Inaugural Booker Creek Arts Festival debuts Thursday, November12, 2026

Booker Creek Arts Festival Press Release:

June 3, 2026

The inaugural Booker Creek Arts Festival, debuting Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, 2026, will transform the historic EDGE District in St. Petersburg into a four-day immersive arts experience celebrating creativity, culture, and community. Inspired by Booker Creek - the historic urban stream that winds through downtown St. Petersburg - the festival will feature juried works by hundreds of Florida artists displayed throughout participating venues.

“Our vision is to transform the EDGE District into a destination where art, culture, business, and community intersect in dynamic and unexpected ways,” said Leslie Curran, committee chair.

Residents, tourists, collectors, and families will experience the EDGE District as a walkable living gallery featuring visual art, live mural painting, glass blowing, dance, music and children’s activities woven throughout the district. Artists will compete for up to $50,000 in jury-awarded prizes — among the largest prize purses for an inaugural arts festival in the region — while visitors participate directly by voting for the People’s Choice Award.

The festival is expected to attract cultural travelers from across Florida and beyond, encouraging visitors to experience the broader Pinellas County area as part of a long-weekend arts and cultural getaway. In addition to showcasing artists, the event is designed to support hotels, restaurants, galleries, and independent businesses throughout the district and surrounding community.

“We want visitors to experience the creativity and energy that make St. Pete one of the country’s most exciting arts communities while creating new opportunities for artists and local businesses alike,” Curran said.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet artists in person, learn about their creative processes, and purchase original works directly from participating creators. By bringing artists and audiences together throughout the district, the festival aims to inspire creativity, strengthen community connections, and create lasting cultural and economic impact for the region.

A call to artists through CaFÉ will be released in late July, with Florida artists serving as the centerpiece of this inaugural festival. For more information, visit the Booker Creek Arts Festival website at BookerCreekArts.com