Lakefront Festival of Art

Overview

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Lakefront Festival of Art. We loved spending the weekend celebrating art and community with you! Planning for next year’s festival is already underway. Be among the first to purchase tickets at a special price by becoming a Member. Join, renew, or upgrade online, or call our membership team at 414-224-3284, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Artist application

  • Application period for the 2027 festival runs October 16–December 14, 2026

  • Application fee: $45

For over 60 years, the Lakefront Festival of Art has been one of the nation’s premier outdoor art festivals, bringing together exceptional artists and art enthusiasts on the spectacular grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum along the shores of Lake Michigan. The three-day festival showcases 150 professional fine artists across 15 disciplines and welcomes more than 16,000 attendees from throughout the region and beyond, rain or shine. In 2027, the festival calendar offers artists the opportunity to participate in both LFOA and Chicago’s Old Town Art Fair, with no date overlap between the two events.

New for 2027: A special VIP reception on Friday morning will welcome Museum patrons and collectors to the festival, creating additional opportunities for artists to connect with an engaged audience of art enthusiasts as the festival opens.

Meet the artist behind the 2026 festival

Learn more (opens in new window)

Ceramics

Digital

2026 Support

Presenting sponsor

  • Bank of America logo

Contributing sponsor

  • Morgan Stanley logo

Media sponsor

  • MKE Lifestyle logo

Beer sponsor

  • Beechwood Sales and Service / Stella Artois

Special festival friends

  • Bel Air Cantina

  • Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling

Exhibition policy

The Milwaukee Art Museum and Friends of Art (FOA) do not receive any part of the proceeds from the sale of artwork at Lakefront Festival of Art. All art sales are strictly between the patron and the exhibitor, and because the Museum/FOA are not part of the transaction, they have no responsibility for the sale. Although FOA cannot resolve problems related to sales transactions, they are interested in your feedback and would like to know if you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your purchase. Please reach out to lfoa@mam.org to share your feedback.