Art, Plants & Community: Fall ArtFest at the Nursery Sept 26 & 27

Key Takeaways

• What: A free, two-day, family friendly outdoor art fair featuring local artists from the San Leandro Art Association, selling original work directly to the public
• When: Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM both days
• Where: Evergreen Nursery, 350 San Leandro Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577
• Why: Browse and buy one-of-a-kind local art while getting inspired for fall planting, free admission, all ages welcome
• Bonus: While you're here, shop our fall selection of Japanese maple trees, California native plants, and fall vegetable plants

Two San Leandro institutions, one great fall weekend. This September 26th and 27th, Evergreen Nursery is proud to host the San Leandro Art Association's Fall ArtFest, a two-day celebration of local art set right among our fall plant selection.

The event is free and open to the public, running both days from 10am to 4pm at our San Leandro plant nursery located at 350 San Leandro Blvd, just 1 mile north of the San Leandro BART station.

Two San Leandro Institutions, One Natural Partnership

Evergreen Nursery has been serving San Leandro and East Bay gardeners for over 40 years. The San Leandro Art Association has been nurturing local artists and bringing art to the community since 1957. Both organizations share the same local roots and the same belief that creativity, beauty, and community make life richer. The Fall ArtFest is what that belief looks like in practice.

Shop Original Art Amid Our Fall Plant Selection

Local exhibiting artists will set up throughout the nursery, displaying and selling their original paintings, photography, and handmade work directly to the public. Take your time, browse at your own pace, and talk with the artists themselves about their work. It's also a great chance to get an early start on one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.

Fall happens to be one of the best times of year to shop for plants and get them transplanted for maximum health. While you're here for the art, take a lap around the nursery. Our Japanese maple trees are beginning to show their fall color, and it's an ideal season to plant California native plants and other drought tolerant plants so their roots can establish over our mild East Bay winter.

If you're planning a front yard California native garden, or just want to swap a few thirsty ornamentals for something more water-wise, fall planting gives you a head start on spring. We're also fully stocked for fall vegetable plants and other edible garden plants if you want to keep your kitchen garden going through the cooler months.

Fall is also migration season for monarch butterflies, so if you've been meaning to add milkweed plants or other nectar plants for butterflies to enhance your garden, this is a great time to get them planted and give monarchs a place to rest and refuel as they pass through the East Bay.

Why Art, Gardening & Community Are Good for You

There's a reason people feel better after an afternoon in the garden, after losing themselves in a creative project, or after spending time with neighbors at a community event. Science backs up what gardeners and artists have always known: these activities are genuinely good for mental health and wellbeing.

Gardening

Gardening reduces stress hormones, encourages mindfulness, and offers a quiet sense of accomplishment as you tend living things. It asks you to slow down, pay attention, and trust the process, all practices that support mental clarity and calm.

Making Art

Making art, whether you're a seasoned painter or simply browsing and appreciating someone else's work, activates the brain's reward system, quiets anxiety, and builds a sense of flow and focus. Creativity doesn't require expertise. It just requires showing up.

Gathering in Community

Connecting with neighbors around shared interests and local spaces fosters the kind of belonging that supports emotional resilience. Community isn't just nice to have, it's essential. Events like Fall ArtFest are where those connections get made.

At Evergreen, we see it every day. Customers come in stressed and leave grounded. They come for a 6-pack of annuals and stay for a conversation. Gardening is a practice, a creative outlet, and a community, all in one, and Fall ArtFest brings that spirit to life for a weekend.

Event Details

• Dates: Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026
• Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM both days
• Location: Evergreen Nursery, 350 San Leandro Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577
• Cost: Free admission, free parking
• Good to know: Artists sell their work directly, so bring your preferred payment method

About the San Leandro Art Association

Established in 1957, the San Leandro Art Association is a nonprofit that supports local artists and brings visual art to the community, including students in the San Leandro Unified School District. Learn more at sanleandroart.org.

FAQ

Is there an admission fee?

No, Fall ArtFest is free and open to the public both days.

How do I pay for artwork?

Artists sell their work directly to buyers, so payment methods may vary by artist. We recommend bringing a mix of cash and card just in case.

Is parking available?

Yes, free parking is available on site at Evergreen Nursery.

Will the nursery be open for regular shopping during the event?

Yes, it's business as usual at the plant nursery alongside the art fair. Our full fall selection, including Japanese maple trees, California native plants, and fall vegetable plants, will be available to shop both days.

Is this a good event to bring kids to?

Yes, Fall ArtFest is family friendly and open to all ages. It's a relaxed, browse-at-your-own-pace event that works well for a weekend outing with kids.

Come for the art, stay for the plants. Stop by Evergreen Nursery in San Leandro September 26 and 27 for Fall ArtFest, and let our plant-loving staff help you find something for your own garden while you're here. Happy Growing!

Stace Brewer | Evergreen Nursery Help Desk

350 San Leandro Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577 | Open daily 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM