Everything to know about Arts Fest 2025 | Lifestyle

Each July, downtown State College transforms into a colorful, crowded celebration of creativity for the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, better known as Arts Fest. This year, the festival runs from Wednesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 13, with all the festival days being designated as a Penn State holiday.

Now, in its 59th year, Arts Fest remains a hallmark of State College summer. It was founded in 1967 and the first festival was sponsored by Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and the State College Chamber of Commerce. The festival attracts more than 125,000 visitors annually; it showcases everything from fine art and live music to local food vendors and community performances.

Here’s what you need to know for Arts Fest 2025.

Travel

Getting to the heart of Arts Fest is easier with a little planning. Festival organizers recommend parking at Penn State’s West Parking Deck on White Course Dr., just a short 10-minute walk from downtown. Parking rates range from $2 for the first hour to a maximum of $10 for ten hours, and both cash and cards are accepted.

From Thursday through Saturday, a free shuttle runs from the deck directly to the festival center at College Ave. and Allen St., with a stop at the Palmer Museum of Art. Thursday through Saturday the shuttle runs from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., but Sunday the shuttle service ends at 4 p.m.

Accommodation

For those parking downtown, municipal garages on Beaver Ave., Fraser St. and Pugh St. are available at $2.25 per hour, with a daily max of $32 — but they fill up quickly, so early arrival is recommended.

If you’re visiting from out of town, several local hotels are partnering with the festival, including Hyatt Place and Scholar Hotel, both centrally located near Old Main and within easy walking distance of the action. Additional lodging options include the Ramada Conference Center, Country Inn & Suites, Days Inn and more.

To plan your stay, check out the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau for a full list of accommodations.

A run-down of events

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, July 9 with Children and Youth Day, a family-oriented opening featuring free hands-on activities, craft booths and performances geared towards young attendees. Children ages 8 to 18 can sell their artwork in a special sidewalk sale. The day concludes with the beloved Grand Procession at 3:00 p.m., marching from the Old Main patio to Sidney Friedman Park.

Beginning Thursday, July 10, the downtown streets are filled with more than 300 juried artists from around the country. Tents line South Allen Street, College Avenue and the surrounding blocks, featuring everything from ceramics and jewelry to paintings and digital art.

Inside the festival’s Images 2025 Exhibition, juried by Richard Rinehart, the director of the Samek Art Museum at Bucknell University, visitors can view award-winning work from regional artists. The exhibition is hosted at the Schlow Centre Region Library and includes both professional and student categories.

Live performances run throughout the festival on outdoor stages including the Allen St. Stage, Sidney Friedman Park and Old Main lawn. This year’s lineup includes local bands, dance groups, classical ensembles and pop-up acts. On Children and Youth Day alone, audiences can expect appearances from Suzuki Strings, CC4H Robotics, Black Cat Belly Dance and more.

With dozens of performances scheduled each day, festival goers are never far from live music, whether it’s a jazz quartet, a singer-songwriter or a Penn State student ensemble.

Arts Fest is as much about community as it is about art. For many, it’s a time to reconnect with old friends, especially alumni who make the trip back to Happy Valley for informal reunions. Sidewalks fill with familiar faces, while local restaurants and food trucks roll out festival specials ranging from funnel cakes and fresh lemonade to artisan grilled cheese.

For State College residents and Penn Staters alike, Arts Fest is more than just a tourist event — it’s a tradition.

Whether you’re a local, a student sticking around for the summer or an alum making your annual return, Arts Fest 2025 promises five days of color, sound, sunshine and celebration in the heart of downtown.

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