Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival - 34th Annual - Winter 2027 - Thunderbird Artists

This award-winning Winter Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival celebrates 34 years and is one of three of the town of Carefree's official 'Signature Events!'  Produced by Thunderbird Artists and in conjunction with the 501c3 Imprints of Honor (formerly Veteran's Heritage Project), downtown Carefree transforms into a world class fine art arena for three days.

Carefree is nestled in the foothills of the Sonoran desert, bordering Scottsdale to the north. Easy and HoHum Streets of Downtown Carefree are closed, making room for 150 world class artists.  Well established as a collector’s show, this festival draws a qualified, knowledgeable and very affluent clientele who enjoy the finer things in life.

Thunderbird Artists Mission Statement: to promote fine art and fine crafts, paralleled with the ambiance of unique wines and fine music, while supporting the artists, merchants and community.

Deadline: July 15, 2026                                   
Notification date:July 29, 2026              
Accept or decline invitation deadline: August 30, 2026
August 31st - removal of any artists who have not accepted or declined our invitation.  *If any space remains available and a removed artist wishes to participate, they must reapply with Thunderbird Artists paper application.
Marketing/space fee deadline: October 10th (At least 1/2 down by this date.)
No refunds: December 4th, 2026

 

*All work must be original, handcrafted, created and exhibited by the artist.  No open-ended edition prints permitted.  At least 65% of displayed work must be original art.  Kits, imports and mass produced items are prohibited.  No clothing, hobby or bazaar type articles.

*All categories must be juried prior to acceptance.  Any media NOT accepted through the jury process shall be removed.  Separate images and jury fee are required for acceptance of more than one medium.

*If two or more persons collaborate to produce original work, each person must be identified on the application.

*There will be a $35 fee for all bank returned checks, cancellations and foreign funds.

*Artist must acquire proper state and city/town tax license/permits.

*Artist provides own display., which must be weighted, sturdy, safe, clean and tidy.  Artist is responsible for his/her own display in the case of loss or damage.  Tables must be covered to the groundand all storage and supplies must be neatly covered.  All paintings must hang – with consideration for oversized work.

*Staking into the pavement or grass is NOT allowed, unless specific instructions are given.

*Exhibitor’s display at the event must represent artwork submitted for the jury of this event.  Misrepresentation of a display will result in expulsion from the festival without refund.  Upgrades are acceptable, but Thunderbird Artists must be notified of change and receive new booth shot.

*All tents must be solid white and flame retardant. 

*Handwritten signs and sale signs are prohibited.  No soliciting political or religious materials or imposing views on customers or fellow artists.

*All work, display and storage must stay within designated space.  There is no extending, unless specified.

*The exhibitor’s space shall be occupied by 9am the first morning of the show, otherwise the exhibitor will be considered a “NO SHOW” and his/her space may be given away with no possible refund.

*Exhibitors must park in designated artist parking area.

*Set-up and breakdown times will be strictly enforced.  You must arrive within the specified times.  Breakdown will not begin until the end of the show and vehicles will not be permitted into show area until all patrons have left the grounds, usually within 15 minutes.

*Absolutely no pets on festival grounds.  Artists staying in overnight area must clean up after pets in parking area.

*Artists must utilize assigned space during published festival hours and will confine all sales/display activity to assigned space.  All space assignments are final decisions of Thunderbird Artists and Thunderbird Artists reserve the right to change or modify space locations as they may deem necessary.

*All rules will be strictly enforced.  Failure to comply with rules or unruly behavior (including intoxication or verbal abuse) by an exhibitor or assistant(s) will require immediate expulsion from the present event and will eliminate exhibitor from future events.  Thunderbird Artists reserves the right to make final interpretation of all rules.

*Festivals close at 5pm and the artists may take part in the wine tasting after 4pm.  No drinking before this time.

*Recommended attire is business casual.  You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Artist participation is not confirmed until receipt of marketing/space fee.

Marketing/space fees now INCLUDE CAREFREE VENDOR PERMIT FEES and are as follows:

10' x 10' (+ $50 Carefree's vendor permit) = $550
10' x 10' w/corner (+ $50 Carefree's vendor permit) = $650
10' x 15' (+ $50 Carefree's vendor permit) = $825
10' x 15' w/corner (+ $50 Carefree's vendor permit) = $925
10' x 20' (+ $50 Carefree's vendor permit) = $1050
10' x 20' w/corner (+ $50 Carefree's vendor permit) = $1150
 

Refund deadline date is December 4th, 2026. Before this date, the entire booth fee (minus a $35 cancellation fee) is refunded. After the deadline date, no refunds will be given.