Arts in the Heart- September 19-21, 2025

arts in the heart of augusta festival 2025

Get ready for a totally rocking Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival on September 19 – 21st in downtown Augusta, by the Savannah River! Festival is Open Friday 5pm – 9pm, Saturday 11am – 9pm, Sunday 11am – 6pm.

 

Featuring the double-platinum, grammy-winning band Soul Asylum, award-winning actor and performer Leon and the Peoples, Pop / R&B star Niki Haris (who toured with Madonna) and viral sensation Comedian Kerwin Claiborne!

 

These are just a few of the amazing performers to hit our stages. Growing bigger every year, the festival has 150 juried Fine Arts and Crafts artists and five stages of entertainment with everything from hip hop to jazz to rock. The Global Stage also features a diverse selection of cultural music and dance. A festival favorite, the global food village, will tempt lovers of international food with 19 authentic food booths.

 

A large interactive Family Area is packed with children’s activities, street performers, public art, and our Young Artists Market. Artzilla and Nubag Artist Collectives return with local artists painting live all weekend. The Literary Lounge will feature Georgia authors and book signings.

 

Pets and coolers are not allowed in the Festival. Lawn chairs are welcomed. Arts in the Heart of Augusta is a rain or shine event.

 

Ticket Prices (Not including online handling fees)

  • Advance Admission Badge – $15 until 11:59 PM on 9/18
  • Children 10 years old and under – FREE
  • Admission Badge – $20 from 12:00 AM on 9/19
  • VIP Admission – $80
  • VIP Admission for Two – $150
    (VIP includes admission to the VIP Tent, beverages, snacks and admission to VIP Party on Saturday evening.)

 

This FESTIVAL is produced each year by the Greater Augusta Arts Council. Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival is a rain or shine event. Updates regarding inclement weather will be posted to our home page and social media. Registered service animals only, no coolers.

 

**Entrance to the Festival grants the festival and the greater Augusta Arts Council permission to use photos and videos of festival patrons in promotions, reproductions and presentations representing the festival.

ATTENTION VENDORS! SCAM ALERT!

A number of people have received and paid for fraudulent vendor access to Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. 
 
Please be mindful of scammers online trying to prey on your excitement about our festival.
 
The Greater Augusta Arts Council organizes the festival and would NEVER reach out to you personally from a random email not associated with our organization and ask you to pay for a vendor spot.
 
The Festival has official forms on our website for almost every available opportunity. For all else, you can always call our office at 706-826-4702 or email info@augustaarts.com.
 
If you have gotten a suspicious email, please forward them to info@augustaarts.com and we will investigate.
 
The Greater Augusta Arts Council Team

2024 FESTIVAL FEATURED

  • Over 150 Fine Arts & Fine Crafts Booths
  • Five Stages Of Non-stop Performances including Cultural Performances, Spoken Word, Pop, Rock, Alt, R&B, Jazz, Theater, Dance and more!
  • Featuring 90’s alt rock band Fastball on the Global Stage
  • Featuring Jazz Sensation
     Georgia Muldrow on the Jazz Stage
  • Featuring acclaimed Atlanta puppeteer Lee ‘That Puppet Guy’ Bryan on the Family Stage
  • Young Artists Market
  • Large Interactive Family Area
  • Georgia Authors Area With Book Signings
  • Artzilla: Live Painting By Local Artists
  • Street Performers
  • Global Food Village With Authentic Cuisine From  20 Countries
  • Specialty Beer Garden
  • $20 Badges Good For Entire Weekend 
  • Children 10 & under are admitted FREE
  • In Downtown Augusta on Broad Street & The Augusta Common

Our five stages of non-stop entertainment include everything from hip hop to jazz to rock. This year we’re very excited to be featuring Augusta as a Music City. Thanks to a special grant from Destination Augusta, we will be featuring Fastball  on the Global Stage and Georgia Muldrow on the Jazz Stage.  Music has grown to be a dynamic part of Arts in the Heart and that will be especially true this year.

 

The global food village is famous for its authentic taste of global cuisine and will tempt food lovers with 20 authentic cuisine booths.  All the favorites are returning, as well as Pacific Islanders and Jamaica.

 

The large Family Area is packed with interactive children’s activities, street performers, public art, and a Young Artists Market. Artzilla returns with local artists painting live all weekend. The Authors Lounge also returns and will feature Georgia authors and book signings. Limited edition 2024 Festival Merchandise will also be available, including the collectible Festival Teddy Bears. Last year we sold out of everything quickly.

Advanced Festival badges are available online now, and will be available at select locations in Augusta and Aiken in August. Check the Festival social media for updates. Pets and coolers are not allowed in the Festival. Lawn chairs are welcomed. Arts in the Heart of Augusta is a rain or shine event.

 

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival was named the Best Festival by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2020 and “Best for 2023” Festival (ranked 52nd best in the entire country!) by Sunshine Artist. We were also awarded Best Festival in 2023 by the readers of Augusta Magazine and Columbia County Magazine.

festival stories

Want to join in on the fun in the Family Area in the 2025 Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival? Now is your chance! Submit to participate in the Young Artists Market, apply for the Family Area Activity booths, Family Stage and Street Performers!......

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival is pleased to announce the following Artists Awards and Global Food Village Awards. Fine Artists Market Winners 1st Place Monica Iverson Booth#9109 2nd Place Kathleen Lyles Booth#752 3rd Place Josh Mabus Booth#818 Honorable Mentions J. Ruel Martin Booth#738-740......

Wow! These Yarn Artists really outdid themselves this year! Thank you to artists Kaye Ferguson, Lydia Mitchell, Davina Drakeley Lever and her team, Paige Michael and her team, The Girl Scouts troupe 20200 and their families / Stephanie Ware and their team, Group Collaborators: Leo......

Due to pesky little technical issues Ed Durant’s Booth isn’t listed on the Fine Artists Market page so we’re shining a light on him right here! Stop by his booth to check out Ed’s wonderful and popular Whirlygig sculptures....

This year’s Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival will shine a spotlight on the power of music and community as Upside Ukuleles, a remarkable group from Augusta Symphony’s Community Chords Music Therapy program, takes the Family Stage. This ensemble, composed of adults with Down......

Join local authors and graphic novelist in the Literary Lounge at Arts in the Heart. The Literary Lounge will be located in the Miller Theater at 708 Broad Street.  Book chats on the art of writing, the writing process and publishing be held with local......

Get ready to show your love for the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival with exclusive merchandise! This year’s collection features vibrant, one-of-a-kind designs celebrating the festival’s rich cultural diversity and artistic spirit. From stylish t-shirts and bottle bags, hats and candles, there’s something......

Wayne Hoey’s musical journey began in the US Army, where he played with the 19th Army Band at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, his home state, before eventually retiring with the 434th Army Band at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia. His time in the military not only shaped his......

Celebrating 10 Years of the Jazz/Blues Stage at the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival The Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival proudly announces the 10th anniversary of its Jazz/Blues Stage, a cornerstone of the festival that has captivated audiences with soulful performances......

2024 SPONSORS