A brief rainstorm in the morning gave way to sunny skies and warm temperatures as the 50th Annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts got under way for its first full day on Thursday.
By early afternoon, downtown State College and the Penn State campus were teeming with festival-goers eager to enjoy the art, food and entertainment, kicking off the biggest summer weekend in State College and the Centre Region.
The festival annual welcomes more than 125,000 visitors.
Check out some photos of the early fun below, and some of our earlier coverage of the 2016 Arts Festival. For complete info on everything happening at the 50th festival, check out our Arts Fest Guide
Earlier Coverage
Beyond the Festival: Diverse Arts Scene Has Grown
Street Painting a Shared Experience at Arts Festival
Arts Festival App Connects Visitors and Artists
Parking Changes in Effect for Arts Festival
AstroFest Features Four Nights of Stargazing
Lift for Life Returns Arts Fest Weekend
Special Collections Exhibit Honors Arts Festival History
More Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
View all Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
Attendance Grows for 2026 Arts Fest, People’s Choice
Festival week in Centre County brought another boost to the local tourism industry with increased visitations for two major events. Marking its 60th year, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the […]
Arts Festival Announces Awards for 2026 Banner Competition
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts announced the recipients of $675 in awards for the 2026 Arts Festival Banner Competition and Exhibition. A festival tradition, the banner competition showcases […]
‘A Labor of Love.’ Arts Fest Celebrates 60 Years of Creativity and Community
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts celebrated its 60th anniversary with new attractions, returning traditions and hundreds of artists filling downtown State College and Penn State’s campus, continuing a […]
