Red River Arts Fest 2026
Join us for fun times at Red River Arts Fest 2026!
- Shop at our outdoor Art Market & Farmers Market
- Enjoy food & drinks from Food Trucks
- New this year: Plein Air Art Contest – all are welcome to participate – or watch the painters in action
- Plein Air Auction – join us inside the art center on Saturday evening for a live auction of the plein air paintings
- New this year: Mahjong open play! (beginners welcome)
- Be sure to also enjoy all of the Heritage Days Festivities on the square too – vendors, food trucks, beer & wine garden, car show, live music, courthouse tours and more!
Event Schedule
Friday, May 1 – at Neighbors Place Winery, 205 W. Third, Bonham
- 5-6 pm: Check in for Plein Air Nocturnal Painting
- 6-9 pm: Plein Air Nocturnal Painting at Neighbors Place Winery
Saturday, May 2 – at Creative Arts Center, 200 W Fifth, Bonham
- 7:30 – 9:00 am: Check in for Saturday Plein Air & turn in Nocturnal Paintings
- 7:30 – 9:00 am: Vendor & Farmers Market Set up
- 9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Vendor and Farmers Markets Open
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Turn in Plein Air Artwork
- 3:00 – 5:00 pm: Artwork judging
- 5:00 pm: Opening Reception Starts
- 5:30 pm: Awards Ceremony & Live Auction
Plein Air Contest
May 1 & 2, 2026
Friday evening Nocturnal Painting will be at Neighbors Place Winery. The community is invited to come and watch the painters paint from 5-9 pm.
Saturday painting will be at various locations around Bonham from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. The community is welcome to watch the painters paint.
Saturday evening we will have an opening reception, awards ceremony and live art auction at the Creative Arts Center. Doors will open at 5:00 pm. Awards and Auction will start at 5:30 pm. All are invited to attend.
Click the button below to learn more and to register as a participant in the art contest.
Art & Farmers Markets
Saturday, May 2
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Creative Arts Center
200 W 5th in Bonham
Outdoor Art Market & Food Trucks on Fifth Street
Outdoor Farmers Market in the Parking Lot
Vendor & Food Truck Information
- Set up: 7:30 – 9:00 am
- Event: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Booth Size: 10 foot by 10 foot (Vendors can reserve more than one booth is additional space is needed.)
- Cost:
• Art Vendors: $25 Members and $30 Non-Members
• Food Trucks: $100 - Registration Deadline: noon on April 24
- Bring your own tent, tables and chairs. Vendors will be assigned a space outside, in front of the center.
- No electricity, change or wifi will be provided
- Vendors will process own sales
- Art vendors encouraged to be doing demonstrations of their artwork at their booths
- We are especially seeking vendors who sell original artwork, handcrafted items and/or homemade goodies. The Center reserves the right to refuse a vendor. For questions of what types of vendor is allowed, contact the Center Director, Sandy Barber at (903) 640-2196.
- Promotion:
- The Center will promote the event through press releases, emails, social media, our website, etc.
- Vendors are strongly encouraged to also promote the event through their own social media, etc. Vendors are strongly encouraged to like, comments, share and tag the Creative Arts Center in posts on Facebook and/or Instagram and the Center will do the same for the vendor pages.
- Our Facebook page is “Creative Arts Center” and Instagram is @CreativeArtsCenterBonham.
- Please let us know if we can include you as a co-host of our event on Facebook.
- Vendor Agreement: Vendors must agree that they have read the rules & regulations of the event and agree to abide by the established rules. They shall take full responsibility for their self, any people with them and their product(s). The vendor hereby releases the Fannin Community Foundation, the Creative Arts Center and any workers or volunteers associated with this event from any and all liabilities arising from any occurrences, claims, losses, theft or damages resulting from participation in this event. They hereby give my permission for photographs of myself and my guests to be published in Creative Arts Center or Fannin Community Foundation Inc. advertisements and publicity.
- Permits/Licenses: All vendors are responsible for obtaining the Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit, proper food & beverage licenses, and complying with state and local health regulations. Make certain that copies of permits/licenses required as part of your operation are with you, including, but not limited to heath permits, electrical permits, business licenses, Sales and Use Tax Permit etc. for more information on the Sales and Use Permit, contact https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/
