The festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8. The event is free to attend and open to the public from 10am - 5pm each day.

Our festival takes place on the streets of historic Doylestown, Pennsylvania which is home to a great many artists, cultural icons, and destinations. The central point of the festival is at the intersection of State & Main streets. Be sure to check out our festival map for more information.

The weekend will feature over 160 independent artists, 5 stages of live music with over 30 acts, and an array of demonstrations and activities for all ages. Our event is organized by an all-volunteer committee. The proceeds benefit Discover Doylestown, a 501(c)3 organization with a focus on making Doylestown a great place to live, visit, and work. The organization is responsible for many of the events and traditions in our community.

We are anticipating crowds between 20-25,000 across the weekend. Weather conditions are the most likely element to impact attendance given we are an all-outdoor event.

On Sunday we are joined by the Bucks County Classic, an independently managed event, which will bring high speed and community bicycle racing to the borders of the festival. The union of our two events makes this a unique and cherished weekend in Bucks County. It also introduces some logistical challenges on Sunday due to an increase in road closures.

The festival is held each year in the center of historic downtown Doylestown. The festival is held entirely on public streets and parking lots. Those include State Street, Main Street, Hamilton Street, Oakland Avenue, and surrounding public lots. View our festival map for more detailed information as well as general booth locations by number.

Our main food court is located on Hamilton Street between Court Street and State Street. We will have a few high-top tables placed across the street from our vendors. The Food Court is not required to breakdown and leave overnight. This stretch of road will be open to vehicles but vendors will be placed in the parking lane.

A separate location for drink vendors will be placed in the Pine Street Parking Lot at the corner of E. State and Pine Streets. This is also not required to breakdown overnight.

View our festival map if you are new to the show to help orient yourself with your location. Below is a list of our food vendors and your assigned locations. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Chambers 19 Bistro - F1 - 10x10 Booth (Hamilton, closest to State Street)

Dharma Bums - F2 - 20x10 Booth (Hamilton)

Smoky Bandit BBQ - F3 - 10x10 Tent (Hamilton)

Bonjour Creperie - F4 - 25x9 Truck (Hamilton, closest to Court Street)

Wild Bills Craft Beverages - P1 - Truck (Pine Street Parking Lot)

For easy access to Hamilton Street we recommend entering from Court Street on Saturday. This will prevent you from moving through congested areas.

For easy access to the Pine Street Parking lot we recommend entering from E. State Street past the intersection of Broad Street, or entering from S. Pine Street. We highly recommend arriving early for this location.

On Saturday the following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic for the Doylestown Arts Festival. As a vendor, you will be allowed entry during the load-in window (more on this further down the page). These closures should not impact you.

State Street from Pine Street to Clinton Street

Main Street from Court Street to Oakland Avenue

Oakland Avenue from Main Street to Clinton Street

Hamilton Street from Court Street to Oakland Avenue

The following parking lots will also be closed/reserved: Hamilton Street Parking Lot (Plaza West), Pine Street Parking Lot (at State & Pine), Clinton Street Parking Lot (at Clinton & Wood), and Dommel Way (behind Starbucks).

Due to the additional closures for the Bucks County Classic, Sunday will have limited entry points into the festival. It is strongly advised that you arrive early (between 6am-7am) for setup. As the morning goes on, closures and blockades will increase dramatically. If you do not arrive before 8am it is very likely you will be unable to enter.

The easiest way to enter is to come in from N. Hamilton off of Union Street and drive right to the barricade at Court Street. At that point a volunteer will assist you in entering the festival.

For easy access to the Pine Street Parking lot we recommend entering from E. State Street past the intersection of Broad Street.

On Sunday the following roads will be closed in addition to the Saturday Closures due to the addition of the Bucks County Classic Bike Race. These closures will impact you. Be sure to arrive earlier on Sunday as closures will slow down the load-in/entry process.

Court Street from Broad Street to Franklin Street

Clinton Street from Court Street to Ashland Street

W. Oakland Avenue from Clinton Street to Lafayette Street

Lafayette Street from W. Oakland Avenue to Ashland Street

Ashland Street from Lafayette Street to Main Street

Main Street from Ashland Street to E. Oakland Avenue

E. Oakland Avenue from Main Street to Church Street

Pine Street from Ashland Street to Court Street

Load-in is between 6:00am and 7:30am. Plan to arrive between 6am-7am for best results regardless of how long it takes you to set up.

Earlier setup is not permitted, as our volunteers will be preparing the festival grounds. Please allow us this critical time without interruption to ensure the morning runs smoothly.

Vehicles will likely not be allowed to enter after 8am.

If you need offsite parking, there are several public parking options that include two parking garages (paid parking) and street parking. We discourage street parking as it often leads to tickets so if this is the route you choose, please be mindful of permit areas and other parking restrictions. You can view these parking options on our parking page.

Setup begins at the same time as load-in, 6am, and must be completed by 9:30am. Although the festival opens at 10am, we often see local visitors earlier. Also be aware that festival vendors may be early patrons.

You are responsible for providing your entire setup including tables, chairs, tent, supplies, etc.

Tents must be secured/weighed down with weights or sandbags. Stakes will not work as we are on paved streets.

Grease spills must be avoided and cleaned up by the vendor. Do not leave grease spills for our municipal partners or you will not be invited back.

Open flames must be shielded and kept a safe distance from gas, propane, and oil as well as attendees and fellow vendors.

You are responsible to ensure all propane tanks, grills, generators, and other machinery are safe and secured. Violations will result in removal from the festival and you will be barred from future involvement.

Generators are permitted but must be quiet and tucked behind your booth. If the noise disturbs a neighboring vendor, a volunteer will ask you to shut it down. Generators for the food court must not exceed 50db.

Do not block sidewalks or handicap ramps with materials or chairs.

Music, amplifiers, light-up signs, and other disruptive elements are strongly discouraged. If it interferes with other vendors of festival activities a volunteer will ask for it to be removed or turned down.

Free samples are discouraged.

It is not permitted to share your booth to other vendors who were not accepted into the festival. If we find this is the case, both vendors will be asked to leave.

Set up only in your designated booth space. If you are having any issues with setup, please locate a festival volunteer (look for the blue shirts). We will be happy to mediate any issues.

Setups exceeding the designated space or other non-approved layouts will be corrected by volunteers.

Each vendor space is marked with chalk with a designated gap on each side. Please do not use the space outside your marked booth space for any reason.

Over the years we have observed a wide array of tent issues and failures. Here are some tips and tricks we recommend to ensure a successful weekend.

Yes, you must bring a tent (unless you are in a food truck). This will protect you from sun, rain, and whatever mother nature throws at us. It also helps to keep the festival presentation professional.

White tents are recommended to cut down the heat, but white is not required. If you have a colorful or branded tent, you are welcome to use it as long as it fits in your space.

For single spaces, a 10x10 tent is required. If you have a double or triple space you are welcome to use a 10x20 or 10x30 tent. Otherwise, you may connect 2-3 individual 10x10 tents. Be mindful in this case that water can easily sneak between the tents from above in the case of rain.

Test your tents a week ahead of the festival. Do not wait until the day before or the day of. Broken frames, canopies with holes, and missing parts are the most common reason vendors drop out at the last minute. Leave yourself time to replace a tent if needed.

Tent styles matter. Avoid slanted legs and frame tops. Straight-leg, solid frames will hold up best to wind and water. Steel frames are stronger than aluminum.

To weigh your tents down, we recommend Canopy Plates such as these. We've also seen sand/rock bags which tend to work well. Stakes will not work as we are on paved streets with little to no grass adjacent.

We do not have any spare tents and cannot repair or replace broken tents.

If rain is in the forecast, we have found that a broom stick is a great tool to both push pooled water out of your space, and to prevent build up on top of your canopy.

Pool noodles can also be used to reinforce the corners of your canopy in the case of wind or rain.

Because we're on public streets you may find you have small potholes, uneven ground, or even a sewer grate in your space. We recommend bringing some flat boards and materials to cover uneven areas. This is not an issue for most vendors, but it is always better to be prepared.

Early breakdown is not permitted unless explicitly instructed by the organizers or in the case of a personal emergency. Vendors who breakdown/leave early without cause will not be invited back.

Organizers will only instruct early breakdown in the case of an emergency or weather complications.

In the case of an early breakdown due to a personal emergency, please notify organizers after the fact by email.

Breakdown begins promptly at 5pm each day and must be completed by 6:30pm.

As of show close (5pm) the roads will reopen so you can bring your vehicles in to load up. We strongly recommend packing your booth up first, then going for your vehicle, to avoid traffic jams. Please do not block roads longer than necessary.

All cars and booths must be off the street by 6:30pm.

During breakdown, please be aware that attendees, volunteers, and municipal workers will still be in the streets. In addition, other vendors will be packing up and moving their vehicles. Drive carefully and slowly.

Please be aware that any property left overnight between Saturday and Sunday is left at your own risk and should be fully insured. We do not hire a security team. While police will patrol, we cannot make any guarantees as it relates to your property.

You are responsible to ensure all propane tanks, grills, generators, and other machinery are turned off and secured before departing. Violations will result in removal from the festival and you will be barred from future involvement.

If you are leaving a tent overnight, please lower it and secure it to prevent blow-aways and unauthorized entry.

If you are leaving a truck overnight, please ensure all windows are closed and doors are locked to prevent unauthorized entry.

If you require assistance, volunteers will be available to help but may be limited in availability.

Property left behind may be taken or removed.

Please do not leave trash or materials on the streets or sidewalks, volunteers are required to stay late until the streets are clear. If you’re unsure how to dispose of something during breakdown, please ask a volunteer for assistance.

Your booth must be staffed or monitored at all times. Do not leave your booth unattended. If you need to leave your booth for a food/water/bathroom break, request assistance from a volunteer or neighboring artist before leaving.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our volunteers at the Doylestown Arts Festival. Fondly referred to as the "blue shirts" our bright blue volunteer shirts make us easy to find. Our entire 80+ person weekend crew (and organizers) are unpaid volunteers. We are here to help you however we can and to create a great experience.

Restrooms are available in two satellite locations which are noted on our festival map. Those locations are the Dommel Way Parking Lot (behind Starbucks) and the Pine Street Parking Lot (at the corner of E. State and Pine Streets).

There will also be a smaller bathroom area in the Hamilton Street Parking Lot, which will not be advertised to the public.

Hand sanitizing stations will be available in the same locations.

Please be kind to your neighbors and our volunteers. We're all working together to make it a great event.

Avoid encroaching on your neighbor's space.

Avoid encroaching on neighboring business properties.

Avoid blocking sidewalks and handicap-accessible ramps.

If you experience an issue with an attendee, fellow vendor, or anyone else, please locate a volunteer to mitigate the situation.

Be aware the Bucks County Health Department will have representatives on site. Their authority supersedes ours. You must follow all instructions and guidelines the health department requests. If you have failed to procure the proper permits in advance of the festival they will require you to pay fees and fill out paperwork on site, or you will be asked to leave without a refund.

Loud music, megaphones, speakers, and other noise is not permitted.

Electricity and running water are not available.

Public wifi is not available and cell signals can become weak due to volume.

Failure to follow any and all of the guidelines listed on this page and/or to take direction from festival volunteers will result in removal from the festival without a refund.

Be advised that there is a ban on single use plastic bags in the Borough of Doylestown.

The Doylestown Arts Festival is committed to reducing waste and the footprint of live events. The festival does not utilize single-use bags, with the notable exception of trash and recycling. As in past years, we have created festival-branded fabric bags, which were made possible this year by the Melissa Healy Group of Keller Williams Real Estate. These bags will be distributed to artists throughout the festival by our volunteers. Please note we do have a limited quantity of these bags, so it is wise to have your own supply of reusable or recycled shopping bags, pending the requirements of your items.

We ask that you plan ahead for this and consider either offering reusable or recyclable bags or no bags at all, pending on the nature of your products and requirements. Many of you are already doing this and will be ahead of the curve. If you have a product or a supply that would make it prohibitive for you to follow this ordinance, please contact us to discuss your situation.

You can read the official ordnance on the Borough of Doylestown website.

The festival is a rain-or-shine event. Come prepared for all weather.

The festival does reserve the right to end early, cancel one day, or cancel in full in the case of dangerous weather that would cause unnecessary risk to our vendors, volunteers, and attendees. This is generally based on parameters such as: the total quantity of rain, wind speeds, lightning, or extreme weather.

We, like you, wish to avoid cancellations. Our team monitors weather through local meteorologist consultants and professional weather apps up to the moment the festival begins. Any changes or alerts will be communicated via email in real-time.

We understand that some works and mediums are more sensitive to damage than others. If you feel you are unable to safely participate due to weather predictions, we ask you to notify us via email. Failure to notify us will result in your booth being marked as a no-show, which may disqualify you from future participation.

In the case of a weather related cancellation, no refunds are guaranteed.

Last updated: 9/5/24, 11:00 AM

We have had a careful eye on the weather forecast. As a reminder, the Doylestown Arts Festival is a rain or shine event. We are currently expecting some light passing showers on Saturday, which will turn into some late evening/overnight rain. This calls for some additional safeguard preparation for our overnight booths. Sunday looks to be dry and beautiful.

To make the most of the potential weather, please be sure to prepare properly, including:

Test your tents! Patch any holes!

Consider weather sealing your canopy

Bring pool noodles or a broom stick to address any pooling on your tent

Bring extra towels

If your tent has walls, consider attaching them

We've had very successful years in drizzle and light rain. Customers do come out to shop and buy! In addition, we've prepared our stages to ensure music performances and activities will remain on schedule. The show goes on!

If you experience a disagreement or issue with a fellow vendor, please do not engage and locate a volunteer to help mitigate the situation.

If you experience an issue with a member of the public, please attempt to locate a volunteer to assist. If you feel you are in danger or being made uncomfortable, police officers will be patrolling. Locate one or dial 911 in the case of an emergency.

Emergency services personnel will be on-site at the festival. If you have an emergency and cannot locate an EMS official, please dial 911.

For minor scrapes, a first aid kit will be available at the Festival HQ booth at the corner of W. State and Main Streets.

The organizers of the Doylestown Arts Festival and Bucks County Classic work closely with the Borough of Doylestown, Central Bucks Regional Police, Fire & EMS teams. In the unlikely case of an emergency evacuation, these officials will take charge and have detailed plans to keep our vendors and the public safe. Please follow their instructions. Volunteers will shift into a support role in these situations to help vendors to safety.

Our joint success depends on all of us spreading the word about the Doylestown Arts Festival far and wide! Our committee works hard throughout the year to promote the festival through a variety of mediums including our website, social media, email marketing, outdoor signage, print advertising, radio advertising, and much more. The festival draws visitors from all over the US in addition to a hyper-local crowd.

Please be sure you are following us on Facebook and Instagram! Our official hashtag is #dtownartsfest. We encourage you to share our posts and tag us in yours!

Our press kit contains our logo, photos, promotional graphics, press releases, teaser videos and more! Feel free to use these materials to help promote the festival.