The Best In-Person Markets for UK Illustrators
When I moved back to the UK after six years in Vancouver, I set out on a journey to become a full-time illustrator.
A pop-up in Anthropologie Cheltenham
In Vancouver, craft markets were thriving, and they seemed like a fantastic way to meet customers and establish my illustration business. However, when I returned to the UK, I quickly realized the landscape was very different. There wasn’t much information available about which markets actually worked for illustrators.
I booked into a variety of markets, only to find that many required a 5 AM start in a drafty hall or a sun-drenched glass atrium with 100 other stallholders—but no customers. I was also unlucky enough to be scammed by a booking company in January, which disappeared with my stall fee. Please don’t fall into the same trap.
I’ll be honest—I was naïve, overly eager, and not very business-savvy at the time. I wanted my business to work so badly, but I had rushed in without proper research, and I was failing. The number of markets we booked in our first year was exhausting, both mentally and financially. Despite all the effort, we barely broke even.
It didn’t make sense. I was working with international publishers during the week, selling wholesale to a few clients, and yet, my market stalls weren’t profitable. Then it hit me—I had been targeting the wrong markets. These weren’t art-focused events. The people attending weren’t looking for illustration or high-quality prints. They wanted something different.
I don’t want anyone else to go through the same struggle. With the right support from other illustrators and artists, I managed to turn things around. I went from making - £60 at my first markets to earning £3,000 in a single weekend.Illustration & Art-Focused Markets That Work
These are the markets that truly bring in foot traffic for illustrators and artists. Join their mailing lists to get the best information on when to apply. Many of these events are highly competitive, so if you don’t get in, keep trying! They curate their makers carefully, and even the best artists don’t always get accepted every time.
The Chistmas Market Jemma Jamie skidmore
The Very Best Art and Carft In person Markets for Illustrators in the UK
London & South East
The Illustrators’ Fair – Held twice a year (King’s Cross, Spring & Christmas)
MCM Comic Con (Birmingham & London) – A great place for pop culture-inspired artwork
The London Illustration Fair
DIY Art Market – Amazing mixed-market for makers and artists
Crafty Fox Market – A great mixed-market for artists and makers
Pexmas (London) – Peckham-based artists and makers market
Salad Days Market – Iconic London makers and artists market
The Lookout – Illustrators’ Fair (Cambridge) – A great showcase of illustration talent (I haven’t been yet, but it looks amazing!)
The Nutshell – Winchester Xmas Gift Fair – Another hidden gem for artists and illustrators
Midlands & South West
Made in Bristol – An amazing Christmas market with excellent footfall
Fine Line Print & Illustration Festival – A small but growing event presented by the University of Gloucestershire (currently free to table!)
Prema Art Market – A hidden gem if you're local
Compton Verney Christmas Market – Now accepting submissions; set within the UK's biggest folk art collection
Shake Bristol – A top choice for illustration and artist markets
Frome Independent Market
Makers Yard Somerset
Paper Dolls Market – A mixed-makers market in Birmingham
CKMY Festive (Herefordshire) – Illustrator-run event by Hereford School of Art
Blue Moon Market – A growing mixed-market for artists and makers in Moseley
The North & Beyond
Thought Bubble (Harrogate) – Perfect for comic and illustration-based work
Endless Love Creative Market – Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Newcastle
Liverpool Print Fair
The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair
Wales & Ireland
I don’t have as much information on great illustration-focused markets in Wales or Ireland, but I’d love to hear from anyone who does! If you know of any fantastic markets for illustrators in these regions, please reach out, and I’ll add them to this list.
Nationwide
Craft & Flea – Book three months in advance; held all over the country, strong footfall
Other Selling Opportunities
Find your own space! – Do pop-ups in shops or cafés that align with your style and customer base
Don’t overlook curated markets! – If you think you’re a good fit, send the organizers an email. They might consider you next time (I’d love a stand with Bloomsbury Jamboree!)
Local fairs can be great in the run-up to Christmas. Building a local network helps you find people in your area who love what you do.
Consider backup markets at Christmas. If you don’t get into your top-choice markets, have alternatives lined up. You can always bring in help if you get accepted to more than one!
Want to Add to This List?
If you know of any fantastic illustration-friendly markets in the UK, Wales, or Ireland, please let me know, and I will add them to this list. Let’s support each other in finding the best places to sell our work!
