Palmetto Chalk Art Festival 2026 is Coming to Sutton Park

A new event is making its debut in Downtown Palmetto this spring, bringing artists, color, and activity into one of the city's most visited public spaces. The Palmetto Chalk Art Festival 2026 is set for April 18 and 19 at Sutton Park, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Organized by Palmetto Downtown Main Street, the two-day event is free to attend and will take place across the park and nearby streets, which will be closed to vehicle traffic for the weekend.

Live Chalk Art Across Downtown

At the center of the festival are professional chalk artists traveling from across Florida. Around 12 to 15 artists will spend the weekend creating large-scale chalk murals directly on the pavement, turning the park and surrounding streets into a walkable outdoor gallery.

Visitors can move through the area as the artwork develops throughout the day, watching each piece take shape in real time. The setup gives people the chance to see the full process, not just the finished work.

More Happening Around Sutton Park

While the artists are the main focus, the festival also brings in a mix of vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. A gyro sphere attraction will also be set up during the event, adding an extra activity for families and groups spending the day downtown.

Sutton Park itself plays a big role in the experience. Its open space and waterfront setting create a natural backdrop for the event while giving people room to walk, sit, and take in what's happening around them.

A First for Palmetto

This marks the first year for the Palmetto Chalk Art Festival, with plans centered on bringing more arts-focused events into the downtown area. The goal is to create a space where residents and visitors can gather, walk the streets, and spend time in the city in a different way.

With two full days scheduled, the festival gives people multiple chances to stop by and see how the artwork changes over time while enjoying everything else set up around it. Follow Palmetto Art Festival on Facebook to view featured artists, event updates, and more.