The Woodlands
Waterway Arts Festival
APRIL 10-12, 2026
Named the #4 best fine arts festival in the nation, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival features artwork from nearly 200 juried artists from across the country. Shop for fine art while enjoying live music, local bites, beer and wine, and children's art activities for a fun family experience. Set in Town Green Park and along the scenic banks of The Woodlands Waterway, the festival continues to be one of the most highly anticipated events of its kind. Book your hotel stay in advance to savor an awe-inspiring, stress-free weekend in The Woodlands!
EVENT DETAILS
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
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Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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General Admission: $16.50
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Student / Military / Senior: $14.50
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
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Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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General Admission: $19.50
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Student / Military / Senior: $16.50
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
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Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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General Admission: $19.50
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Student / Military / Senior: $16.50
WEEKEND PASS
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General Admission: $35.50
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Includes access to the festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
VIP EXPERIENCE
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VIP Experience: $200.00
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Includes access to the festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; special access to the Terrace Hospitality Lounge on The Waterway; front-row seats to the Stella Artois Main Stage; complimentary culinary options and private bar; and a commemorative swag bag.
Insider Tip: Prices increase at the gate, so purchase tickets online for the best prices! Students, seniors, and military service members can receive additional discounts with a valid ID. Festival admission is free for children 12 and under!
ARTOPOLY
Hosted by The Woodlands Children's Museum, ARTopoly invites children and their families to create mixed media landscapes, upcycled crafts, graffiti hats, and more! This delightfully interactive project is located on the west side of The Woodlands Waterway, near Gate 1.
*Please Note: Artopoly is closed on Friday.
EARLY INSPIRATION GALLERY
Encourage kids to start their art collections early! Browse and purchase local artwork donated by local CISD students and teachers, available to kids 12 and under for $5.
BOOKS ON THE GREEN
Books on the Green is a celebration of the art of writing! Local bookstore, Village Books, has partnered with Fidelity Investments and The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival to feature a special area that showcases local, regional, and national authors. Stop by for book sales, author readings and signings, and immersive activities. Highlights for 2026 include:
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
- Peeps Literary Diorama Voting
- 250 Years of American Literature
- Speed Dating with Books
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
- 11:00 a.m. | Angela Dominguez, children's book author and illustrator
- 1:00 p.m. | Bartee Haile, author and journalist of Texas history
- 2:30 pm. | Mitchel P. Roth, author and Professor of Criminal Justice at SHSU
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
- 11:30 a.m. | Jen Cole, author and veterinarian
- 1:00 p.m. | J. Elle, YA and middle-grade fantasy author
- 2:00 pm. | Melanie Sweeney, contemporary romance author
Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Arts Council
ART DASH PARTY
Kick off The Waterway Arts Festival with one of the most highly anticipated events of the year! The Art Dash Party welcomes guests for a night of fundraising for the Student Art Scholarship and Educational Outreach programs by The Woodlands Arts Council. During the 60-Second Dash, attendees have the opportunity to run through a maze of art and claim a piece to take home. Availability is limited, so reserve your seat now for this one-of-a-kind experience with tickets for Art Dash Party Admission and the 60-Second Dash.
Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Arts Council
FEATURED ARTIST
The 2026 featured artist is painter Taman Vanscoy, a California native whose work reflects a lifelong fascination with the natural world. Raised amid cityscapes yet inspired by visits to the Midwest, he was instinctively drawn to nature and began envisioning idealized landscapes and color harmonies in his mind. These images, dreamlike scenes, remain the foundation of his creative process today. Through subtle use of color and minimal composition, Vanscoy captures the quiet mystery and beauty of nature.
“My paintings serve as a form of self-expression, communicating a sense of peaceful, contemplative serenity,” said Vanscoy. “While my imagined scenes are quiet and serene, they also carry a hint of mystery and drama. I strive to create texture and contrast while maintaining an overall soft, dreamlike feeling.”
VISIT THE WOODLANDS POP-UP BOOTH
Visit The Woodlands is celebrating The Waterway Arts Festival with a pop-up booth in 2026! The booth will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, located near the main entrance of Town Green Park and Books On The Green. Stop by for maps, visitor guides, and fun complimentary items like sunglasses, fans, mini-trolleys, and more!
ABOUT THE WOODLANDS ARTS COUNCIL
The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival is presented by The Woodlands Arts Council, Inc., a non-profit organization with a Board of Directors, an Advisory Committee, and more than 500 community volunteers. The mission of arts council is to provide regional cultural enrichment opportunities that encourage, support, and promote the visual and performing arts. Proceeds from the festival directly fund the year-round community and education outreach programs of Because Art Matters, produced by The Woodlands Arts Council.
