Mount Dora Arts Festival

Experience the excellence of the nationally ranked Mount Dora Arts Festival. Held each year on the first weekend in February, 300 juried, fine artists set up to exhibit and sell their unique, exquisite artwork on the streets of downtown Mount Dora, Florida.

The 2026 Arts Festival is presented by G3 Development and sponsored by Visit Mount Dora

FAQ to ATTEND

WHEN is the Mount Dora Arts Festival?

The Mount Dora Arts Festival is held annually on the 1st weekend of February. This year, the event will be held on Sat Jan 31, 2026 from 9am to 5pm and Sun Feb 1, 2026 from 9am to 4pm.

WHERE is the festival held?

The festival is held on the streets of the historic walking district of downtown Mount Dora, Florida. You can GPS  510 N. Baker St, Mount Dora, FL to get close to the event. Once you see the barricades and tents, you know you have arrived.

FIND us

Is there an ENTRY FEE?

No, the event is FREE to attend. The Mount Dora Arts Festival is hosted by Mount Dora Center For the Arts, a non profit 501(c)3. There are DONATION boxes around the event area. PLEASE DONATE to help support the event while you are there.

NOW through April 30, your donations designated to MOUNT DORA CENTER FOR THE ARTS will be matched with 15% from United Arts of Central Florida. 

 THANK YOU for supporting Art in our community!

Is it PET Friendly?

Well behaved pets are allowed at the event but you are encouraged to leave Fido at home. The streets can get crowded and your dog may become uncomfortable. Some visitors are intimidated by dogs so be considerate of how your dog might be perceived by others. We want everyone to have a good experience at the event.

Is the event HC accessible?

Yes. The event is held on the streets of downtown Mount Dora, FL.  HC parking is available behind City Hall at 510 N.Baker St.  Spaces are limited. TIP: Your chances are better on Sundays or late in the day. The festival can be heavily attended during mid afternoon.

Do you have wheelchair/stroller rentals?

Sorry, wheelchairs, scooters and strollers are not available to rent at the event.

What else will there be besides Artist & Crafter booths?

There will be live music on Sat and Sun in Donnelly Park where you will find great festival food. Beer, wine and cocktails can be purchased at kiosks around the event area and carried around while you enjoy the beautiful art. Local shops will be open during the festival so take some time to explore the sidewalks too!

PARKING & Shuttles

Parking can be a challenge in historic downtown Mount Dora. Take the Shuttle offered at Mount Dora Christian Academy 301 W.13th Ave Mount Dora, FL (There are NO Shuttles from Mount Dora High School) You can also look around for residents parking cars in their yards. They typically charge a fee but its worth it to get close to the event.

Here is the link to Public Parking options offered by the City of Mount Dora.

TOUR BUS Parking

Tour Bus operators have a dedicated route to drop off/pick up guests and a remote lot location to stage and wait. Click HERE to get the bus route map.

Is there an ATM?

Yes there will be ATM’s set up in various locations inside of the event. Many exhibitors accept credit cards but with limited internet availability, having cash on hand is a good idea!

Is there a Kid Zone?

Face painters, henna artists, entertainment buskers and balloon artists may participate in the event but there is no designated kid zone.

Wondering how you can be sure to hit ALL of the fabulous artists at the Mount Dora Arts Festival? 

Start anywhere on this map and follow the arrows along the route in either direction until you get back to where you started!  Don’t forget to take a break at the food court to see our Emerging artists and hand crafters.

2026 Poster Artist

Tanya Leslie

The 2026 Mount Dora Arts Festival Poster was inspired by this clay elephant created by Artist Tanya Leslie

Tanya Leslie – Ceramic Artist
Tanya Leslie is a ceramic artist and potter based in Boonesville, Virginia known for her handmade original pottery featuring detailed designs and vibrant surface work. She has been creating pottery for over a decade, focusing on hand-thrown and sculptural works that reflect her artistic vision and craftsmanship. Leslie’s pieces often feature intricate floral motifs and detailed three-dimensional elements, showing both creativity and technical skill. She produces her work entirely by hand — with no molds or commercial parts — shaping, glazing, and Raku firing each piece herself. Her creations are showcased at regional arts and crafts festivals where she travels to exhibit and sell her work, and she is noted for her warm personality and engaging presence at shows. Living and working in Virginia, Leslie draws inspiration from nature and everyday life, often incorporating themes like gardens, animals, and organic forms into her ceramic art.

2026 Mount Dora Arts Festival Poster Artist-Robert Pearson

2026 Judges

Jo Sinclair

JO SINCLAIR, professional artist, BFA with honors from Cleveland Institute of Art 1978 and MA, Masters of Art Education, with honors from Case Western Reserve University 2013, Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout her career, she has created many series of artworks in a variety of themes and media including sculptural weaving, sculptural paper, mixed-media jewelry, oil pastel, painting, collage, assemblage, encaustics and photography. Exhibited in numerous national invitational shows and museum exhibitions. Veteran exhibitor and award winner in national art festivals. Created multiple site specific private/corporate commissions. She has had seven solo exhibitions so far in her career including a major art installation “TURN OF THE TIDE” in 2024 at Arts on Douglas Gallery, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Her artworks are included in the major art collections of the late Agnes Gund (President Emerita of the Museum of Modern Art) and Lee Ioccoca, Andrew Maas (former Director of Tampa Museum of Art), and many 0thers. Included in corporate collections of International Paper Corporation, Memphis, TN, Indian Wells Country Club, Indian Wells, CA, and Walt Disney Corporation, Orlando, FL to name a few. She has been an art lecturer / instructor and teaching artist with arts integration at the elementary, secondary and higher education levels including her own series of workshops. Sinclair is on the board of trustees for Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Art with a Heart in Healthcare, Jacksonville, Florida and Bees Beyond Borders, St. Augustine, FL. Designer, creative consultant and curator with SinclairDESIGN. Currently represented by Arts on Douglas Gallery in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

KYLE

TOUR BUS Driver ROUTE & STAGING MAP

This map is for tour bus operators to navigate the downtown area. It is NOT a shuttle bus map for tourists. Public Parking and free Shuttle locations can be found on the City website HERE.

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