ART! All over Pawtucket at the Pawtucket Arts Festival – art, music and creativity

Pawtucket Arts Festival Opens Friday; 100+ Local Makers Fill Slater Park

Art, music and creativity will take over Pawtucket as the 2026 Pawtucket Arts Festival begins Friday, August 28, followed by a weekend of family activities and shopping from more than 100 local artists, artisans and crafters.

While all kinds of entertainment will be part of the Festival, ART! has a leading role.

Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Party

The festival gets underway Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative’s annual Art Fest Party at The Guild Brewery, 461 Main Street.

Artists, art lovers and community members are invited to an evening of art, music, prizes, raffles and plenty of creative energy.

Guests can come as they are—or add to the fun by arriving in their best steampunk attire. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.

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Shop 100+ Local Artists and Crafters at the Slater Park Fall Festival

The centerpiece of opening weekend is the free Slater Park Fall Festival, held Saturday and Sunday, August 29 and 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Slater Memorial Park.

Stroll through the park and discover handmade creations from more than 100 local artists, artisans and crafters. The large outdoor marketplace offers an impressive selection of original artwork, jewelry, home décor, clothing, gifts and other one-of-a-kind finds.

Visitors can shop local, talk with the makers and support the talented people who contribute to the region’s creative community.

The weekend will also feature continuous live music and cultural performances, food trucks, children’s activities, community events and rides on the park’s historic Looff Carousel. The festival traditionally attracts as many as 12,000 visitors.

City Art Gallery Opens September 3

The celebration continues with the opening of the City Art Gallery exhibition on Thursday, September 3.

Presented by the Pawtucket Commission on Arts & Culture, the gallery showcases artists who contribute to the city’s rich and diverse cultural landscape.

The City Gallery is located inside historic Pawtucket City Hall, 137 Roosevelt Avenue. Opening-day hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; visitors should check with City Hall for gallery hours on subsequent days.

The exhibit offers another opportunity to discover local talent and experience the creative spirit that has helped make Pawtucket one of Rhode Island’s distinctive arts destinations.

For the complete schedule of performances, festivals and community activities, visit the 2026 Pawtucket Arts Festival events page.