Fairs/Festivals
Bethesda Fine Arts Festival 2027
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda Fine Arts Festival Application: $35
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 2
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 6, Max: 6
- Total | Max: 6
Opportunity Summary
The 22nd Annual Bethesda Fine Arts Festival will be held on May 8 & 9, 2027 in downtown Bethesda, MD, a lively urban area renowned for restaurants, shopping, galleries and theaters. Bethesda, a state-designated Arts & Entertainment District, is located adjacent to Washington, D.C. and is one of the most renowned and affluent communities in the metropolitan area.
Artist amenities include breakfast and lunch for participating artists and 24-hour security. Volunteers will distribute beverages and booth sit. All booth locations are accessible by vehicle for set-up and tear down. All original fine art and fine craft is eligible, including ceramics, clothing/fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood and other. A jury will select award winners from on-site evaluation.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership, a non-profit organization that markets and maintains downtown Bethesda as well as manages the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, will manage the festival.
For more information about Bethesda Urban Partnership, please visit www.bethesda.org.
Artist amenities include breakfast and lunch for participating artists and 24-hour security. Volunteers will distribute beverages and booth sit. All booth locations are accessible by vehicle for set-up and tear down. All original fine art and fine craft is eligible, including ceramics, clothing/fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, wood and other. A jury will select award winners from on-site evaluation.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership, a non-profit organization that markets and maintains downtown Bethesda as well as manages the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, will manage the festival.
For more information about Bethesda Urban Partnership, please visit www.bethesda.org.
Jump to
General Information
The 22nd annual Bethesda Fine Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 8 & Sunday, May 9, 2027 in downtown Bethesda, Maryland, a lively urban area renowned for restaurants, shopping, galleries and theaters. The festival features 110 booth spaces.
Artist Amenities:
- Breakfast and lunch for participating artists
- 24-hour security
- Booth sitters
- Beverages
- All booth locations are accessible by vehicle for set-up and tear down.
Weather: The festival will be held rain or shine.
Awards: A jury will select award winners from on-site evaluation.
Categories:
- Ceramics
- Clothing/Fiber
- Furniture
- Glass
- Jewelry
- Mixed Media
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Wood
- Other
Application Deadline: Friday, Dec. 18, 2026
NON-REFUNDABLE Application Fee: $35
Application Requirements
Artists must be 18 years or older. Artist must be present throughout the festival. Artists may apply in more than one category; however they may sell work only in the categories in which they have been accepted. Reproductions of original work are permitted, but must be displayed in browse bins ONLY. No framed reproductions allowed. All work must be created by the artist. No mass-produced, commercially manufactured work or work manufactured from kits or molds are eligible. No light weight pop-up tents will be permitted.
All sales at the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival on May 8 & 9, 2027 must include the 6% Maryland State Sales Tax. After the event, the state will send a form for completion and require payment for the 6%. The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival is required to submit a list of all participating artists and their address and phone number to the state taxation office.
All sales at the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival on May 8 & 9, 2027 must include the 6% Maryland State Sales Tax. After the event, the state will send a form for completion and require payment for the 6%. The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival is required to submit a list of all participating artists and their address and phone number to the state taxation office.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
350
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
100
Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event
7
Booth Information
Booth Options:
Standard, 10' x 10' .........................$525
Deluxe, 10' x 20' ............................$1,050
*Booth payment to be made after acceptance.
All booth locations are accessible by vehicle for set-up and tear down. Booth tents must be white and artists must supply their own weights; no staking is allowed.
No booth refunds will be issued after Friday, March 26th, 2027.
Standard, 10' x 10' .........................$525
Deluxe, 10' x 20' ............................$1,050
*Booth payment to be made after acceptance.
All booth locations are accessible by vehicle for set-up and tear down. Booth tents must be white and artists must supply their own weights; no staking is allowed.
No booth refunds will be issued after Friday, March 26th, 2027.
Refund Policy
No booth refunds will be issued after Friday, March 26th, 2027. There are no refunds issued for application fees.
Additional Fees
Deluxe Booth Fee (10 x 20): $1,050
Standard Booth Fee (10 x 10) : $525