31st Annual Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Festival of the Arts brings Art, Music and Creative Experiences to Destin

Disclaimer: We are promoting this event on behalf of a local chamber member. This event is not managed or sponsored by the Destin Chamber.

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) will bring creativity to life during the 31st Annual Festival of the Arts, Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin.

Donations at entry are appreciated and help make the art, music, live entertainment and creative experiences festivalgoers enjoy possible. Proceeds benefit MKAF and its ArtsReach programs, which provide arts experiences for K-12 students, people with special needs and the military community along the Emerald Coast.

One of the Gulf Coast’s signature cultural events, the two-day festival will showcase more than 100 juried fine art and fine craft artists from across the United States displaying original works in 17 mediums. Beyond the art tents, festivalgoers can enjoy live music, demonstrations, children’s activities, food and beverages and plenty of opportunities to get creative.

“This Festival is all about discovery — discovering a new artist, trying something creative, hearing great live music or simply enjoying a beautiful fall weekend surrounded by art,” said MKAF Festival Producer Deb Nissley. “We’re excited to welcome the community back for our 31st year and offer plenty of ways for guests of all ages to experience the arts.”

A Featured Artist Who Will Make You Look Twice
Panama City Beach artist Jamie Babula takes center stage as the 2026 Featured Poster Artist with Drawn to Paint, a 20-by-30-inch colored-pencil drawing so realistic it may have visitors wondering whether they are looking at paint — or a drawing of paint. Babula first attended the Festival of the Arts at age 16 and returns 28 years later as its featured artist. Festivalgoers can meet Babula at Tent No. 86 and see her award-winning work firsthand. 

Warrior Arts Celebrates 10 Years
A special highlight is the 10th anniversary of Warrior Arts, MKAF’s groundbreaking ArtsReach initiative connecting active-duty military service members and veterans with the transformative power of art. At the ArtsReach Tent, guests can view Zentangle artwork and paintings by program participants, meet MKAF Director of Education and Community Engagement Melanie Moore and learn how the program uses creativity, mindfulness and resilience to support veterans with visible and invisible injuries.
On Saturday at 2 p.m., Moore and Chief Charles Burkett, both Certified Zentangle Teachers, take the Dugas Pavilion Stage for Tangle Time with Melanie & Chief, a live demonstration of the easy-to-learn Zentangle method. Interactive lessons continue in the Warrior Arts Tent.

Special Fun Features
Special fun features throughout the weekend give festivalgoers more ways to watch, create, play and join in. Try your hand at Mahjong, watch Emerald Coast Plein Air artists paint live, learn how master blacksmith David Sandlin plies his trade, and visit the Kids Corner & Creation Station for hands-on upcycled art with Moore Family Folk Art.

For a one-of-a-kind keepsake, have your likeness recreated by Panama City caricature artist Mark Douglass or strike a pose at the Epic photo booth, and snag a silly selfie at three different “masterpieces” staged throughout the grounds. On Saturday, look for 10-foot-tall Betty Longlegs strolling the Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. creating free balloon art.

Music, Food and More
The Dugas Pavilion Stage will feature two days of live entertainment. Saturday’s lineup includes Coconut Radio, Jones & Company, Tangle Time with Melanie & Chief and Jared Herzog. Sunday features Michael Fagan, Roman Street Trio, Sinfonia Youth Orchestra and Drew Tillman.
Cuisine on the Green rounds out the experience with The Rican Vegan, Totally Smashed, Rollin Smoke BBQ, Gulf Coast Kettle King, Dippin’ Dots and Momma’s Lemonade. Adults 21 and older can visit the Beer & Wine Garden for select wine, craft beer and cocktails.

Festivalgoers can also visit the MKAF Membership Table, staffed by current members, to learn about membership and join on the spot. New members can begin enjoying benefits immediately, including a free “welcome drink” at the Festival bar if you join during the event. Membership provides year-round opportunities to experience and support the arts while helping make MKAF programs such as ArtsReach possible.

Take a Piece of the Festival Home
Stop by the Souvenir Tent for the new 2026 Festival T-shirt and collectible signed poster featuring Babula’s Drawn to Paint, along with favorite Festival T-shirts, posters and more from past years while supplies last. 

Guests can also enter the Festival’s charity benefit drawing for a chance to win original artwork donated by participating artists. The drawing takes place Sunday at 3 p.m., and winners do not need to be present. 

Be sure to register for the MKAF online silent auction to explore and bid on dozens of valuable packages, including Jamie Babula’s original artwork. Go to “FOA2026.ggo.bid” to register online. 
Parking is available adjacent to the Dugas Pavilion at Destin High School and in the adjacent lot. The Dugas Pavilion is an ADA-compliant venue with accessible parking available.

The 31st Annual Festival of the Arts takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive West in Destin. Donations at entry are appreciated. For more information, visit MKAF.org or call (850) 650-2226.

 ABOUT MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) is a nonprofit arts organization with a mission to champion arts and culture for all. Since its inception in 1995, MKAF has inspired more than 424,000 children in more than 100 schools and partner agencies. Through its community education initiative ArtsReach, dynamic programming serves K-12 students, people with special needs and the military community along the Emerald Coast. As a presenting organization, MKAF’s Concerts in the Village series showcases performing artists and bands each spring, while more than 100 artists convene in Destin each fall for the Festival of the Arts, one of the preeminent arts festivals along the Gulf Coast.