Presented by
An Occasion for All
150+ Artists ✦ 2 Days ✦ Live Performances ✦ Food Vendors ✦ Free Admission
Become an Official Festival Sponsor or a Friend of the Arts at any level!
October 3-4 2026
Williamsburg, VA
Since 1969, artists from across the country — and around the corner — have gathered each October to share their work in Williamsburg’s historic streets, celebrating creativity, curiosity, and community.
Thank you!
Thank you for being part of this year’s festival. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.
The wet weather, changing forecast brought challenges for artists and their work. We’re taking those lessons and others into our 2027 planning. We welcome your feedback—please get in touch.
A massive thank you to all of the National Artists, Volunteers, Sponsors, Friends and Donors, Poets, Local Artists, Performing Artists, Art Teachers, Young Artists, Community Partners, and Volunteer Board Members that participated. We look forward spending time with you again in 2027!
An Occasion for the Arts Presents VA Unlocked
A Sound Walk of Virginia Hip-Hop History
VA Unlocked is an immersive sound walk exploring the voices, stories, places, and people that helped shape Virginia hip-hop culture. Through oral histories and firsthand accounts, experience a history that has lived in our communities long before the world was watching.
Plan your visit
Spend a fall weekend
exploring artwork with us.
Parking
Park at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, 101 Visitor Center Drive. Parking is $10/day with complimentary shuttle service to the Historic Area. P3, Prince George Street and Boundary Street are closed for festival activities.
Zones
Areas of the festival.
Location
Williamsburg, Virginia
Dates
October 2-4, 2026
Friday (Kickoff Party: 6pm), Saturday – Sunday (10am – 5pm), the first weekend in October.
Mixed Media & Digital✦Drawing & Pastels✦Painting✦Photography✦Printmaking✦Fiber & Textiles✦Ceramics✦Glass✦Jewelry✦Metal✦Sculpture✦Wood
Mixed Media & Digital✦Drawing & Pastels✦Painting✦Photography✦Printmaking✦Fiber & Textiles✦Ceramics✦Glass✦Jewelry✦Metal✦Sculpture✦Wood
Founded in 1969, An Occasion for the Arts brings artists, performers, and audiences together in Williamsburg for a weekend of creative exchange, cultural experience, and community connection.
What began as a local celebration has grown into one of the region’s leading art and music festivals, presenting work by distinguished artists from across the country each year during the first weekend in October.
Friend of the Arts – Membership
Suggested
Support with a monthly recurring gift.
$25
/month
Benefactor of the Arts
Lead support
Ideal for businesses.
$500+
/year
Supporter of the Arts
One-time Gift
Make an immediate impact.
You decide
/one time
An Occasion for the Arts is Williamsburg’s premier art and music festival,
bringing together artists, performers, and audiences for a vibrant weekend of creativity and community.
Sponsorship offers meaningful visibility and direct engagement with a diverse audience while
demonstrating your commitment to the arts, education, and community life in Williamsburg.
We’re happy to share sponsorship levels, benefits, and partnership options.
