68th Annual Mystic Outdoor Art Festival
The two-day Mystic Outdoor Art Festival is the oldest, juried art show in the Northeast region. The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival serves an audience of art enthusiasts, as well as weekend visitors from the local surrounding communities, New England, the Tri-State area and beyond.
The trail of artists begins in downtown Mystic along the Mystic River. The festival showcases close to 270 artists from around the country with over a mile of fine arts and crafts including oils, watercolors, photography, textiles, sculpture, woodwork, acrylics and more.
The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival is free to the public and features activities and artwork for all ages to enjoy, including a Children’s Art Park in the Engine Room parking lot, Children's Art Installation and a Performing Arts Stage in Mystic River Park. The Performing Arts Stage features a variety of local and regional performers including, dance, music, and theater.
Hosted by the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival will be celebrating its 68th year on Saturday, August 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Family-Friendly Performances | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Take a break from exploring the festival and enjoy an afternoon of performances designed especially for families. Young audiences can sing, dance, laugh, and experience the creativity of some of southeastern Connecticut's favorite arts organizations.
Performance Schedule (subject to change)
11:00 a.m. – Granite Theatre presents Willy Wonka Kids
11:45 a.m. – Mystic Chamber Music Series, How Music Talks
12:30 p.m. – The Garde Arts Center Presents Poppi's Planet
1:15 p.m. – La Grua Center presents children's singer-songwriter Bergin O'Malley
2:00 p.m. – Eastern Connecticut Symphony Youth Orchestra
2:45 p.m. – Mystic Paper Beasts, SkyTails
Evening Performing Arts Showcase | Beginning at 5:30 p.m.
As the festival winds down, Mystic River Park transforms into an outdoor performing arts venue. Bring a chair, blanket, and picnic dinner, or pick up a prepared boxed dinner from Mystic Fish Camp, and enjoy an entertaining evening featuring outstanding local and regional performers.
Performance Schedule (subject to change)
5:30 p.m. – UNITED Music School presents A Band Called PoP
6:00 p.m. – Chestnut Street Playhouse season highlights
6:20 p.m. – Stonington’s Poet Laureate, Christie Max Williams
6:40 p.m. – Connecticut Lyric Opera, NOW That’s What I Call Opera
6:50 p.m. – Mystic Chamber Music Series, The Journey of a Quartet
7:20 p.m. – Granite Theatre, excerpts from Oklahoma
7:40 p.m. – Salt Marsh Opera presents Brian Cheney
8:00 p.m. – The Garde Arts Center presents Acclaimed Comedian Paul Mercurio
8:20 p.m. – Primo, a folk jam band
The Garde Arts Center Performing Arts Stage celebrates the vibrant arts community of southeastern Connecticut while adding live music, theater, comedy, and dance to one of New England's premier outdoor festivals.
