As an urban community that proudly displays public sculptures and murals, Lake Nona celebrates its art-centric nature in every aspect.
That’s especially true this weekend when the Lake Nona Art Festival returns for its second annual event, showcasing the talent and work of 100 outstanding artists from across Florida and beyond. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday at Lake Nona Town Center and will feature art including pottery, photography, paintings, jewelry and more.
Lake Nona’s primary developer, Tavistock Development Company, approached festival organizers Brian Young and Janet Gamache about hosting the event at Lake Nona after hearing about the reputation of events in places like Orlando and Mount Dora.
“They said, ‘Why don’t we have an art festival at Lake Nona?'” Young said, noting that the company’s owners have a personal interest in collecting art. “We wanted to keep it small so that every artist had a chance to win an award. They put up $30,000 in prizes for artists to compete for. This made it easier to attract artists.”
Prior to last year’s inaugural event, Young and Gamache traveled around the country speaking with talented artists in hopes of attracting participation in the new event.
“We invited some really top-notch people, and they came,” Young said.
This year, Tavistock’s marketing team is also making a more concerted effort to reach big-ticket collectors such as Windermere and Winter Park.
Event sponsor AdventHealth is introducing new purchase benefits for the 2026 event. The Artist of Wholeness Award recognizes artists whose works reflect “healing, hope, and the connection between body, mind, and spirit.”
Lake Nona’s artistic spirit makes it a prime candidate for hosting arts festivals, but the community also has plenty of parking and plenty of dining options at Lake Nona Town Center.
Visitors can view artist tents along Tavistock Lakes Boulevard and stop by the eateries for a bite to eat. The festival also includes a food court near the Wave Hotel, where art lovers can admire the outdoor art in the nearby sculpture garden.
In addition to art, food, and drinks, festival goers can enjoy live entertainment and view sand sculptures at Hakusai Park.
For the second year, Gamache and Young are working with Lake Nona to create a high-end event that serves both artists and collectors.
“When you go to Lake Nona, you feel like you’re in an outdoor art gallery,” Young said.
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If you go
The Lake Nona Art Festival will be held on February 21st from 10am to 6pm and February 22nd from 10am to 4pm at 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd. At Lake Nona. This festival is family and pet friendly. For more information, including parking details, visit lakenonaartfestival.com.
