Melbourne Art Festival 41st Annual - 2026

April 25 and 26, 2026 marks the 41st year of the annual juried Fine Art Festival in Melbourne, Florida, showcasing the work of over 200 talented artists. The festival awards total over $20,000 distributed among two categories, 2-D and 3-D, and Best of Show. Best of Show receives $2,500, with 8 Awards of Excellence ($1000 each), 8 Awards of Distinction ($700 each), and 8 Awards of Merit ($500 each).

The event takes place at Wickham Park, where artists set up along the scenic drive that winds around the back lake. The festival offers Friday midday set up, free parking, free overnight parking/camping in the youth rustic area, and full hook-up camp sites available at reasonable rates through Wickham Park Campground. Exhibition hours are 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and artists must be present both days during these hours. The Melbourne Art Festival is consistently ranked in the top 200 shows in the nation by "Sunshine Artist" magazine over the last 10 years, ranking #25th in 2025.

The application fee is $37.00 and requires four images: three representing the work to be exhibited and one booth display image. White tents are required and must be weighted to prevent tent flipping during high winds. Each display space is approximately 10 feet by 10 feet with green space at the back for personal seating and storage. All work exhibited must be original artwork produced by the juried artist, with no more than 10% reproductions clearly marked as such. Artists are responsible for collecting 7% Florida State Sales Tax on all sales.