Craft Fairs & Farmers Markets in Watsonville, California
Watsonville is strawberry country, and the Watsonville Strawberry Festival is exactly the hometown celebration you'd expect — the highlight of 8 events, with the Pajaro Valley certified market and El Mercado Popular keeping the produce flowing the rest of the year.
Community Health Trust El Mercado
FarmersManaged by Jesus Madrigal; no stall fee is published in the CDFA register.
El Mercado Popular Inc.
FarmersManaged by Patricia H. Rodriguez; no stall fee is published in the CDFA register.
Goat Hill Fair
VintageCurated vintage and antique market at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds with vendors spread through the historic Crossetti and Harvest buildings plus an outdoor path from the admission gate. Past editions have run over 100 vendors selling vintage, upcycled goods, antiques, collectibles and artisan food. Ticketed admission.
Heritage Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
HolidayLong-running holiday craft and gift fair at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, spread across three buildings with crafts, gifts, antiques, collectibles and toys, plus on-site holiday kitchens. Many crafters return year after year. Run by the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation; applications open May 1 by email with photos of the booth and products, and spaces begin filling June 15.
Pajaro Valley Certified Farmers Market
FarmersManaged by Jesus Madrigal; no stall fee is published in the CDFA register.
Santa Cruz County Fair
FairFive-day county fair at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, run by the 14th District Agricultural Association. Carnival, livestock, contests and entertainment across three stages. Commercial exhibitor and concessionaire applications are posted separately on the fair's site.
Santa Cruz VegFest
FestivalOne-day plant-based food and lifestyle festival held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Exhibitor spaces come in indoor and outdoor configurations including a large 10x20 with tables in prime placement, and an early-registration discount applies for exhibitors who register by the end of February. All on-site cooking must be done outdoors.
Watsonville Strawberry Festival
FestivalFree two-day downtown festival celebrating the Pajaro Valley strawberry crop, drawing roughly 40,000 people along Main Street and E. Beach Street. Local artisan, business and specialty vendors sit throughout the grounds alongside a large food lineup, carnival rides and contests. The city notes that vendor spaces are managed by community partners, and the arts and crafts application runs on a separate hosted form that closes ahead of the event.