Immerse yourself in creativity at one of Northwest Florida’s premier juried fine arts celebrations—the 31st Annual Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) Festival of the Arts, taking place on Saturday, October 24 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, October 25 (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
Held outdoors at the scenic Mattie Kelly Dugas Pavilion Green (4323 Commons Dr W, Destin, FL 32541), this multi-day community celebration brings together more than 100 acclaimed, juried artists from across the nation. Visitors can stroll the grounds to view and purchase one-of-a-kind original works in painting, sculpture, glass, jewelry, photography, wood, and more.

What to Expect:

• 100+ National Fine Artists: Meet the creators, observe live art demonstrations, and discover unique art pieces for your home or collection.

• Featured Poster Artist: View hyperrealistic colored-pencil artwork by 2026 Poster Artist Jamie Babula of Panama City Beach, and bid on her featured piece, Drawn to Paint, in a silent auction.

• Live Music & Food: Enjoy live music throughout both days, plus tasty options from local food vendors and a relaxing beer & wine garden.

• Family Fun & Community Voting: Bring the kids for hands-on art activities, enter the art raffle, and stop by on Saturday to vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award.

Admission & Visitor Guidelines:

• Cost: Admission and on-site parking are 100% free and open to the public.

• Pet Policy: For the comfort and safety of all guests, pets are not permitted on festival grounds per city ordinance (registered service animals only).

Supporting Art in Our Community:

Best of all, attending the festival supports a greater purpose. Proceeds directly benefit MKAF’s ArtsReach program, which delivers high-quality arts education and therapeutic programming to K–12 students, individuals with special needs, and military personnel across the Emerald Coast.