Bayou City Art Festival Downtown 2026

Due to scheduling conflicts related to the Houston Open Golf Tournament, the locations of the spring and fall festivals have been switched. The spring festival will now be held downtown, while the fall festival will be hosted in Memorial Park. Bayou City Art Festival Downtown is the nation's premier spring outdoor fine art event and kicks off the spring Texas art festival circuit. Located in the heart of Downtown, it showcases a sophisticated outdoor gallery with a stunning backdrop of the Houston Skyline. The festival has a demonstrated history of record sales for artists and serves as the signature outdoor art event for the city of Houston with 30,000+ in annual attendance.

The festival accepts applications in 19 fine art/fine crafts categories including Clay, Digital, Drawing/Pastel, Fiber/Textiles, Functional Art, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, Mixed Media 2D and 3D, Painting (Acrylic/Oil and Watercolor), Photography (Digital and Traditional Film), Printmaking, Emerge: Artists on the Rise, Sculpture/3D, and Wood (Decorative). Applications require 5 images including a required booth shot, with no application fee. Emerging artists are accepted. Booth fees range from $525-$1775.

Cash prizes are awarded for Best in Show, Second and Third, as selected by on-site judges. Ribbons are awarded for Best Booth and for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Curatorial Award. All winners receive jury-exempt status for two years. Awards will be announced during the complimentary artist breakfast on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The festival provides 24-hour security, designated parking, booth sitters, hotel referrals, and complimentary patron art pickup. Admission is VIP $75, Adults $18, Children 12 and under $5.