There will be no Melbourne Art Festival in April 2027. The board canceled the 42nd festival and plans a spring fine art auction instead.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Source: Melbourne Art Festival Inc.’s announcement canceling the 2027 festival and its 2026 festival pages. This page is updated each year at the same address.
There will be no Melbourne Art Festival in April 2027. The board of Melbourne Art Festival Inc., the all-volunteer nonprofit that has run the fine art show for 41 years, voted to cancel what would have been the 42nd festival, it announced Oct. 5, 2026. The group plans a Fine Art Auction in spring 2027 instead, to raise scholarship money.
Know before you go
- 2027 festival: canceled
- Instead: a Fine Art Auction in spring 2027; date and place not yet announced
- Last festival: the 41st, Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2026, at Wickham Park
- Organizer: Melbourne Art Festival Inc., 321-722-1964, MAFInfo@MelbourneArts.org
Why the 2027 festival was canceled
The board’s announcement gave these reasons:
- a changing fine art festival market, with fewer participating artists and patrons
- rising production, security, insurance and service costs
- less support from large sponsors
- the loss of state and local grants
- too few younger volunteers and organizations stepping up to fill committee and leadership roles as longtime members retire
“This was a difficult but necessary vote,” festival spokesperson Doug Taylor said in the announcement. He said most single-weekend community events like the festival no longer qualify for Brevard County Tourist Development Council grants under new rules aimed at attracting out-of-town visitors.
The spring 2027 auction
The Fine Art Auction will include entertainment and original works donated by festival artists over past years, according to the organizer. The date and place have not been announced. After the auction, the board will review its committee membership and budget and decide whether future Melbourne Art Festivals can go ahead. We will update this page when the auction date is set.
The group is asking for new committee members, volunteers, sponsors and donors, especially people willing to take on planning and leadership roles. Contact MAFInfo@MelbourneArts.org.
The festival in 2026
The 41st Melbourne Art Festival was held Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2026, at Wickham Park. The organizer’s 2026 announcement said the festival draws up to 30,000 people and listed:
- more than 200 fine artist and jewelry booths, juried
- live music both days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- KidsWorld children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all free
- a food court with beer, wine and mixed drinks; no outside food or coolers, and bags subject to search
- free admission and free parking, with cart rides back to the car for large art purchases
The festival began in Indialantic and spent its first 32 years there and in downtown Melbourne, the organizer says. It moved to Wickham Park in 2017 because of limited parking, downtown congestion and a lack of space for artists, sponsors and food vendors. It was held on the last full weekend of April.
What this means for you
- No art show at Wickham Park in late April 2027. Other spring events in town include the Downtown Melbourne Botanical Fest on Saturday, April 10, 2027.
- Artists: there is no 2027 application. Watch the festival site for news after the auction.
- Volunteers: the group says new leaders are what could bring the festival back.
Related: a guide to historic downtown Melbourne, parks and trails in Melbourne and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Melbourne Art Festival in 2027?
No. On Oct. 5, 2026, the board of Melbourne Art Festival Inc. voted to cancel the 2027 festival, which would have been the 42nd. It plans a fine art auction in spring 2027 instead.
Why was the 2027 Melbourne Art Festival canceled?
The board cited fewer participating artists and patrons, rising production, security and insurance costs, less support from large sponsors, the loss of state and local grants, and too few new volunteers to take on leadership roles.
When was the last Melbourne Art Festival?
The 41st festival was Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 2026, at Wickham Park in Melbourne. Admission and parking were free.
Will the Melbourne Art Festival come back?
The board says it will review its committee membership and budget after the spring 2027 auction to decide whether future festivals can go ahead.
How do I contact the Melbourne Art Festival?
Email MAFInfo@MelbourneArts.org or call 321-722-1964. The mailing address is P.O. Box 611, Melbourne, FL 32902.
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