Gainesville, Florida, the cultural capital of north Florida, invites you to participate in the state's premier fall festival of the arts. The 44th Annual Downtown Festival & Art Show, recognized as one of the top fine art shows in the nation, invites the area’s most talented artists to apply. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art work from artists displaying their original oils and acrylics, unique sculptures, dazzling jewelry, decorative ceramics and more on Saturday, November 15th and Sunday, November 16th, 2025. Artists will compete for $15,000+ in cash prizes.

Application

Simple Steps to Apply at www.Zapplication.org

• Create your free online artist profile
• Prepare and upload your images (see Image Preparation)
• After preparing and uploading your images, you will be ready to apply. 
• Complete the online application and submit before the deadline of midnight (Eastern time) on May 1, 2025

​We no longer accept paper applications, you must apply through Zapplication.

Important Dates

Artist Amenities

Application Deadline – May 1st
Jury Notification Sent – June 6
Booth Fee Due – July 18
Cancellation deadline – September 1
Set Up Details Sent – October 31
Set Up - November 14
Festival - November 15-16​

• $15,000+ cash prizes and collector awards
• High attendance with 40,000+ visitors
• Artists’ Hospitality Room with complimentary coffee, tea, snacks & artist lunches
• Booth sitting 
• Free parking passes
• Discount hotel rates
• Security patrol after hours
• Extensive media promotions leading up to and during the Festival
• Artists retain all sales proceeds
• Friday evening drive-up set-up 

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2025 NEW MAP!

For 2025, we are returning to the map that expands across University Avenue.
**​Update as of April 2025: Non-Competitive section will REMAIN on Bo Diddley Plaza.