The 68th Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival returns to historic downtown Mystic on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, bringing together one of the nation’s premier collections of artists for a weekend that has become one of New England’s signature summer traditions. Named Best Art Festival in New England by Boston Magazine’s 2024 New England Travel Awards, the free festival transforms the streets of downtown Mystic into an open-air gallery featuring more than 250 juried artists, over 100,000 works of art, live performances, family activities, food vendors, and hands-on experiences stretching for more than two miles along the Mystic River.

Hosted by the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival is the oldest juried outdoor art festival in the Northeast. Each year nearly 100,000 visitors travel from across New England, the Tri-State region, and beyond to browse original paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, glass, textiles, mixed media, and fine crafts created by artists from around the country. Whether you’re an avid collector searching for your next masterpiece or simply looking for a memorable summer day in one of Connecticut’s most picturesque villages, the festival offers something for every age and interest.

Beyond the artwork, the weekend celebrates Mystic’s creative community with children’s activities, live music, theater, dance, comedy, artisan demonstrations, nonprofit food vendors, and an expanded Performing Arts Stage in Mystic River Park. Together, the art, entertainment, waterfront setting, and welcoming downtown atmosphere have made the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival one of Connecticut’s most anticipated annual events.

---

Festival Highlights

• More than 250 nationally juried artists
• Over 100,000 original works of art
• More than two miles of exhibits
• Free admission
• Children’s Art Park
• Children’s Art Installation
• Performing Arts Stage
• Live music, theater, comedy and dance
• Food and beverages benefiting local nonprofit organizations
• Historic downtown Mystic shopping and restaurants

---

Saturday Performing Arts Stage

Mystic River Park

Family Performances (11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)

11:00 a.m.
Granite Theatre presents Willy Wonka Kids

11:45 a.m.
Mystic Chamber Music Series
How Music Talks

12:30 p.m.
Garde Arts Center presents Poppi’s Planet

1:15 p.m.
La Grua Center presents
Bergin O’Malley

2:00 p.m.
Eastern Connecticut Symphony Youth Orchestra

2:45 p.m.
Mystic Paper Beasts
SkyTails

---

Evening Showcase (5:30–9:00 p.m.)

Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of music, theater and comedy in Mystic River Park.

5:30 p.m.
UNITED Music School
A Band Called PoP

6:00 p.m.
Chestnut Street Playhouse

6:20 p.m.
Christie Max Williams
(Stonington Poet Laureate)

6:40 p.m.
Connecticut Lyric Opera

6:50 p.m.
Mystic Chamber Music Series

7:20 p.m.
Granite Theatre
Oklahoma

7:40 p.m.
Salt Marsh Opera
Brian Cheney

8:00 p.m.
Garde Arts Center
Paul Mercurio

8:20 p.m.
Primo

---

Children’s Activities

Families will find plenty to keep young artists entertained throughout the weekend, including:

• Children’s Art Park
• Children’s Art Installation
• Family performances
• Interactive arts experiences
• Puppet theater
• Music
• Storytelling
• Youth orchestra

---

Food & Drink

Throughout the weekend, local nonprofit organizations and community groups will offer a variety of food and beverages, with proceeds supporting their organizations. Downtown Mystic’s restaurants, cafés, bakeries, breweries, and ice cream shops are also just steps away from the festival route.

---

Parking

Festival parking is available throughout downtown Mystic.

Paid Parking

• Rob Rivers Salon
  20 Holmes Street
• Mystic Museum of Art
  151½ Water Street
• Seaport Marine
  2 Washington Street
  $30 all day
• Mystic Parking LLC
  1 Pearl Street
• Union Baptist Church
  1 Pearl Street

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, as parking fills quickly throughout the weekend.

Please respect neighborhood parking restrictions and obey all posted signs.

---

Event Details

Event: 68th Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival

Dates:
Saturday, August 8, 2026
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 9, 2026
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Location
Downtown Mystic
14 Holmes Street
Mystic, CT 06355

Admission
Free

---

Why It’s Worth Going

The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival isn’t simply an art show. It’s one of those weekends that feels like summer in southeastern Connecticut. Spend the morning browsing award-winning artwork, enjoy lunch overlooking the Mystic River, discover a new favorite artist, listen to live performances in Mystic River Park, shop the village’s boutiques, and finish the day watching the sun set over one of New England’s most charming waterfront communities.