ABOUT
Newark Arts Festival celebrates the rich diversity of the city’s expanding arts scene and welcomes the world to experience an exciting array of artist exhibitions, forums, studio tours, performances, mural excursions, screenings, children’s events and more.
Newark Arts mission is powering the arts to transform the lives of those who work, live and play in the great city of Newark, New Jersey. Established in 1981, Newark Arts was created to advance and expand the resources and offerings of arts and cultural organizations in the great city of Newark, New Jersey. Newark Arts provides leadership, direction, and technical assistance through partnerships with Newark’s many artists, arts administrators, community organizations, community development corporations, planning groups, economic development agencies, and government agencies as well as the general public.
FESTIVAL MAP
Clusters By Day:
- Thursday, October 4th: Halsey Street North (bordered by Washington Park; Academy Street; University Avenue; Broad Street)
- Friday, October 5th: Market Street (bordered by Essex County College; Mulberry Street; Branford Street; Academy Street), University Heights/Fairmount (bordered by Clifton/Norfolk; 7th Avenue; Springfield; Dr. MLK Blvd)
- Saturday, October 6th: Halsey Street South/Lincoln Park (bordered by Branford Street; Lincoln Park; University Avenue; Broad Street)/Lincoln Park
- Sunday, October 7th: Gateway/Ironbound (bordered by Military Park; Mulberry Street; Raymond Blvd; Ferry Street; Newark Riverfront Park; Waydell Street; Rome Street; Jabez Street; Broad Street)
* For areas outside the clusters, we are promoting excursions and fun side-trips.
GETTING HERE:
Start your Newark Arts Festival experience at our Official NAF2018 Reception Center headquartered at the Greater Newark Visitors and Convention Bureau.
NAF2018 RECEPTION CENTER
at the Greater Newark Visitors and Convention Bureau
58 Park Place
Newark, NJ 07102
HOURS
Thursday – Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
Sunday: 10AM – 3PM
DIRECTIONS
FROM THE NORTH:
- I-95 S toward George Washington Br/Upper Level (Crossing into New Jersey).
- Merge onto I-95 S/New Jersey Tpke S (Portions toll).
- Merge onto I-280 W via EXIT 15W toward Newark/Kearny (Portions toll).
- Take the NJ-21 S exit, EXIT 15A, toward Newark/ARENA/IRONBOUND/Downtown ARTS.
- Turn left onto McCarter Hwy/NJ-21.
- Turn right onto Raymond Blvd.
- Take the 2nd right onto Park Place.
- Arrive at 58 Park Place, Newark, NJ.
FROM THE SOUTH:
- Merge onto New Jersey Tpke N (Portions toll).
- Merge onto NJ-81 N via EXIT 13A toward Newark Airport/Elizabeth Seaport (Portions toll).
- NJ-81 N becomes US-1 (LOCAL) N/US-9 N/Pulaski Skwy N.
- Take McCarter Hwy/NJ-21 toward US-22/Newark/Downtown.
- Turn left onto Raymond Blvd.
- Take the 2nd right onto Park Place.
- Arrive at 58 Park Place, Newark, NJ.
MASS TRANSIT:
Hop in a taxi or ride share from Newark Penn Station to 58 Park Place.
By Bus
- Bolt Bus https://www.boltbus.com/
- Mega Bus https://us.megabus.com/
- Greyhound https://www.greyhound.com/
By Train
- NJ Transit http://www.njtransit.com
- PATH http://www.panynj.gov/path
- Amtrak https://www.amtrak.com
Q: What are the dates and times of the Festival?
A: General Festival hours are each day from noon to 9pm, however check each exhibition listing for more detailed specifics. The Festival Reception Center hours are as follows:
Thursday, October 4th: 10am-7pm
Friday, October 5th: 10am-7pm
Saturday, October 6th: 10am-7pm
Sunday, October 7th: 10am-3pm
Q: What are Clusters?
A: The Clusters are different walkable districts that Open Doors is highlighting each day during the four-day Festival. Each Cluster offers multiple art exhibits to view, purchase, and experience, plus additional amenities such as eateries, performances, and other activities. There are five Clusters this year, Halsey Street North, Market Street, University Heights/Fairmount, Halsey Street South/Lincoln Park and Ironbound/Gateway.
Q: What day is what Cluster?
A.
- Thursday, October 4th: Halsey Street North (bordered by Washington Park; Academy Street; University Avenue; Broad Street)
- Friday, October 5th: Market Street (bordered by Essex County College; Mulberry Street; Branford Street; Academy Street), University Heights/Fairmount (bordered by Clifton/Norfolk; 7th Avenue; Springfield; Dr. MLK Blvd)
- Saturday, October 6th: Halsey Street South/Lincoln Park (bordered by Branford Street; Lincoln Park; University Avenue; Broad Street)/Lincoln Park
- Sunday, October 7th: Gateway/Ironbound (bordered by Military Park; Mulberry Street; Raymond Blvd; Ferry Street; Newark Riverfront Park; Waydell Street; Rome Street; Jabez Street; Broad Street)
* For areas outside the clusters, we are promoting excursions and fun side-trips.
Q: There are so many Exhibitions. Where do I start?
A: Start with the day you are attending and then review the coordinating Cluster and its wealth of exhibitions and activities. Your best choice is hopping around the galleries and art venues that are listed in each Cluster on that Cluster’s day.
Q: Are Exhibitions organized by Cluster?
A: Yes, our list of exhibitions will be announced soon.
Q: Is the Festival free?
A: Yes, with the exception of certain Spotlight Events to be announced soon.
Q: What do I get with my purchase of Friday’s Art Crawl?
A: On Friday, October 5, 2018, join us for a fun guided gallery crawl alongside the lovely ladies of Brown Girls Bar Crawl. We’ll stop at some amazing exhibits and restaurants as we crawl through Downtown Newark, recently named the 9th most vibrant arts city in the nation. All are welcome to dress in your most artistic looks and use the hashtags #NAF2018 and #BrownGirlsBarCrawl to become a social star as your photo appears on newarkartsfestival.com.
Your $15 admission gets you a fashionable wristband with access to the discounts and/or free drinks that have been arranged at each of the galleries and venues. Please be sure to bring cash to make closing out at each stop fast and easy.
Get ready to enjoy amazing art, laughs and drinks with the smartest and best looking bar crawl crowd…EVER!
Q: Where should I park?
A: Visit Newark Parking Finder and input the date and hours you will be at the Festival for the best parking options.
Didn’t answer your question? Email us at festival@newarkarts.org or call 973-643-1625.
Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott
1 Hotel Road,
Newark, NJ
973-623-0006
*Mention Newark Arts Festival at booking to receive the festival rate of $99/night. Reservations must be received on or before September 28, 2018.
Call Central Reservations:
1 (800) 228-9290 or (973) 623-0006 and reference Newark Arts Festival.
Online:
Click on the reservation link below and following the steps within the link.
Book your group rate for Newark Arts Festival
Hilton Hotel Newark Penn Station
1048 Raymond Blvd
Newark, NJ
973-622-5000
810 Broad Street
Newark, NJ
973-242-0065
Best Western Plus Robert Treat Hotel
50 Park Place
Newark, NJ
973-622-1000
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Visit one of our other Greater Newark Area hotels.
Just head over to Newark Happening and BOOK NOW for Newark Arts Festival
HALSEY STREET NORTH
 |
Restaurants: Café Carol 27 Mix Black Swan Espresso Burger Walla Green Chic Pea Harvest Table Mocha Lounge The Halal Guys Qdoba |
Blaze Pizza Wok To Walk Starbucks Fukurow MiGente Nizi Sushi Z Grill Uptown Grill |
Robert’s Pizza La Cocina Queens Pizza Halsey Street Deli Central Diner Barcade Deluxe Diner Ono Grinds Poke |
MARKET STREET & UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS/FAIRMOUNT
 |
Market St Restaurants: Dinosaur BBQ Mercato Tomato Pie Redd’s Biergarten Novelty Burger Suite 304 Fafjr’s Edison Ale House The Ainsworth Newark Chipotle Noodle Shop & Bar |
University Heights Restaurants: Resa Grill Giovanni Pizza Intrinsic Café Ramen Gami Smash Burger at NJIT Pizza Hut Playa Bowls Fukurow Ramen Boom Boom Chicken Subway Uptown Grill |
HALSEY STREET SOUTH/LINCOLN PARK
 |
Restaurants: Just Fish Cafe Vonda’s Kitchen La Rouge Hobby’s Chateau Spain Soul Food Chess House Allure Lounge Sugar Daddy’s |
GATEWAY/IRONBOUND
 |
Restaurants: Ferry St Jimenez Tobacco Lounge Hell’s Kitchen Burger Bound McWhorter BBQ Francesa’s Pizza & Pasta Cotidiano Café Maize Restaurant Catas |
100 Things to Do in Newark Before You Die is your personal tour guide to New Jersey’s largest city. Curated by Newark’s Glambassador, this comprehensive (and family-friendly) listing of 100 amazing ideas will immerse you in the best of Newark cuisine, art, history and culture. Soak up the sun and fun at Riverfront Park. Explore the breathtaking architecture of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Play, tinker and create in the MakerSPACE at the Newark Museum. Catch a Devils game at the Prudentia. 100 Things to Do in Newark Before You Die is your personal tour guide to New Jersey’s largest city. Curated by Newark’s Glambassador, this comprehensive (and family-friendly) listing of 100 amazil Center, and then head to the Ironbound for an unbelievable Brazilian burger. In Newark, the options are absolutely endless. So let’s get started, shall we? Get ready to experience the blueprint to the best of Brick City, right at your fingertips!
NAF2018 is pleased to partner with JCAST to cross-promote our sister cities in art!
Click on the image to learn more.
Supported in part by a grant from NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.