Applications are open for Sunny Bank Mills Christmas Market 2023! We're looking for artists, designers and makers to fill our iconic 1912 Mill with handcrafted gifts. Running from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th November.

We are looking for original, handmade, handcrafted gifts including ceramics, prints, jewellery, glass, textiles, homewares, cards, art and more!

The Market will take place on the first floor of the 1912 Mill, one of the Mills' historic industrial buildings.

Expect drop-in workshops, a kid's play area, Christmas carols, and a cafe with homemade cakes & mulled wine.

Last year's Christmas Art and Makers Market was a roaring success with over 5000 visitors through the doors across the weekend. 

The 1912 Mill is now an established venue for exciting events aiming to support local artists, makers and sellers, including our annual 'Printed Bound' Artists' Book and Print Fair and 'Threads Textile Festival.'

These events are all organised and run by the Gallery and Estates office team, and we pride ourselves on creating a friendly and welcoming space for both stallholders and visitors.

Sunny Bank Mills is a historic former worsted textile mill, set in the heart of the community of Farsley, Leeds.

Since 2010, it has been developed as a business and artistic community, with a Gallery selling fine art by local and international artists, a textile and local history archive, shops, cafes, artist studios and more.

2023 is our tenth year of arts and culture at the Mills, and in that time we have supported over 900 artists in 75 exhibitions.

The Christmas Market will be promoted via the local press and extensive leafletting. We have an established social media presence (over 30k total followers) and will promote the event on our website.

Last year's stallholders said;

"Great event, superbly organised, lots of visitors and a totally enjoyable experience."

"My goodness the people of Farsley came out to support the Mills, and I know there were lots of very happy makers (myself included) at the end of the weekend."

"Everything ran smoothly from start to finish and it was a happy and joyous event to be part of. It's clear how much time and effort had been put into a really successful event and it showed in the reactions of visitors and makers alike."

"It was the best trading weekend I've had in 6 years, but not only that, it had a beautiful atmosphere and was so well curated."

"The huge numbers of visitors were a testament to the fact that Sunny Bank is able to host such a wide range of events, and do so really successfully."

Market opening times;

Friday 24th - 2 pm to 8 pm for evening shopping. Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th - 10 am to 4 pm.

PLEASE NOTE - This year we plan to give stallholders the option of FRIDAY & SATURDAY or SUNDAY.

This will enable us to give 110 makers the opportunity to exhibit, and will also mean that Friday stallholders can stay set up for the next day (and won't need to pack up their stall after 8 pm).

Please state in your application if you would rather do FRIDAY & SATURDAY or just SUNDAY. 

Stall fees

Standard stall (6ft x 2.5ft trestle table with 2 ft to one side & 1 folding chair)

Friday - £60   Saturday - £75  Sunday - £75

Large stall (6ft x 2.5ft trestle table with 3ft on each side for your own display stands or print browsers & 1 folding chair)

Friday - £75   Saturday - £95  Sunday - £95

There will be approximately 55 stalls per day.

A few things to consider during your application;

• Include high-quality photos showing examples of work that you would be exhibiting on the weekend. Photos of previous stall layouts are also very helpful.
• We are looking for handcrafted products, so will not accept applications from stallholders selling mass-produced items, repackaged sweets, hampers etc.
• Exhibitors must be selling their own work (unless part of a collective or studio).
• We do allow stall sharing when appropriate. If you'd like to share a stall with a friend, please make this clear during your application and include details and photographs for both parties.
• The space is accessible by one flight of stairs or a wheelchair-accessible modern lift.
• We have a large group of 'Mill Hosts' who are on hand to assist stallholders with carrying equipment or goods if needed.
• Please note that our markets do get incredibly busy at points, and may not be the best environment for anyone with sensory sensitivities. If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please message our Curatorspace account.
• Applications for this event are free, and we are only accepting applications via Curatorspace.