Cocoa Beach Art Show 2026

For over 60 years the tradition continues! Up to $20,000 in prize money.
This juried art show is held Thanksgiving weekend in beautiful downtown Cocoa Beach, Minutemen Causeway area. This is a free, fun-filled, two-day event with up to 150 juried artists, music, kids-art area and student art show. It is free and open to public. Up to $20,000 in prize money. Student art show on Saturday, featuring students from schools throughout the county. Great community support.
The tradition begins on Thanksiving morning with a Turkey Trot which is a 5K run/walk through Cocoa Beach residential neighborhoods. If you want to come early and partcipate the web site is https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/CocoaBeach/CocoaBeachTurkeyTrot5k .
Friday morning artists set up for the show.



ART SHOW Hours: Saturday 9 - 5 Sunday 9 - 4

Free continental Artists' breakfast both Saturday and Sunday.










 

IMPORTANT: READ ALL DETAILS CARFEFULLY BEFORE APPLYING! If you do not have a date next to each item submitted it could mean disqualification!! READ DETAILS so you don't waste your application fee! All art work submitted MUST have been created between 2023 and 2026!

Please keep in mind, this is not a craft show. ALL WORK SUBMITTED FOR JURY MUST BE ORIGINAL. Only signed PRINTS!

Application Fee: $40 If you were a winner in the 2025 show use the code WIN25 to avoid paying the application fee. All fees are nonrefundable!
Booth Fee: $300 Single; $625  Double; Corner $650 (Buying two single booths does not create a double, and is NOT allowed. We have limited space for doubles.) NO DOUBLE booths allowed on corners.
Late Entry Fee: Additional $40
Remember: Just because you were accepted  into last year's show, does not mean you will be accepeted to this year's show. Only Best in Category/Show from previous year will automatically invited to the current year's show.

Prize Money: $5000 Best in Show; $1000 to Best in Each Category; $750 each for Judges Choice; $400 availabe for merit award in each category should judges deem there is a qualifying piece of art work. $300 Iris award for glass or jewelry.
If you were one of the "Best in Category" winners last year only, you do not have to pay application fee, nor go through jury process. Use Coupon WIN25 to avoid paying application fee if you were a "Best" winner.
Please note: Remember just because the prize money is there does not mean it will be awarded. The work must merit an award. The work must be "fresh".

Our goal is to bring "fresh" , creative artwork to our patrons, so your "date created" is important!

COCOA BEACH ART SHOW - Saturday and Sunday November 28th and November29th.

For over half a century thousands of residents and visitors have taken to the streets of downtown Cocoa Beach on Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy art, food and music. Our goal is to continue that tradition. We appreciate your consideration in wanting to participate in this time-honored event to keep the cultural experience alive in our community.

The weekend kicks off with a 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.

Artist Set-Up is Friday Only.

Show days are Saturday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


WHEN COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION PLEASE PUT YOUR NAME IN ASSIGNED SPOTS.
DO NOT USE ALL CAPS.
DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AS A COLLABORATOR.
USE UPPER/LOWER LETTERS WHEN TYPING IN YOUR NAME. IF YOU DON'T DO THIS  IT CAN CAUSE YOUR NAME TO BE INCORRECT WHEN YOUR PLACARD IS CREATED.

This event is free to the public.

Booth fee is due upon acceptance and will vary dependent upon location and size. A $40 application fee is due for each category entered, and is not refundable, plus 4 digital images of work to be displayed, along with a picture of booth as it will appear at the show. Make sure you put the date created by each piece of your work. Failure to do so could prevent you from being accepted into the show.

All work submitted for the jury process must have been created within the last three (3) years, which would mean your work had to be created in 2023. or after. Please remember if you were in the show previously and are requesting a particular spot, please do not use "same location". You must remember you booth number, and this request must be made in "Artist Comments" not via email after the fact.
Remember . . . your booth must look like a small gallery.

ARTIST SETUP - Friday Beginning at noon. We will send you an email denoting your preferred arrival time, and we ask that you do your best to come close to that time. Be sure you have your booth designed like a small gallery. REMEMBER - if you have a co-artist they must be with you when you check in the show, and remain throughout. There will be no exceptions. If your partner cannot come, for any reason, you will not be allowed in the show.

All work submitted for the jury process must have been created within the last three (3) years. Failure to follow this rule will disqualify you for entry. That means art work must have been completed since 2023!

Media Categories:

• Ceramics/Clay: Original clay and porcelain work other than jewelry. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, the artist must sign each piece.
• Digital Art: Images made with the assistance of a computer. Computer graphics are often made with software called drawing, painting, illustrating and photographic programs or applications. All digital images printed must be signed and limited to a numbered edition of no more than 250. Exhibitor must disclose and display both their creative and printing processes in their booth during the Festival.
• Textiles/Leather: All work crafted from fibers, including basketry, embroidery, weaving, tapestry and papermaking. No machine-tooled, machine-screened patterns or miscellaneous forms of mass production are permitted. NO factory-produced wearable items, regardless of additional modification or enhancement by the artists, are accepted in this category.
• Glass: Glass works that are functional or decorative by design and are kilnformed or have been crafted by glass blowing, molding or casting. Works may be etched or engraved.
• Jewelry and Metalwork: Creating artwork through the forging, twisting and fabricating of various metals. All jewelry, whether produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic or other materials should apply in this category. No commercial casts, molds, or production studio work is allowed.
• Two-Dimensional Mixed Media: Works that incorporate more than one type of physical material in their production. Two-Dimensional Mixed Media should include more than one of the following: paint, pencil, watercolor, photography, printmaking or drawing.
• Three-Dimensional Mixed Media: Works that incorporate more than one type of physical material in their production. Three-Dimensional Mixed Media should include more than one of the following: Claywork, fiber, glass, metal, wood, or any other 3-D objects.
• Painting-Oil and Acrylic: Creation of a still life, portrait, landscape, abstract or other image on a flat surface, such as canvas, with oil and/or acrylic paint or sticks.
• Painting-Watercolor: Creation of a still life, portrait, landscape, abstract or other image on a flat surface with watercolors.
• Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist’s original negative that have been processed either by the artist or under his/her direct supervision. All images printed must be signed and limited to a 250 numbered edition. Exhibitor must disclose and display both their creative and printing processes during the Festival.
• Printmaking and Drawing: Works created using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayons, etc., or from a fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush. Printed works for which the artists hand manipulated the plates, stones or screens and which have been properly signed and numbered as a limited edition may be entered in this category. Printmakers are required to disclose both their creative and printmaking processes.
• Sculpture: Three dimensional work done in any medium.
• Wood: Original works that are hand tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved. Embellished or painted, store-bought furniture is not accepted.

ITEMS NOT PERMITTED IN CBAS:

Any buy-sell products; jewelry not totally handmade, including settings; ceramics cast from commercial molds; post cards, crocheted or knitted items; string art; candles; decoupage; china painting; shell craft or any items from kits or mass-produced; commercial displays of picture frames, kry chains, art supplies, t-shirts, hats, clothing unless completely handmade, loose stones, belt buckles, etc. Post cards (regardless if they're original), note cards, calendars, etc are NOT allowed in the show,

Artists will be provided a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday before the show.

Booth Sitters

CBAS will be providing volunteers to sit you booths while you take a brief break. We ask you to take no more than a 15 minute break in consideration of your fellow artists who may need a break. Booth sitters will be circulating throughout the show. Please do not use booth sitters to run errands for you. Booth sitters will not be able to make sales while your are away, but they will advise patrons as to what time you are expected to return. The same goes if you have a spouse or assistant with you. You may not leave them in the booth alone for extended periods of time.

Security

Security will be provided throughout the show, however, all artists exhibit work at their own risk. It is understood that CBAS does not carry insurance to cover your personal property. As any independent contractor you are advised to obtain your own insurance.

Please read all rules/regulations/requirements carefully. Anyone in violation will be removed from the show, and will not be allowed to participate. Your work must be completely original, and fit the category/description as outlined below. The "Statement" of your work must include a DETAILED description of the creative process used on each piece. Unacceptable is having no description at all, or having no description of the process used to make the piece shown. Also having no date the item was created could also disqualify your applicaiton. All pieces displayed by you at the show must correspond to the category in which you applied. All pieces submitted with your appication must have been created within the last three (3) years, and must be displayed at the show, and available for sale to the general public. No previously sold art work may be submitted for jurying. If your application photos contain the same works that have submitted year after year, you may not be accepted. All work must be ORIGINAL and SGNED!

When describing your work, use verbs telling the jury how it was created. Not just its composition.

Artists are to setup Friday the day before the event. An arrival time for each section, along with a map of the show/booth locations will be noted via email several days before the event. When you get this email please print it and bring with you. Do not wait until the day before to tell us you did not get the email or the map.

Cocoa Beach Art Show and the City of Cocoa Beach would like to thank you for your desire to participate in our show. In order for you to help ensure our show is the best it can be and so it will be a good experience for all we have established some rules and regulations. To participate in our event you must observe the following:

• All work must be original, handcrafted, created and exhibited by the approved artists themselves, and must be consistent with the digital images submitted with your application.
• Commercially-manufacuted items nor items made from kits or molds may be exhibited.
• All categories will be reviewed and screened prior to acceptance. Any media in your booth that was not approved during the application process will be removed.
• Kits, imports, commercially-manufactured items may not be exhibited. This rule will be strictly enforced and may result in removal from the show.
• Artists must exhibit original work. No ribbons or awards from other shows or gallery cards may be displayed.
• Art work to be judged must be framed or prominently displayed with selling price or marked "Not for Sale". Other unframed work may be displayed in a portfolio or bin.
• Absolutely NO "buy-sell". No merchandise such as coffee cups (other than hand-crafted, signed, original works). No note cards, magnets, calendars. No other mass produced items from an original piece of artwork will be permitted, including an artist's original design that has been transferred to merchandise such as tee-shirts, calendars, postcards, etc. Jewelry not totally handmade, including settings; ceramics cast from commercial molds; crocheted or knitted items; string art; candles; decoupage; china painting; shell craft; any item made from kits or mass produced; commercial displays of picture frames, art supplies, loose stones, belt buckles, etc.
   
• All work submitted for judging must be the artist's original work. Limited editions are not eligible for judging/awards. Pieces selected for judging must remain in artist's booth until after awards have been presented. If sold the piece must be picked up later by purchaser. If item is not in booth when awards are presented you may forfeit your prize money.
• Photographs must be original work, and must be signed.
• Artists keep all profit made at the show, however, exhibitors are responsible for collecting and paying Florida State Sales Tax (7%) on all sales made at the show. Tax forms will be provided in the artist packet the day of the show. Send Sales Tax to: State of Florida, Department of Revenue, Tallahasse FL 32304.
• One booth space is assigned per entrant. All exhibitors must contain their belongings within the 12x12 space that is assigned to them. If you have an awning it must be at least 9 feet from the ground.
• No pets allowed except service animals.
• Four (4) digital images must be submitted with each application. Three images must represent the work to be displayed, and the fourth must show the entire booth set up as it will look during the show.
• Artists not in compliance with CBAS Rules and Regulations will be ineligible for admission to future shows and could be ousted during the show.
• "No-Shows" or exhibitors leaving before the close of the festival will not be invited back. CBAS reserves the right to refuse any application.
• A paid registration is a commitment to CBAS and there will be NO REFUNDS. If you are accepted your booth fee is due at time of acceptance.
• Co-Artists, a 2-person team producing a single product, qualify as a single exhibitor and both artists MUST be present during the show and at check-in time.
• All awnings/canopies must be congruent throughout the show. Only the hightest possible allowed for the safety of the patrons.
• A $35 bank fee will be charged for any return checks. Fees may be higher for international checks.
• The $40 application fee is not considered a jury fee, and is not refundable,

Booth Space Location- We will make every effort to give you your preferred location, but will not guarantee any specific area. If you wish to have a particular area, the request MUST be put in the "Remarks" section of your application. Otherwise you request will not be considered.  Please do not indicate "same as last year".You must state actual booth number you request.
Booth Size.  Booths are 10 feet deep (from the curb) and 10 feet across. There is an additional one foot on either side of each allotted booth. There will be a mark 10 feet from the curb indicating where you should center the front of your tent. The only exceptions are those who paid for the limited double booths. Those spaces are 10 x 20 and will also have a center mark. Out of consideration for your fellow artists please do not extend your artwork or tent space beyond the designated space. Please make sure not to block pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk behind your booth.

Upon entering the show and locating your booth position you must unload your tent, supplies, art and then remove your vehicle prior to beginning your set-up. You MAY NOT leave your vehicle in place while continuing with set up. 

Displays - Displays must be professional and aesthically pleasing. all tents MUST BE WHITE and ALL racks MUST BE COVERED.  The goal should be to try to make your display look like that of a mini-gallery. Hand-written signs or sale signs are strictly prohibited. We will provide each artist with a placard that has your booth number, your name, your collaborator’s name,your town and state, and your category. NO OTHER banners or placards are to be displayed on the frontexterior of your booth, EXCEPT those that describe your creative process.

Exhibitors are responsible for making their tents sturdy against wind, rain, etc. Tents MUST be manufactured of flame-retardent materials. Staking into the pavement will NOT be permitted. Cocoa Beach Art Show NOR the City of Cocoa Beach will be responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen property.

Exhibitor Space - All set-up must be done on Friday by end of day. All exhibitor's space should be occupied by 8 a.m. on Saturday and by 9 a.m. on Sunday. If you are not set up on Saturday morning you may be considered a "no-show" and there will be no possible refund or credit. Exhibitors will not take any space other than that which is assigned to them by the show coordinator. Set-up and break-down times will be strictly enforced. No sharing or subletting of exhibitor space is permitted. No representatives allowed. Artist(s) must be present.

Display Break-Down - Our show ends at 4 p.m. on Sunday and all booths MUST remain open until that time. Because we are on public streets it is imperative that you start your break-down as soon as possible. Please be courteous and conscience of your fellow artists during the set-up and break-down process.  At the end of the show you are required to pack up, dismantle tent and racks and then retrieve your vehicle. We ask that you pack your vehicle as quickly as possible so your fellow artists may get out without too much congestion.  You MAY NOT leave your vehicle in place while packing up or dismanteling your booth. We have board members and other volunteers throughout the process who will assist with directions and procedures.



 

A paid registration is a commitment to CBAS and there will be NO REFUNDS. If you are accepted your booth fee is due at time of acceptance.
The $40 application fee is not considered a jury fee, and is not refundable