Hagerfest Music & Art Festival to Feature National Mural Awards

The City of Hagerstown’s Department of Community Engagement, Downtown Hagerstown Main Street, and the Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District have announced that the 2026 Hagerfest Music & Art Festival will host the prestigious National Mural Awards. This event will bring nationally recognized muralists to Hagerstown to create large-scale public artworks throughout the Arts & Entertainment District.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, serving as the culmination of a week-long mural installation process. Artists will be actively working on their pieces on-site from April 27 through May 2. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to witness these artworks develop in real-time, transforming downtown Hagerstown into an expansive outdoor art gallery. The National Mural Awards ceremony itself will be open to the public and will commence at 3 p.m. at Live at Hub City Vinyl. The inclusion of this national event is expected to significantly enhance Hagerstown’s standing as a hub for creative placemaking and cultural tourism, building upon the city’s ongoing commitment to arts-driven economic development.

Four distinguished muralists, each with a unique artistic perspective, have been selected to participate. Their contributions will expand the collection of public art in the district, further shaping Hagerstown’s reputation as a dynamic and creative destination. These murals are anticipated to be enduring cultural assets, contributing to improved walkability, increased tourism, and a stronger sense of community pride for years to come.

In addition to the national artists, the community will have a direct opportunity to engage with the creative process through the “Together We Create” Community Mural Project. This initiative, supported in part by the Washington County Arts Council, will involve ten selected artists designing and painting individual mural panels. These panels will be installed along the Hagerstown Cultural Trail at Meritus Park, forming a collaborative artwork that aims to embody the spirit and diversity of the Hagerstown community.

Hagerfest 2026 will offer a full day of diverse arts and entertainment programming throughout the downtown area. Key highlights include live music performances at University Plaza, with The Reagan Years set to headline. An artisan vendor marketplace will be set up at Public Square and University Plaza, offering a variety of handcrafted goods. Art enthusiasts can also look forward to a Graffiti Art Battle hosted by B4 Art Supplies at Hub City Brewery, and poetry and spoken word performances at Next Chapter Café. Additional activities include a latte art competition at Cannon Coffee, “Beer & Ballet” and Bachata classes, followed by an evening after-party at Hub City Brewery. A tintype photography experience will be available at Eliza’s House, and various live performances and pop-up activations will take place along the Cultural Trail.

This year’s integration of the National Mural Awards, an event previously hosted in Corpus Christi, TX, and Salt Lake City, UT, elevates Hagerfest to a premier regional arts event. The murals created are expected to serve as lasting cultural assets, enhancing the downtown area’s appeal for both residents and tourists. The public is encouraged to follow the progress of the installations throughout the week, engage with the artists, and experience the ongoing transformation of downtown Hagerstown. A comprehensive schedule of events and a map of mural locations are available on the Main Street Hagerstown website.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from City of Hagerstown

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