Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts 2026

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts was founded in 1966 by The Pennsylvania State University's College of Arts and Architecture and the State College Chamber of Commerce as a way to celebrate the arts and stimulate the local economy. Today the event draws over 100,000 people to State College each summer. The Festival includes, in addition to the nationally recognized Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition, a gallery exhibition, Children and Youth Day, BookFestPA, educational opportunities, music, dance and theatrical performances on both outdoor and indoor stages.

The Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition takes place on the streets of downtown State College and the immediately adjacent University Park Campus of Penn State, and consistently ranks as one of the top outdoor fine art and fine craft shows in the country. "Arts Fest" features off-site checkin, host housing/RV parking, a lunch delivery program, and more than $20,000 in prize money. Artists must personally attend to their booths and must be present during the entire Festival. Artists may enter no more than two categories, requiring separate applications for each.

The application fee is $40, with 5 images required including a mandatory booth shot. At least $20,000 in prizes will be awarded, including the Arete Best of Show Award ($3,000) and the Fine Arts Award ($2,000). Award winners and approximately thirty other artists will receive jury exempt invitations to the following year's show. Artists will be notified by email of jury results the week of March 14, 2025.