Posted on 10/14/2025By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s Festival of the Arts celebrates its 30th annual event in 2025—an Emerald Coast tradition that has grown into one of the Southeast’s most beloved outdoor fine art festivals. Each year, this Destin favorite transforms the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village into a vibrant showcase of creativity, culture, and community. Visitors can browse hundreds of works from award-winning artists, enjoy live music at the Dugas Pavilion stage, and sample local food and wine in a family-friendly setting.
Ocean Reef Resorts is proud to be a long-time supporter of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and this cherished community event. If you’ll be joining us at one of our Destin vacation rentals during the festival weekend, you’re already in the perfect spot—just minutes from all the creativity and excitement at the Cultural Arts Village.
While you’re here, be sure to stop by the Silent Auction, where attendees can bid on an Ocean Reef Vacation Voucher—a chance to turn your love for the arts into another unforgettable beach getaway.
Whether you’re planning to attend for the first time or returning to experience this beloved local tradition again, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the MKAF Festival of the Arts in Destin—including event times, parking, entertainment, and more.
When & Where Is the Festival?
The 2025 Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Festival of the Arts will be held on Saturday, October 25 (9 AM – 5 PM) and Sunday, October 26 (10 AM – 4 PM) at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, located at 4323 Commons Drive West in Destin, Florida—just minutes from the beach and Destin Commons.
Parking: Free parking is available at Destin High School and the adjacent lots. A free shuttle runs from Destin City Hall (4200 Indian Bayou Trail) to the festival grounds from 10 AM–5 PM Saturday and 11 AM–4 PM Sunday.
How Much Does It Cost?
Admission is free to the Festival of the Arts! Guests are encouraged to make a donation at the entrance to help fund MKAF’s year-round arts education programs, which benefit K–12 students, individuals with special needs, and veterans across Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
What’s New for 2025?
This milestone year introduces a few special features:
- A new layout with a shaded Silent Auction area and expanded Culinary Green.
- An exclusive Arty Kickoff Party on Friday, October 24, at 6 PM, featuring live DJ Josh, curated pours from Vinuv, and a live art demonstration by Janae Erickson, designer of MKAF’s 30th-anniversary logo.
- A new MKAF Community Artist Membership for those who want to support local arts and be part of MKAF’s creative network.
Tickets for the Arty Kickoff Party are available here.
Who Is the 2025 Featured Artist?
The 2025 Festival poster features Kathy Schumacher, a Niceville-based artist known for her expressive oil paintings and use of palette knives. Her winning piece, Symphony in Sails, beautifully captures the rhythm of coastal life through vivid color and texture—symbolic of the area’s harmony between art and nature. Attendees can meet Kathy and view her original works during the festival.
What Can I Expect at the Festival?
With more than 100 artists from 15 states and Europe exhibiting across 16 different mediums, there’s something for every art enthusiast. Categories include acrylic, oil, watercolor, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry, wood, fiber, photography, and mixed media.
Visitors can explore the ArtsReach Warrior Arts Tent, the Collaborative Art Tent, and the Raffle Tent, or purchase original pieces directly from the artists. The 2025 festival also includes interactive art stations, a Photo Booth, and the popular Betty Longlegs stilt performer, who’ll be strolling the grounds creating balloon art for kids.
What About the Entertainment?
Live performances will take place throughout the weekend at the Dugas Pavilion, hosted by emcee Jason Hedden. The 2025 lineup features an eclectic mix of local and regional talent:
- Saturday, October 25: Stormfolk, Drew Tillman, StudioSixTwenty5 Ballet, and Coconut Radio
- Sunday, October 26: Michael Fagan, Roman Street Trio, Sinfonia Youth Orchestra, and Kool Breeze
Is There Food & Drink?
Yes—plenty! Cuisine on the Green will feature local and specialty food vendors, including:
- The Banana Tree Destin (Balinese street food)
- Red Neck Riviera Smokers (Texas BBQ)
- The Rican Vegan (Latin vegan cuisine)
- Fuel (Saturday) and Spork (Sunday) for burgers, tacos, and sandwiches
- Sugar & Co. desserts, PJ’s Popcorn, and Mama’s Lemonade
Adults can enjoy craft cocktails, beer, and wine in the Beer & Wine Garden, presented by Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood and the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.
Is the Festival Kid-Friendly?
Absolutely! The Kids Corner & Creation Station offers interactive art activities, face painting by Orabel Art, and creative workshops designed for young artists. Families can also visit the ArtsReach Tent to see artwork by veterans participating in MKAF’s Warrior Arts program.
Can I Win or Buy Artwork?
Yes! Visitors can:
- Purchase art directly from exhibitors.
- Enter the Charity Raffle to win pieces donated by participating artists, including the featured poster Symphony in Sails.
The raffle drawing will take place on Sunday, October 26, at 3 PM. (You don’t need to be present to win.)
Who Are the Judges?
This year’s esteemed judges include:
- Sam Joslin, Public Art & Exhibitions Manager for the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA) in Tallahassee.
- Yvonne Christine, Instructor at the University of West Florida, specializing in creative technologies and multidisciplinary installations.
Where Is Everything Located?
The event map highlights key attractions, including:
- Main Entrance & Souvenir Tent
- Silent Auction (featuring Ocean Reef Resorts)
- Dugas Pavilion (live music)
- Cuisine on the Green & Beer Garden
- Kids Corner & Creation Station
- ArtsReach Warrior Arts & Raffle Tents
Where Can I Stay Nearby?
Ocean Reef Resorts offers an incredible selection of Destin vacation rentals close to the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village—making it easy to enjoy every moment of the Festival of the Arts. Choose from luxury condos or spacious family homes, all just a short drive from the event grounds and perfectly suited for a relaxing, art-filled weekend on the Emerald Coast.
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.
