FD Open Market 2026:
information for sellers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About event
At FunDesign Market, we’re always striving to create exciting and memorable events, and this time, we’re doing something completely different.
For the first time in two years, we’re organizing an outdoor summer market with free entry, located in the heart of Helsinki, right next to the Market Square, in collaboration with Helsingin Kaupunkitilat, Torit and Vanha Kauppahalli.
This central, high-traffic location offers sellers a great opportunity to reach both locals and tourists, gain visibility, and connect directly with new customers in a lively summer setting.
Location:
Lyypekinlaituri, 00130 Helsinki (Outdoor)
Near the Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli)
Time schedule:
09:00 – 11:00 Setting up
11:00 – 18:00 Event
18:00 – 20:00 Cleaning up
Audience:
The age distribution below is based on visitor feedback collected at each market.
- Summer Market 2025: ~4,000 visitors. 54% aged 20–30, 30% aged 30–40, 11% under 20, and 5% aged 40–50
- Christmas Market 2025: ~5,000 visitors. 46% aged 20–30, 26% aged 30–40, 12% under 20, and 10% aged 40–50
- Spring Market 2026: ~4,000 visitors. 51% aged 20–30, 31% aged 30–40, 10% under 20, and 6% aged 40–50
Due to the central location and tourist-friendly area, we also expect to attract more tourists and visitors outside our usual audience, giving sellers additional exposure to new potential customers.
Advertising:
We actively invest in promoting both the event and our sellers to maximize visibility and visitor traffic.
Marketing includes:
- Paid advertising campaigns
- Active social media promotion
- Email newsletters
- Seller spotlights on our website and social media
- Poster distribution across Helsinki
- Partner collaborations and cross-promotion
In addition, the event will also be promoted through the official marketing and communication channels of Helsingin Torit and Vanha Kauppahalli, and might also includes digital screens inside Vanha Kauppahalli.
Activities:
Interactive activities will be organized to enhance the visitor experience (e.g. Best Table Voting).
Admission:
Free entry for visitors.
General information
Types of applications:
We welcome applications from artisans, vendors/businesses, food vendors and open applications.
Participation fee includes:
- Option 1: Table spot under our tent with 1 table (124x62cm) +1 chair
- Option 2: Open space 3x3m without any furniture (Bring your own tent, tent weights, table & chair)
- Food vendors can only apply for Option 2
- Mention on social media and event website
Sharing a table:
- Sharing is not allowed for Option 1.
- Option 2 can be shared by two sellers for an additional fee.
- Both sellers will receive individual promotion
- One invoice will be issued to the applicant who submitted the form, and payment must be made in a single transaction.
- If one seller cancels without a replacement, the entire reservation will be cancelled.
Cancellations:
- Cancellations must be made at least 14 days before the event (by 27 June 2026) to receive a full refund.
- Cancellations made within 14 days of the event are non-refundable.
If the event is canceled due to severe weather or force majeure, refunds will be handled as follows: Cancellation before the event starts on the event day: 30% refund. Cancellation after the event has started: No refund.
Responsibility
- Vendors are responsible for their own equipment, products, and liabilities.
- The event organizers are not liable for any loss, damage, or accidents.
- Food vendors must comply with the regulations of the City of Helsinki.
Additional Information
- All prices are subject to 25.5% VAT.
- FUN+ subscribers receive a 10% discount on the participation fee.
Our rules
What we’re looking for:
✔️ Original art and design
✔️ Handmade, artist-designed, or independently produced goods
✔️ Thoughtful craftsmanship and creative expression
✔️ Small creative businesses with a strong brand or concept
✔️ A positive, respectful spirit that fits the FunDesign community
To ensure originality and fairness, the following are not permitted at Fundesign Market:
❌ AI-generated art
❌ Plagiarism or copies of other artists’ work
❌ Unlicensed fan art or any form of copyright infringement (including characters, logos, or trademarks)
❌ Mass-produced items from e.g. Temu, Aliexpress.
❌ Assembling mass-produced parts with no original design (e.g. attaching a ready-made charm to a necklace)
❌ Using templates or patterns created by someone else
❌ Offensive, discriminatory, or disrespectful content
Explicit or 18+ content must be kept in a clearly labeled folder or album (e.g. “18+ only”) and not openly displayed on the table.
NOTE! If any violations are identified, FDM reserves the right to restrict or revoke your participation.
Application process
Overall information
This time we are testing a new and more transparent approach: sellers will be selected using a randomized selection system.
Our goal is to make the process fair for everyone, so that no one has to rush or compete for timing when applying.
You still have to fill the application form to be considered for participation.
Step1: Pre-selection
- FUN+ and Standard (free) members are accepted into the selection pool automatically after applying
- Non-members will be asked to provide a PDF portfolio for evaluation before entering the selection pool
*More information about membership and subscriptions can be found here here.
Step2: Randomized selection
- Round 1: Spots reserved for FUN+ subscribers are selected first using a random number generator
- Round 2: Remaining spots are selected randomly from: FUN+ subscribers who were not selected in Round 1, Standard members and approved non-members
- A small number of applicants will also be drawn for a waiting list, and will be contacted if any cancellations occur.
The selection will be streamed live on our Discord. Anyone is welcome to join and follow the process in real time.
Step3: Result announcement
- Selection results will be sent to all applicants via email
- Selected applicants must confirm their spot by paying the participation fee before the due date
- If cancellations occur, applicants from the waiting list will be contacted in order
Portfolio requirement for Non-members
- A short introduction: who you are, what you create, the materials you use, the products you’ll bring to your table, and how you make them.
- 5–10 clear images showcasing different pieces you plan to sell at FDM. (You can also include 1-2 images of your table setup)
- PDF format only.
- Please provide a link (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) to your portfolio with public access. An invalid link may result in rejection of your application.
Places distribution
- 40% of all seller spots are reserved for FUN+ subscribers. These spots are still selected randomly within the FUN+ pool
- If a FUN+ applicant is not selected in the Round 1, they will automatically be moved into the Round 2 and included in the remaining 60% selection alongside all other eligible applicants.
*More information about membership and subscriptions can be found here here.
DATES
- May 28 18:00 – June 1 18:00: Applications open to everyone
- June 3 18:00: Randomized selection process + announcement of results to all applicants
The selection will be streamed live on our Discord.
Application details
for whom?
- Independent artists or designers selling their own original art, designs or crafts
- Vintage design vendor
Collectives representing multiple local artists
Professional design brands
portfolio requirements
equired only for non-members. See details in the “Application Process” section.
participation fee
(One-day participation only)
- Option 1: Table space (under our tent): 115e + VAT 25.5%
- Option 2: Open space without furniture (Bring your own tent, tent weights, table & chair): 185e + VAT 25.5%
space size
- Option 1: 1.24×1.5 m (53 spots in total)
- Option 2: 3x3m space with no furniture (19 spots in total)
furniture
- Option 1: 1 table (124cm x 62cm) +1 chair (You may bring 1 more chair by yourself, but no other extra furniture allowed)
- Option 2: No furniture provided. (Bringing your own tent and tent weights is mandatory for this option)
additional furniture
Only allowed for Option 2, as long as it fits within allocated space
electricity
No
table sharing with one extra seller
Only possible for Option 2. Free of charge
Will be here
for whom?
Food vendor that meets the requirements of the Helsinki Food Safety Authority.
More details:
Click to access food-products-at-events-trade-fairs-and-marketplaces.pdf
participation fee
(One-day participation only)
- Open space without furniture (Bring your own tent, tent weights, table & chair): 185e + VAT 25.5%
space size
3x3m space with no furniture. (5 spots in total)
furniture
- We don’t provide any furniture.
- Bringing your own tent and tent weights is mandatory
- Bring your own table and chair
additional furniture
Allowed, as long as it fits within allocated space
electricity
By request
table sharing with one extra seller
Free of charge
Will be here
If you would like to host a special activity, it is better to reach out to us directly – we will try to make it happen.