The free Woodland Art Fair fills Woodland Park the third weekend of every August with nearly 200 artists. 2027 dates are not out yet; 2026 was Aug. 15-16.

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. Facts come from the fair’s own site, woodlandartfair.org, the Lexington Art League and Lexington Parks and Recreation. This page is updated each year at the same address.

The Woodland Art Fair is held every year on the third weekend of August in Woodland Park, 601 E. High St., and it is free. The 2027 dates have not been announced yet. The 50th annual fair was Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, 2026, with nearly 200 artists and more than 70,000 visitors, according to the Lexington Art League, which runs the fair with Lexington Parks and Recreation. Questions: 859-254-7024 (art league) or 859-288-2925 (parks).

Know before you go

  • When: the third weekend of August; 2027 dates to be announced
  • 2026 hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
  • Where: Woodland Park, 601 E. High St.
  • Cost: free
  • Parking: neighborhood streets around the park; accessible parking on Kentucky Avenue
  • Organizers: Lexington Art League and Lexington Parks and Recreation

When it is

The fair’s visitor page says it takes place every year on the third weekend of August. The organizers have not posted 2027 dates. Past fairs, from the fair archive:

Year Dates
2026 (50th) Aug. 15-16
2025 Aug. 16-17
2024 Aug. 17-18
2023 Aug. 19-20
2022 Aug. 20-21
2021 Aug. 21-22

In 2026 the fair ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Artist applications for the 2026 fair opened Jan. 1 and closed March 31. Check woodlandartfair.org for the 2027 dates.

What you will find

  • Art: nearly 200 juried artists from across the country, with at least 80 Kentucky artists picked each year. Work includes ceramics, wood, jewelry, painting, metal, fiber, mixed media and photography. Every piece must be original and made by the artist, who must be in the booth. AI-generated art and consumables such as soaps, candles and food are not accepted.
  • Music: live acts all weekend from the historic Woodland gazebo. The city posts the stage schedule before each fair; in 2026 it ran from 10 a.m. to the close both days.
  • Food and drink: food trucks, local breweries and vineyards. Lexington Parks and Recreation books the food, drink and entertainment vendors.
  • A map: the organizers post a booth map each year; here is the 2026 map.

The fair has been named a Top 10 festival by the Kentucky Travel Industry Association and a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the city says.

Parking and getting there

From the visitor page:

  • Accessible parking is on Kentucky Avenue, on the side of the street that borders the park.
  • All other parking is on the neighborhood streets around the park. There is no dedicated fair lot.
  • From downtown and Main Street: turn onto Kentucky Avenue from Main Street and the park is a couple of blocks ahead.
  • From the Bluegrass Parkway: take US 60 east into downtown; it becomes Maxwell Street, which runs to the park.

What to know

  • Rain: the organizers do not publish a rain date.
  • Volunteers: sign-ups for the 2026 fair opened July 1 through the fair site.
  • Artists: the application fee was $40 for 2026, with applications Jan. 1 to March 31, jurying in April and notices May 1. Details are on the about page.
  • Pets: the organizers do not post a pet policy, so check with them before you bring a dog.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Woodland Art Fair? Every year on the third weekend of August at Woodland Park. The 2027 dates have not been announced; the 2026 fair was Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16.

Is the Woodland Art Fair free? Yes. Admission is free and open to the public, according to the Lexington Art League.

What are the Woodland Art Fair hours? In 2026 the fair ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Where do you park for the Woodland Art Fair? On the neighborhood streets around Woodland Park. Accessible parking is on Kentucky Avenue, on the side of the street next to the park.

How many artists are at the Woodland Art Fair? Nearly 200 juried artists from across the country, with at least 80 from Kentucky, selling ceramics, wood, jewelry, painting, metal, fiber, mixed media and photography.

What this means for you

  • Plan on the third weekend of August and watch for the 2027 announcement.
  • Arrive early for street parking near the park, or walk or bike in from downtown.
  • It is free to get in, so bring money for art, food and drinks.

Related: parks and trails, free things to do in Lexington and things to do in Lexington this month.