Local Artists & Galleries Shine at The Garden State Art Weekend Will Take Place April 17 – 19

From Sussex County to Cape May, the third annual Garden State Art Weekend (GSAW) returns April 17-19, 2026. This year’s festival is the most expansive yet, featuring 103 venues across 18 of New Jersey’s 21 counties, including 31 new venues and 4 new counties in South Jersey.

For three days, New Jersey transforms into a massive, choose-your-own art adventure. A digital guide and map lets visitors filter by county, venue type, and region to discover world-class museums, contemporary galleries, working artist studios, community art spaces, and more.

“New Jersey is a big, diverse state, and its art scene reflects that,” says Alison Pirie, Co-Director of Garden State Art Weekend. “This weekend is a statewide invitation to stop looking across the river and start exploring the incredible art and institutions right here in our own backyard.”

2026 Festival Highlights
– Kickoff Event: Thursday, April 16, 6–8 PM at Lackawanna Station in Montclair. Meet participating venues and get insider tips on navigating Garden State Art Weekend.
– Festival Headquarters: Manufacturers Village Artists in East Orange opens 60+ professional artist studios to the public on Saturday and Sunday, 12–5 PM.
– South Jersey Expansion: New venues this year in Camden, Cumberland, Burlington, and Cape May counties bring the festival to new communities.

Check out the full guide for details about all 103 participating venues.

From the sprawling galleries of major museums to the grit and glamour of urban studio spaces, Garden State Art Weekend is a testament to the fact that New Jersey is anything but boring.

For more information and to keep an eye out for the 2026 festival map, visit gardenstateartweekend.org.