East Lansing Art Festival is this weekend. What you need to know

Sarah Atwood, Lansing State Journal
Updated ·2 min read

EAST LANSING — More than 180 artists are expected to showcase their work at the annual East Lansing Art Festival this weekend.

The free arts festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the city's downtown. Artists’ booths will be set up on M.A.C. Avenue between Grand River and Albert avenues and on Albert Avenue from M.A.C. Avenue to Bailey Street.

The 2024 artists' lineup includes everything from ceramics to metal work to photography and so much more.

Food options

Nine food and drink vendors will be on site the entire festival in the parking lot between Division and Bailey streets.

Visitors will be able to choose from a variety of options, including Mexican food, Peruvian food, and barbecue.

For those looking for dessert, frozen yogurt, ice cream and ice cream sandwiches will be available.

Activities and demonstrations

Chalk artist Don Martinez interacts with a child who likes walking on his handiwork at the East Lansing Art Festival Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Chalk artist Don Martinez interacts with a child who likes walking on his handiwork at the East Lansing Art Festival Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Artists and local organizations will host activities and demonstrations at the Fountain Square Artist Demonstration Area, located next to the downtown Marriott Hotel.

These will continuously run both days of the festival and include opportunities for visitors to make their own crafts or participate in community art.

Live music and performances are also scheduled for both days of the festival, and will take place at the Ann Street Plaza at the corner of Albert and M.A.C. Avenues. An American Sign Language interpreter will be at each show for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Visit the East Lansing Art Festival website for a complete schedule of performances.

Parking

People head toward the food court at the East Lansing Art Festival Saturday, May 20, 2023.
People head toward the food court at the East Lansing Art Festival Saturday, May 20, 2023.

All of East Lansing's parking lots will be available this weekend. The city's website has a live view of how many spaces are available. Lots on MSU will also be available.

A shuttle service will run from the free parking in MSU's Lot 89 − located on Mt. Hope Road − to the festival. Round trip fare is $0.50, with free rides for children under 42 inches.

Accessible parking is located in the Bailey Street lot next to the food court.

MSU Arts and Crafts Show

The MSU Arts and Crafts Show is held the same weekend as the East Lansing Art Festival, just across Grand River Avenue. It will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Hundreds of artists will be participating in this event located on the grounds of the MSU Union. Admission is free.

Weather

The skies are expected to mostly sunny Saturday and Sunday, with a chance of showers and highs in the mid- to high 70s, according to the National Weather Service.

Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@lsj.com, or follow her on X @sarahmatwood.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: East Lansing Art Festival is this weekend. What you need to know