North Carolina Plein Air Festival

The 5th Annual North Carolina Plein Air Festival returns to New Bern in 2025! The eight-day festival showcases 35 nationally and globally acclaimed plein air artists, including newly juried painters, joining award winners and top performers from the previous year's Festival. Watch each piece take shape from the first brush stroke to the last. Then browse the gallery to find your favorite artwork to purchase and take home a piece of New Bern!
Be part of the Art: Festival attendees will have numerous opportunities to meet and talk with the artists. In addition, youth and adult amateur artists can meet with the pros and compete for ribbons and cash awards in the annual Quick Paint competition. Workshops will include award-winning plein air artists, renowned American Impressionist painters and in-demand instructors who are known for conducting workshops across the United States and Europe.