Bucktown Arts Fest 2026

The Bucktown Arts Fest will celebrate its 39th year August 29-30, 2026, in one of Chicago's north side neighborhoods. What began as four artists showing their work in the park has grown into a community tradition hosting an estimated 40,000 people each year. The festival is a non-profit, all-volunteer run neighborhood celebration of the arts that is free to the public from 11am to 7pm each day with no gate or donation request for entry. All proceeds from the fest fund, develop and support arts education programming at Holstein Park and in the Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhoods.

Booth spaces are available only to individual artists who are present at the fest to sell and represent their handmade works. Artists must be juried into the festival by a jury made up of artists, art professionals and senior members of the fest. Up to 200 artists are selected each year showcasing a wide variety of mediums including photography, painting, sculpture, prints, ceramics, textiles, wood, glass, metal and jewelry. All work must be original, handmade by the artist and available for sale. Artist booth fees are $390 for individual artists and $290 for senior artists ages 60 and over, which include a $25 City of Chicago Merchant Fee. Booth sharing is available for an additional $100 fee. Booth spaces are approximately 10'x10', with some located on streets and some in the park offering shade but with some uneven and hilly terrain.

Artists must be present all days of the festival and may not exhibit in other festivals during the Bucktown Arts Festival dates. All work must be original with no artwork from molds, kits or other commercial methods allowed. Ready-made objects that have been embellished, painted, decorated, dyed or batiked will not be accepted. Artists invited to participate will be notified mid-February 2026, with full booth fees due by June 1, 2026. Booth fee refunds will be issued for requests received before June 1, 2026.