Over the past 59 years, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts has become one of the top-ranked juried art fairs in the country, the highlight of the State College summer, one of the biggest non-football alumni weekends for Penn Staters, the summer’s economic anchor for downtown State College businesses, and the place to be for art, music, and fun the week after Independence Day.

For many of the 125,000+ visitors and hundreds of volunteers each year, the Arts Festival is an enduring tradition, experienced with friends and family, and not to be missed.  Please explore this site to learn more about the many facets of Arts Fest.

Schedule of Events:

10:00 am - 7:00 pm - Chip Mock Caricatures

Chip Mock grew up in Johnstown, Pa., admiring and drawing funny likenesses from an early age, inspired by artists John Johns, Norman Rockwell, Mort Drucker, and Al Hirshfield. 

Location: South Allen Street

11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Tussey Mountain Moonshiners

Hailing from from Central Pennsylvania, Tussey Mountain Moonshiners honors the bluegrass traditions of the region, served up in their own special sauce. 

Location: Allen Street Stage 123 S Allen St, State College

11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop

The Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop (CPDW), located in downtown State College, has been providing the highest caliber dance training to our students in a broad range of classes since 1969

Location: State Theatre 130 West College Avenue, State College

1:00pm - 2:00pm - JT Thompson Piano

John “JT” Thompson (aka JTBlues) is an inimitable fixture in the central Pennsylvania music scene. He performs regularly with several notable local ensembles, and also as a soloist. Influenced by...

Location: Allen Street Stage 123 S Allen St, State College

1:00pm - 2:00pm - Jim Colbert

Jim Colbert is an award-winning singer songwriter from Bellefonte. Jim has performed across the country, playing venues and festivals from New England to Texas, including Godfrey Daniels, Court House Concerts,...

Location: Willard Building Plaza Old Main Mall, University Park

2:00pm - 3:00pm - Erin Jeannier – The Queen of Hoops

The Queen of Hoops dazzles audiences across the country entertaining for a wide array of events, including corporate parties, Renaissance fairs, town festivals, and private occasions, performing an array

Location: State Theatre 130 West College Avenue, State College

2:00pm - 3:00pm - Centre Dance

Centre Dance is a diversified dance studio catering to each level, which are separated according to interest, age and commitment. Our studio was founded in 1991 by Nicole Swope.

Location: Festival Shell Stage 100 W. College Avenue, State College

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Code Blue    

When Code Blue debuted in the early 1990s, the band’s high caliber musicianship and unique mix of soul and blues, covers and originals, quickly caught on, attracting a local following

Location: Sidney Friedman Park 241 South Fraser Street, State College

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - The JR Mangan Band

J.R. Mangan, guitarist/singer, has been part of the State College music scene since 1984 and has loved every minute of it. Most Saturday nights you can catch the band at

Location: Allen Street Stage 123 S Allen St, State College

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Mountain City Acoustic

Three friends reunite for an acoustic trio that plays all the kinds of tunes you can sing along with. Consisting of Christie Clancy, Gary Frisco, and Denny Cisney Jr., 

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Nittany Valley Wranglers

Based in State College, the five-member Nittany Valley Wranglers perform their bluegrass music at venues across central Pennsylvania. The Nittany Valley Wranglers are known for their traditional bluegrass music as...

Location: Festival Shell Stage 100 W. College Avenue, State College

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm - Natascha & the Spy Boys

Natascha & The Spy Boys play an eclectic mix of blues, jazz & swing, their musical stylings evoking the smoky atmosphere of a 1920s Berlin nightclub. With John "JT" Thompson...

Location: Sidney Friedman Park 241 South Fraser Street, State College

5:00pm - 6:00pm - The Sorters

Calling Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier home, The Sorters have been playing together for over ten years. Their music combines roots of folk, indie rock, and blues, there’s something for everyone! The...

Location: Allen Street Stage 123 S Allen St, State College

5:00pm - 6:00pm - Megan & Doug Irwin

Doug & Megan have been playing and singing Americana originals, favorites, and hidden gems together for 20 years.

Location: Kish Bank THRIVE Stage at Pollock

6:00pm - 7:00pm - Briggs & Strayer

Briggs & Strayer is an acoustic duo featuring State College music mainstays Kevin Briggs and Bill Strayer. Together, they infuse original music and inspired arrangements of American roots music as...

Location: Kish Bank THRIVE Stage at Pollock

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm - The Woods Family Band

The Woods Family Band is a Blues/Roots-Rock family band featuring Tim Woods (New York Blues Hall Of Fame) & his son, Derek Woods 

Location: Festival Shell Stage 100 W. College Avenue, State College

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Joe Baione – Vibraphone

Joe Baione is redefining the vibraphone’s place in jazz. Inspired by legends like Lionel Hampton and Milt Jackson, Joe brings boundless energy, passion, and a vibrant voice to the tradition

Location: Sidney Friedman Park 241 South Fraser Street, State College

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Happy Valley Improv Youth Show

Happy Valley Improv is excited to provide a Youth Show at this year's Festival! Happy Valley Improv is State College's premier longform improv company, bringing the art of improvisation

Location: Blue Brick Theatre 209 W. Calder Way, State College

7:00pm - 8:00pm - Western Range

Western Range is a band of accomplished musicians who perform authentic toe-tapping Texas Swing, Honky Tonk and Vintage Rock music in Central Pennsylvania. The band specializes in harmonic vocals, danceable...

Location: Allen Street Stage 123 S Allen St, State College

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm - Eric Mintel Quartet

The Eric Mintel Quartet have been thrilling audiences of all ages with their electrifying jazz for over 25 years. Featuring pianist and composer Eric Mintel, Nelson Hill sax/flute, Jack Hegyi...

Location: Festival Shell Stage 100 W. College Avenue, State College

9:00 pm - 10:30 pm - The Jaded Lips

"Homegrown Rock & Soul." That is both how The Jaded Lips describe their sound as well as their band mantra. This dynamic trio comprised of Mike Wertz (Vocals/Guitar), Hunter Karns

Location: Allen Street Stage 123 S Allen St, State College

9:00 pm - 10:30 pm - One Acre West

Hailing from the diverse landscapes of the rocky mountains in Colorado and the flat praises of Texas, singer Kristi Jean and her songwriting, musical and life partner, Steven Branstetter

Location: Sidney Friedman Park 241 South Fraser Street, State College