East Lansing Art Festival 2026: Dates and Details

East Lansing has an unofficial kick-off to the summer, and that's the annual East Lansing Art Festival.

I know that summer doesn't technically start until June 21, but the East Lansing Art Festival really gets the vibe going. Students (for the most part) have left campus, things are starting to warm up, and Michigan really starts to come back to life.

When Is the East Lansing Art Festival 2026?

If you want to be part of the 63rd annual East Lansing Art Festival, mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16 from 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday, May 17 from 10 am to 5 pm.

This event is completely free to attend. There will be hundreds of different art vendors lining the streets of Downtown East Lansing and filling spots on Michigan State University's campus. The mission of the festival: "to enhance the sense of community and appreciation of art, culture and creativity in East Lansing and the greater Lansing region."

What to Expect at the Festival

During the festival, there's a wide variety of art to enjoy.

oil paintings
photography
prints
jewelry
pottery
pet accessories
Christmas ornaments
wood working
body products
clothing
music
home decor

And there's a whole lot more too. There will be performances that include music and dance, and a plethora of food options as well.

If you're looking to walk around, pick up some gifts, or just take in the amazing art that these artists create, the East Lansing Art Festival is the place to go.

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