Artists and craftspeople who create and produce their own handmade work are invited to apply for booth space at this outdoor riverside arts and crafts market.
Crafts on the River is a distinctive outdoor arts and crafts market held along Savannah's historic riverfront at Rousakis Riverfront Plaza. The event brings together talented artists, craftspeople, makers, and creative entrepreneurs for direct connection with the public in one of the Southeast's most visited destinations.
Key Dates
Applications accepted: October 3, 2026
Wait List released: October 15, 2026 (or as deemed necessary by the event Director)
Load-in: October 30, 2026 (Friday morning); Saturday walk-in 8:00–8:30 AM (advance participation and approval only; dolly in only)
Event dates: October 30–31 and November 1, 2026 (Friday–Sunday)
Artists and craftspeople who create, design, and produce what they sell. First-time attendees must obtain a City of Savannah Business License ($85, good for 1 calendar year); artists living in a county that immediately surrounds Chatham County are exempt. Artists should list the event address as their business address.
Categories
2-D Mixed Media: collage, papermaking, encaustic, pen and ink, paint, pencil, watercolor, or photography (wall-mounted)
3-D Mixed Media: mosaic, papier mâché, clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or other 3-dimensional objects
Ceramics: original shaped and fired clay including earthenware, porcelain, and raku
Digital Art: 2-D works manipulated by the artist using computer programs
Drawing & Printmaking: original drawings in pen, pencil, charcoal, pastels, or chalk; prints from pulled plates, linoleum, etching, engraving, silkscreen, or lithography (all prints must be signed and numbered; photocopies not permitted)
Edibles: handmade items such as jam, sauce, baked goods (pre-packaged, not prepared on-site)
Fiber: basketry, batik, weaving, papermaking, knitting, quilting (no embellishment of manufactured materials)
Glass: blown, fused, stained, cast, or molded (no embellishment of manufactured materials)
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.
Handcraft: handmade items from manufactured, recycled, or repurposed materials; complete description required
Jewelry: crafted from metal, glass, stone, clay, or other materials (no commercial molds or casts; at least 50% of organic materials must be produced by the artist)
Metal: functional and non-sculptural works incorporating metal
Painting: oils, acrylics, watercolors, tempera suitable for hanging
Photography: prints, transparencies, or digital images from the artist's original negative or digital camera, processed by the artist
Sculpture: 3-D work in any individual medium
Wood & Furniture: original works built, turned, carved, or tooled (no embellished manufactured wood)
Prohibited Items
T-shirts and commercial clothing (any resale or manufactured items)
Posters
Manufactured toys (any resale or manufactured items)
Commercially manufactured or reproduced items (resale)
Jewelry made from more than 50% manufactured components
Any item employing commercially available molds or patterns
Food Booth Requirements
This venue cannot accommodate food trucks. All food booths must register with Savannah Department of Public Health and submit business license and required DPH paperwork at least 6 weeks prior to the event or immediately upon acceptance. Honey booths cannot be accepted as they fall outside department of agriculture certification.
Amenities & Services
Water provided for artists on Saturday and Sunday
Booth sitters available during event hours (limited basis)
Designated festival hotline during event hours
Friday load-in (Friday only)
24-hour on-site security
Policies
No-show policy: artists who have not checked in or called the Festival Emergency Number by Friday 8:00 AM will be considered a no-show; no refunds issued and assigned space forfeited to wait-list artist
Rain or shine: event will take place regardless of weather; no rain date and no refunds for inclement weather
Sales tax: artists are responsible for collecting and reporting sales tax at 7.00% (4.00% GA, 3.00% Chatham County)
Late applications: may be accepted at the director's discretion and included on the wait list
Waitlist: selected artists may be contacted when the wait list is released one day prior to the event
Parking
$2.50 per hour parking (8 AM–8 PM) available in nearby city-owned spaces. $5 daily parking available at Savannah Convention Center, accessible by Savannah Belles Ferry (runs approximately every 15 minutes, 7 AM–10 PM) with direct drop-off at the Hyatt on River Street venue.
Marketing & Promotion
AFFPS is among the top award-winning art festival organizations in the southeast, voted Best Festivals by local media with shows in the Top 100 Nationwide. The organization employs professional marketing strategies including PR and online media, print and online ads, radio and TV, billboards/banners/posters/yard signs, business partner collaboration, social media, dedicated website, direct mail, and 300+ online calendar entries.