The City of Ontario’s Museum, Arts & Culture Department and the Chaffey Community Museum of Art present the return of the free Ontario Arts Festival on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 AM – 5 PM in the Downtown Ontario Arts District. Now in its eighth year, the festival continues to grow and exemplify the City’s commitment to making Ontario the premier destination for arts and culture in the Inland Empire.
This year the festival will feature over sixty artist booths, offering a wide variety of visual arts for sale such as painting, ceramics, woodworking, glass, jewelry, photography, and much more. Other attractions for festival visitors include free entry to two museums, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and live art demonstrations such as live clay wheeling throwing and clay relief carving known as “Sgraffito.” Visitors can participate in hands on activities such as machine sewing with the Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild, Ebru paper marbling, and floral arranging as well as activity booths hosted by local arts organizations. This year, we welcome featured artist Luz de Mano for live wood carving demonstrations and a temporary art exhibition featuring a collection of carved wood frames.
“The festival has become a beloved event for the community to explore hands-on arts and crafts during fall in Downtown Ontario. We’re excited to be hosting many first-time participating artist exhibitors,” said Event Coordinator, Rebecca Ustrell.
Festival goers will enjoy live Latin jazz music by Homero Chavez y Una Noche. There will also be food and beverage for sale from local eateries The Chan Smokers, Hula Tang Shaved Ice, and Marigold Coffee, as well as a beer and wine garden available for purchase by the Ontario Convention Center. Visitors are also invited to join in to watch an awards ceremony celebration where one exhibiting artist will be awarded the artist of distinction award for setting the highest standard of artistry and booth design.
“A well-kept secret is that Ontario has been a center for the arts since the 1940s. The Ontario Arts Festival brings art and art activities out of Ontario’s two museums and into the public square where it can be enjoyed by festival visitors of all ages,” said Nancy DeDiemar, Chaffey Community Museum of Art Community Liaison.
Visitors will also be able to view several exhibitions that are open and free to the public. The Ontario Museum of History & Art and the Chaffey Community Museum of Art will have various exhibitions on display, including Día de los Muertos, and The Art of Flight.
The Ontario Arts Festival takes place from 10 AM – 5 PM at 217 S. Euclid Ave., Ontario CA 91761 and is free for all ages. To learn more visit: www.ontariomuseum.org/arts-and-culture/ontario-arts-festival.
