Booker Creek Arts Festival

Booker Creek Arts Festival, from November 12-15, 2026, is the inaugural arts festival and competition in the EDGE District of St. Petersburg, Florida. It was created to energize and elevate the artists living and working in Florida, and to help promote the historic EDGE District’s cultural and economic landscape. 

This four-day festival will transform the District into an 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 (and inside of) participating venues. They will compete for awards totaling $50,000. Artists are not required to be present for the festival. Along with the call to artists, activities will include glass blowing, mural painting, dance, children’s activities, live music, and other entertainment.

A District Transformed by Art

During the festival, the EDGE District becomes a living art gallery. Instead of being confined to traditional museum walls, multiple artworks are displayed throughout the District in each venue, and those venues will include restaurants and cafés, boutiques and shops, hotels and residential buildings.

Visitors will enjoy this event for free. As they walk through the District for the event, they will stop at participating venues (listed on a map and indicated by signage at each location).  In each venue, they will see a variety of juried art by professional artists, and have the opportunity to vote for their favorite piece for the People’s Choice Award. 

This immersive setup blurs the line between everyday life and art, inviting residents and visitors alike to interact with creative works as they explore the EDGE District in downtown St. Petersburg.

The Arts Competition

At the heart of Booker Creek Arts Festival is a juried art competition with up to $50,000 in cash prizes. These are among the largest prize purses for an inaugural arts festival in the region. Awards include:

Booker Creek Best in Show – $10,000

Award of Excellence – $7,500

Merit Awards (10) – $1,500

People’s Choice Awards (2) – $2,500 – determined by visitor votes

Artists working in a wide range of media — from painting and photography to wall sculpture and mixed media — compete for these prizes, making it a vibrant showcase of contemporary Florida art. 

The opening ceremonies for this event will be held on Thursday evening, November 12.  The awards ceremony will be held on Saturday evening, November 14.

Youth Engagement

Booker Creek Arts Festival will also emphasize youth creativity with painting, drawing, and other artistic activities, and the NOMAD Art Bus.

Festival Experience & Programming

While the core of Booker Creek Arts Festival revolves around the art competition and exhibitions, the festival experience encompasses much more:

Artist talks and educational programs

Live music and performances

Community activities

Specialty events, including appearances by public officials, sports celebrities, and other notable influencers.

Why It Matters

Booker Creek Arts Festival is more than just a festival — it’s a community builder and cultural engine. This event will draw tourists, support artists’ careers, and contribute significant economic and social vitality to St. Petersburg, illustrating how the power of art can reshape and elevate the cultural environment. 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, the festival will inspire creativity, strengthen community connections, and create lasting cultural and economic impact for the region.

“Our festival 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.