Finster Fest Set to Bring Paradise Garden to Life Sept. 19–20

With just one month to go, Paradise Garden is gearing up for one of its most vibrant weekends of the year as Finster Fest returns September 19–20, bringing artists, music, and community together in celebration of Howard Finster’s iconic legacy.

Finster Fest 2026 marks Executive Director’s second year leading the event, and organizers say the energy that filled the four‑acre art environment last year is exactly what they hope to recreate — and expand.

A weekend when Paradise Garden comes alive

More than 70 folk, contemporary, and self‑taught artists will fill the historic site, joined by 17 live music performances, artist talks, demonstrations, children’s art activities, and Southern food vendors. Visitors will have full access to wander through Howard Finster’s immersive art environment, discovering new corners of the garden or revisiting familiar favorites.

“Last year, what struck me most was seeing Paradise Garden completely come alive,” the Executive Director said. “Artists were everywhere, music drifted through the site, old friends found each other, and people who had never been here before discovered Howard Finster for the first time. That’s what makes this weekend so special.”

New features for 2026

This year’s festival includes several additions designed to deepen the experience and highlight Finster’s distinctive vision.

Finster’s America, a special feature honoring America’s 250th anniversary, will explore Finster’s unique interpretations of American imagery. A themed scavenger hunt will invite visitors to engage with the artwork in new ways.
Birds of a Feather: BlackCatTips in Paradise Garden will be on view throughout the weekend, with the artist joining for a Sunday talk.
Beacon Dance will bring movement and performance into the Mosaic Garden, adding a new layer of creativity to the festival atmosphere.

The magic that can’t be scheduled

While the festival boasts a full slate of programming, organizers say some of the most memorable moments happen spontaneously — meeting an artist whose work resonates, hearing a musician while tucked into a quiet corner of the Mosaic Garden, or running into someone you haven’t seen in years.

“Those unscripted moments are part of the magic of Finster Fest,” the Executive Director said. “I hope people will come spend the weekend with us and experience it for themselves.”