Finster Fest 2026

“Finster Fest is more than a festival; it’s a joyful celebration of art, music and community,” said Davia Weatherill, Executive Director of Paradise Garden Foundation. “There is something remarkable about seeing artists creating and sharing their work, hearing live music coming from different corners of the Garden, and watching visitors discover Howard’s world. This year, with our America 250 programming, exhibitions and performances throughout the site, there will be even more to experience.”
Festival admission also gives visitors the opportunity to explore Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, including the recently rehabilitated World’s Folk Art Church after being closed for 25 years, along with the site’s mosaics, sculptures, vernacular architecture, gardens and thousands of objects assembled and created by Finster over decades.
Food vendors will offer festival favorites and regional fare such as pimento and tomato sandwiches, BBQ and homemade pound cake. A free children’s art workshop will be offered both days.
Plan Your Visit
Finster Fest 2026
September 19–20, 2026
10 a.m.–5 p.m. both days
Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden
200 N. Lewis Street
Summerville, Georgia 30747
General admission is $10, with advance tickets available online. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available in advance and include access to an air-conditioned hospitality area and shaded patio with complimentary food and beverages, private restrooms, “Finster Bucks” to spend with festival artists, and preferred parking.
Free festival parking and shuttle service (a 3-minute ride) will be available from Walmart on U.S. 27 near Paradise Garden. Limited onsite parking is available for festivalgoers with mobility challenges.
For tickets, the complete artist and music lineup, and additional festival information, visit ParadiseGardenFoundation.org.
About Paradise Garden
Paradise Garden is the life’s work of visionary artist Howard Finster (1916–2001), who transformed his home just north of downtown Summerville, Georgia, into one of the world’s most celebrated artist-built environments. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 4-acre site welcomes visitors from around the world to experience Howard’s art, mosaics, collections, architecture, and enduring messages. Today, Paradise Garden serves as a singular cultural destination, preserving Howard Finster’s extraordinary legacy while inspiring new generations through art, preservation, exhibits, education, and community engagement.