Acton Children's Business Fair of Washington, DC

The next fair is Saturday, 8 May 2027, 10:00am–12:30pm, with rain date Saturday, 15 May 2027. It is a tented outdoor marketplace at 1521 20th Street NW, Dupont Circle.

About

The Acton Children's Business Fair of Washington, DC sparks children's entrepreneurial spirit. This morning-long marketplace gives children the opportunity to showcase their own businesses. Children ages 6 to 14 on the date of the fair are invited to create a product or service and sell to customers. They do not have to be residents of Washington, DC.

Past businesses have included handmade greeting cards, a pet-sitting service for exotic birds, a photobomb booth, and a lemonade stand that donated a percentage of profits to protect honeybees.

The format started in Austin, Texas, in 2007 and has grown to over 1,500 fairs around the world serving more than 50,000 young entrepreneurs in over 500 cities and 20 countries.

How it works

Young entrepreneurs submit an application, then plan product or service, marketing, accounting, cost of goods, and pricing. Accepted applicants sell from a booth. The fair accepts up to 80 businesses. A $10 participation fee (cash) is collected at check-in.

Each business receives an 8' × 2' table and shares full-cover tenting with one other business. Electricity is not provided; generators and open flames are not permitted. Tablecloths are not provided.

Applications

Applications for the 2026 fair are closed. The site asks families to check back to apply for the 2027 fair.

Organizers

Local organizers are David Kirby and Nicole Spencer (Woodley Park). Official site: https://dcchildrensbusinessfair.org/