Big Gay Market Brighton

Big Gay Market is a monthly queer makers market held at Daltons bar in Brighton that raises money for charities and good causes.

BrightonRead more about this eventView Terms & Conditions

View all Big Gay Market Brighton Events

Big Gay Market Brighton

Thanks for your interest in the Big Gay Market in Brighton!

My name is Hannah/Sigil and I run a small art business called Sigil Stickers. I wanted to create a monthly queer market that helped platform marginalised artists and creatives as well as raise money for good causes, and so Big Gay Market was created!

IMPORTANT: Before applying please make sure your Eventaly profile is completely filled out and detailed so that I can make sure I'm prioritising marginalised makers. There's also a section for accessibility requirements, please do fill that in with whatever you need in order to feel more comfortable, even if you think it's not a big deal.

This is an almost totally not for profit market!

The stall fees are donated to charities or fundraisers with a different one nominated every month, and customers can also donate to me at my Sigil Stickers stall directly to help boost our total. An extra £5 is charged on top of each stall fee to cover some of my time and costs.

The venue:

Daltons is a fully accessible venue on Brighton seafront near the pier. Location details along with parking and public transport information will be sent to all chosen traders for each market. Also, dogs are welcome!

There are only 14 spaces available at each market: 5 x 4ft tables and 9 x 6ft tables. I like to try and give everyone a chance to trade at least once, and will prioritise those who are multiply marginalised (which is why it's important for your profile to be well filled out!)

What's provided:

Tables and chairs are provided (you can have more than one chair), but please make sure you bring table coverings to decorate your stall. Please note that if you usually use a floor standing display you may not be able to use this at BGM due to limited space - please contact me directly if you're unsure! (Please note: No trader is permitted to bring additional tables or book more than one table for the same business.)

Rail space:

If you would like to bring a rail or you would like to borrow one from the venue, please message me on Instagram, Whatsapp, or email to confirm this at [email protected]

Table Prices:

4ft Tables = £20 (£15 to charity and £5 to cover costs)

6ft Tables = £25 (£20 to charity and £5 to cover costs)

Workshop space = £35 (£30 to charity and £5 to cover costs)

I use the £5 extra per table to cover some of my time, the cost of using Eventaly (well worth it), and marketing costs (e.g. flyers, boosted Instagram posts).

How I choose traders:

I do not choose traders based on what they sell as I'm not trying to create an aesthetic or a vibe, nor do I want to bias myself by choosing things I like. All art is important and I want everyone to get a chance to show theirs off.

The only real rules...

This is a makers market, so please don't apply if you sell merchandise or things manufactured elsewhere. Also, this probably goes without saying, but I do not accept any form of AI 'art', including your logo or other advertising. Let's keep art human!

Event website

Big Gay Market Brighton

Terms and Conditions

Stall Fees

The stall fees for Big Gay Market are:

4ft Table = £20 (£15 to charity, £5 to cover costs)

6ft Table = £25 (£20 to charity, £5 to cover costs)

Workshop space = £35 (£30 to charity, £5 to cover costs)

The £5 extra covers the cost of boosted social media posts (around £30-£40 a month), the Eventaly fees, and printed marketing materials or for other market related spending. I pocket maybe £10 a month (if I'm lucky!) for 30+ hours of work each month.

With a full complement of 9 x 6ft tables, 5 x 4ft tables, and the workshop space we generate a huge £285 for charity every month!

A note on tables

The table you book is a single table, which is provided by me at the venue. You cannot bring an additional table. If you usually have a floor display or hanging rail, you must check with me before bringing it as we have limited space and my priority is ensuring that the venue remains accessible and safe for everyone.

If you usually use two tables, big displays, additional large floor standing items please bear in mind that you will not be able to do this at Big Gay Market.

We have a couple of clothes rails available to borrow from the venue if you'd rather not bring yours, and there are chairs provided.

Deadlines and communication

  • Applications close 60 days before the market date, so mark it in your diary!
  • If selected, your payment is due 21 days ahead of the market. Eventaly will send you reminders 5 days before, 24 hours before, and 24 hours after the due date
  • Emails will be sent to ALL applicants once traders are chosen, and all traders that meet the criteria who were not chosen for that date will be moved to the wait list in case of drop outs
  • If you receive a rejection email, this will be because you do not meet the criteria for the market in general or, in special cases, you don't meet the criteria for that particular market date (e.g. Trans Pride events where I only have trans traders)

What can you sell?

You can sell anything you made yourself (or made by someone you know), or anything that was designed by you and manufactured elsewhere. AI is absolutely not permitted under any circumstances, this includes your logo or advertising.

I absolutely encourage table sharing - it isn't an option on the form for simplicity, but if you wish to share your table with a friend just let me know via email: [email protected]

Art collectives are also very welcome.

How I choose traders

I do not choose traders based on what they sell. I prioritise the most marginalised artists, then those who haven't traded at Big Gay Market before, and work my way back from there.

This way, I am not accidentally biasing myself by looking at traders' work before selecting, and we end up with a lovely variety of work each month. I am not looking to create an aesthetic or theme, I just want to showcase your work!

A request

Please do not advertise your spot at the market without being selected! This seems obvious but you'd be surprised how often this happens. You must pay for your spot before you can advertise that you are trading :)