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VENDOR Booth Application: KOHO's Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace 2025

from $115.00

Apply Today to be a Vendor at KOHO's Holiday Marketplace

KOHO invites you to be a vendor at KOHO's Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace. KOHO is committed to uplifting, supporting and amplifying the stories, creative work and passion of entrepreneurs in cultural communities.

KOHO is a community-driven arts and cultural organization based in San Francisco’s Japantown. Our mission is to preserve Japantown for future generations by supporting artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural workers who wish to keep our neighborhood vibrant and relevant.

By hosting events like the Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace, we aim to provide meaningful opportunities for local creators to share their stories through their craft, build visibility for their work, and generate economic support within our community. This marketplace is part of KOHO’s larger effort to grow a social enterprise that uplifts culture, community, and the people who make them unique and special. We hope you’ll join us!

This event will take place INDOORS at the KOHO Co-Creative Hub in SF Japantown and adjacent areas of the East Mall.

Event dates:

  • Saturday, December 20th, 12p-5p

  • Sunday, December 21st, 12p-5p

Vendors can apply to participate in one or both days. Preference will be given to vendors who commit to both days.

We offer two types of spaces for this event.

In-Line booth: Fits a 6ft table. Total space is approximately 8’ wide by 4’ deep along a wall or railing. All of your belongings must fit within your space. $115 per day (no percentage)

Premium booth: Enough space for a mini-boutique! Measures approximately 8’ wide by 8’ deep. Your space will also come with access to fast wifi, and the ability to leave your setup overnight between Saturday PM and Sunday AM. These spaces will be hosted in the KOHO Co-Creative hub on the 2nd floor of the East Mall. All of your belongings must fit within your space. $145 per day (no percentage)

Food vendors: Additional $124 per day for SF DPH permits apply.

How to apply for a booth:

Apply for Vendor Booth by clicking the button below, then check out and enter contact and payment details using the shopping cart button on the lower right.

In order for your application to be received and considered, you will need to check out and pay for your booth at the time of application.

We will notify you by November 18th if you've been selected to be a part of the event. If you are not selected for this event, a full refund will be issued.

Rentals:

A limited number of table and chair rentals are available. If interested, please add the table and chair rental package to your cart (available here) before checking out.

Selection Criteria:

Priority will be given to vendors whose work encompasses the following:

  • Items that are uniquely Japanese or Japanese American in their nature.

  • Work that has a clear connection to traditional Japanese or Japanese American culture. (We love a modern take on a time-honored craft or technique!)

  • Items made and/or designed by the seller. We encourage apparel and wearables resellers to apply for OK Marketplace, which is happening on the same weekend.

  • Work created by folx who identify as Japanese or Japanese American or who have roots in San Francisco’s Japantown. We recognize that many people with roots in this community no longer have the privilege to live or work here, and we want to make space for you to come back.

  • Applications for vendors who can make it for both days. We will only be considering single-day applications if there is space available.

Food Vendors:

We welcome food vendors that serve pre-packaged food and drink items! Food is such an integral piece to our culture, and we encourage vendors whose foods are related to Japanese and Japanese American cuisine to apply. Fresh mochi, artisanal sauces, and giftable foods would be well-received! Note: we cannot accommodate vendors who cook and assemble their foods on-site.

There is an additional fee for a temporary food facility permit that is required by the SF DPH. 100% of this fee goes straight to SF DPH.

Food vendor permit additional fees:

  • Low hazard permit, 1 day: $124

  • Low hazard permit, 2 days: $149

Upon acceptance to the marketplace, you will be directed to pay for your permits through KOHO.

Select Dates:

Apply Today to be a Vendor at KOHO's Holiday Marketplace

KOHO invites you to be a vendor at KOHO's Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace. KOHO is committed to uplifting, supporting and amplifying the stories, creative work and passion of entrepreneurs in cultural communities.

KOHO is a community-driven arts and cultural organization based in San Francisco’s Japantown. Our mission is to preserve Japantown for future generations by supporting artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural workers who wish to keep our neighborhood vibrant and relevant.

By hosting events like the Holiday Artist + Maker Marketplace, we aim to provide meaningful opportunities for local creators to share their stories through their craft, build visibility for their work, and generate economic support within our community. This marketplace is part of KOHO’s larger effort to grow a social enterprise that uplifts culture, community, and the people who make them unique and special. We hope you’ll join us!

This event will take place INDOORS at the KOHO Co-Creative Hub in SF Japantown and adjacent areas of the East Mall.

Event dates:

  • Saturday, December 20th, 12p-5p

  • Sunday, December 21st, 12p-5p

Vendors can apply to participate in one or both days. Preference will be given to vendors who commit to both days.

We offer two types of spaces for this event.

In-Line booth: Fits a 6ft table. Total space is approximately 8’ wide by 4’ deep along a wall or railing. All of your belongings must fit within your space. $115 per day (no percentage)

Premium booth: Enough space for a mini-boutique! Measures approximately 8’ wide by 8’ deep. Your space will also come with access to fast wifi, and the ability to leave your setup overnight between Saturday PM and Sunday AM. These spaces will be hosted in the KOHO Co-Creative hub on the 2nd floor of the East Mall. All of your belongings must fit within your space. $145 per day (no percentage)

Food vendors: Additional $124 per day for SF DPH permits apply.

How to apply for a booth:

Apply for Vendor Booth by clicking the button below, then check out and enter contact and payment details using the shopping cart button on the lower right.

In order for your application to be received and considered, you will need to check out and pay for your booth at the time of application.

We will notify you by November 18th if you've been selected to be a part of the event. If you are not selected for this event, a full refund will be issued.

Rentals:

A limited number of table and chair rentals are available. If interested, please add the table and chair rental package to your cart (available here) before checking out.

Selection Criteria:

Priority will be given to vendors whose work encompasses the following:

  • Items that are uniquely Japanese or Japanese American in their nature.

  • Work that has a clear connection to traditional Japanese or Japanese American culture. (We love a modern take on a time-honored craft or technique!)

  • Items made and/or designed by the seller. We encourage apparel and wearables resellers to apply for OK Marketplace, which is happening on the same weekend.

  • Work created by folx who identify as Japanese or Japanese American or who have roots in San Francisco’s Japantown. We recognize that many people with roots in this community no longer have the privilege to live or work here, and we want to make space for you to come back.

  • Applications for vendors who can make it for both days. We will only be considering single-day applications if there is space available.

Food Vendors:

We welcome food vendors that serve pre-packaged food and drink items! Food is such an integral piece to our culture, and we encourage vendors whose foods are related to Japanese and Japanese American cuisine to apply. Fresh mochi, artisanal sauces, and giftable foods would be well-received! Note: we cannot accommodate vendors who cook and assemble their foods on-site.

There is an additional fee for a temporary food facility permit that is required by the SF DPH. 100% of this fee goes straight to SF DPH.

Food vendor permit additional fees:

  • Low hazard permit, 1 day: $124

  • Low hazard permit, 2 days: $149

Upon acceptance to the marketplace, you will be directed to pay for your permits through KOHO.

FAQs

What kind of spaces are available?

  • We offer two types of spaces for this event.

  • In-Line booth: Fits a 6ft table. Total space is approximately 8’ wide by 4’ deep along a wall or railing.  These spaces will be in the common areas of the East Mall. All of your belongings must fit within your space.

  • Premium booth: Enough space for a mini-boutique! Measures approximately 8’ wide by 8’ deep. Your space will also come with access to fast wifi, and the ability to leave your setup overnight between Saturday PM and Sunday AM. These spaces will be hosted in the KOHO Co-Creative hub on the 2nd floor of the East Mall. All of your belongings must fit within your space. Anyt

Why are your fees higher than last year?

  • Last year’s booth fee was lower, but we also took a 10% commission of all your sales for the event. The commission fee has been eliminated, meaning you will get to keep 100% of your sales from the event. Thus, booth fees have been adjusted to reflect the true cost of the booth space.

  • We feel that this is a more fair and transparent way of doing things.

What does KOHO provide with my fees?

  • Indoor booth space, size depending on which option you choose.

  • Promotion in our social media channels, website, and e-newsletters, including posts that specifically name your business/product. We also submit this event to local event guides.

  • Vendor identification badge

  • Vendor appreciation perks on Sunday!

Premium spaces also include:

  • Free access to fast wifi

  • Ability to leave your setup overnight between Saturday PM and Sunday AM

Can I rent tables and chairs?

  • Chairs can be rented for $5 per chair per day. 

  • Tables can be rented for $20 per table per day.

Where can I park to unload? Can I drive up to my space?

  • We encourage you to utilize the Japan Center Garage. There is direct access to the venue from both floors of the garage from the elevator.

  • Due to the indoor nature of this event, you cannot drive directly up to your space to unload and will need to plan to cart your items in. 

  • If you are being dropped off, the best place to drop off is on Post Street between Buchanan and Laguna. Please ensure that you adhere to all posted parking and meter signage, as SFMTA is pretty aggressive with ticketing. 

Can I leave my setup overnight?

  • It depends. Premium spaces will be located within the KOHO Co-Creative Hub and setups can be left overnight. Spaces within the East Mall cannot be left setup overnight, because the mall is open to the public from 8am to 10pm. Vendors in this area will be allowed to store tables and large items in the KOHO Co-Creative Hub space overnight from Saturday to Sunday.

What factors are considered when selecting vendors?

We read through every vendor’s application and review their website and social media. A large social media following is NOT required - we are looking more for your social media presence to tell your story and understand your offerings. Priority will be given to vendors whose work encompasses the following:

  • Items that are uniquely Japanese or Japanese American in their nature.

  • Work that has a clear connection to traditional Japanese or Japanese American culture. (We love a modern take on a time-honored craft or technique!)

  • Items made and/or designed by the seller. We encourage apparel and wearables resellers to apply for OK Marketplace, which is happening on the same weekend.

  • Work created by folx who identify as Japanese or Japanese-American or who have roots in San Francisco’s Japantown. We recognize that many people with roots in this community no longer have the privilege to live or work here, and we want to make space for you to come back.

  • Applications for vendors who can make it for both days. We will only be considering single-day applications if there is space available.

I sell food, can I participate? 

  • We welcome food vendors that serve pre-packaged food and drink items! Food is such an integral piece to our culture, and we encourage vendors whose foods are related to Japanese and Japanese American cuisine to apply. Fresh mochi, artisanal sauces, and giftable foods would be well-received! Note: we cannot accommodate vendors who cook and assemble their foods on-site. 

Is there an additional fee to sell food?

  • Yes. These fees are set by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and 100% of those fees go to SFDPH. 

What’s the general Day-of-Event Schedule look like?

Load in:

  • 10:00am to 11:00am

  • Food vendors, be prepared for inspection by 11:00am

  • Retail vendors, be prepared to sell by 11:45am

Marketplace Hours:

  • 12:00pm to 5:00 pm

Load out by venue:

  • 5:00pm to 6:00pm

When is payment due?

  • Payment is due with your application. If you apply but are not accepted, you will receive a full refund of your payment.

I’ve applied to the market. When will I hear back from you?

  • You will hear back about the status of your application by Tuesday, November 18th. If we have a waitlist, and you are on the waitlist, your fees will be refunded upon notification of your waitlist status. Vendors who are accepted off of the waitlist will have 48 hours to pay again to secure their space.

What is your cancellation policy?

  • Vendors who cancel on or before November 18th will receive a full refund within 3 business days. After that date, the only instance in which a refund will be given is if KOHO is able to backfill your space off of our waitlist.

Anything else I should know?

At the conclusion of the event, you will need to disclose your sales numbers for the event. We know this is unusual, but here’s why:

  • KOHO is a grassroots community nonprofit organization deeply committed to servicing our arts and culture community. We are sustained by grants and foundations that measure our funding and our success by your success! If you do well and help us collect data on the economic opportunities that we are able to provide you as entrepreneurs, we can use that data to help us gain future funding to allow for more opportunities for you and other artisans to come through KOHO for future markets. It’s through this collective effort that KOHO is committed to nurturing for all.

  • This data will NOT be used in evaluating if we accept your application at future vending opportunities.