Pearl Street Arts Fest 2026

Named one of Sunshine Artist magazine's 100 Best Fine Art & Design shows in 2025, Pearl Street Arts Fest is a celebration of visual art on display in an outdoor gallery nestled in the heart of downtown Boulder. Local artists will be joined by artists from around the country to showcase their work. The arts fest has been a "must do" event in Boulder for nearly 50 years, occurring in the height of the tourist season and typically drawing more than 70,000 attendees over the course of the weekend.

The festival takes place July 17-19, 2026, on Pearl Street Mall, 14th Street, and Boulder County Courthouse Lawn. Artists may submit applications in one of 14 categories: Ceramics, Drawing/Pastels, Fiber/Textile/Fashion, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking/Drawing, Sculpture, Upcycled, Woodworking, and Digital Art. Applications require 5 total images including 4 electronic images of current artwork and 1 image of booth display. The jury fee is $45, and booth space fees range from $350-$700 depending on location.

Cash prizes will be awarded for Best of Show, Best of 2D, Best of 3D, and Best Functional Art, with winners receiving jury exemption for the following year's show. The festival provides ample volunteer support, breakfast including an awards breakfast on Sunday, water and snacks, overnight booth security, and commission-free sales. All artwork must be original to the artist, with no AI-generated art or resale items accepted.