Event Overview

Palo Alto Festival of the Arts 2025 Promo Video  CLICK HERE

Well-known for showcasing high-quality art, Palo Alto’s Festival of the Arts celebrates its 42nd anniversary on August 23 & 24, 2025. Over 60,000 patrons who appreciate the festival’s excellence visit this open-air gallery each year. Art lovers stroll along tree-lined University Avenue, browsing fine arts and fine crafts booths, interacting with the artists and shopping the stunning selections from over 250 talented, creative minds.

Explore this beautiful venue and delight all senses with the festival’s diverse elements including sidewalk piano virtuosos, Italian Street Painting, delicious food selections and alcoholic beverage varieties. The community-friendly event is hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce with the support of the City of Palo alto and is a major fundraiser for the Chamber as well as several local non-profit organizations.

While strolling through the festival, don’t forget to stop by and listen to sidewalk piano virtuosos located at Bryant St. Look for the PLAY ME sign. More Info

The Italian Street Painting Expo—always a crowd-pleaser—will again showcase chalk artists from throughout the state, creating larger-than-life works of art. Tasso Street is where it’s happening so don’t miss it. This year’s co-beneficiaries of the Italian Street Painting Expo fund-raisers are the Palo Alto Youth Community Service and Ada’s Cafe.

PLEASE NOTE: The City of Palo Alto has a ban on the use of plastic & paper bags for carrying purchased merchandise. The Chamber of Commerce highly recommends that festival attendees bring their own tote bags for easy transportation of multiple purchases.

If you are a dog owner thinking about bringing “Cuddles” to the festival, please reconsider. Large crowds can easily make a typically mellow dog very anxious & sometimes aggressive.