Downtown Festival & Art Show 2026 - 45th Annual

The 45th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show, presented by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, is one of Florida’s most celebrated fine art festivals. Held November 14–15, 2026, in the heart of historic downtown Gainesville, this highly ranked event has earned national recognition from Sunshine Artist Magazine and Art Fair SourceBook as one of the top fine art shows in the country.

The festival attracts 40,000+ art enthusiasts and dedicated collectors each year, all seeking to purchase original, high-quality artwork. With $17,000 in cash awards and a strong commitment to artist hospitality, the Downtown Festival & Art Show offers a rewarding and well-supported experience for participating artists.

Join us in Gainesville, Florida for a premier art festival where community and culture come together!

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Submit four (4) images:  three (3) images of individual artwork and one (1) booth image.
• Images of artwork and booth must be recent and representative of what will be exhibited.
• Images may not include people or identifying signage.
• One medium per booth/application. If applying in multiple mediums, a separate application must be submitted for each.
• All work must be original and created by the exhibiting artist.
• Collaborating artists may apply as a single entity. Collaboration is limited to no more than two (2) artists who are directly involved in the design and creation of the work.

• Selected through a juried process by a panel of qualified artists
• Eligible for cash awards
• Located on the streets of historic downtown Gainesville
• Intended for original fine art only
• No buy/sell or mass-produced work permitted

• Not eligible for competitive cash awards
• Located in Bo Diddley Plaza
• Intended for work that does not meet juried fine art criteria
• No buy/sell or mass-produced work permitted

• Best of Show 2D - $2,000
• Best of Show 3D - $2,000
• 5 Awards of Excellence - $1,000
• 12 Awards of Distinction - $500
• 2 Judge's Choice Award - $1000 

• Artist hospitality center
• Complimentary refreshments & lunches  
• Booth sitting services
• Overnight security
• Artists retain all sales proceeds
• Free parking for artists
• Free RV/motorhome parking (dry camping only – no water, electric, or hookups)

JURY PROCESS
A jury panel consisting of qualified, local fine artists evaluates applications based on quality, originality, salability, and technical expertise.

Jurying is done on a point system designed to give priority to local artists. One extra point is given for Florida artists and two for Alachua County artists. Typically, 70 percent of Downtown Festival artists are from Florida and approximately 30 percent of these artists are from Alachua County.

WAITLIST
Waitlist order is based on jury scores within each category. When openings occur, spaces are filled with artists in the same medium whenever possible to maintain a balanced show. You will be contacted when a space becomes available. There is no need to contact us. Artists who do not wish to be included on the waitlist, may indicate so on their application.
  
PREVIOUS YEAR AWARD WINNERS
2025 recipients of the award prizes (as listed above) will receive a coupon code to waive their application fee and are automatically invited to participate in the show. Please contact the Festival Coordinator tzoule@cityofgainesville.org if you did not receive your award winner coupon code. Applications must be received by May 1st to secure a booth spot.  

ARTIST RULES

1. Artists must be present during open festival hours.
2. All work must be original and created by the exhibiting artist and offered for sale. Application for works of a collaborative nature must include all artists’ names.
3. No dealers, agents, stand-ins or proxies allowed.
4. Only work consistent with submitted images will be permitted. If exhibited works differ significantly from the images submitted, the artist may be asked to leave and will forfeit fees.
5. Buy/sell is strictly prohibited.
6. Country crafts are non-competitive only.
7. One booth per artist in the competitive section. Shared booths may be considered in the non-competitive section on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the festival director.
8. Prohibited items include but are not limited to: mass-produced work; work from commercial molds, kits or patterns; commercial displays; taxidermy; knitting; velvet painting; manufactured or kit jewelry; AI-prompted artwork; candles; ceramics cast from commercial molds and art supplies.
9. Fees not paid by the deadline will result in forfeiture of booth to an artist on the waitlist.
10. Artists will be notified by email of their assigned booth number and location, along with exhibitor information about check-in, set-up and parking, no later than October 2026. All booth requests will be considered, but accommodation is not guaranteed.
11. All artists must check in prior to set-up and present a valid photo ID. Failure to check in may result in forfeiture of your booth space. Booth assignments may not be changed without approval from the Festival Director.
12. The festival is completely outdoors.  The festival organizers and participants accept the risk that poor weather may occur.  No partial refunds will be granted due to postponement or early closure due to rain/weather.
13. Artists must display their official festival booth card bearing their name, space number and city residence at all times.
14. Artists are responsible for collecting and reporting Florida sales tax.
15. Overnight security will be on site Friday & Saturday night. Although artists, at their discretion, will be allowed to leave exhibitor displays on the street overnight on Friday and Saturday, the City of Gainesville is not liable for any loss and/or damage.
16. The Festival Committee reserves the right to prohibit display of work deemed unacceptable.
17. Failure to follow rules may result in expulsion and ineligibility for future shows.
18. The show committee reserves the right to make final interpretation of the rules.

FEES
Application Fee: $38.00
Competitive Booth Fee: $330.00
Non-Competitive Booth Fee: $288.20
 
DO NOT submit booth payment until acceptance. Booth fees must be paid through ZAPP by July 17.

EXHIBIT SPACE
Each space measures 10' x 10' and is limited to one exhibitor. All work, displays, and personal items must be contained within the assigned space.

Booths are spaced 5’ apart to allow for display on exterior walls. The 5’ space must remain open to guests and may not be used for storage, displays, or personal belongings.

A limited number of double booths are available. These must be requested during the application process and will be charged at twice the standard booth fee.

Competitive booths are located on the streets of historic downtown Gainesville on asphalt or brick surface. Non-competitive booths are located inside Bo Diddley Plaza on brick. Electricity is not available.
 
There are 150 competitive booths and 30 non-competitive booths available. 

Artists are responsible for keeping their space clean throughout the event and upon departure. Items may not be stored along nearby buildings, walls, or business patios.

SET UP & BREAKDOWN TIMELINE
Friday, November 13

• 6:00pm-9:00pm – Check in & set up
• 8:00pm – Check in deadline

• 6:00am-9:00am – Vehicles allowed onsite
• 10:00am-5:00pm – Festival hours
• 5:30pm-7:00pm – Vehicles allowed onsite

• 6:00am-9:00am – Vehicles allowed onsite
• 10:00am-5:00pm – Festival hours
• 5:30pm-8:00pm – Vehicles allowed onsite for breakdown
• 8:00pm – Booths must be removed

All artists must check in prior to set-up and present a valid photo ID. Failure to check in may result in forfeiture of your booth space. Booth assignments may not be changed without approval from the Festival Director.

Streets will remain closed on Friday and Saturday night and overnight security will be on site. Artists may choose to leave their displays set up overnight at their discretion. The City of Gainesville is not liable for any loss and/or damage

A completed application is a commitment to show. Should you choose not to exhibit, the booth fee may be refunded (less $10.00), provided that your cancellation request is made in writing and postmarked by September 1, 2026.  Application fees are non-refundable.

The festival is completely outdoors.  The festival organizers and participants accept the risk that poor weather may occur.  No partial refunds will be granted due to postponement or early closure due to rain/weather.