Denver Chalk Art Festival 2025

The Denver Chalk Art Festival is an award-winning event that transforms Denver's historical museum district into a colorful street museum. Over two days, 200 professional, amateur, and student artists create chalk drawings on pavement using soft pastels. Thousands of festival attendees enjoy food and live music while watching the artwork come to life. The event is produced by Denver Chalk Art and CherryArts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting arts awareness and education in Denver.

The festival takes place June 7-8, 2025, with an awards ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Two participation levels are available: Master level (artists age 18 and up) and Youth Challenge (high school aged students). Artists must submit four images: one of the proposed chalk drawing and three of past artwork in any medium. Artists must produce the submitted artwork or obtain written approval to change their image. Artwork must be appropriate for public viewing with no words, symbols, or logos intended as advertising. Only non-oil-based soft chalk and pastels in solid form are permitted. Standard squares are 8'x8'; limited 8'x12' vertical spaces are reserved for 3-D challenge work. Mural teams of 3-5 artists may apply for 8'x12' horizontal spaces. Artists must work both Saturday and Sunday.

Artists are not paid and there is no reimbursement for travel or lodging. The festival provides one set of 24 soft pastels, water, and breakfast and lunch throughout the weekend. All artists are invited to attend a VIP party. Artists must be at least 18 years old. The deadline to enter is March 31, 2025. Jury results will be announced by April 15, 2025. Contact Michael Rieger, Art Director, at 720-331-6402 or [email protected] for questions.