How to Sell Your Art at Local Summer Markets & Fairs: A UK Artist’s Guide

There’s something special about summer markets in the UK — from cobbled town squares to bustling coastal festivals, they’re full of people looking to discover something unique. For artists and makers, these events are the perfect place to showcase your work, meet potential customers, and make some sales.

Whether you’re thinking of trying your first stall or improving your existing set-up, here’s your step-by-step guide to selling art successfully at local markets and fairs this summer.

1. Find the Right Summer Market or Fair

The first step is finding an event that suits your work. The UK is packed with summer markets, from artisan craft fairs to village fetes and farmers’ markets. Some places to search include:

Local council websites — many list upcoming community events.

Eventbrite & Stallfinder — filter by location and event type.

Facebook groups — search for "[Your Town] Makers Market" or "Craft Fairs UK".

Instagram hashtags — try #LondonMakersMarket, #YorkshireMakers, or #UKCraftFairs.

Ask other artists — your local creative community often knows the best spots.

⚠️ Tip: Some larger markets (e.g., Bath Christmas Market, Malvern Summer Festival) require you to apply months in advance, but plenty of smaller village events and pop-up fairs have late availability.

🎨 Yorkshire Art Fairs & Markets to Explore This Summer

If you’re based in Yorkshire, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to inspiring, creative events. Here are some great options for summer 2025 and beyond:

Art in the Pen – Skipton & Thirsk: One of Yorkshire’s most popular curated art fairs, featuring painters, potters, illustrators, and mixed media artists. The summer Skipton event runs in August. → artinthepen.org.uk

York City Centre Artisan Gift & Craft Fair/Market: Held on multiple weekends in July and August at Belfrey Hall on Stonegate, York’s busiest pedestrian street. A high-footfall event organised by Heritage Promotions UK. Dates for July–August 2025 include 12th, 19th, 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 30th August.

Mid & Late July Craft Fairs, Hawes, Wensleydale: Hosted by Wensleydale Craft Fairs at The Market House, Hawes. Light, spacious, and popular with both locals and visitors. Upcoming dates: 12–13 July and 26–27 July 2025.

Dippy Craft Fair, Whitby: A seaside favourite with up to 60 stalls, free entry, and dog-friendly vibes. Next summer fair: 2–3 August 2025. → whitbypavilion.co.uk

Sunny Bank Mills Makers’ Market (Farsley): A carefully curated market showcasing designer-makers with a strong focus on handmade art. → sunnybankmills.co.uk

Saltaire Makers Fair: Part of the famous Saltaire Festival in September, featuring artists and makers from across Yorkshire. → saltaireinspired.org.uk

Doncaster Balloon Festival Craft & Gift Marquee: A family-friendly festival featuring a craft marquee with big footfall (over 30,000 visitors in 2024). This year's dates: 18–19 July 2025.

Ilkley Arts Craft Market: Featuring local painters, photographers, ceramicists, and textile artists. → ilkleyarts.org

Wentworth Woodhouse Food and Drink Festival: A beautiful South Yorkshire venue hosting a bustling food and craft market on 16–17 August 2025.

Helmsley Arts Centre Makers Markets: Indoor markets supporting North Yorkshire artists and crafters, with occasional summer dates. → helmsleyarts.co.uk

Leeds Craft & Flea: A trendy urban market mixing art, prints, vintage finds, and handmade goods. → thecraftandflea.com

2. Decide What to Sell: Small, Affordable, Eye-Catching

Shoppers at markets love items they can carry home easily and buy as gifts. Consider selling:

Art Prints & Postcards: Easy to display and transport.

Greeting Cards: Perfect for impulse buys.

Stickers & Bookmarks: Low-cost and popular with all ages.

Small Originals: Affordable paintings or drawings for collectors who want something unique.

It’s smart to offer a mix of price points. Maybe £3–£5 for cards, £10–£20 for small prints, and £50+ for original artwork.

🎨 Keep it seasonal: Bright summer colours, florals, beach scenes, and outdoor landscapes tend to sell well this time of year.

3. Price Your Work Sensibly (But Don’t Undervalue It!)

Pricing art is tricky, but here’s a simple formula:

Materials + Time + Stall Fee + Profit Margin = Final Price.

Make sure to research similar artists at markets and on Etsy UK to check your prices are in line with what people are willing to pay. Offering small multi-buy deals (e.g., 3 cards for £10) can encourage people to spend a little more.

👉 Most UK summer markets charge between £10 and £50 per stall per day, depending on location and footfall. Factor this into your costs.

4. Create a Welcoming, Professional Stall Display

Your stall is your shop front, so make it inviting:

Use a tablecloth, boxes, and easels to add levels and height.

Add clear pricing labels so people know what things cost without having to ask.

Bring a float with change for cash payments and a card reader (SumUp, Zettle, and Square are popular options).

Don’t forget packaging like paper bags or eco-friendly wrap.

If you’re outdoors, check whether you need to bring your own gazebo and weights — sudden British weather changes are not uncommon!

5. Promote Yourself Before & During the Event

Promotion doesn’t stop with your stall. In the days before the market:

Post on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads telling people where you’ll be and when.

Tag the market’s account and use location-based hashtags (e.g., #BrightonMakers, #ManchesterMarkets).

Share sneak peeks of the products you’re preparing.

On the day, take photos of your stall, share stories, and post your bestsellers to attract customers to your table.

6. Be Friendly, Approachable, and Yourself

Many shoppers buy because they connect with the maker. Smile, say hello, and be ready to chat about your work. You don’t have to do a hard sell — often a simple “These are all my own illustrations” breaks the ice.

Consider handing out business cards, flyers, or a QR code linking to your Instagram or online shop. This helps turn market browsers into long-term followers.

7. Learn From Every Market

Each event is a learning experience:

Which products sold well?

What price points worked best?

Did your display feel approachable or too cluttered?

Ask neighbouring stallholders for tips. The UK craft market scene is famously supportive, and you’ll often pick up great ideas for your next event.

Final Thoughts

Selling at summer markets isn’t just about making money — it’s about putting your art into the world, meeting like-minded people, and growing your confidence as a creative business owner.

If you’re preparing for your first market or getting your stock ready, why not pop into The Art Shops? We stock a wide range of art supplies, paper, sketchbooks, paints, and materials to help you create beautiful work to sell.

✅ Need to stock up before your next event? Visit us in-store or online at www.theartshops.co.uk.