Friend Fest

About this event

An indoor two-day marketplace in South Hall at the San José convention complex, produced by San José Made, with more than 275 makers, artists, artisans, designers and creative small businesses. Shoppers get in free, and the vendor mix covers handmade and design goods plus packaged food and drink. Vendors apply online through San José Made's site, are accepted, waitlisted or declined by email, and may leave setups overnight between days.

When & where

Who comes

Free admission for shoppers; an indoor marketplace of 275+ makers, artists, designers and creative small businesses.

What they want on the stalls

• Baked goods
• Snacks
• Coffee & tea

What you would be walking into

275 booths · Indoors — the organizer's own figures.

How to take part

Vendors

Taking vendors for this cycle.

Booth fee

$450–$1,432 for the event

Non-food 10x10 inline booth $450, corner $600, double (20x10) $1,050. Food/drink adds $382 (a $100 convention center fee plus a $282 Santa Clara County high-risk temporary food facility permit; any difference refunded if a lower risk category is assigned): inline $832, corner $982, double $1,432. Electricity extra (from about $200 for 500 watts, request two months ahead); table and chair rentals available.

Applications

Apply by Nov 13

From the organizer

The booth fee is paid online when applying; there is no separate application fee. Applicants are emailed accepted, rejected or waitlisted by Nov. 23, 2026. Rejected applications are refunded 97% (3% kept for duplicate or non-qualifying applications). Withdrawal refunds (minus $5 processing): full before Dec. 15, 2026, 50% Dec. 16 to Jan. 10, 2027, none after. Applicants give a business name and website and/or Instagram (or email photos to events@sanjosemade.com before the deadline). Booth resale or transfer bans the vendor from future SJMADE events.

Apply through the organizer

What the organizer asks for

• Liability insurance
• Table
• Chairs
• Juried

Vendors bring their own tables and chairs (rentals available). Canopy covers are not permitted, though canopy frames may be used. Vendors must hold any licenses and permits their activity requires and carry appropriate liability insurance. Not allowed: resold mass-manufactured goods, large corporate businesses, non-creative businesses, AI-created artwork or designs, alcohol, drugs, weapons. Food and drink vendors may sell only packaged foods, baked goods, desserts, snacks, coffee/tea or fruit drinks; no cooking, food trucks or generators.