SALEM, MA — Salem Arts Festival will return for its 18th year from June 5 through June 7, with a special Salem 400+ Edition tied to the city's 400th anniversary.
The free event is being co-produced by Salem Main Streets and Creative Collective MA and will bring art, music, performances and vendors to downtown Salem.
The festival opens with a free kickoff celebration on June 5, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Old Town Hall in Derby Square. That evening will include the grand opening of the Juried Art Gallery, featuring works from local and regional artists available for purchase, along with live performances, complimentary treats and other activities.
At 7 p.m. on the second floor of Old Town Hall, the 2nd Annual Tiny Art Spree will return after its 2025 debut.
The Tiny Art Spree is a community art exchange and fundraiser in which artists create small original works before the festival, ticket numbers are drawn live and ticket holders claim pieces during the event.
Organizers said the weekend is designed to celebrate Salem's 400-year story through art, history and the people shaping the city today.
Highlights for the weekend include a Mural Slam with 12 murals created live over the course of the festival, the Juried Art Gallery on view throughout the weekend, live music and performance across multiple stages and venues, the Tiny Dance Stage, and the Artisan Market featuring handmade goods from independent makers across New England.
The festival will also feature the "Characters of Salem" Community Art Project, led by Linda Mullen and built from individual pieces made in advance by community members and assembled into one installation.
"The Salem Arts Festival is one of those weekends where the whole city becomes the canvas — and where the humans behind every brush, microphone, and pottery wheel get to be celebrated front and center," John Andrews, founder and president of Creative Collective, said. "In a year when Salem is marking 400 years of its full, complicated, beautiful story, we wanted this festival to feel like an open door.
"For the artists who live here. For the neighbors who walk past their work every day. And for visitors who get to see Salem through the eyes of the people who make it."
"The strength of the Salem Arts Festival lies in its celebration of the community — the residents, the small businesses, and the artists and assets of all disciplines who give Salem its character," Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan said. "In a year of historic milestones, we're proud to keep this festival rooted in what it's always been: free, fun, and community-driven."
The festival's listed 2026 supporters include title sponsor Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry and festival partner Peabody Essex Museum.
More details can be found here.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Salem, MA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.