About
What is the Punk Rock Flea Market?
From humble beginnings in September 2006 as a fundraiser for the Low Income Housing Institute in a burnt-out Belltown basement, Seattle's Punk Rock Flea Market has grown into a living breathing organism with ideas of its own. Several times each year vendors from around the region converge on our subterranean strip mall with all manner of treasures. Hundreds of peddlers pile into a temporary location to sell an enormous variety of arts, crafts, music, comic books, bike parts, painted rocks, graffiti supplies, jewelry, vintage clothing, stereo equipment, snake oil, droids, and untold riches of punk rock paraphernalia. A combination police auction and neighborhood swap meet in Andy Warhol's garage.
When does it happen:
The PRFM is nomadic, moving place and time as circumstances dictate. You can learn about our upcoming events here : UPCOMING. The information changes often, we encourage you to check back frequently. And we are ALWAYS interested in large and inexpensive new spaces willing to host the PRFM. If you've got some ideas, don't be shy about sharing them!
How does it happen:
The PRFM depends on a small group of core organizers and a LOT of skilled community members. As of 2024, we have 5 people who spend time year round finding useful locations, leading the building process, designing our graphics and the look of the market, building relationships with vendors and small business, looking for money, and maintaining this website and social media. Those folks all get paid a little something for their work. The PRFM is nobody's full time gig, though it sometimes feels that way. We also have MANY talented professionals and gifted amateurs who contribute their skills to the creation of the PRFM or trade their labor for space to sell their stuff. We have been blessed to work with amazing carpenters, elecricians, plumbers, tech gurus, tax experts, and mad geniuses for close to 20 years. And that's not to mention the HUNDREDS of artists who make each PRFM space a work of art in itself.
How do I become a vendor?
We try to keep it very easy. As soon as we have secured a venue for the PRFM and figured out how many vendors will fit we release a call to the public. We have a simple application process that we use to determine who is interested in being a vendor, what they need, and what they'll add to the PRFM experience for our attendees. We try to be as inclusive as possible, though we usually have more applicants than room available and inevitably need to make tough choices. As a general rule, each market has space for 1/3 legacy vendors, 1/3 brand new vendors, and 1/3 work trade.
By far the EASIEST way to guarantee yourself a vendor spot is to help us build the market. If you come to one of our work parties, get your hands dirty, and make a difference in our workload, you're in.
There are a few reasonable guidelines on what you can sell: VENDOR GUIDELINES. For additional details on becoming a vendor, visit our vendor page here: VENDORS
And if you want to volunteer or trade your labor for booth space, check this page out: VOLUNTEERS
Can I bring my kids:
Yes! The Punk Rock Flea Market is always open to all ages! Bring your kids! Bring your grandma! Bring the whole damn crew!
Does it cost to get in?
Our low price of admission has never wavered. It costs just ONE DOLLAR to enter the Punk Rock Flea Market.
What if I’m not Punk Rock?
The name “Punk Rock Flea Market” has more to do with the DIY spirit of the event than it does with any particular lifestyle or music. We are a loose and creative bunch of artists, activists, and anarchists of every color, gender, race and class. We don’t have a lot of rules and we like it that way. If you want to come play, then you are punk enough for us.
What’s the deal with LIHI?
The PRFM began as a fundraiser for the Low Income Housing Institute, or LIHI, a non-profit organization that provides homes for homeless and low-income people all around the Puget Sound. We are an independent operation these days, but we still have a strong relationship with this great organization. They provide fiscal sponsorship, and we make a significant financial contribution to their work after every market. More info about them at www.lihi.org.