Wells Street Art Festival 2026

Celebrate 51 Years of Creativity at the Wells Street Art Festival!

Art lovers, get ready for another unforgettable weekend of inspiration and imagination as the Wells Street Art Festival returns for its 51st annual celebration in Chicago’s historic Old Town neighborhood! This early summer tradition, held along the iconic Wells Street between North Avenue and Division, continues to be a treasure trove of artistry, culture, and community.

✨ Festival Highlights:

🎨 130 Juried Artists – Explore an incredible array of works from talented artists across the region and the nation.

🍴 Eclectic Cuisine – Savor delicious bites from Old Town’s top restaurants and food vendors.

🎶 Live Music & Entertainment – Enjoy a dynamic lineup of stage performances that set the perfect festival vibe.

👩‍👩‍👧 Family Art Activities – Spark creativity in the next generation with hands-on artistic fun.

🤝 Supporting the Community: Festival proceeds benefit the Old Town Merchants & Residents Association, funding vital programs and services in this historic neighborhood.

Art. Music. Food. Community. Celebrate 51 years of creativity at one of Chicago’s most beloved art festivals!

EVENT INFORMATION

The Wells Street Art Festival is celebrating its 51st year in 2026!

The Wells Street Arts Festival celebrates its 51st year in 2026 on the vibrant Wells Street Commercial Corridor in Old Town, one of the City's most historic and artistically rich neighborhoods. Old Town's roots as an artist enclave date back nearly a century, when creative pioneers transformed its Victorian homes into studios and courtyards filled with handcrafted detail. From the famed Carl Steeet Studios and Kogen-Miller artist spaces to the neighborhood's bohemian and countercultural eras, art has always been at the core of Old Town's identity.

Today, the legacy continues as Wells Street transforms into an open-air gallery showcasing fine art and original work from both established and emerging artists across the country. This juried festival, held on the second full weekend of June each year, attracts more than 40,000 art lovers, offering exhibitors an engaged audience and customer base, as well as a vibrant street energy in a setting steeped in creative history.

The festival also features live music, great Chicago food and beverages, and family-friendly activities. It is consistently ranked in Sunshine Artist's Top 100 Fine Arts Fairs.

The Wells Street Art Festival invites artists to be part of a celebrated Chicago tradition that honors craftsmanship, originality, and the spirit of artistic community.

GENERAL INFORMATION

2026 CALL FOR ENTRIES

The Wells Street Art Festival is pleased to announce an open call for entries for the 51st Annual Wells Street Art Festival,  June 13th and 14th, 2026, located in Chicago's Old Town. The Wells Street Art Festival is hosted by the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association with Event Management support from Chicago Special Events Management.

The festival includes 10 categories of mediums: 2-d,3-d & sculpture, ceramics, digital art, functional art, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, and works on paper. Category winners will be recognized during the festival.

Note: The online application only accepts payments by credit card. Checks will not be accepted for application, jury process, or booth space payment.

JURY DETAILS

Average number of applications submitted each year:

200

Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event:

150

Average number of exempt from jury artists who are invited to participate in the event:

15

How returning artists are selected:

Received an award

Vendors that are excluded/ineligible:

Merchants

Within a medium category, applications are sorted and viewed by:

Last Name (ascending order)

Jurors score applications using the following scale:

1 - 7

Number of jurors scoring applications:

3

Jurors score

Separately from various locations

Am I allowed to observe the jury process?

Jury process is closed

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