Finster Fest returns to Howard Finster's Paradise Garden in Summerville, Georgia, September 19–20, bringing together more than 70 folk, contemporary and craft artists, 17 live music performances, artist demonstrations, talks and special exhibitions. The two-day festival celebrates the life and creative legacy of visionary artist Howard Finster while inviting visitors to experience one of Georgia's most extraordinary artist-built environments.
Finster Fest Returns to Howard Finster's Paradise Garden September 19-20
The two-day festival brings 70+ artists, live music, exhibitions and special programs to one of Georgia's most extraordinary art environments.
SUMMERVILLE, Ga., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Finster Fest returns to Howard Finster's Paradise Garden September 19-20, 2026, bringing more than 70 folk, contemporary and crafts artists, 17 live music performances, artist demonstrations, movement performances, talks, special exhibitions and family activities to the 4-acre art environment in Summerville, Georgia.
Paradise Garden Foundation's signature annual festival celebrates the life and creative legacy of visionary artist Howard Finster while bringing together artists, musicians and visitors from across the Southeast and beyond. Finster Fest began in 1991 and has grown into one of northwest Georgia's most distinctive cultural events, drawing thousands of visitors to experience art and music throughout the unique site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This year's invited artist roster includes longtime Finster Fest favorites and artists returning to the festival after several years, as well as first time participants. Among the participating artists are Black Cat Tips, Eric Legge & Michele Humphrey, Jim Kopp, Jim Shores, Bob McGill, Charlie Dingler, Kimberly Crowder, Lala Abaddon, Abe Partridge, Feliciano & Lala Abaurre, Ricky Boscarino, Mavis Stevens, Tex Crawford, Kip Ramey, Randy Tobias, and many more.
Music is woven throughout Paradise Garden during the weekend, with 17 performances taking place in four unique settings: the Meditation Chapel, Mosaic Garden, World's Folk Art Church and Big Top stage. The 2026 lineup spans singer-songwriters, Americana, bluegrass, gospel, Cajun, alt-country, rock, ambient music and more.
Saturday performances include the Goodwins, Will Stewart, Oh Me Oh My, Rolling Nowhere, Jim White, Mark Ross & the Contraptions and Ben Hackett. Sunday's lineup features Abe Partridge, Tyler Key, Jean Bertrand & Amy Scher, Seventeen Wheeler, Julia Barfield, T. Hardy Morris, Jeneal Johnson & Jackie Hammond, Marlin Brackett and Brownlow & Sims.
On Sunday, Atlanta-based Beacon Dance will bring movement into the Mosaic Garden, joining Seventeen Wheeler for a performance that blends live music and contemporary dance within Finster's colorful artist-built environment.
Finster Fest also gives visitors opportunities to meet artists and learn more about their creative processes. New York-Texas artist Lala Abaddon will demonstrate her distinctive process of weaving photographs at her festival booth beneath the rear awning of the World's Folk Art Church.
Black Cat Tips will give a gallery talk about his exhibition, Birds of a Feather: Black Cat Tips in Paradise Garden. The exhibition, on view during Finster Fest, brings the Atlanta artist's exuberant imagery and storytelling into conversation with the creative environment of Paradise Garden.
Other talks include Pepper Raper of Rock City discussing the history of See Rock City barns and the connection between Rock City and Paradise Garden as old-time Southern roadside attractions. And folk artist Mavis Stevens will talk and perform stories from her children's book, Last Chance Trailer Park.
Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary
Finster Fest 2026 will also celebrate America's 250th anniversary with Finster's America, a special exhibition exploring Howard Finster's distinctive vision of American history, culture and patriotism. The exhibition will be on view in Paradise Garden's Art & Learning Center and is included with festival admission.
Visitors of all ages can also participate in a special America 250 scavenger hunt, searching throughout Paradise Garden for patriotic imagery and motifs incorporated into Finster's art and environment.
The America 250 programming is supported in part through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts awarded to Paradise Garden Foundation in support of Finster Fest.
So much to see in Paradise Garden
"Finster Fest is more than a festival; it's a joyful celebration of art, music and community," said Davia Weatherill, Executive Director of Paradise Garden Foundation. "There is something remarkable about seeing artists creating and sharing their work, hearing live music coming from different corners of the Garden, and watching visitors discover Howard's world. This year, with our America 250 programming, exhibitions and performances throughout the site, there will be even more to experience."
Festival admission also gives visitors the opportunity to explore Howard Finster's Paradise Garden, including the recently rehabilitated World's Folk Art Church after being closed for 25 years, along with the site's mosaics, sculptures, vernacular architecture, gardens and thousands of objects assembled and created by Finster over decades.
Food vendors will offer festival favorites and regional fare such as pimento and tomato sandwiches, BBQ and homemade pound cake. A free children's art workshop will be offered both days.
Finster Fest 2026
September 19–20, 2026
10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days
Howard Finster's Paradise Garden
200 N. Lewis Street
Summerville, Georgia 30747
General admission is $10, with advance tickets available online. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available in advance and include access to an air-conditioned hospitality area and shaded patio with complimentary food and beverages, private restrooms, "Finster Bucks" to spend with festival artists, and preferred parking.
Free festival parking and shuttle service (a 3-minute ride) will be available from Walmart on U.S. 27 near Paradise Garden.
Limited onsite parking is available for festival goers with mobility challenges.
For tickets, the complete artist and music lineup, and additional festival information, visit ParadiseGardenFoundation.org.
About Paradise Garden
Paradise Garden is the life's work of visionary artist Howard Finster (1916–2001), who transformed his home just north of downtown Summerville, Georgia, into one of the world's most celebrated artist-built environments. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 4-acre site welcomes visitors from around the world to experience Howard's art, mosaics, collections, architecture, and enduring messages. Today, Paradise Garden serves as a singular cultural destination, preserving Howard Finster's extraordinary legacy while inspiring new generations through art, preservation, exhibits, education, and community engagement.
Media Contact
Davia Weatherill, Executive Director
Paradise Garden Foundation
404-791-4313
Media Contact
Davia Weatherill, Paradise Garden Foundation, 1 404-791-4313, [email protected], www.paradisegardenfoundation.org
SOURCE Paradise Garden Foundation
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