FALL 2026 CALICO MAKERS MARKET!

Event Details
October 3 and 4 | 10 AM - 5 PM
1141 Smith Level Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
(Rain dates October 10 and 11)

Step into fall by joining us in celebrating a broad assortment of local artists and artisans showing off handmade treasures and one-of-a-kind creations. Grab a delicious bite from local food trucks while following the sounds of live music drifting through the air. Unleash your creativity and jump into our hands-on art activities designed for all ages. No pressure or perfection–just good, expressive fun.

For the first time in the history of our makers market, 123 Puppetry will be joining us throughout the day for exciting performances!

Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

At its heart, our market is all about bringing the community together to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and to inspire. Come for the art, stay for the vibe, and leave with something that makes you smile.

Come on out and say hello!!

Volunteers:
Volunteer opportunities for our Fall Makers Market are available for sign-up here. Come join the fun and make connections with the makers community!

Art Activities:

TREES - Birch tree option: Add another use onto the long list of things masking tape can do– using strips of tape to plot out your tree scattered landscape, you’ll go back over the page with splotches of color to create a fall-inspired backdrop. After peeling the tape back it will reveal a crisp set of birch trees for you to add details too with sharpies or your medium of choice! Tree of life option: Inspired by Gustav Klimt, gold swirls will fill your page to create beautiful art deco inspired trees that burst off the page!

FINGER PUPPETS - Calling all theatre folks and artisans! Help us celebrate having 1,2,3 Puppetry for the first time by creating finger puppets with fabrics, felt, and other colorful materials. Put together a whole cast of characters and you could have your very own puppet show any time you want!! You could even use your puppet creations to brainstorm what Halloween costume you might wear… the possibilities are endless!

VENDOR LINKS

CALICO CREATES

FANTAIL DESIGN STUDIO • TJ LAND • OCAG

CARDINAL & CO • ASHLEY RUSNAK ART • RC POTTER

RINGLER DESIGNS • GLASS MOXIE • MUCH JOY AHEAD ART

HANDCRAFTED BY PERDITA • SHANNON M. MILLER • RIC’S LEATHER

SWEET CELERY DESIGN • EPIC BONES • RABBIT PATCH BASKETS

SARAH ANN AUSTIN • ANNA KEEBS PAINTS • SAN B CREATIVE

ALDER GRAND PARK • COLORFUL QUILT CREATIONS

DEBORAH HARRIS POTTERY • TINY GALAXY

CALICO MAMAS

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD MUSIC LINE UP

BILL WEST

Known for his acoustic/electric guitar driven music and soulful voice, Bill West will be performing on Saturday at 11 AM. His relaxing “acoustic comfort” style will set the tone for a beautiful market stroll. When you feel the urge for more, you can join him for his “Wednesday Night Hang” on livestream (TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook).

https://www.billwestmusic.com/

THE WATCHMEN

An americana roots inspired band that consists of three multitalented artists will be performing at 1PM Saturday afternoon. If you enjoy the soft twang of folk, blues, and bluegrass come on down for a listen!

https://www.facebook.com/thewatchmenraleigh/

1,2,3 PUPPETRY

For the first time ever in the history of our Makers Market 1, 2, 3, Puppetry will welcome you into the playful world of puppetry. Performances full of handmade characters, movement, and storytelling will come alive on Saturday at 2:30 PM. Join us in welcoming this fantastic group of artists and performers for their inaugural show at the October Calico Makers Market 2026!

Instagram: @123puppetry

JOEL KEEL

Born in Trinidad, Joel Keel will be bringing the island vibes to our backyard Saturday at 3PM. A lifelong traveling musician, he has been performing all kinds of music, including reggae, as a solo performer and with bands like Banks and Peace & Keel. This long time resident of Chapel Hill can play bass, piano, sing and so much more. Dance into the night with us listening to the vibrant sounds of Joel Keel.

https://www.joelkeelmusic.com/

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4TH MUSIC LINE UP

RED NUCLEUS

If Woody Guthrie made an Arabian Folk music inspired album, you would get the opening tracks to Nuclear Option (Red Nucleus’ most recent release). This eclectic, avant-garde, folk inspired duo will be performing Sunday at 11AM; start the day off with a trip around the world, then through the market!

https://rednucleusband.com/

JHA'MAI

Relax and unwind to the smooth, sultry sounds of Ms. Jha'mai. Joining us Sunday at 1:30 PM, she will be entrancing us R&B melodies that sound like sunshine on an early morning. As a multi-talented artist, performer, and entertainer, this will be a show that you don't want to miss!

instagram: @officialjhamai

https://linktr.ee/officialjhamai

1,2,3 PUPPETRY

Something strange, silly, and wonderful is coming to life at the market on Sunday at 1 PM and 3PM! 1, 2, 3, Puppetry will welcome you into the playful world of puppetry with performances full of handmade characters, movement, and storytelling. Come see what surprises are in store!

Instagram: @123puppetry

FOOD TRUCKS

CluckiN Batter

Come on out Saturday, October 3rd to get a bite of some chicken and waffles! CluckiN Batter will be out here from 10 am to 5 pm. Check out their facebook for a sneak peak of the menu.

TACOS PARAISO #1

Enjoy authentic Mexican food on Sunday with Tacos Paraiso 1, originally based in Pittsboro, NC. Get ready to chow down on some tacos and chase it with a big cup of aguas frescas!

https://tacosparaiso.online/