Durham Art Walk Holiday Market 2025 Food Vendor App

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The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market is a festive fine arts and crafts event that kicks off the holiday season in downtown Durham! The Holiday Market invites art lovers to experience a weekend featuring local artists, live music, world-class restaurants, and great shopping, at easily strollable venues in the Durham city center. The Holiday Market is the perfect transition from the harvest to the holidays! Free and family friendly!

Art Walk 2025 will be held on:
Saturday, November 22 10am-5pm
Sunday, November 23 1pm-5pm


DEAR PROSPECTIVE ART WALK FOOD VENDOR:
    In order to provide each vendor with a unique presence, Durham Arts Council requires a complete menu with prices of the items you plan to sell at this year’s festival. We seek a balance of holiday staples and unique food options. If you are accepted as a food vendor for Art Walk 2025, you will receive a letter of agreement listing those menu items that you are approved to sell.


*Please scroll all the way down the page to create a Submittable account and complete the Food Vendor Application*


    l Vendor Registration:
     As of 2014 North Carolina has a mandatory registration for all festival vendors. All vendors must supply DAC with their NC vendor registration and have a copy on hand at their booth. Registration is free. You can find more information at: http://www.dornc.com/electronic/registration/index.html


 Quick & Tasty Details:

  • Food vendor applications will be reviewed after the deadline of October 31st, 2025. Vendors who apply early may be accepted prior to the deadline at the Festival Director’s discretion.
  • Payment link will be provided in the confirmation email that will be sent to you after completion of the application. 
  • All required fees must be paid in advance in order to be considered for participation in Art Walk 2025
     

 *Please scroll all the way down the page to create a Submittable account and complete the Food Vendor Application*

 

  • All fees are deposited upon receipt.
  • You will receive notification by November 5th, 2025, of acceptance or decline (followed by a refund of booth fee & setup deposit).
  • Timely technical support for electrical and water related issues
  • Ice available to vendors for purchase on site.
  • Attractive seating areas close to food vendors.

We look forward to receiving your application and having your business join the wide range of food offerings at Durham Arts Council'st Art Walk! For additional information, please contact Colleen Scott at 919-560-2719 or email: cscott@durhamarts.org


Regulations:
 

  • All food vendors, restaurants, individuals, and non-profit groups may apply as food vendors.
  • Food vendors may set up Saturday, 9/16 between 8-9 am. By 9 am Saturday, all vehicles must be off-site.
  • All menu items and prices are subject to review by the Food Vendor Committee. Changes in menu items will require prior approval from the committee and cannot be made the day of the festival. 
  • As required by law, all vendors will be subject to inspection by the Durham County Health Dept. and will be issued a permit for their temporary food establishment. No food can be prepared for at your temporary food establishment before your booth has been inspected and issued a permit. The only exception is vendors with a current mobile food truck permit. 
  • Water under pressure will be provided to your booth. You will need to provide a dish washing sink, a receptacle for the removal of waste water, and a minimum of 20 feet to the water system.
  • Durham Arts Council has contracted with an outside vending firm to supply all lemonade, lemon-based drinks, and tea drinks. Food Vendors at Art Walk MAY NOT SELL bottled or canned beverages, water, tea, lemonade, lemon-based smoothies or any other lemon frozen products. The only exception is for non-lemon based frozen smoothies. Applications for vendors selling mainly coffees, lattes, etc. and little or no food will be considered.
  • ATMS will be available on festival site.
  • Food may only be sold from the assigned vending booth spot.
  • Vendors must abide by all applicable regulations, fire rules and sanitation laws.
  • Vendors are encouraged to make their booth space attractive and inviting.
  • Food Trucks are required to utilize onsite electricity. Generators are not allowed.
  • Fire extinguishers are required (at least one per booth). The Fire Marshall will inspect all booths.
  • Ice will be available for sale / delivery at $5 per bag.
  • Once accepted, you will be required to provide proof of current liability coverage of no less than $1,000,000.00; Durham Arts Council, and the City of Durham must be added as additional insureds for November 22-23, 2025.

 For questions regarding food vending regulations contact Durham Co Health Dept. at 919-560-7800.


Refunds:
    All fees are deposited upon receipt. If you are not selected to participate in Art Walk 2025, we will return booth fees in full. If you are selected but decide not to participate, you must notify the CenterFest office in writing no later than October 31st, 2025. There will be no refunds past this date. The Security/Setup deposit will be refunded by mail following the Festival if your site is left in satisfactory condition as determined by the Food Vendor Committee. Failure to properly clean or obstruction of festival site by vehicles will result in forfeiture of your $50.00 security deposit. Proper disposal of waste is required. The area will be inspected by the city prior to, during, and after the event.

 Space:
 

  • Vendors must contain all equipment, supplies and storage within their space. Nothing may be hung on trees. Booths must be of sound construction, free-standing and must not obstruct others. No campers, RVs or trailers are allowed on site except during loading and unloading. Electricity will be provided only if requested on the application. Generators are NOT allowed.


Fee Schedule:
REQUIRED FEES
    $30.00 Non-refundable application fee
    $50.00 Cleaning Deposit (mandatory)
FOOD TRUCK RATES

$100.00- One Day Fee

$175.00- Two Day fee



Security:
 

  • Booths/Food Trucks MUST be set-up and tow vehicles removed from the festival site area by 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov.22 and by 12 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23. Items may be carried to booths after these times.
  • Staff and volunteers will be on site during festival hours. Limited security will be available on Saturday night. However, you are strongly encouraged to remove valuable property and lock down vending areas. Durham Arts Council assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage to any signage, product, display equipment or property.

 
Rainout Procedure:
    Art Walk is a “rain or shine” event; no rain dates! Participants should be prepared to continue in the case of light rain. In the case of heavy rain, we will consider electrical hazards, logistical requirements, concessionaires’ needs, and the requirements of performing artists in making any decision about suspension or cancellation of any part or all of the festival. No refunds will be made due to inclement weather or a participant’s decision to leave before the end.

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