MARBLEHEAD — For six decades, the Marblehead Festival of Arts has transformed the town’s historic streets and public spaces into a sprawling celebration of creativity. This year marks 60 years of celebrating the town’s artisans.
The volunteer-run festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary with festivities concluding on July 5, combining this milestone with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Beginning this Sunday, June 28, the annual Champagne Reception will be held at Fort Sewall. The event will feature catered food from local vendors, live music by Rule of 3 Experience, and endless champagne.
Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at the festival’s website.
On Wednesday, July 1, the festival’s official kickoff will take place in Abbot Hall with the 2026 Award Ceremony, recognizing the festival’s winners.
Also on Wednesday, the Warwick Theater will host the annual film festival showcasing “the brightest creators in the independent film community who submit their short work for competition. Entries are open for all types of films — Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Narrative, Music Video, and more! Films are judged by a panel of industry veterans and experts who will select exceptional short films that exemplify mastery of craft, unique techniques, evocative narrative, editing, sound design, and more,” according to the festival’s website.
Throughout the festival, Crocker Park will play host to 16 performers between July 1 and July 4. The concert series kicks off with Mason Daring, Jeanie Stahl & Friends for folk music on July 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The festival will also host several art exhibits featuring various media from July 2 to July 5 at Abbot Hall, the Old Town House, Old North Church, St. Michael’s Church, the Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Marblehead Arts Association, according to the festival’s website.
Throughout the festivities, the literary festival will host 14 events, including guest speakers such as author Steven M. Rubin and a walking tour of Marblehead led by Tom Connolly, professor emeritus of humanities and social sciences and senior fellow laureate of the Center for Futuristic Studies at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University. Conolly’s tour will explore “the many fiendish and foul deeds — both fictional and factual — that haunt Marblehead’s streets and shores,” according to the festival’s website.
More information and a full list of events and activities can be found on the festival’s website.
