The 55th annual Artsfest will feature 150+ juried artisans and craftsmen from across the country on May 27-29, 2023 in Riverfront Park. Hand-crafted works will be available for sale in sixteen different categories, including ceramics, digital, drawing, fiber (decorative and wearable), furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, miscellaneous, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood. The festival also features live entertainment, Jazzfest, a community ceramic mosaic project, Kidsfest, HBGFest powered by the HBG Flea, 25 food trucks and more.
PARKING: $5 parking on City Island and $10 parking at the Market Square Garage from 8am-9pm courtesy of Park Harrisburg. Street parking is free on May 28 & 29. On May 27, street parking in the Downtown area is free after 5pm and you can get 4 hours of free street parking in the Downtown before that using the code LUVHBG in the Parkmobile app. Handicapped parking spaces will be available on State Street near Front Street.
SPONSORS: Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG, UPMC, Leaf Filter, Green Mountain Energy, Sundance Vacations, Renewal By Andersen, Xfinity, Capital Blue Cross, PA Lottery, and Park Harrisburg
VOLUNTEERS: Those interested in volunteering at the festival information tent or the community art project for 1 or more hours during the event can sign up here.
ARTISANS
Over 150 artisans will be on-site selling their handcrafted wares in 16 categories. Click the images below to view a list of participating artisans in each category. Some artisans have included links to their online stores as well.
COMMUNITY ART PROJECT
KIDSFEST
VIEW THE COMPLETE KIDSFEST SCHEDULE IN THE EVENT GUIDE
The Kidsfest will provide fun for the whole family! Enjoy free activities such as face painting, balloon animals, DIY sidewalk chalk creations, and more art-centric kids activities each day of the festival. The popular circus activity station also returns in 2023 from 12-4pm each day. This area will feature demonstrations of tightwire walking along with interactive juggling, a mini tight wire, plate spinning and close up magic provided by American Tightwire. Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning & The Bridge will provide a free BYO bird house activity and coloring stations will be provided by Renewal by Andersen & Author Diana Jules-Peene. Jubilee Cake Studio will also provide quick cookie & cupcake decorating lessons for the first 300 kids each day.
Paint Parties by Joy will offer free colorful ostrich canvas painting classes at 11am and 12:30pm on May 27 and 28.
Menchey Music will offer a free “Instrument Petting Zoo” featuring a variety of instruments for kids to test out and receive simple lessons from their staff from 11am-5pm on May 27.
The 2023 Kidsfest area is sponsored by Renewal by Andersen.
LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
VIEW ALL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULES IN THE EVENT GUIDE
ENTERTAINMENT STAGE
20 entertainment groups, including live bands, dance groups, school and community groups and more will perform throughout the event each day at the UPMC stage near State Street.
JAZZFEST STAGE
A variety of local high school Jazz groups and Jazz musicians will perform throughout the event.
ART ASSOCIATION OF HARRISBURG
The Art Association will host a concert series presented by The Wednesday Club. This concert series will feature more than 35 musicians, including singers, instrumentalists, and ensemble performers in the Young, Collegiate, Resident Professional Concert Artist memberships, as well as guest musicians from throughout Central PA.
FOOD & DRINK
VIEW THE FOODIE GUIDE & MAP IN THE EVENT GUIDE
FESTIVAL OPTIONS
25 food trucks will offer a variety of delicious bites, including stuffed waffles, dumplings, cheesesteaks, gyros, hibachi, pizza, fried chicken sandwiches, crab cakes and more. Festival favorites such as funnel cakes, sausages, and Farm Show Milkshakes will also be available.
Local breweries and vineyards will also be on-site by the stage and the Civic Club of Harrisburg’s garden area.
COLORFUL COCKTAILS & MORE
Businesses throughout the City will offer a variety of colorful drink and dessert specials throughout the weekend.
CITY DINING
The City of Harrisburg is home to many fantastic dining options. Whether you are looking for a nice sit down meal, something to-go or just a quick drink, there is something for everyone. Explore all dining and drink options at https://www.explorehbg.com/restaurants-nightlife/
Also be sure to check out the Brew Barons Beer Trail and Sweet Treat Trail to explore the areas best breweries and dessert shops while earning prizes.
EXPLORE THE ARTS IN THE CITY
ART MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Art Association of Harrisburg – rotating themed exhibits from 500+ artist members
Susquehanna Art Museum – rotating works of local, national and international artists in a variety of themes.
The Millworks – 25+ artist studios and gallery to view their work along with a full service restaurant and brewery.
CHAMBER & CLASSICAL MUSIC
World class and emerging musicians present a variety of classical and contemporary music for all to enjoy.
CONCERTS
Harrisburg is home to several entertainment venues that attract popular bands and musicians.
Harrisburg University Summer Concert Series – Death Cab for Cutie, The Roots, LANY, KALEO, Lord Huron and The National
HMAC – Enjoy a variety of entertainment, from live bands to drag shows.
XL LIVE – This venue hosts local and national touring bands and musicians. There is an outdoor and loft viewing area in addition to the main indoor floor.
MURALS & MORE
Art is everywhere in the City of Harrisburg and we encourage you to get out and enjoy it while visiting. Visit Hershey & Harrisburg has created two suggested trails for viewing murals and art museums that cover about 1-mile of flat, easy to navigate pathways near the festival area. Complete 14 check-ins during your self-guided tours to earn an art-centric prize.
THEATRE
A wide variety of theatre options are available, including Shakespere, children’s performances, musicals and plays, improv and more. Catch a show from one of the groups below!
CAPITOL TOURS
The PA State Capitol Building is filled with architectural and artistic beauty. See if for yourself by taking a free tour during the event. Tours are offered at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm on holidays and weekends as space permits.
SPONSORS
The City of Harrisburg relies on community partners to produce Artsfest. Sponsors receive extensive media coverage, on-site promotion, promotional listings on billboards and marketing materials, guest speaker opportunities and much more. Please contact Cortney Ranck-Cameron at [email protected] or 717-255-3033 for more information.
MARKETING Sponsor: VISIT HERSHEY & HARRISBURG
maRKETING SPONSOR: EXPLORE HBG
STAGE Sponsor: UPMC
EVENT Sponsor: LEAF FILTER
EVENT Sponsor: GREEN MOUNTAIN ENERGY
EVENT SPONSOR: SUNDANCE VACATIONS
KIDSFEST Sponsor: RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN
COMMUNITY ART PROJECT Sponsor: XFINITY
COMMUNITY Sponsor: CAPITAL BLUE CROSS
COMMUNITY Sponsor: PA LOTTERY
COMMUNITY Sponsor: HARRISBURG DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
PARKING Sponsor: PARK HARRISBURG
VENDORS
The 56th annual Artsfest will feature juried artisans and craftsmen from across the United States on May 27-29, 2023 in Riverfront Park. Hand-crafted works will be available for sale in sixteen different categories, including ceramics, digital, drawing, fiber (decorative and wearable), furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood. The festival also features live entertainment, food trucks, kids activities and more.
All items must be handcrafted to be considered. Buy-sell and imported items are not permitted. Complete the online or PDF application by February 3, 2023. The PDF application can be found here.
A food vendor has a food truck, concessions trailer or tent set-up and/or prepares food on-site that is meant to be consumed at the festival.
A specialty food vendor requires little or no preparation on-site and sells pre-packaged items. Demonstrations are permitted.
EVENT IMAGES
Jeffrey Heilman Brooms
Kidsfest
Artsfest Crowd
Festival Crowd
Jazzfest
Riverbottom Pottery
HBG Flea
