2022 Palo Alto Festival of the Arts (Aug. 27-28)

The Palo Alto Festival of the Arts is celebrating its 39th year on University Avenue in beautiful downtown Palo Alto, August 27-28, 2022 from 10am-6pm. Hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce highlights include the work of more than 300 talented artisans, from paintings to photography, ceramics and jewelry to unique sculptures, and much more. Artists featured at this year’s event come from all over the country, as well as throughout the Bay Area, bringing hundreds of one-of-a-kind art pieces and artisan crafts presented in an awe-inspiring display of creativity and talent.

In addition, witness the amazing street artists use vivid chalk pastels to create impressive works of art on the pavement. This multifaceted arts celebration also features artists-in-action, musical entertainment on two stages, street corner concerts, and a Kids’ Art Studio.  Then stroll through the festival enjoying a tempting assortment of tasty foods, fine wines and microbrews.

This high quality, community-friendly event is hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce with the support of the City of Palo Alto. This event attracts people every year from throughout California and the West Coast. The festival-celebrating its thirty-ninth year-takes place on tree-lined University Avenue in beautiful downtown Palo Alto, a vital economic area 35 miles south of San Francisco.

The backbone of the festival and the key to its success are the three hundred fine artists and crafters whose display booths are placed back-to-back along University Avenue. These exhibitors are the reason why this festival attracts such a high percentage of fine artists and crafters whose work you’ll see only at a few select shows on the West Coast.

And don’t forget to stop by and listen to sidewalk piano virtuosos. Located on the plaza at the corner of University & Tasso Streets. More Info

And, always a crowd-pleaser, the Italian Street Painting Expo, sponsored by the Palo Alto Weekly, will again offer sixty chalk artists creating larger-than-life works of art all weekend long on Tasso Street. This year’s beneficiary of the funds raised by the Italian Street Painting Expo is Palo Alto’s Youth Community Service.

Local participation is high at this event. The Palo Alto Parents & Professionals for Art are the organizers and beneficiaries of the kids’ “hands on” art & crafts area. Look for the Kids’ Art Studio located at the Kipling intersection. Also, throughout the festival, the Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto will again be serving alcoholic beverages for everyone’s enjoyment.

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.

For those driving to the festival, free parking is within a block or two of the festival site, with parking for disabled patrons in all city lots. Festival attendees though are encouraged to use public transit or ride a bike. For transit information go to 511.org.

Directions to the Festival

FREE parking is within a block or two of the festival site, but festival attendees are encouraged to use public transit or ride a bike. Free bike corral will be located on Emerson Street across from Lytton Plaza.

For transit information, call the TravInfo line in your area at 511 & ask for public transportation. Phone access limited to the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma.

Back by popular demand: City of Palo Alto’s free Crosstown Shuttle will be in operation throughout the festival weekend. Monday through Friday schedule & routes will be maintained. For more details visit the Palo Alto website.