ArtFairCalendar.com Holiday Gift Guide 2026
Welcome to the new ArtFairCalendar.com Holiday Gift Guide!
This is an exciting new promotional opportunity for our nationwide community of fine art and fine craft artists to showcase their work to holiday shoppers during the buying season.
We're launching this new Holiday Gift Guide as a fun, low-cost way to help boost your art business while also supporting the free art fair community resource platforms we have run since 2004.
Only the first 50 qualified artworks entered will be included in the official online ArtFairCalendar.com Holiday Gift Guide and in the downloadable PDF to be published in time for holiday shopping.
Selection Process
There will be two rounds of jurying. The first round, to select the qualified artworks, will be judged by industry professionals based on quality of artwork, holiday gift-ability, and originality.
The second round of voting to select the awards will be public and open to visitors to ArtFairCalendar.com.
Eligibility/Rules
To enter your artwork, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- $25 entry fee to support the administration of this program. No refunds.
- Open only to working artists who exhibit at art fairs, craft shows, and retail events in the US this year.
- You must be a registered member of ArtFairInsiders.com. If you are not already a member, you can join AFI for free here.
- All entries must be original work created by the artist submitting the entry. Work created offshore, assembled by studio help, or AI-generated work is not allowed.
- You must have the rights to use the photograph. Sorry, no photo credits.
- Technical ability and an internet connection sufficient to upload photos and complete the entry process are required. We do not have the staff resources to support those who cannot follow the instructions independently.
- Each entry is for one artwork only. You may enter as many as three times.
- All media categories are encouraged to apply.
- A website or shopping cart is required on your site to enable visitors to buy your work.
- Open only to artists who are legal United States residents 18 years or older.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Awards and Benefits
All qualified entrants' levels will receive publicity across our promotional channels, and award winners will also receive additional promotion and exclusive digital Award Badges for display in their own marketing and social media channels as follows:
One Best of Show Award.
- Holiday Gift Guide Best of Show 2026 digital badge to display on your website and marketing materials
- Primary image placement on the cover of the downloadable PDF
- Full-page placement in the 2026 Holiday Gift Guide downloadable PDF with link to your website
- Dedicated email showcasing your work to our extensive list of art patrons along with a short interview
- Blog Post on ArtFairInsiders.com
- Inclusion in 2 monthly issues of the national What Are You Doing This Weekend newsletters
- Placement in the Holiday Gift Guide web page on ArtFairCalendar.com with links to your website
- A nationally distributed press release from ArtFairCalendar.com announcing the winner.
- An official press release template to use to announce the award to your own audiences.
Four Merit Awards.
- Holiday Gift Guide Merit Award 2026 digital badge to display on your website and marketing materials
- Highlighted placement in the Holiday Gift Guide downloadable PDF 2026
- Shared dedicated email with all Merit Awards to our nationwide list of art patrons
- Inclusion in 2 monthly issues of the national What Are You Doing This Weekend email newsletters
- Highlighted placement in the Holiday Gift Guide web page on ArtFairCalendar.com with links to your website
- Inclusion in a nationally distributed press release from ArtFairCalendar.com announcing the winners.
- An official press release template to use to announce the award to your own audiences.
20 Honorable Mention Awards.
- Honorable Mention badge to display on your website and marketing materials
- Highlighted placement in the Holiday Gift Guide with links to your website
- Highlighted placement in the Holiday Gift Guide web page on ArtFairCalendar.com with links to your website
- An official press release template to use to announce the award to your own audiences.
The first 50 qualified artworks entered will be included in the official online ArtFairCalendar.com Holiday Gift Guide and in the downloadable PDF.
Early entrants may receive extra publicity for their work throughout the promotional period including their art, name, and website URLs in a variety of media channels.
Sponsors and Partners
We are looking for sponsors and partners who want to reach this audience or donate additional prizes to support the art fair artist community. Please contact us at info@artfaircalendar.com.
Calendar
This is our first year, so there may be adjustments along the way. Our planned timeline is:
- August 21, 2026: Contest opens for artist submissions
- September 11, 2026: Submissions close at midnight ET; jurying process begins
- September 18-30, 2026: Public voting opens for awards at ArtFairCalendar.com
- October 5, 2026: Awards announced
- October 30, 2026: Holiday Gift Guide publication
Mission
With more than 20 years of experience serving art fair artists, our mission here is simple: We help our artist friends make sales and support the industry as a whole. This new program uses our audience reach to connect artists directly with buyers and collectors.
This is our first year running the Holiday Gift Guide, and we welcome your participation, your support, and your feedback to help us improve future editions. (Also, we reserve the right to change the specifics posted above as we see how this works for everyone.)
Please review all the terms and conditions before participating. Void where prohibited.
We appreciate your participation and support!
Your Friends at ArtFairCalendar.com, ArtFairInsiders.com, CallsForArtists.com, and ArtShowReviews.com
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS - How to Apply
- Prepare your image. Your image should be in JPEG or PNG format and no larger than 10 MB. Horizontal images will display best, but portrait orientation is acceptable too.
- Click the button "Add Photo" at the bottom of this page to get started.
- Upload your image and fill in the form, including a brief description of your work and its price. Please name a few art fairs you will be participating in soon so we can help promote them also.
- Complete the submission process and pay the fee with credit card on the payment page. (Online payment only - no phone calls or other payment methods accepted.)
- Check your email to confirm your submission and payment.
Incomplete applications will not be included in the judging. No refunds. Payment does not guarantee an award.
GET STARTED NOW BY CLICKING "ADD PHOTO" BELOW.