Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts 2026: Destin, October 24–25

Destin’s Festival of the Arts makes original art the center of an outdoor weekend at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. Returning October 24–25, 2026, the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation event combines a juried exhibition with music, demonstrations and projects for children. Free admission gives visitors the freedom to look carefully, take a break and return to a favorite display.

Event details

• Dates: Saturday–Sunday, October 24–25, 2026.
• Hours: Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Central time.
• Venue: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, Dugas Pavilion and Village Green, 4323 Commons Drive W., Destin, FL 32541.
• Admission and parking: Free.
• Organizer: Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation.

Consult the official festival information and our Destin festival database profile before traveling.

What visitors can expect

The festival brings together more than 100 juried artists. Its published categories encompass painting, works on paper, photography, sculpture, glass, clay, jewelry, fiber, wood and mixed media. That range makes this a useful place to compare materials as well as individual styles. Ask a maker what a piece needs for display and care, and consider how its scale and surface will work in your own space.

Live entertainment, artist demonstrations and children’s art projects add reasons to stay. Food and a beer-and-wine garden give the day a social rhythm, while the art remains available for a slower second pass. The official program identifies Saturday’s People’s Choice voting as another way for visitors to engage.

A festival connected to arts education

The 2026 poster artist is Jamie Babula, whose colored-pencil work Drawn to Paint was selected for this year’s poster. The foundation has announced a silent auction of the original to support its work. The festival also helps advance MKAF’s broader ArtsReach mission, serving students, people with special needs and the military community.

Planning your visit

Check the 2026 guidebook for the current layout and program. This is an outdoor event, so bring sun protection and check weather notices before setting out. Confirm any specific access arrangements directly with MKAF, and leave time for purchases to be packed safely.

Information for exhibiting artists

Participation is juried, and the organizer requires original work that meets its fine-art and fine-craft standards. Accepted artists should follow their current confirmation packet for Friday load-in, tent requirements and the weekend schedule. General prospectus information is useful background, but individual instructions govern arrival.

Before you go

Recheck the official site for late program changes, weather information and the latest artist listings.

Explore more destinations in our upcoming shows directory, Weekend Art Show Finder and Show Guides archive.

Organizer information checked October 18, 2026. Featured image is an AI-generated editorial concept, not event photography.