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2026 City of Mural Community Festival Returns to Bay City

August 11–16, 2026

For the fourth year, the City of Mural Community Festival returns to Bay City, bringing together artists, residents, businesses, and visitors to celebrate creativity, collaboration, and community through public art.

What began as a vision to transform blank walls into meaningful works of art has grown into a community movement. Since 2023, the festival has connected local artists, youth, businesses, and volunteers while adding vibrant public art that reflects the stories and spirit of Bay City.

This year, we're excited to announce that two new murals will be created during the festival. The mural locations will be revealed soon, so stay tuned!

Introducing Paint the Park

One of the biggest additions to this year's festival is Paint the Park, a one-day community fundraiser at Wenonah Park dedicated to celebrating the festival's impact while raising support for future public art projects.

Thursday, August 13, 202610:00 AM – 10:00 PMWenonah Park • Bay City, Michigan

Throughout the day, visitors can experience art, music, food, community activities, and opportunities to help shape the future of Bay City's mural movement.

Event Highlights

Visitors can enjoy activities throughout the day, including:

  • Showcase of murals completed throughout Bay City over the past three years

  • Live painting on the Friendship Wall

  • Preview of ten future mural locations and proposed mural concepts

  • Community voting on future mural designs

  • Paint & Sip Fundraiser (21+)

  • The 30 Collection featuring 30 original works by 30 artists

  • Paint the Park Cornhole Tournament

  • Live music and entertainment

  • Local artists, vendors, and the Youth Market

  • Food vendors and food trucks

  • Morning yoga

  • Outdoor sound healing

  • Bay-Arenac ISD collaborative mural project

  • Opportunities to sponsor future murals and support public art

Register for Paint & Sip

Join a fun evening of creativity while supporting future public art in Bay City.

Paint the Park Cornhole Tournament

Gather your team and compete while supporting the City of Mural Community Festival.

Vendor & Food Truck Applications

We're inviting local businesses, artists, makers, nonprofits, and food vendors to be part of Paint the Park.

New for 2026: We've expanded to include Youth Vendor Opportunities! Young entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply to showcase handmade jewelry, artwork, crafts, baked goods, and other products they've created.

Vendor & Food Truck Application:https://forms.gle/p7xJ2ucyZgrtBVuc9

Call for Mural Artists

Help shape Bay City's next chapter of public art.

Artists from Bay City, across Michigan, and beyond are invited to submit original mural concepts for seven future mural locations throughout the city.

Application Deadline: August 6, 2026

After the application period closes, community feedback will be considered as finalist designs are selected. Murals will be installed over the coming years as sponsorship funding becomes available.

Friendship Wall Artist Opportunity

Interested in creating live artwork during the festival?

The Friendship Wall is a separate opportunity from the seven future mural walls. Selected artists will create artwork live during the City of Mural Community Festival, giving visitors the chance to watch the creative process and interact with artists.

Learn more about the Friendship Wall Project:https://www.unitedwego.org/friendship-wall-project

Friendship Wall Artist Application:https://forms.gle/XtM2TybTBQ7jhdqn9

Become a Mural Sponsor

Public art is made possible through community support.

We're seeking businesses, organizations, foundations, and individuals who want to invest in Bay City's future by sponsoring mural projects. Your support helps commission artists, expand youth art opportunities, and create welcoming public spaces that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.

If you're interested in sponsoring a mural or learning about available opportunities, we'd love to connect with you.

Volunteer With Us

Every successful festival is powered by volunteers.

Whether you can help for a few hours or throughout the week, we'd love to have you join our team.

Join the Movement

Whether you're an artist, volunteer, sponsor, vendor, musician, or community member, there's a place for you at the 2026 City of Mural Community Festival.

Together, we're doing more than painting walls—we're creating places that inspire creativity, strengthen community connections, and celebrate the unique stories of Bay City.

We look forward to seeing you August 11–16, 2026, as we continue building the next chapter of Bay City's public art movement.

 
 
 

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