Christmas Stroll 2026: Food Vendor Application

Ways to participate as a Food Vendor at the Christmas Stroll:
 

• You can run your vendor booth as a Non-Profit organization, preparing your own food to raise funds for your organization.
• You can run your vendor booth as a restaurant or mobile food vendor, preparing the food in your own kitchen and giving a portion of your event proceeds to a Non-Profit organization of your choice (10% recommended donation).
• Or, consider partnering-up as a restaurant and a Non-Profit organization working together by having the Non-Profit purchase prepared food from your restaurant for their volunteers to sell at the Stroll with all net profits supporting that organization.

To participate in the Christmas Stroll as a Food Vendor, you must do the following:

1. Complete the Food Vendor Application, review the Food Vendor Regulations below, and pay the $75 Vendor Fee NO LATER than Friday, November 13th.
2. Have a current Food Vendor License or a Temporary Food Vendor License and have a completed copy on-hand at the event.
   1. For a Temporary Food Vendor License, apply online HERE. (For Non-Profits, this license is no charge as you are tax-exempt. For restaurants/mobile vendors who do not have a food vendor license, you can obtain a temporary license at the link above at no-charge if you partner-up with a tax-exempt Non-Profit when you complete the Health Department’s application.)
   2. As of January 1, 2024, all mobile Food Vendors must complete an annual Food Truck Safety Inspection by the Bozeman Fire Department. Proof of this inspection is required in order to vend. More information can be found under the "Mobile Food Vending" tab on the city's website.
   3. Vendors using a tent canopy will be required to move any "Open Flame" cooking devices out from under the canopy itself and have appropriate portable fire extinguishers for the cooking type (2A10BC or 2A10BC AND Type K if cooking with oil/grease).
      1. PLEASE NOTE: The Gallatin County Health Department AND Bozeman Fire Department will be stopping at every booth during the Stroll to make sure all vendors are in accordance with the above regulations. For questions contact the Gallatin County Health Department at 406-582-3120 and the Bozeman Fire Department at 406-595-4529.
3. Review the information provided by the Gallatin County Health Department, Bozeman Fire Department, and the Downtown Bozeman Association to ensure you are following all food preparation and safety measures. This information will be emailed to all registered 2025 Stroll Food Vendor after the November 14th deadline.
   1. PLEASE NOTE: The failure to follow these food safety measures could result in your booth being shut down during the event. These policies will be provided to all registered Christmas Stroll 2025 Food Vendors, and this is in lieu of the Annual Health Department Food Vendor Meeting.
4. Non-Profit Activity Vendors and Food Vendors will be located on Main Street in line with the parking lanes on the north and south sides (NOT on the sidewalks). If your activity booth needs electricity, you must obtain permission from the business you will be located in front of. If you do not need electricity, please indicate your desired location we will work with you to be close to that location.

Christmas Stroll Vendor Regulations:

The following regulations apply to all vendors (Restaurants, Non-Profits, and Mobile Food Vendors) participating in the 46th Annual Christmas Stroll on December 5th, 2026. Failure to comply will mean the vendor may not be able to participate in future events or in some cases, being shut down at the event.

1. Vendors must be a Non-Profit organization, a Restaurant, or a Mobile Food Vendor supporting a Non-Profit organization. There are no exceptions!
2. Cost for Vendors to participate in this event is $75. Please note that due to the nature of this event, no refunds will be given.
3. As a vendor, you are responsible for self-arranging and confirming a location for your booth. The defined event area is on Main Street from Grand to Church. You must obtain written or emailed permission from the location's store manager or owner. Please send a copy of this to info@downtownbozeman.org.
   1. If you need power at your activity location, you must obtain permission from a business owner or manager to plug into their inside power source.
   2. If you are using a generator, please indicate the business you wish to set up in front of. You must get in touch with them to notify them of your interest so that locations are not duplicated. Generators must be quiet and all cords must be covered by rugs or duct tape for ADA compliance. Do not block entry ways of businesses with your electrical equipment.
4. Vendors must sell food or beverages designed to be consumed at the Stroll, absolutely no crafts and no packaged or “gift food”. We also encourage vendors to offer substantial dinner-type fare! Cookies and hot cocoa are offered at no charge at many business locations during the stroll which makes it very difficult to turn a profit.
5. No vehicles will be allowed to remain on the street during event hours. Vendors may drive their cars to their booths only during set up and tear down. Main Street will close at 3 PM to begin set-up and will re-open to traffic at 8:30 PM! Your booth must be set up no later than 4:30 PM for the start of the event; please do not set up any tables or equipment on Main Street past the white parking lane line until after the Santa Parade passes by at approximately 4:45 PM.
6. Vendors must provide their own trash receptacles and are responsible for leaving their area clean at the end of the event. Vendors who fail to do so are subject to additional fees. Please do not move the blue trash bins as they are strategically placed along Main Street and are not intended for individual vendor use.
7. Your spot will be checked for cleanliness between 7:30 and 9 PM. If you sell out before the end of the Stroll you are welcome to leave, but we do not allow vehicle on Main street until the crowd subsides. All debris will need to be removed so please plan to bring a broom.
8. All Food Vendors must have a current Retail Food License with catering endorsement or a Temporary Retail Food License and have a completed copy on-hand at the event. Please note that if you have a licensed mobile unit, you must operate out of your licensed unit or obtain a temporary retail food license from the Health Department.
   1. All Food Vendors must review the information provided by the Gallatin County Health Department and the Downtown Bozeman Association to ensure you are following all food preparation and safety measures. This information will be emailed to all registered 2025 Stroll Food Vendor after the November 14th deadline. PLEASE NOTE: The failure to follow these food safety measures could result in your booth being shut down during the event. These policies will be provided to all registered Christmas Stroll 2025 Food Vendors, and this is in lieu of the Annual Health Department Food Vendor Meeting.
   2. For a Temporary Retail Food License, the application can be found HERE and be submitted to ehs@gallatin.mt.gov or in person to the Health Department at 215 W. Mendenhall Room 108. (For Non-Profits, this license is no charge as you are tax-exempt. For restaurants/mobile vendors who do not have a food vendor license, you can obtain a temporary license at the link above at no-charge if you partner-up with a tax-exempt Non-Profit when you complete the Health Department’s application.)
      1. All licensed retail food and temporary retail food vendors working with opened food must have a handwashing sink or a temporary handwashing set up and an approved food grade sanitizer for food preparation surfaces and test strips. Please note that hand sanitizer may not take the place of a handwashing station set up.
      2. Please note that the Health Department completes a routine check in/mini inspections for each food vendor and will be looking for the items above.
         1. Anyone selling during the event without prior registration will be charged a fine and still must follow Health Department regulations. PLEASE NOTE: There is no free food allowed at the Christmas Stroll!
9. As of January 1, 2024, all mobile Food Vendors must complete an annual Food Truck Safety Inspection by the Bozeman Fire Department. Proof of this inspection is required in order to vend. More information can be found under the "Mobile Food Vending" tab on the city's website.
10. Any vendors having an open flame must cover it with a metal screen and put the flame out completely and take the remaining ashes with you. Do not, under any circumstances, empty ashes on to the street. Vendors that have a fire pit will be required to have a portable fire extinguisher available for immediate deployment. Bozeman Fire Department recommends a 4A:80B:C extinguisher.
11. If you plan to utilize a temporary tent/canopy/booth to vend out of, per IFC 3106.5 through 3106.5.2, no open flame cooking appliances or frying equipment will be permitted underneath a tent/canopy/booth unless the temporary structure is NOT open to the public, CERTIFIED “inherently fire resistant”, AND protected by an approved automatic fire extinguishing system in accordance with IFC 904.13. Please contact Travis Hansen with additional questions.