Festival News

Read on for the complete list of all 38 vendors at this year's Artisan's Marketplace, with a description of their offerings direct from the artisans! Bubble Bar Boston Bubble Bar Boston is a vintage-inspired mobile bar delivering charm, elegance, and expertly crafted cocktails to events across New England. Founded by a mother-son duo, their fleet—including a retro trailer, a 1948 Dodge truck, and a custom bubble-bike—brings a unique and stylish experience to weddings, parties

We strongly encourage any families wishing to build a model boat to reserve your model boat kit immediately, because there are extremely limited boat kits available for walk-up requests.

If you know Abbot Hall, then you know the incredible work of the caretaker Bruce Hamilton, who, for the past ten years, has also been an integral part of the operations that make the Marblehead Festival of Arts happen. Because Bruce needs to get around town fast during Festival week, we're so excited to announce that our good friends at Marblehead Cycle offered a to provide Bruce with a bicycle to allow him to get around Old Town with ease. Marblehead Cycle owner Dan Shuman s

Information Booth at Old Town House, Washington Street at 1 Market Square July 3-4, 10:00 am-5:00 pm Logo Store/Information Booth at Abbot Hall, 188 Washington Street July 5, 10:00 am-5:00 pm July 6, 10:00 am-4:00 pm New this year! Join together as a community and showcase Marblehead’s painting skills. Take part in a GIANT paint-by-number mural that’s fun for the whole family! Receive a numbered paint container and a sponge brush, and find your corresponding number on our 5’

The start of a Festival tradition! Kids are welcome to participate in the Festival’s new Art Scavenger Hunt! Visit each of our exhibit venues (Abbot Hall, Old North Church, Masonic Temple, St. Michael’s Church, and Unitarian Universalist Church) and grab a 2025 Program Book ($5 suggested donation). At each venue, find the piece of art corresponding to one of the six clues listed in the Program Book (or three clues for kids under 12), and write your answers in the spaces below

Come see an incredible 40-foot-tall mural and hear an insightful discussion on the impact of public art! Saturday, July 5 - 7:00 to 9:00 pm Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper Street Celebrate the power of public art at a special evening with Beyond Walls, a nonprofit organization that brings world-class art and artists to local communities. With over 220 murals across New England—including 82 in Lynn alone—Beyond Walls has transformed city streets into vibrant outdoor gall

New Location The Photography Exhibit has been moved to the Masonic Temple, 62 Pleasant Street Marblehead, MA. The schedule remains the same. It's approximately a 5-minute, 0.2 mile walk from the Old Town House. Why the Last-Minute Move? We love hosting the Photography Exhibit at its traditional home at the Old Town House. However, the elevator is in the process of being serviced, which creates ADA compliance issues until it is once again available. Thank You So Much A HUGE t

Left to right: Lucy Bland, Shawn Stolarz, Genevieve Riegle The Marblehead Festival of Arts is proud to announce the 2025 scholarship recipients: Lucy Bland, Shawn Stolarz, and Genevieve Riegle. Lucy Bland is a recent graduate of Marblehead High School who will be attending VCUarts in the fall. Lucy currently likes to explore detailed stories of her past through oil painting and is excited to see how her art will change in the future. Lucy started painting when she moved to Ma

The Big Dog comes to Marblehead! The Marblehead Festival of Arts is thrilled to host the official Oscar Meyer Wienermobile at the Pup Party  on Sunday, July 6, 2025, 9:00 am-12:00 pm at Reynolds Park. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is a giant-hot dog-shaped vehicle that has been criss-crossing the United States since 1936 in search of the best parties they can find. They don’t serve hot dogs, but they'll have their iconic wiener whistles to hand out, stickers, postcards and a l

Tuesday, July 1, 8:30–10:30 pm Friday, July 4,  10:00 am–12:00 pm Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead28 Mugford St. Under the Stars on the Backyard Patio (in the sanctuary if there’s rain) Every year, the Marblehead Festival of Arts Film Festival showcases the work of filmmakers from around the corner and around the world through short films in a variety of genres. For roughly 90 minutes, enjoy cinema at the Unitarian Universalist Church that will be sure to make you

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,