North Carolina Folk Festival
September 18, 19, 20, 2026
Greensboro, NC

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

• Notification of acceptance (by email): Friday, May 1, 2026

• Deadline for additional material(s): Wednesday, May 20, 2026

• Deadline for contract and payment of fees: Monday, May 25, 2026

• Deadline for vendor cancellation with partial refund: ?

Application Process

• Vendors are required to submit the following, along with their completed application, in advance of the deadline:

• Do you require extra electricity besides 110 outlet?

• Will you bring your own tent and four (4) 50lb tent weights?

• Applications are submitted online at https://vendors.ncfolkfestival.app/. Applicants will receive email confirmation of their successful submission. If you receive no confirmation, email logistics@ncfolkfestival.com as soon as possible. Applications do not guarantee acceptance. Vendors must apply each year; acceptance in a previous year does not guarantee acceptance in future years.

Hours of Operation for Shops on Church

• Friday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm

• Saturday: 11:30am - 10:00pm

• Sunday: 11:30am - 7:00pm

Hours are subject to change. Booths must be staffed for all hours of operation. The festival goes on rain or shine unless extraordinary weather presents a safety issue. All vendors are expected to be open during the hours listed above unless they are notified by Festival personnel. Vendors should bring someone to help watch their booth when crowds increase.

Booth Pricing & Payment

• $525 10x10 space bring own tent, we will provide table and two chairs

• Must provide 4 50lb tent weights

• $900 if NCFF provides tent 10x10

• Electricity besides standard plug is extra $100

Refunds

• There will be no refunds made after the deadline for vendor cancellation (see Important Dates). 

• No refunds will be issued for inclement weather.

Vendor Placement

The Festival assigns booth locations to each vendor. Placement is subject to change. Any accommodation request should be included on the vendor application.  

Set-Up

Vendors will arrive to set up their booths on Friday, September 18, 2026 between 8am and 3pm. Load-in times are coordinated. More information will be sent to vendors closer to the North Carolina Folk Festival; exact times are subject to change.

Vehicle unloading space will be provided near the assigned vendor placement. Vendors are permitted thirty (30) minutes for unloading (before 3pm). Booths must be set up and operational in advance of NC Makers Marketplace Hours of Operation.

Vehicles are allowed on-site only during the following times: 

• Friday: until 3pm & after 10:30pm

• Saturday: until 10:30am & after 10:30pm

• Sunday: until 10:30am & after 7:30pm

Times are subject to change. For the safety of festival attendees, vehicles are not allowed within the site during festival hours, or while people occupy the site. 

Vendors will receive one (1) parking pass for designated parking.

Booth Operations Regulations

• Vendors must restrict all activities to their assigned booth space - no space-sharing or subletting is permitted

• Vendor booths must be operational during the Hours of Operation

• Vendors may not advertise outside of their booth space

• Raffles are not allowed

• Camping is not allowed

• Generators are not allowed 

• Playing music from your booth is prohibited

• Political paraphernalia for sale or otherwise is not allowed

• Tents must be weighted with at least 50# on each leg of the tent

Electricity 

• 1x 20 Amp (2000 Watt 120 Volt) single ground fault outlet electrical service is included at no charge. 

• Vendors must place electrical plugs where the Festival directs them. Vendors should bring one labeled 12-gauge cord per 20 amp circuit and outlet strips as needed. Vendors should bring lights for evening illumination.

Tear Down

• Vendors may not begin to dismantle or remove booths during the Hours of Operation. Be aware that pedestrians will still be present on Festival grounds during tear-down.

• Vehicles are not allowed on site until 8:00pm on Sunday. 

• All booths must be broken down by 9:30 pm on the Sunday of the North Carolina Folk Festival. Any vendors failing to completely clean up their booth areas must pay a clean-up fee.

Other Considerations

Marketing

All vendors will be listed as an official component of the North Carolina Folk Festival. This may include, but is not limited to: the North Carolina Folk Festival website, mobile app, program guide, social media, and email newsletters.

Taxes & Insurance

Vendors are responsible for all local, state and federal taxes. Each vendor must exhibit a valid Certificate of Registration prominently. For more information on Tax Requirements, view this list of NC DOR Resources:

• Sales and Use Tax Information and Requirements – Explains the Tax Identification Number requirement for vendors.

• Registry of Sales & Use - Find your Tax Identification number using account ID# OR taxpayer name. 

• Specialty Markets Presentation – Detailed explanation of sales and use tax reporting in North Carolina. 

• Online Business Registration – Detailed information on how to register your business and/or obtain a tax identification number. 

The Festival disclaims any authority of control over the operation of vendors. Vendors assume all rights and responsibilities for the conduct of their operations including, but not limited to: obtaining liability and general coverage insurance for vendor-related activities adhering to all local and state ordinances and regulations. The Festival does not have separate vendor coverage under any insurance it may maintain.

Vendors who fail to comply with or repeatedly violate these guidelines may be expelled and/or not invited to apply in future years. The Festival reserves the right to amend these guidelines as needed, at any time.

In the event of a dispute, the decision of the North Carolina Folk Festival Operating Team will be accepted as final.