Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival 2026

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival has been inspiring art lovers for twenty years and consistently ranks among the top arts events in the country. Situated along the Waterway that runs through The Woodlands Town Center from The Marriott Waterway Hotel and Convention Center past The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and Town Green Park, about 200 national, international, and regional artists showcase and sell their original works. Artists benefit from the location, 27 miles north of the greater Houston area, which has over 4 million residents and 1 million along the Montgomery County/North Houston corridor.

The festival takes place April 10-12, 2026 (Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm). Applications are accepted from August 1, 2025 through October 19, 2025 at midnight. Each artist must submit four images (three images of work and one booth image), one complete application per entry, and a $40 non-refundable jury fee. All work must be original and made by the applying artist, with no buy-sell allowed. Artists will be notified of their status via email by November 24, 2025.

The festival is organized by The Woodlands Arts Council, Inc., a nonprofit organization with a Board of Directors, an Advisory Committee, and over 500 community volunteers. A jury of judges selected based on their specific interests and professional knowledge will review applications using a 1-7 scoring system. The 2024 & 2025 Best of Show Award Winners and Featured Artists are jury-exempt. Media categories include ceramics, 2D mixed media and digital art, 3D mixed media, drawing/pastels/printmaking, fiber, glass, and jewelry.