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In-Person Artsfest Returns

Published: May 7, 2021
Harrisburg Artsfest Logo

Welcome back, Artisans!

In-person artisans will return to Harrisburg after the Covid-19 pandemic forced a fully virtual 2020 Artsfest. The 2021 festival will be held Memorial Day weekend (May 29-31) on City Island and offer a hybrid guest experience that combines both in-person juried artisans and food trucks along with virtual presentations and an online artist market.   

Harrisburg's Artsfest 2021 Map


Safety First

The festival layout will look different this year with all activities held on City Island to provide a larger area for social distancing, slightly reduced number of vendors and designated entry and exit points. Additional health and safety modifications will be in place including one-direction pedestrian traffic, capacity monitoring, handwashing stations, vendors spaced 10 feet apart and social distancing markers. Masks will be required for entry. View the full list of health and safety modifications here.  



Be Amazed at the Talent & Creativity!

100+ artisans will offer hand-crafted works for sale in 16 different categories, including ceramics, digital, drawing, fiber (decorative and wearable), furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.  The HBG Flea, featuring local artists, will also return. Shop the incredible artists and artisans living right here in Central PA.  

Artsfest Pottery Booth   Artsfest Jewelry


Festival Eats

More than 20 food vendors will be available serving delicious menu items including stuffed pretzels, artisan hot dogs, lobster roll, sweet and savory stuffed waffles and more. Festival favorites such as fried oreos, Farm Show milkshakes and funnel cakes will also be available. Specialty food vendors will offer kettle corn, beef jerky, baked goods, stroopies, candied nuts, fudge and more.   

Stop by Harrisburg's Saturday Nights in the City program offering expanded outdoor dining in select streets every Saturday from 5pm – 10pm.  Enjoy outdoor dining at some of your favorite City restaurants! Note that Second Street from Market to Pine and portions of State, North and Conoy Streets will be closed from 3:30-10pm on Saturday, May 29.

Dough Head Waffles Outdoor Dining on Harrisburg's 2nd Street

Virtual 

If you are unable to attend the in-person event, an online artist marketplace will be available to shop the hand-crafted works. Throughout the weekend, virtual presentations including artisan demonstrations will be available on both the Facebook event and website. FilmFest will also offer a live stream of short films.



Kidfest Take-Home Kits

Traditional Kidsfest activities will be paused for the 2021 event, but free, take-home kits filled with art-centric activities will be available for families to pick up at Artsfest and enjoy at home. Kits will include a blank canvas, acrylic paint, paintbrush, custom Artsfest coloring page, crayons, scratch art bookmarks and more.    

Family friendly activities will also be available on City Island including a cruise on the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat, playing a round of mini golf, or taking a ride aboard the City Island railroad.

City Island Water Golf   

Take the Perfect Picture

A life-sized Artsfest marquee photo op will be available all 3 days of the festival with the scenic backdrop of the Susquehanna River. Share your photos with us using #artsfesthbg.



Plan Your Visit

Festival hours are 10am – 7pm on Saturday & Sunday and 10am – 5pm on Monday. Street parking is free on Sunday and Monday and you can receive 4 free hours of street parking on Saturday using the code LUVHBG in the ParkMobile app. City Island parking is $5. Special event garage parking is available in the Market Square Garage from 10am – 10pm, courtesy of Park Harrisburg. While we love our furry friends, dogs are not permitted at the festival.

Free bike parking will be provided on City Island courtesy of Recycle Bicycle. The Market Street bus stop is a ½ mile away and the train station located downtown is just under a mile away.

Author: Megan Roby

Director of Special Events, City of Harrisburg