The short answer
Before you book a craft fair, check the organizer’s rules and your state’s sales tax registration; many states require it even for one-day events. Bring finished candles you have burn tested, with labels and plain scent descriptions. Price each candle to cover its full cost plus a share of booth and travel costs, and write down what sold so the next market is easier to plan.
Check the event and the rules before you pay
Markets differ in fees, insurance requirements, weather exposure, electricity and flame rules. Ask the organizer for the current vendor terms in writing, and read them before the deadline, not after you pay.
- What is the booth fee, and what is the refund policy if it rains or you cancel?
- What are the setup and breakdown times?
- Does the organizer require insurance or tax registration?
- Can you light a candle at your booth, or must samples stay unlit?
- What size is the space, and are tables, tents or power provided?
- Who else sells candles there, and who shops there?
Sales tax and permits
This is the part that surprises new sellers most. Being accepted into a market does not mean your business meets the legal requirements. The US Small Business Administration advises checking the licenses and permits for your activity and location, and notes that rules vary by state and industry.
Sales tax is the usual trap. States handle craft fairs differently, so check the state where you will sell. Two examples show how far the rules can differ:
| State | What its tax agency says |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | Anyone making retail sales, including at craft shows, must register for tax at least 15 business days before doing business. There are no special provisions for temporary vendors. |
| Washington | A one-event Temporary Registration Certificate can cover a craft show for a business with no more than two events a year in the state, each lasting no longer than a month. You cannot apply earlier than six months before the event, and you complete the form within 10 business days after. |
Neither is your state. Look up the tax agency in the state where you sell, and ask the organizer what vendors there need. If you sell in a different state from where you live, check that state too. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Bring stock you can explain and trace
Only sell candles that have finished a proper burn test and cure. Keep the wax, fragrance, wick and container details for each batch in your testing log so you can answer a question or fix a problem later.
Put the label information on each candle before you leave home; see the label requirements. A shopper cannot guess a scent from a poetic name, so add a short plain description to the label or a sign. Pack jars so glass and labels survive the drive, and bring spare stock of your best-selling sizes.
Flames at a booth
Follow the organizer’s flame rules. Never leave a burning candle unattended, which the National Candle Association gives as the first safety rule. When in doubt, use an unlit sample.
Price in the cost of the event
A booth fee is a cost of selling. So are travel, parking, payment processing and anything you buy for the table. Add them up and divide by the number of candles you honestly expect to sell. If the day goes badly, the cost per candle rises, so use a cautious estimate.
| Cost | How to count it |
|---|---|
| Booth fee and extras | Total, divided by candles you expect to sell |
| Travel and parking | Total for the day, divided the same way |
| Card fees | Check your processor’s current published rate; do not guess |
| Product cost | Your full cost per candle, from the pricing guide |
Set a price you can stand behind and show it plainly. Customers rarely ask about an unmarked price.
Make the table easy to shop
- Group scents so people can follow them, such as fresh, floral, woody and sweet.
- Keep samples that can be smelled without opening every candle.
- Keep warning labels readable, and keep your table clear of anything that could catch fire near a lit candle.
- Keep the checkout area clear and the stock steady on the table.
- Have a backup way to take payment if the signal drops.
Test a small change at a time. A new display or a different price is easier to judge if you do not change five things at once.
Record what happened
At the end of the day, count units sold by scent and size. Then record questions customers asked, scents they asked for that you did not have, and any returns or complaints. Compare actual sales to your estimate and recalculate the cost per candle. Use the records from several events, not one busy hour, to decide what to bring next time. How to start a candle business covers the bigger picture.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to sell candles at a craft fair?
Often, yes, at least for sales tax. Requirements depend on the state and city where you sell. Check that state’s tax agency and ask the organizer.
Do I have to collect sales tax at a one-day craft fair?
In many states, yes. Some have temporary permits, and some exempt very occasional sellers. Check the state where the event is held.
How should I price candles for a market?
Start with your full product cost, then add a share of booth, travel and payment costs based on a cautious sales estimate. Recalculate after the event using real sales.
Can I burn a sample candle at my booth?
Only if the organizer and local rules allow it, and only while someone watches it. An unlit sample is often simpler.
How many candles should I bring to a craft fair?
No number fits everyone. Start with your own past sales records and the event size, then adjust as you collect data.
Sources
- Apply for licenses and permits — US Small Business Administration
- Promoter/Event Organizer and Vendor Q&A — New Jersey Division of Taxation
- Temporary businesses — Washington State Department of Revenue
- Candle Safety Tips — National Candle Association
Updated October 5, 2026. These guides are starting points — always burn test your own candles.