How much weight do you need on a craft show tent?
Last reviewed September 14, 2026 · Every figure links to its source
Short answer
Plan for at least 40 pounds on each leg of a 10×10 pop-up canopy — 160 pounds in total — attached directly to the frame or legs, not just set on the ground beside them [1]. Many juried art festivals make 40 pounds per leg a requirement; Tempe Festival of the Arts, for example, requires "a minimum of 40 pounds of tent weights per leg" [2]. If an event's rule is higher, especially at windy sites, follow the event's rule [1].
Total weight at 40 lb per leg
| Canopy | Legs | Total weight | Water needed per leg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 4 | 160 lb | about 4.8 gallons |
| 10×15 | 6 | 240 lb | about 4.8 gallons |
| 10×20 | 6 | 240 lb | about 4.8 gallons |
Leg counts are typical for pop-up canopies; check your frame. Always use the event's minimum if it is higher.
Why weights matter
A pop-up canopy acts like a sail. Weights keep a gust from lifting it into your neighbors, shoppers or your own display, which is why many organizers check weights at setup and can refuse to let an unweighted booth open.
How to get to 40 pounds per leg
- Commercial canopy weights that strap or bolt to each leg, sold in stackable plates or bags.
- PVC pipe filled with concrete, hung from each leg — a long-standing do-it-yourself option.
- Water or sand containers. Water weighs about 8.34 pounds per US gallon, so reaching 40 pounds takes roughly 5 gallons per leg. Sand is denser, so the same weight takes less space.
- Stakes can help on grass, but most events on pavement or in parks with irrigation lines require weights instead. Check before you drive anything into the ground.
Whatever you use, attach it to the frame or leg so it cannot slide away [1].
Checklist before show day
- Read the event's vendor rules for its minimum weight per leg and any rules about stakes.
- Weigh each weight — do not guess.
- Add weight or take the tent down if wind picks up; your safety and your neighbors' matter more than a sale.
Sources
- Greater Augusta Arts Council — How to weigh your pop-up tent for a market — https://augustaarts.com/artist-how-to-info/how-to-weigh-your-pop-up-tent-for-a-market/ — 40 lb per leg, 160 lb per 10×10, attach to frame, follow higher event requirements
- Tempe Festival of the Arts — FAQs — https://tempefestivalofthearts.com/the-art/faqs — 40 lb per leg requirement