Melbourne Art Festival cancels 2027 event at Wickham ParkThe 2027 Melbourne Art Festival will not take place at Wickham Park as previously scheduled, organizers announced, citing rising costs and a lack of volunteers as key reasons for the cancellation.

The decision is another blow for Brevard County’s festival scene. MTI Country Fest also recently announced it would not move forward with its 2026 event, and the Space Coast Art Festival also shut down its event. Organizers for those events also pointed to rising costs and volunteer shortages as challenges.

For some Melbourne residents, the cancellation is disappointing.

“It’s kind of sad. It’s usually a big deal, you know?” said Roy Hawthorne, who lives in Melbourne.

The annual art festival has long been a gathering place for artists, vendors and neighbors. Residents said it brought people into the area and helped showcase local and regional creative work.

“I like the way the community comes together during the arts festival,” said Mike Ruder, who has lived in Melbourne for 35 years.

Hawthorne said the festival also created an important opportunity for artists and craft vendors.

“It’s good for this area. It brings people to it,” he said. “A lot of arts and crafts vendors, they make money. It’s a good place to showcase their stuff.”

Some residents said they hope the event can return in some form.

“I hope they change their mind and maybe go with it, man, or at least have a smaller variation,” Hawthorne said.

“We are going to miss it. That’s for sure,” Ruder said.

Instead of holding the annual event, Melbourne Art Festival leaders plan to host a Fine Art Auction early next year. Organizers hope the auction will raise money for future events and help continue scholarship efforts.