ELMIRA STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL
June 26-27, 2026
This two-day celebration of ART came to life in 2008. With the positive transformation of downtown Elmira, the goal of the organization was to have our local residents and visitors rediscover our city and bring awareness to our locally owned restaurants, stores, and other businesses. Within this event, local and regional artists use the pavement as canvas to transform downtown Elmira streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN IS IT? The Elmira Street Painting Festival is the end of June in downtown Elmira, New York. The festival starts at 10 AM on both days.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS? The artists cover their artwork so their creations don't get wet, but the event goes on.
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HOW DO THEY CHOOSE THE WINNER? While we feel that the festival is an opportunity for our artists to show the community their fabulous skill, we do offer awards--the judges are community members--no committee member is part of the judging committee. However, we feel that everyone is a winner!
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HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THE ARTISTS TO FINISH? As long as it takes, but when the festival is over the streets reopen Sunday night at 7 PM.
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HOW LONG DO THE PAINTINGS LAST? Until traffic and the weather wear them away.
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WHY DO THE ARTISTS DO THIS WHEN THEY KNOW THEIR WORK WON'T LAST? For the joy and pleasure of sharing their creative process, and to be part of this artful weekend in downtown Elmira!
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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? The festival is free for all visitors and artists.
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WHAT ARE THE CHALKED LOGOS WITH BUSINESS OR PEOPLE'S NAMES OVER SOME OF THE STREET PAINTINGS? Those are our sponsor's names. The street painting festival is supported by individual, small business and corporate sponsorships, grants and in partnership with the City of Elmira. Sponsors are recognized with their names by street paintings and by other benefits associated with their level of sponsorship. Elmira Downtown Development, the host of the festival, is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, all proceeds raised produce the street painting festival event and benefit the Elmira Street Painting Festival awards and youth scholarships.
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HOW DO I BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE FESTIVAL? Sponsorship starts at the $150 level and available on here.
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IS THERE A PUBLIC SAFETY/FIRST AID STATION AND A LOST & FOUND? Public safety is a priority--we have a direct line to the Elmira Police Department and Elmira Fire Department.
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HOW DO I GET A FESTIVAL T-SHIRT? T-shirt purchase options are at the Artist Haven tent.
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HOW DO I BECOME A VENDOR? The Elmira Street Painting Festival does allow for outside street vendors, such as crafts, trinkets or other miscellaneous retail vendors, street entertainers, etc. However, the festival was designed and originated in the downtown to showcase the many restaurants and other amenities that our great city has to offer so we limit the number of food vendors. The festival does allow for craft vendors and other community organizations to have a booth at the designated area. Please review vendor application.
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VENDOR PLACEMENT: Since the artists are working on the street all day, the festival strongly discourages and disallows for entertainers, vendors, musicians, etc. in front of storefronts or on the street due to the large crowds and their obstruction of pedestrian right of ways, as well as music and activities that can be distracting and disruptive for the working street painters.
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HOW CAN MY BAND PLAY AT THE FESTIVAL? The festival has one main stage located on West Water Street. Musicians start to contact our office in January and the slate is normally filled by March. If you are interested and have a decent following (remember, our goal is to bring people into our downtown district), you should contact us as soon as possible.