the safety of exhibitors and patrons, Special Events Management has the authorization to cancel and/or postpone the event for public safety ,which will not result in the refunding of your fees. 

 

By signing below, I hereby acknowledge and accept all terms of this vendor application by which will be considered a legal contract between myself (Vendor) and the Event Producer (Northalsted Business Alliance – Host Committee and or agent thereof, CRSEM LLC) including all rules and regulations and understand that I am legally bound by this agreement. 


As a participating exhibitor, I acknowledge my financial responsibility for any damages to equipment items ( i.e. tent, table, chair, sidewall, counter, sign pole, etc.), rented from the production company or third party supplier, inflicted by myself or an employee in my booth and the terms regarding the festival or city rules and violations as outlined in this document. I acknowledge that CRSEM is acting as an agent for the Northalsted Business Alliance who owns the event and at no time is CRSEM empowered to negotiate fees, offer discounts or refunds. Under all circumstances unless stated in the rules and regulations, there are no refunds. 


(You will NOT be held accountable for rental equipment that you do not rent, however, we must have acknowledgement from you in the event that you add rental equipment to your application at a later time or rent an item on-site. It is your responsibility to inspect your tent during load-in and make management aware of any existing damages prior to the opening of the event.)

 

I agree to all terms and conditions within this agreement.

Prices

Application Fee $30.00 Non-refundable This non-refundable $30.00 application fee is charged upon submission.
Merchant 10x10 Space $890.00 Booth Fee Includes: Booth Space & City of Chicago Itinerant fee.
Merchant 10x20 Space $1,585.00 Booth Fee Includes: Booth Space & City of Chicago Itinerant fee.
Corner Booth Upgrade (Upon availability) $250.00 Non-refundable
Electricity-Merchant/Artist/NP $295.00 Each booth that chooses to purchase electricity will receive (3-120v AC -20 AMP circuits), additional electricity is available upon request. Please note that vendors are responsible for bringing their own extension cords. If a special plug is required, please contact us at exhibitors@chicagoevents.com
10x10 Tent $595.00 We recommend that you bring your own tent and weights, alternatively you can rent a commercial tent from us for an additional fee.
10x20 Tent $795.00 We recommend that you bring your own tent and weights, alternatively you can rent a commercial tent from us for an additional fee.
Tent Side (10'x20' solid section) $55.00 Please note, tent sides are only available for rental with an additional rental purchase of a commercial tent.
Sign Poles $40.00 Set consists of 2 poles for (1) 2'x10' banner
(1) LED Tent Light $55.00 Please note, tent sides are only available for rental with an additional rental purchase of a commercial tent and electricity.
(1) Chair $25.00
(1) 6ft Table $55.00

Questions on the application

Business information

  • Business name
  • Legal business name
  • Contact name
  • Address
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Website (Optional)
  • Logo (Optional)

Additional information

  • I understand that I am legally bound by all rules and regulations by this agreement.

Picture requirements

  • Minimum pictures required: 0
Merchant
Merchant
Northalsted Market Days 2026