Mar

31

2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: 2026 MAIN ST. FORT WORTH ARTS FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BY PNC BANK

Updates on what’s new and getting to and from #MainSt2026 in Downtown Fort Worth, April 16-19

FORT WORTH, Texas (April 6, 2026) – The 2026 MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival (MAIN ST.), presented by PNC Bank, is back for its 39th year on April 16-19, where tens of thousands are expected in Downtown Fort Worth to enjoy art, music, food, and culture.

Throughout the four-day event, over 200 juried artists will sell an estimated $4 million worth of art, nearly 100 musical acts will perform on four stages, and dozens of restaurants and food vendors will serve up local cuisine. With MAIN ST. crowds growing larger every year, here’s a rundown of what’s new for #MainSt2026 and other important tips to “know before you go,” including street closures, parking, public transportation options, and more.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2026

  • World-Class Art: This year’s festival will feature an outdoor gallery with more than 200 jury-selected artists chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants. Among those exhibiting are last year’s award winners, including Joey Brock (Best Emerging Artist), YanFang Inlow (Best of Show – Fiber), Warren Nelson (Raymond Rains Award – Emerging Artist), and Merit Award recipients David Bjurstrom (Drawing), Paveen Beer Chunhaswasdikul (Ceramics), Bobby Goldsmith (Drawing), Matthew Hatala (Wood), Karen Libecap (Painting), Igor Menaker (Photography), and Robert Varela (Metalwork). An estimated $4 million worth of art is expected to be sold, showcasing 15 different artistic media including sculpture, painting, photography, jewelry, and mixed media.
  • Music on Main: This year’s MAIN ST. also showcases an extensive lineup of musical entertainment across four stages, including the UTA West “Main” Stage (9th and Main), the Thomas J. Henry Stage (7th and Main), the Studio 80 Pirate Ship (1st and Main), and the San Simeon Wine Pavilion (2nd and Main). Headlining performers include Austin-based rock artist Ian Moore, Americana group Ghosts of Hill County, jazz artists Marion Meadows, Brian Simpson, and Jessy J; Tejano groups Avizo and Quimikoz del Son; rising country star Tristan Roberson, R&B singer Kenya C, Fort Worth’s favorite cover band Poo Live Crew, ABBA tribute band Waterloo, and Van Halen tribute band In Halen/Incognito.
  • Studio 80 Pirate Ship: Downtown Fort Worth’s popular dance nightclub, Studio 80, will have a real-life, 40-foot, LED-lit Pirate Ship parked at 1st and Main Streets. On Friday and Saturday nights from 8-10 p.m., DJ Dr. Rock will play 80s tunes to accompany a laser show with synchronized music and cutting-edge visuals.
  • 2026 Commemorative Poster – Designed by Greenville, South Carolina-based realist oil painter Kym Day, the MAIN ST. 2026 Commemorative Poster features a star-spangled horse grazing beneath a vibrant cloud and starlit sky, leaning into a sense of magic and visual energy of something extraordinary existing within an otherwise ordinary moment. The poster can be purchased at the online festival store for $25, or at the on-site Festival Store located at 5th and Main Streets.
  • Wine Patio – Presented by San Simeon Wines, the Wine Patio (located at 2nd and Main) will offer curated selections of red, white, and rose wines available to purchase by the glass, bottle, or sample, along with live music.
  • 2026 Festival Store – Featuring brand-new items in a store-like setting, the Festival Store will be set up at 5th and Main Streets, offering branded merchandise and gifts for sale including hats, shirts, silk scarves, puzzles, and more.
  • TCC Makers Zone – Located at the north end of Main Street, the TCC Makers Zone will provide a variety of hands-on, interactive activities designed to inspire creativity and innovation for all ages, including printmaking, henna and glitter tattoos, foam crafts, sand art, caricatures, and more. Families can also expect activities and demonstrations from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, Panther City Artists, PNC Learning Center, Sid Richardson Museum, Cook Children’s, and Fort Worth Public Library.
  • Fort Worth Stock Show Youth Art Contest – The winners of the century-old Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Youth Art Contest – which highlights Western culture through painting, drawing, and sculpture — will be on display at the TCC Makers Zone this year. Also, the world-famous Moo Brothers – Hoss and Elwood – will make live appearances on Friday from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

STREET CLOSURES + PARKING

Starting Monday, April 13, various streets in Downtown Fort Worth will close to accommodate the festival setup and operations. Closures include Main Street from Weatherford to 9th Street, sections of 1st through 9th Streets, and portions of Houston and Commerce Streets. Access to hotels and valet services will be maintained via designated contra-flow lanes. All closures will remain in effect until Monday, April 20. For a detailed list of closures and parking options, visit https://mainstreetartsfest.org/schedule-map/street-closures/.

For those who choose to drive, parking is free at downtown parking meters after 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and all-day Saturday and Sunday. If parking outside of those hours, attendees are encouraged to download the “FW Park” app to pay for metered parking. There are also more than 60 parking lots and garages available throughout downtown that will be open to the public for paid parking. Visit www.dfwi.org/get-around to view all downtown parking options.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

With thousands expected and street closures in effect, MAIN ST. attendees are encouraged to take public transportation to get to and from #MainSt2026. Options include:

  • Take the Train via TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express: TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) rail services will operate throughout the festival, with Fort Worth Central Station located just two blocks from the event. A special TRE Sunday service train will also run, offering a convenient option for attending the final day.
  • Ride a Bike via Trinity Metro Bike-Sharing: 14 bike-sharing stations are located within walking distance of MAIN ST. and offer an environmentally friendly transport solution.
  • Take the Bus via Trinity Metro: Bus routes # 1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 46, and 89 provide convenient access to nearby Fort Worth Central Station. Also, Trinity Metro’s Blue Line, a free downtown Fort Worth circulator shuttle service, will offer extended hours all four days of the festival, running until 10 p.m. on Thursday, 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Sunday.
  • Ride Share: Houston, Commerce, and Throckmorton Streets provide the best opportunities for rideshare drop-off and pick-up during MAIN ST.

FESTIVAL HOURS + SOCIALS

Festival hours for 2026 are:

  • Thursday, April 16: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Friday, April 17: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 18: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 19: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

To join the conversation, use the official hashtag #MainSt2026, and visit/follow MAIN ST. online at:

2026 PRODUCERS + SPONSORS

MAIN ST. is produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the community through cultural programming. The 2026 MAIN ST. is presented by PNC Bank and supported by major sponsors including BMW, Riboli Family Wines/San Simeon Wines, Studio 80, Tarrant County College, Thomas J. Henry Law, and UTA West. Additional support comes from Blue Moon Brewing Company, Hear Fort Worth, Music Professionals Trust Fund, Pinnacle Bank, and Trinity Metro. Media sponsors include 92.1 HANK FM and 95.9 The Ranch, and hotel sponsors AC Hotel Fort Worth Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Fort Worth Downtown/Blackstone, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, and The Sinclair Hotel. Through the generous contributions of these sponsors and supporters, MAIN ST. solidifies Fort Worth’s reputation as a thriving center for artistic and cultural excellence.

ABOUT MAIN ST. FORT WORTH ARTS FESTIVAL

The MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival (MAIN ST.), presented by PNC Bank, is celebrating its 39th year on April 16-19, 2026. As the largest fine arts event in Texas,the always-free-to-attend MAIN ST. will feature over 200 jury-selected visual artists, live music on four stages, authentic local cuisine, the family-friendly “Makers Zone,” craft beer pavilions, wine tastings, and more across 18 square blocks throughout Downtown Fort Worth. For more information, visit www.mainstreetartsfest.org.

ABOUT DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH INITIATIVES, INC.

Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization formed in 1988 to complement the work of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. by providing a funding pathway for charitable, educational, and public-purpose activities, such as community festivals, affordable residential development, park improvements, and management. Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. produces the annual MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival and the GM Financial Parade of Lights attracting thousands of visitors to Downtown Fort Worth each year. For more information, visit www.DFWI.org.

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