Welcome to Mississippi’s largest fine arts festival! The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival was founded to celebrate the arts community and pay tribute to Ocean Springs’ self-proclaimed “Mad Potter,” Peter Anderson. Anderson was the original potter of Shearwater Pottery, founded in 1928. Bringing economic development to the area, Ocean Springs is now one of the most colorful, celebrated cities in Mississippi.

Located in downtown Ocean Springs, the Peter Anderson Festival occurs on the first weekend in November each year. It has grown from a volunteer-run small gathering of local artists and art enthusiasts to one of the largest and most premier arts and crafts festival in the Southeast. Now over 30 years old, the festival attracts over 150,000 people and hosts more than 400 artist booths.

This art festival in the charming streets of Ocean Springs has great food, music, and unique specials offered by participating businesses and restaurants. This festival showcases some of the most well-renowned artists in the Southeastern U.S. Only approved arts and crafts will be accepted into the festival, and the approval process is a meticulous one, ensuring only the finest, most unique works of art including ceramics, paintings, jewelry, pottery, furniture, woodworking, and digital art. Visitors will even get to observe some artists at work as they offer demonstrations during the festival.

The Peter Anderson Festival has earned a variety of accolades including “Top 20 Events” voted by the Southeast Tourism Society, and “Festival of the Year for the Southeast-With Attendance Over 100,000” as proclaimed by the Southeast Tourism Society.

This weekend is the perfect getaway for art collectors looking for their next prized piece as well as locals looking to purchase some unique Christmas presents for family and friends. The festival starts around 9 a.m. and vendors stay open until 5 p.m. Plan to spend the weekend or even a few hours downtown Ocean Springs at the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, one of the best art festivals in the nation.