Midsummer Festival of the Arts 2026

The Midsummer Festival of the Arts, now in its 56th year, is held at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in downtown Sheboygan, WI, a few blocks from Lake Michigan. The festival takes place July 18-19, 2026 (3rd weekend of July) and features up to 100 juried artists, an emerging artist area for up to 5 collegiate and rising artists, and live music, performances, exhibitions, hands-on art making, demonstrations, food, and fun on the grounds of the Arts Center and Sheboygan's City Green.

The festival is open to artists 18 years of age and older. All works on display must be for sale and must be original hand-made works created by the accepted artist or artist collective. Artists may not exhibit work available in national retail outlets. A Wisconsin seller's permit must be submitted, and artists must collect and pay 5.5% sales tax on all sales. Booth space is 10' x 10' on blacktop/cement. Artists must supply all display materials, chairs, canopies, and carts. Electricity is not available. Application fee is $35 per category (nonrefundable). Booth fees are $200 for Arts Center members or $250 for nonmembers (nonrefundable after May 19, 2026); double booths are $500. Artists receive $50 in food vouchers, complimentary booth-sitting service (subject to availability), and security patrols Friday and Saturday nights. Cash awards are given based on the artist's entire body of work, with judging on Saturday, July 18, and awards announced and presented on Sunday, July 19.

Application deadline is Monday, March 2, 2026. Artist notification is Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Artist acceptance and booth fee payment must be complete by Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Booth assignments are announced Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Artist registration opens Friday, July 17, 1:00–7:00 p.m. and continues Saturday, July 18, 6:30–9:00 a.m. Booths must be set up by 9:00 a.m. Saturday. Festival hours are Saturday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Artists providing written cancellations on or before May 19, 2026, will receive a booth fee refund minus a $50 cancellation processing fee.