Festival News

One of the best kept secrets of the Marblehead Festival of Arts is the volunteer program. When you volunteer with the MFoA, you’re making a choice to give back to your community and to help keep a 60+ year old tradition alive. Remember, the Festival is a 100% all-volunteer non-profit organization, and it only continues with your help. But that best-kept secret? When you volunteer, you’re not only giving back, but you’re making the Festival your own, making a connection with t

Join us for the Marblehead Festival of Arts road races on Saturday, July 5, at Marblehead High School!  The 5k and 10k are back, and new this year is a 1-mile fun run!  Prices will go up on May 31, and the last day to register and receive a race t-shirt is June 15. Participants 9 and under are always free!  Spread the word and join us for an awesome event!

The annual Champagne Reception is one of the highlights of summer in Marblehead and the kickoff of the Festival. A carefree gala on the ocean at beautiful Fort Sewall, this is the place to see and be seen, meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, and have a great time. The Champagne Receptions is also an important fundraiser that keeps the Festival going year after year. Dress to impress, wear your dancing shoes, and bring your best hat! Don’t delay; space is limited at

Filmmakers, it's time to wrap up post production and submit your short film to the Marblehead Festival of Arts Film Festival! Details for submission are available at https://www.marbleheadfestival.org/film-festival . See you at the movies!

It's time to let your artwork shine! Art submissions close soon, so get your submissions started today so you don't miss out. For full art submission details, go to marbleheadfestival.org/artist-exhibits . And, we're here to help! For any questions, please contact MFoAExhibits@gmail.com .

Cod & Whale First Look Party Abbot Hall Friday, May 30, 2025 | 5:00-7:00 PM One of Marblehead's premiere parties every year, the Cod & Whale First Look party is an exciting evening where the Marblehead Festival of Arts invites the town to come and see the newly created Festival Cods and Whales, each designed by a local artist, which are auctioned off to lucky bidders. Each Cod and Whale is a one-of-a-kind work of art that reflects the intersection of a vibrant, modern artisti

For many in Essex County, the Literary Festival’s annual writing contest is a highlight of the several-day event. Those who enter actively support the Festival’s mission to promote and foster the craft of the written word in Marblehead and surrounding communities. For admirers of entrants’ efforts, plan to hear our winners read their essays, poems, and short stories at the Unitarian Universalist Church on July 4. The annual contest is open to all residents of Essex County, Ma

Help us modernize our Art Vending Machine! Looking for a fun and unique way to give back to the Marblehead Festival of Arts? We're looking for a handy individual who can turn our vintage vending machine into a better functioning art store! If you have the know how to convert the old coin machine to take cards, grease up the dispensing chutes, then boy do we have a project for you! Or, if you have an old vending machine with strong inner mechanics, we want to hear from you!

Join the 2025 MFoA Scavenger Hunt! This year, we have a special surprise waiting for families checking out the Festival's art exhibits. Join the 2025 Scavenger Hunt and win a limited edition exclusive prize! Put on your best detective hat and search out our 11 exhibits for 11 pieces of artwork! Clue sheets will be provided at each exhibit, or within our 2025 program book, available throughout various festival locations. Find all 11 pieces and turn in your clues for a limited

The Marblehead Festival of Arts is excited to announce our new Youth and Student Exhibit team! Now, this all-student exhibit will be lead by Marblehead's own high school students, as they support their peers, gain leadership experience, and enjoy their town's biggest celebration each 4th of July. Be sure to check out all their hard work at the Festival where they will put together an incredible exhibit featuring our town's talented emerging artists. Congratulations Danielle,

Concerts @ Crocker Park Marblehead Festival of Arts Performing Arts Committee Announces 2025 Concerts @ Crocker Park Lineup! The 59th Marblehead Festival of Arts (MFoA) Performing Arts Committee is excited to announce our 2025 Concerts @ Crocker Park lineup bringing together more than 75 performers, sharing a wide variety of musical genres, including Salsa, Latin Jazz, Country, Folk, Soul, R&B, and some good old Rock 'n Roll. "After the incredible 2024 Concerts @ Crocker Pa

Every year the Festival welcomes submissions to the Youth and Student Art exhibit from students attending schools and art workshops in Marblehead. Children who live in Marblehead but do not attend one of the local schools are also eligible to enter a piece of artwork to the Youth and Student exhibit and there has been a process where parents can submit their children's art to this exhibit. For the 2025 Festival year the process to submit children's art has been updated to mir

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED Artists—get ready! Applications for July's Artisans' Marketplace will open on March 1! Head over to the Artisans Marketplace page for more information on how to apply. The application period will end on Monday, March 31, 2025. A vital part of the Marblehead Festival of Arts, the Artisans’ Marketplace is considered by the local community as among its must-see events, with a reputation of attracting high quality, handmade art and craft. The show is

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED Attention Marblehead High School Students—it's time to apply for 2025 Marblehead Festival of Art Scholarships! Among the many activities and events sponsored by The Marblehead Festival of Arts over the course of each year, the Festival is particularly proud to support our community by awarding $3000 scholarships for Marblehead High School students or Marblehead residents graduating from any high school in 2025. Download the application here , and s

Please join us March 2 at the Boston Yacht Club from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm to find out about volunteer opportunities for the 2025 Festival.