More Music, Food, and Family Fun at the 69th M&T Bank Clothesline
Rochester, NY, August 11, 2026—The M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival returns to the Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester (MAG) on Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30, 2026. Now in its 69th year, Clothesline is one of the longest running art festivals on the East Coast and remains MAG's largest annual celebration of the arts.
More than just an art festival, Clothesline offers a full weekend of entertainment for all ages. Visitors can enjoy live musical performances, savor food and beverages from more than a dozen of Rochester's favorite food trucks, and explore the We The Hobby Free Family Fun Zone featuring hands-on art activities, games, sensory experiences, and a quiet space. Nearly 400 artists and vendors from around the region will also fill the museum grounds with one-of-a-kind artwork and fine craft available for purchase. Click here to view the festival map and full list of participating artists.
Tickets are $5 for the public and free for MAG members. More information about the M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival and tickets can be found at https://mag.rochester.edu/clothesline/.
Live Music Lineup
Clothesline festivalgoers can enjoy live music throughout the weekend with performances from a lineup of regional artists. On Saturday, the stage features Spencer. at 12:45 p.m., followed by Harmonica Lewinski at 2:00 p.m. and youbet at 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, music kicks off with kitchen at 12:45 p.m., Ben Morey and the Eyes at 2:00 p.m., before The Burkharts close out the festival's musical lineup with a performance at 3:30 p.m. Click here to view the full music schedule.
Featured Food Trucks
Food truck and food vendor offerings during the festival weekend include Big Papa Tacos, Cousins Maine Lobster, Eat Greek, Falanga's Cotton Candy, Frios Gourmet Pops, Grass Fed Vegan Butchershop, Ice Cream & Chill, KOBQ Korean Fusion Grill, Love, Fern, & Co., Macarollin Gourmet Mac & Cheese, Melt Food Truck, ROCDilla Quesadillas, Rochester Kettle Corn, Shakin' Smiles Lemonade, and Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza. Visitors can also stop inside the museum to enjoy offerings from Ugly Duck and Brown Hound Downtown.
Clothesline Beer Brewed by Strangebird
Raise a can to creativity with a brand new, festival-inspired brew: Clothesline State of Mind. This limited-edition craft beer was brewed exclusively for the M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival by Rochester’s Strangebird. This sour ale blends tropical paw paw with pink pepper corn for a bright, fruity flavor, finishing with a zesty, woody snap. Clothesline State of Mind will be available in cans at multiple Brown Hound locations throughout the festival grounds while supplies last.
The Luvon Sheppard Award for Creative Excellence
The Luvon Sheppard Award for Creative Excellence celebrates artists and makers across all media from Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and Western/Central New York and honors Sheppard’s lasting impact on the region’s creative community. Sponsored by Joy Gallery and Studio and local arts supporter Richard A. Glaser, the award is open to all artists participating in the M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival.
Supporting the arts in Rochester
The M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival is MAG’s largest annual fundraiser and helps sustain year-round exhibitions, educational programming, and community outreach. M&T Bank has served as the presenting sponsor for over 30 years, reflecting its deep commitment to supporting the arts and regional culture. “The M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival is one of Rochester’s signature traditions, bringing people together through creativity and showcasing our incredible local talent,” said Steve Epping, M&T Bank Rochester Regional President. “M&T has been proud to support this event for more than 30 years, and we’re excited to once again celebrate the artists, ideas and cultural experiences that define our region.”
A full list of 2026 M&T Bank Clothesline Art & Fine Craft Festival sponsors can be found here: https://mag.rochester.edu/clothesline/
About the Memorial Art Gallery
The Memorial Art Gallery showcases art from antiquity to the present day, including the outdoor public Centennial Sculpture Park. In addition to its permanent collection, MAG offers a year-round schedule of special exhibitions, lectures, concerts, tours, after-hours social events, and family activities. Learn more at mag.rochester.edu