Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair 2026

Set against the backdrop of the Illinois Old State Capitol building, the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair is a juried outdoor art gallery that has brought artists and shoppers from across the country to downtown Springfield for over 60 years. Free to the public, this two-day fair is dedicated to top quality and media variety, attracting more than 30,000 buyers annually.

The fair takes place Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 17, 2026 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Booth fees are $350 for single booths (10'x10') and $650 for double booths (10'x20'), with no application fee required. The fair accepts work in 15 medium categories including acrylic, ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, oil, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, and wood.

The fair offers $15,000 in artist awards including First Place ($1,500), Second Place ($1,300), Third Place ($1,000), Best New Artist ($750), three General Awards of Merit ($500 each), and category awards of $750 each. Additional amenities include a catered Artist Awards Reception, volunteers for booth sitting, security patrol, complimentary morning refreshments, and a unique Children's Tent where young collectors can purchase artwork for $5. Artists must be present for the entire duration of the fair, and all work must be clearly priced, signed, and for sale.