Bethesda Fine Arts Festival

Bethesda Fine Arts Festival

Downtown Bethesda transforms into an outdoor gallery for two days every May when the fine arts festival takes over Woodmont and Elm streets. There are 120 artists displaying and selling their work, so you'll see everything from paintings and sculptures to jewelry and handcrafted goods. The streets are closed to traffic, which makes it incredibly stroller-friendly and safe for kids to wander and explore. Multiple live music stages are set up throughout the festival, so you hear music and street performances as you walk. Food vendors set up all over, so you can grab lunch or snacks as you go. Kids don't typically care about the art (unless they get excited about a particular painting), but they love the atmosphere, the street performers, the food, and the energy of crowds walking around. It's the kind of event where families spend a few hours wandering, eating, and enjoying the outdoor community feel.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Strollers and wagons are very welcome. The streets are closed to traffic and flat, making pushing a stroller easy.
• ✓Plenty of food vendors nearby. You won't go hungry. Grab lunch from the festival vendors or nearby restaurants.
• ✓Come early for parking and to beat afternoon crowds. Mid-morning is a good time to arrive.
• ✓Let your kids listen for the live music. They can follow the sound to different stages and enjoy street performers.
• ✓Bring sunscreen and hat. There are limited shaded areas, so protection from the sun is important.