Newark Arts Festival 2024

Newark Arts Festival, powered by Prudential Foundation and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), is an annual five-day celebration throughout Newark, taking place October 9th -13th, 2024. This year’s theme is Radical Reimagining, and all are invited to reimagine a world where art, culture and connectedness is the foundation of all that we do and all that we are. 

Voted NJ’s Favorite Visual Art Festival and earning the 2018 and 2019 People’s Choice Award, Newark Arts Festival attendance grows year over year. Alongside the signature group exhibition at The Newark Museum of Art and fresh gallery offerings around Newark, Newark Arts Festival features diversified art and performance programming  in vacant retail and public spaces, resulting in an immersive and energetic cityscape. The Festival will include both nationally recognized and emerging creatives while providing attendees the opportunity to shop and purchase the work of 500+ artists in open studios, artisan shops and galleries.

For more information, please visit

We will be holding a virtual info session on May 9th to give prospective participants more information and to answer all of your questions.

If interested, please RSVP at .

In-person auditions for performing artists will be held on May 18th.

Please RSVP at .

Festival Agenda: The FREE city-wide festival will feature 5-days of programming in various creative spaces, historic venues, and performance stages. Each day the festival theme will highlight a different goal focused on manifesting radically art-forward ideas into reality. Here’s what to expect:

October 9th - Reimagining Newark Arts

Featuring the Festival’s opening event, The Pink Ball, highlighting the Festival’s signature exhibition, Radical Reimagining. Visitors will step into a curated experience for opening day while enjoying cuisine, libations, performances, and art.

Events to look out for:

The Pink Ball, Radical Reimagining Signature Exhibition opening - The Newark Museum of Art

October 10th - Reimagining Open Spaces

The annual Citywide Gallery Crawl including the opening of the Newark Arts Festival Headquarters invites the world to reassess where, when and how we expect to engage with great art and think beyond the box.

Events to look out for:

NAF Citywide Gallery Crawl, Newark Arts Festival Headquarters Opening- Locations Around the City

October 11th - Reimagining the Urban Marketplace

Entertainment, commerce and artistry harmonize in the city’s newest downtown park, Mulberry Commons, offering craftsmanship, performances and more on the third day of the festival.

Events to look out for:

Night Market - Mulberry Commons

October 12th - Reimagining Legacy

Immersive family-focused events, like the Sensory Friendly Art Tour, Theater Day at The Newark Museum of Art, and HBCU Night: The R&B Classic promote community, resilience and joy.

Events to look out for:

HBCU Night: The R&B Classic, The Sensory Friendly Kids Art Tour, Theater Day - The Newark Museum of Art

October 13th - Reimagining Community

During a community run or at an artful brunch with new friends, together we can redefine our collective identity and transform our community into a world where struggle and suffering are rare, but prosperity and love are not.

Events to look out for:

Brick City Run Club Morning Run, NAF Brunch, Open Doors Studio Tour, Next Up Newark Talent Showcase - Locations Around the City

Refund Policy: If a registration fee was paid, cancellations more than 48 hours from the scheduled event start time will receive a full refund. Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Newark, United States