Our Taster Stall scheme is specifically designed to encourage new artists and crafts people to participate with Craft*folK at our Cardiff Christmas Market.
They are a very affordable way of test trading your work, especially during the Christmas Market, when our customers are always looking for new ideas and that ideal gift for the “person who has everything”. We have a strict participation criteria, see below, in order to protect the integrity of our event and also the makers who take part under this scheme.
The taster stall trading periods at the 2026 Cardiff Christmas Market are:
| Period 1 | Thursday 12 to Monday 16 November | 5 days |
| Period 2 | Tuesday 17 to Sunday 22 November | 6 days |
| Period 3 | Monday 23 to Sunday 29 November | 7 days |
| Period 4 | Monday 30 November to Sunday 6 December | 7 days |
| Period 5 | Monday 7 to Sunday 13 December | 7 days |
| **Period 6 | Monday 14 to Monday 21 December | 8 days |
**Please note that stalls located in our Taster Area in Trinity Street will close two days earlier, on the 21 December 2026, due to the logistics involved in dismantling so many stalls in just one night.
With the wealth of knowledge gleaned from organising and participating in events for many years we are also happy to advise any new artists and crafts people on any aspect of participating with us as having the courage to sell your work to customers, other than friends and family, can be very daunting and additional encouragement is sometimes needed. A PowerPoint Presentation is also available on request containing tips and hints on stall set up, lighting etc
We also offer taster stalls at both our Spring and Summer events in Cardiff City Centre. However, following a review of the Taster Stall Scheme, to ensure that we continue to support new artists and craftspeople the following will apply:
You can apply for a taster stall at the Cardiff Spring and Summer markets:
a. If you are a new exhibitor to Craftfolk, with up to a maximum of three years trading, you will be eligible to apply for up to two years.
b. If you are a new exhibitor to Craftfolk, with an established business with more than three years trading experience, you are eligible to apply for one year.
You can apply for a taster stall at the Cardiff Christmas Market:
a. If you are a new exhibitor to Craftfolk, with up to a maximum of three years trading, you will be eligible to apply for up to three years.
b. If you are a new exhibitor to Craftfolk, with an established business with more than three years trading experience, you are eligible to apply for one year.
Provided you fulfil the following criteria:
- All products must be created/made by the exhibitor/s and/or family member/s with a strong measure of artistic integrity and individuality in their work
- If the exhibitor has altered, adapted or assembled the products then there must be a very high ‘added value’ content to the finished article
Priority will always be given to those exhibitors who make their own products as we are committed to ensuring the perpetuation of handmade work and is the reason why the Taster Stall Scheme was first introduced. To maintain the quality of products you may be asked to clarify this criteria. Our decision with regards to acceptance is final
Please note we cannot accept Taster Stall applications from alcohol exhibitors as our Premises Licence does not cover our taster stall location in Trinity Street.
