VENDOR INFORMATION - OUTDOOR MARKET
WEEKEND 1
Friday December 4th
SET UP: 1pm to 4pm
EVENT: 4pm to 9pm
TEARDOWN: 9pm to 10pm
ACTIVATIONS: Mayor & Council Tree Lighting
Saturday December 5th
SET UP: 9am to 11am
EVENT: 11am to 9pm
TEARDOWN: 9pm to 10pm
ACTIVATIONS: Guelph Santa Run and Santa Parade, 5pm
Sunday December 6th
SET UP: 9am to 11am
EVENT: 11am to 5pm
TEARDOWN: 5pm to 7pm
ACTIVATIONS: Guelph Storm game (2pm)
WEEKEND 2
Friday December 11th
SET UP: 1pm to 4pm
EVENT: 4pm to 9pm
TEARDOWN: 9pm to 10pm
Saturday December 12th
SET UP: 9am to 11am
EVENT: 11am to 9pm
TEARDOWN: 9pm to 10pm
Sunday December 13th
SET UP: 9am to 11am
EVENT: 11am to 5pm
TEARDOWN: 5pm to 7pm
Vendors are expected to be onsite, set up, and ready to sell between these times, no exceptions.
LOAD IN
Vendors will arrive on Carden Street during the set up hours listed above, and directed to their hut by event volunteers. You will park as close to your hut as possible to unload before moving your car offsite to the Market Parakde. You can find all the details of Downtown parking lots and rates here.
HUT LOCATIONS
Huts are located on Carden Street and a site map will be available closer to the event.
HUT KEYS
Huts will be OPEN for load in on Friday December 4th. Vendors need to come up to Event HQ (Marg Mackinnon Room, City Hall) to pay a $50 deposit for a hut key. Vendors are responsible for locking up their hut every night thereafter, and opening it every morning thereafter.
SECURITY
Professional security staff are onsite overnight from December 4th to December 14th. Although we have security personnel onsite, we are not responsible for your merchandise or personal belongings left in the hut.
STORAGE
Vendors can store goods in their huts overnight (at their own risk) or are able to bring goods to Event HQ after the event each evening, and store them here for the week in between the two market weekends (3 x 3 space provided). Vendors can also store extra stock in this 3 x 3 space to allow for easy replenishment during the event. Event HQ is always staffed and open during market hours, however all goods are stored at the owner’s risk.
BREAK ROOM/WARMING STATION
The Event HQ is a space where you can warm up, use the washroom, and grab a drink or light snack. Ask any of our volunteers (wearing red toques) to relieve you if you need a break. Bring a refillable water bottle and a mug with you.
MARKETING AND PUBLICITY
Spirit of the Season is committed to extensively advertise, publicize, and promote the event to ensure high attendance. Local media and news outlets will be made aware of the event through press releases, and influencers are attending the 2026 event.
Vendor listings and information will be included in social media campaigns and vendors are encouraged to share campaign posts on their own platforms using the images to the right (right click and choose the ‘Save as’ option) and the hashtag #spiritoftheseason and tagging @downtownguelph.
ACCESSIBILITY
The outdoor huts do not allow for wheelchair access inside. Carden Street allows for wheelchair access, and there are accessible washrooms close by in City Hall.
EXPECTATIONS OF VENDORS
Cooperation from all vendors is required to achieve an optimal overall appearance and atmosphere. Every vendor is responsible for designing their own hut/table in an attractive manner. Vendors are encouraged to add their personal touch to best reflect their merchandise.
All shelving, additional lighting, and anything else to best display merchandise is the responsibility of the vendor. No shelving, temporary structures or display stands are permitted outside the footprint of the hut.
All vendors are expected to display a sign bearing their business name.
EVENT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
Our event management team will oversee the planning, delivery, management, and marketing of this signature event. Vendors will receive marketing assets and the team are here to provide guidance by email before the event, and in-person during the event.
THE HUTS
The huts are purpose built and measure 7’ wide by 8’ long. Each hut will have a string of lights already provided. There are 30 outdoor huts in total, all located on Carden Street.
The huts are accessed via a lockable back door. The front opening can also be locked from the inside.
There is some overhead storage inside the hut although a stepladder (provided by the vendor) would be required to access it.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions regarding the event, please do not hesitate to contact Sam and Alex at market@downtownguelph.com.
Sam Jewell, Event Manager, Downtown Guelph Business Association
Alex Turgeon, Special Projects, Downtown Guelph Business Association