Mayfaire by-the-Lake 2026

Mayfaire by-the-Lake is a juried, fine arts festival held on the shores of Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland, Florida. This two-day, free community festival, traditionally held on Mother's Day weekend, is a premier fine arts festival in Florida. Attendance is approximately 15,000 and award money is $17,000. The festival is celebrating its 54th year and has been voted as one of the Best Fine Art Festivals on the Sunshine Artist 200 List in 2025.

The festival is open to fine artists displaying their own original work, with all artwork required to be original (one of a kind) and handmade by the applicant. Buy/Sell work is strictly prohibited. Artists set up on the grass on one side of the lake only, with booths spaced 2 feet apart. The festival has very limited shade and is located within a city park. A panel of five experienced jurors selects artists based solely on submitted images, with highest scores invited to exhibit and next highest scores offered waitlist placement.

Awards include Best of Show ($5,000), Awards of Excellence (2 @ $2,000), Awards of Distinction (4 @ $1,000), Merit Awards (6 @ $500), and Honorable Mention Awards (5 @ $200). Artist amenities include free web link, extensive media coverage, drive-thru check-in, complimentary coffee and breakfast, booth sitting by volunteers, nighttime security, and discounted hotel stays. Accepted categories include Clay, Digital Art, Drawing & Graphics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Music, Painting (Oil & Acrylic and Watercolor), Photography, Sculpture, and Wood.