Howard Alan Events, along with its American Craft Endeavors counterpart, recently announced its upcoming 2026-2027 season of showcases. The nation’s largest outdoor art and craft festival producer continues to support thousands of artists’ careers, generate millions in local economic impact, and offer inspiration to millions of attendees.
These events are known for curating only first-class art and crafts. The shows are juried to ensure the highest quality of work. Festivals produced by Howard Alan Events and American Craft Endeavors are highly anticipated and have traditionally drawn thousands of visitors, including both locals and tourists. This year’s lineup includes a new art festival at Lakewood Ranch and craft festival in Tampa on Water Street.
One of the things that sets Howard Alan Events and American Craft Endeavors festivals apart from other shows is that all artists are on-site for the duration of the events, allowing patrons and visitors to discover the creative inspirations and processes behind every piece. These works are all handmade by the artist in the United States.
Each festival is designed for all ages, and they are pet-friendly. Event organizers work to assure ample parking is available. The 52nd annual Tarpon Springs Festival of the Arts on the Bayou includes a nominal $5 admission. All other events are free to attend. For more information on Howard Alan Events and American Craft Endeavor shows, visit www.artfestival.com or call 561-746-6615.
Don and Cristina Williams, raku artists from St. Petersburg, will be taking part in some of this season’s festivals.
This couple collaborates on each piece, perfecting their skills in the ancient Japanese art of shino glaze, a process that has not changed in centuries yet yields a different effect with each finished piece. They welcome the opportunity to meet and speak with art enthusiasts and potential investors they meet at each festival.
“I was born to do art,” Don said in an email. “I love it, live it and love to share with others. I have been doing pottery almost 30 years now. My wife Cristina is very talented as well and we do a lot of collaborative pieces like our penguins and cats.”
The couple frequently participates in American Craft Endeavors craft shows throughout Florida, sharing their work and their love for raku pottery.
Also scheduled for some upcoming festivals is artist Rasa Saldaitis of Pinellas Park, who was born in 1965 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
“Since the seventh grade, art was one of my specialties and I have loved art ever since,” Saldaitis said in a biography that appears on her website. “By the eighth grade, I was attending art school and graduated top of my class.”
She went on to attend the V. Muchina Academy of Applied Arts University in St. Petersburg, Russia, studying realistic drawing and painting. From 1984 to 1989, she was being trained to be an instructor at Siauliai Pedagogical University in Siauliai, Lithuania.
She and her husband began exhibiting and selling their artwork in eastern and western Europe, eventually opening their own art studio in 1991 — becoming one of the first private business owners to establish a business after the Soviet Union collapsed.
In 1994, the couple and their two children moved to the United States, first settling in Chicago, Illinois, and later relocating to Pinellas.
Following is a look at some upcoming art and craft festivals in the Tampa Bay area and beyond:
17th Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival — Sept. 5-6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 200 Miami Ave. W., in Venice.
Nearly 100 talented crafters from across the state showcase their unique creations in the lovely downtown area of Venice. Miami Avenue will be lined with one-of-a-kind pet accessories, handmade clothes and bags, jewelry, paintings, unique gifts, and more. The event also features a seasonal green market.
28th Annual Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival — Sept. 12-13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 331 Sullivan St., Punta Gorda. Experience the vibrant Punta Gorda Craft Festival, where you can enjoy a remarkable display of beautiful arts and crafts created by the region’s most skilled crafters. The event takes place on lively Sullivan Street, which is transformed into a captivating realm of creativity and inspiration.
Fourth Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival with Craft Marketplace — Sept. 19-20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. Once more kicking off art festival season in Sarasota, this returning event gives residents the chance to see stunning works of original paintings, jewelry, ceramics, glasswork and more. The showcase, benefitting the St. Armands Circle Association, also features the creativity of fine crafters who transform functional creations into art.
33rd Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival — Oct. 10-11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 271 Main St., Dunedin. One of downtown Dunedin’s longest-running festivals returns to Florida’s “most pedestrian-friendly town.” The beautiful showcase features craft artisans and green market vendors displaying thousands of affordable, practical, whimsical and artistic works.
30th Anniversary Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival — Oct. 17-18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1 Central Ave., Sarasota. Celebrating three decades of delightful creativity, beautiful Five Points Park welcomes thousands of practical works of handmade, functional art during the Annual Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival. More than 100 of the state’s top craft artisans will be on site to discuss their process and inspiration. The event benefits the Downtown Sarasota Alliance.
Lakewood Ranch Art Festival at UTC with Craft Marketplace — Oct. 24-25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Howard Alan Events kicks off its newest event, bring a festival to the award-winning community of Lakewood Ranch. Located at The University Town Center mall, visiting and local fine artists will present a stunning showcase of original works in multiple mediums including glass, wood, metal, acrylic, oil, sculpture, photography and more. A craft marketplace with a mini green market brings fragrant offerings and functional art to the two-day festival.
38th Annual Downtown Venice Art Festival — Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 200-300 W. Venice Ave., Venice. One of Howard Alan Events’ longest-running art festivals returns to beautiful, seaside Venice. Once again, over 150 sculptors, painters, jewelers, photographers and other brilliant creators will line Venice Avenue during the free, two-day event benefitting the Venice Main Street Association.
The Tampa Craft Festival on Water Street — Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 601 Water St., Tampa. An explosion of creativity takes over Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in downtown Tampa in this premiere event. Featuring handmade artworks, craft artistry and a green market, visitors will enjoy a beautiful stroll in this serene oasis surrounded by captivating creations.
37th Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival — Nov. 14-15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. The most meticulously vetted art fair in the state, featuring the top preeminent artists in the country, returns once again to St. Armands Circle. Over 200 local and national artists showcase original works including life-size sculptures, art-deco wall pieces, master craft glasswork, woven and hand-painted wearable art, paintings and more stunning surprises found in each gallery-style booth. The free, two-day artistic affair benefits the St. Armands Circle Association.
6th Annual Palm Harbor Craft Festival — Nov. 21-22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1023 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. American Craft Endeavors returns to the “jewel of Tampa Bay” this season with a beautiful display of creativity from nearly 100 visiting and local fine crafters. Home goods, jewelry, pet accessories, painting, pottery and more one-of-a-kind and personalized gift ideas await visitors during this creative celebration.
16th Annual Coconut Point Art Festival — Nov. 21-22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 23181 Via Villagio Drive, Estero. Visitors and residents of Estero are invited to this annual tradition that welcomes more than 100 fine artists to Coconut Point. Paintings, sculpture, glass works, sparkling jewelry, and amazing mixed media and more are on display during the free, two-day event.
And that’s just the beginning. The festival season presented by Howard Alan Events and American Craft Endeavors continues well into 2027, with shows scheduled in communities throughout Florida’s central and southwest region. Following is a quick look at more upcoming festivals:
• 8th Annual Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Thanksgiving Weekend Craft Festival — Nov. 28-29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Punta Gorda
• The Coconut Point Holiday Craft Festival — Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Estero
• Longboat Key Festival of the Arts — Jan. 2-3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Longboat Key
• 30th Anniversary Downtown Dunedin Art Festival with Craft Marketplace — Jan. 9-10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Dunedin
• 30th Anniversary Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival — Jan. 16-17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Punta Gorda
• 3rd Annual Coconut Point Art & Craft Festival — Jan. 23-24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Estero
• 19th Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival — Jan. 30-31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Venice
• 24th Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival — Jan. 30-31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Sarasota
• 39th Annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts — Feb. 13-14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Sarasota
• 21st Annual Coconut Point Art Festival — Feb. 20-21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Estero
• 6th Annual Longboat Key Festival of the Arts — Feb. 20-21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Longboat Key
• Celebration Craft Festival at Celebration Town Center — Feb. 27-28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Celebration
• 26th Annual Downtown Venice Art Classic — March 6-7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Venice
• 11th Annual Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival — March 13-14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Punta Gorda
• 5th Annual Downtown Sarasota Fine Art & Craft Festival — March 20-21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Sarasota
• 52nd Annual Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival on the Bayou — March 20-21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Tarpon Springs
• 34th Annual Downtown Dunedin Craft Festival — April 17-18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Dunedin