Organizers of the Ann Arbor Art Fair today announced the full lineup for its 2025 event, returning July 17–19 across 30 city blocks of downtown Ann Arbor. As one of the largest juried art fairs in the country, the event is expected to welcome more than 400,000 visitors and will feature nearly 1,000 juried artists from across the United States, along with new collaborative art-making spaces, a sensory-friendly zone and a robust schedule of live music and performances.

This year’s fair offers more ways than ever for visitors to create, connect and be inspired, including through interactive installations, hands-on demos and spontaneous street level performances woven throughout the streets of downtown Ann Arbor.

“The Ann Arbor Art Fair has always been about more than just viewing art – it’s about experiencing it,” said Karen Delhey, executive director of the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. “This year, we’re inviting visitors to get even closer to the creative process, whether that’s watching a master at work or being a part of the creative process themselves.”

The artists

Widely regarded as one of the country’s premier art fairs, the Ann Arbor Art Fair showcases a dynamic mix of artists across mediums and geographies. Highlights include Dwo Wen Chen of Providence, Rhode Island, known for delicate floral ceramic pieces; intricate wood artists Tina Hospers and Jon Koster of Middlebury, Indiana; and painter Wendy Michelle Davis of Waco, Texas, whose vibrant canvases celebrate the natural world.

Live art demonstrations and activities

Interactive highlights include the Art Demo Zone on Ingalls Mall, featuring live ceramic demonstrations from The Ann Arbor Potters Guild and glassblowing by the Toledo Museum of Art.

New this year, a Mini Sensory Zone presented by We Rock the Spectrum offers a quiet, inclusive space with tactile stations and noise-reducing headphones open to guests of all ages and abilities.

Throughout the fair on Thursday, fairgoers can experience MicroMoments of Magic, a participatory project that began in Ann Arbor’s Graffiti Alley, encouraging simple acts of connection like smiles and greetings, reminding us that even small interactions can transform public space.

Returning this year is the Art Activity Zone on Ingalls Mall, offering free, hands-on artmaking for all ages with projects by the Detroit Institute of Arts, Clay Work Studio, the U of M Museum of Natural History and The Be Creative Studio. The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design student exhibition is located on the UM Diag/State Street and the Michigan Silversmith Guild will be at South University.

Also returning is nationally renowned local artist David Zinn with his beloved 3D sidewalk chalk creatures in Chalk the Walk, supported by WJR-760 AM found in two locations and each day of the fair. Fairgoers are encouraged to grab some chalk and join in the creative process alongside Zinn. Plus, Mark Lincoln Braun - better known as Mr.B, the Boogie- Woogie Piano Man - is back for his 46th year at the Piano Lounge on North University Avenue.

Collaborative art projects

New in 2025 are large-scale community art opportunities that invite fairgoers to create alongside local artists and arts organizations:

Doodle’s academy’s interwoven

Visitors will help weave a massive installation titled, Interwoven: A Community Tapestry.

Street chalk mural with creative Washtenaw

A bold design along William Street provides a framework for the public to fill in with color throughout the fair.

T’onna Clemons Kite Project

Visitors can paint individual kites that will be assembled into a collective aerial display under the direction of local youth-arts advocate T’onna Clemons.

“In their own way, everyone is an artist. Everyone has creativity to express,” said Angela Kline, executive director of the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original. “That’s why we’re passionate about creating opportunities for visitors to experience art hands-on while also discovering the extraordinary work of our juried artists.”

Spotlighting emerging talent and inspiring young creators

The fair continues its commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent through several programs supporting emerging and youth artists. The Summer Art Fair’s Emerging Artists Program, the Street Art Fair, The Original’s NANA (New Art, New Artists) College Student Program and the State Street District’s Emerging Artist Program - all Presented by Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design.

The Youth Art Fair on Ingalls Mall has doubled in size this year and will be open all day every day, providing mentorship and first-time exhibiting opportunities for early-career Michigan creatives grades 4-12.

New this year is the Summer Art Fair’s Kids Collectors Club, an initiative introducing young visitors (under age 17) to the art of collecting. Located at Church and South University, participants will learn about the artistic process through artist statements and docents that will guide them through the experience, with donated pieces from artists in the fair, all priced at $10.

In partnership with Creative Expressions, the State Street District will also present work from a professional artist with disabilities, Kenneth Rosenthal – expanding access and visibility for underrepresented creators.

The music

Two live entertainment stages will fill the streets with the sounds of musical talent throughout the three-day fair:

Stage on main: summer sounds supported by WEMU 89.1, featuring The Ark

Supported by WEMU 89.1, the Stage on Main brings The Ark’s signature concert programming to the fair with performances throughout the day. Friday afternoon will feature a curated set of genre-spanning acts presented by The Amplify Project.

The Ark performance schedule

  • Thursday, July 17. 6 p.m. – DuPont Phillips. 7:30 p.m. – Nathan Graham.

  • Friday, July 18. 6 p.m. – Rabbitology. 7:30 p.m. – Joe & The Ruckus.

  • Saturday, July 19. 6 p.m. – Brain Plasticity Ukulele Collective and Blueshouse.

Additional entertainment schedule

  • Thursday, July 17. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Neutral Zone. 3 to 5 p.m. – Street Fiction 2.0.

  • Friday, July 18. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Amplify Stage Takeover.

  • Saturday, July 19. 1 to 2 p.m. – Out Loud Chorus. 3 to 5 p.m. – Saline Fiddlers.

The Fountain stage supported by 107.1

With DJ Scott Vertical emceeing daily, the Fountain Stage will spotlight local performers in daily showcases and host “Johnny’s Speakeasy Benefit Stage Takeover” to rebuild the historic Ann Arbor Music Venue after a catastrophic fire.

Thursday, July 17:

  • 11 a.m. – Mark Jewett
  • 12 p.m. – Andrés Soto
  • 1 p.m. – Annie Bacon
  • 2 p.m. – Lily Bowen
  • 3 p.m. – Timothy Monger
  • 4 p.m. – Joe Groves Instrumental Resonance
  • 5 p.m. – Root Cause Analysis.

Johnny’s Speakeasy Stage Takeover Artists

  • 6 p.m. – Rochelle Clark
  • 7 p.m. – The Sidemen
  • 8 p.m. – Delta88.

Friday, July 18

  • 11 a.m. – Noelle Prouty
  • 12 p.m. – Detroit Opera
  • 1 p.m. – Emily Slomovits
  • 2 p.m. – Anne Erlewine
  • 3 p.m. – Jo Serrapere
  • 4 p.m. – Shannon Linsea
  • 5 p.m. – Lynne Frederickson Jazz Trio.

Johnny’s Speakeasy Stage Takeover Artists

  • 6 p.m. – Badass Women Quartet
  • 7 p.m. – Hoodang
  • 8 p.m. – Misty Lyn & The Big Beautiful.

Saturday, July 19

  • 11 a.m. – Laura Frawley
  • 12 p.m. – Michael Smith
  • 1 p.m. – Eric Moore
  • 2 p.m. – Scotty Leeman
  • 3 p.m. – Laura Blackford
  • 4 p.m. – Ashley Pyle.

Johnny’s Speakeasy Stage Takeover Artists

  • 5 p.m. – Maddy Ringo
  • 6 p.m. – Billy King & Friends.

Tasty eats

Visitors can enjoy a wide array of dining options from local downtown restaurants and pop- up food vendors, who will be offering something for every appetite and a respite from the sun. Quick bites from the Grab & Go food program are also a convenient option for crave- worthy meals on the move from local restaurants and marketplace vendors.

For the first time at the fair, all participating Zingerman’s businesses will be under one tent in the Original Culinary Arts Gallery on Ingalls Malls with Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Miss Kim, Zingerman’s Creamery, Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Zingerman’s Coffee Company and Zingerman’s Candy Company.

Shop local

While exploring the fair, visitors are encouraged to shop local. Many Ann Arbor businesses extend their storefronts into the streets with exclusive deals on handmade goods and boutique finds.

“The fair isn’t just about art. It’s also one of the best times of the year to shop downtown Ann Arbor,” said Frances Todoro-Hargreaves. “The vibrant small business community welcomes us every year to line their streets. As you support artists, we also hope you’ll support the local restaurants and businesses who generously help make the fair possible.” Todoro-Hargreaves is filling in as Interim Director of the State Street District Art Fair this year. Her current employer, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation has graciously agreed to cover part of her time as a “Leader on Loan” with the fair.

The Marketplace area continues the tradition of Bargain Days with more than 60 vendors, including local Ann Arbor businesses, offering a diverse range of affordable handcrafted goods, custom jewelry, gourmet treats, handmade bath and beauty products and more.