For more than four decades, the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, managed by the Greater Augusta Arts Council, has transformed Downtown Augusta into a colorful celebration of creativity, culture, and community. What began in 1981 as two separate grassroots festivals, with one focused on expanding access to the arts and the other celebrating the many cultures that shaped Augusta’s history, this event quickly grew into something much bigger. In 1982, those visions merged to create the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, built on the idea that art has the power to bring people from all walks of life together.

From its earliest beginnings in the parking lot of the Augusta Richmond County Municipal Building to its now iconic home spanning several blocks of historic Downtown Augusta, the festival has continued to evolve alongside the city itself. Today, Arts in the Heart welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the world. Festivalgoers can explore the Global Village featuring more than 15 countries represented by local cultural organizations and businesses, shop from over 130 fine arts and crafts vendors from local to national artists, enjoy nonstop music, dance, theatre, and spoken word performances across multiple stages, and discover interactive experiences for all ages in the expansive Family Area.

At the heart of the festival is a celebration of the people who make Augusta vibrant and unique. The festival’s spirit is colorful, expressive, and joyfully diverse. Whether you come for the food, the art, the performances, or the sense of connection, Arts in the Heart of Augusta is more than a festival; it’s a tradition that reflects the creativity, culture, and energy of Augusta’s River Region and its connections beyond.