Small community christmas market

Stallholders such as makers, small food sellers and craft businesses pay a fee for a stall. Sometimes local businesses pay to sponsor or advertise at the event.

A stall fee per stallholder (a set price per site), plus optional extras like power, a gold coin entry donation shared with a charity, or sponsor packages. Profit is what is left after venue hire, insurance and marketing.

• Organising and planning
• Dealing with people and sorting out problems calmly
• Social media and local promotion
• Basic budgeting

• Public liability insurance, which venues and councils often require; check whether the event needs its own cover
• Council or venue approval for events, especially in parks and on public land; check your local council
• Food stalls usually need to be registered with their local council and follow food safety rules; check what you must collect from them
• Weather for outdoor events, so plan a wet weather option or a refund policy
• Stallholder no-shows and low visitor numbers can leave you out of pocket after paying the venue

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the venue, insurance, promotion and any equipment you hire. Check what the venue or council requires, as that can change your budget.

Things to check include public liability insurance, which venues and councils often require, and whether the event needs its own cover. Also check council or venue approval, especially for parks and public land, and food stall registration with the local council.

Revenue is typically around $500 to $3,500 a month, depending on stall fees, how many stallholders book and any sponsorship. Venue costs come out of that, and no-shows or low visitor numbers can leave you out of pocket.