Art in the Park - Steamboat Springs 2026

The 53rd annual Art in the Park is Northwest Colorado’s largest arts festival and a signature summer tradition in Steamboat Springs. This beloved community event brings together art enthusiasts, families, and visitors for a vibrant weekend celebrating hand-made art and hands-on creativity in all its forms.

Art in the Park features up to 130 juried artist vendors, live entertainment, food vendors, and interactive creative stations for all ages. The festival takes place July 11–12, 2026, in West Lincoln Park in downtown Steamboat Springs. Set in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Art in the Park draws thousands of attendees over two days and continues to be a cornerstone of the region’s cultural calendar.

Art in the Park is celebrating its 53rd year as one of Steamboat Springs' most beloved arts festivals. We do our best to have a wide variety of artistic mediums, creative activities and food/beverage options for our family friendly event. 
 

HOURS: 

The show is open to the public Saturday, July 11, from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, July 12, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Exhibitors may begin setting up booths at 10am on Friday, July 10. Exhibitors must check in before 7am on Saturday, and be ready to meet the public by 9am on Saturday. Exhibitors agree to remain set up for the entire duration of the festival until 4pm on Sunday.

ENTRY: 

Along with the completion of this Zapplication and processing fee, each applicant must submit four (4) current images of their work along with one (1) image of their booth display for the jury’s consideration. Please do not provide thumbnail images. It is very important that the digital images show the proportions of the work that is for sale.

In addition to digital images, please provide a detailed description of how you create your products. If you plan to do a live demonstration in your booth, please include that in your description. Demonstrations and activations are encouraged. Your description and the digital images submitted will be used during the jury process and may be used for marketing purposes.

 

ELIGIBILITY: 

This show is open to all artists/craftspersons who exhibit work of their own concept, design, and execution. Artwork which is imported, mass produced or manufactured will NOT be accepted. Artwork which is mass produced or manufactured from a commercial mold, pattern or kit will NOT be accepted. Exhibitors whose work varies substantially from the images submitted or found selling products not meeting the above criteria will be asked to leave the show without any refunds. 

*Manufacturing exceptions include: small batch manufacturing of retail food items, wellness items and books (with the author present).

 

CATEGORIES:

Clay (functional or sculptural)

Fiber (sculptural, wearable, leather or other)

Fine Art 2D (digital, mixed media, painting, pencil or photography)

Glass (functional or sculptural)

Jewelry

Kidspot (activity, apparel, toys or other)

Metal (functional or sculptural)

Wood (functional or sculptural)

Food (service or retail products)

Other

 

SELECTION: 

Approximately 130 booth spaces will be available. Applicants will be selected on the basis of quality, uniqueness of work and presentation. Selection will NOT be on a first-come, first-served basis. The number of exhibitors in each category and selection of exhibitors shall be determined by Steamboat Creates. Acceptance invitations for the first round of jurying will be sent out April 15th. After this date, a rolling jury will proceed weekly with a final deadline of June 26, 2026. Booth fees, once collected, will be confirmation of your place at the 2026 Art in the Park festival. Your spot is not secured until we receive your full booth fee payment. 

 

DEADLINES:

Important Dates: Application Period
Application Early Bird: January 30 - April 11, 2026
Early Jury Notification Date: April 15, 2026
Final Application Deadline: June 26, 2026
Rolling Jury through: June 26, 2026

APPLICATIONS:

• EARLY BIRD applications must be received by April 11, 2026 and have a processing fee of $35.
• Late applications require a $75 processing fee and are accepted after April 15, 2026.
• All applications must be received before June 26, 2026.
• On-time booth fees must be received by Steamboat Creates by April 30, 2026 to avoid late fees.
• Late booth fees will increase in cost on May 1, 2026 and must be received in full no later than June 26, 2026. 
• Late applications will be juried on a rolling basis and may be placed onto a waitlist with no guarantee of acceptance. Acceptance of late applications shall be determined by Steamboat Creates.
• Payment of your booth fee, once invited, is the only way to secure your spot at Art in the Park. 

PROCESSING FEES:

$35 NON-REFUNDABLE,  PROCESSING FEE (increases to $75 for late applications after 04/15/2026).

$75 NON-REFUNDABLE, LATE PROCESSING FEE: Late applications are accepted with an increased fee and placed onto a wait list and accepted on a rolling basis, reviewed weekly. Acceptance of late applications shall be determined by Steamboat Creates. Email events@steamboatcreates.org for more information on late applications.
 

NOTIFICATIONS: 

All notifications will be sent out VIA ZAPP correspondence. Please make sure that our emails are not going into your spam folder. You may contact our event coordinator via email: events@steamboatcreates.org or via phone: 970-879-9008.

 

FOOD VENDORS: 

Attendees and artists will work up an appetite at Art in the Park. Art in the Park strives to provide a wide array of culinary offerings to satisfy palates of all ages. Food trucks will be limited and curated to ensure a good mix of offerings for festival goers. After completing the initial application, the event coordinator will contact food service vendors to discuss more details. On time, online application deadline is April 11, 2026. Jurying will proceed and notification of acceptance will be given. 

Additional Routt County Health Department fees and applications may apply: https://www.co.routt.co.us/279/Special-Events

 

NON-PROFIT BOOTH SPACES: 

Steamboat Creates accommodates a limited number of booth spaces for local and regional non-profit organizations. Non-profit booth spaces are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Acceptance of non-profit booth is at the sole discretion of Steamboat Creates.

 

SPECIAL REQUESTS:

Special request for booth placement are considered when Premium Booth Fees are paid.  Be very specific on your special request so we can do our best to fulfill your request. We can only guarantee that we will get as close as possible to the space you are requesting. Choose the 'Premium Booth' option when selecting a product to put in your Zapplication cart. 

 

TAXES:

All exhibitors agree to collect and pay appropriate taxes on all items sold during Art in the Park festival. Detailed tax requirements can be found in the Legal Agreement section. Additional tax information, permits, forms and fees will be sent to exhibitors upon acceptance into the show. The City of Steamboat Springs Single Event Sales Tax License appliation for 2026 Art in the Park can be found here:  https://www.xpressformsbuilder.com/viewer/13cf5903-1e0c-4781-aea2-4df258dd0913

Steamboat Creates' Contact Information:

Kim Keith, Executive Director

events@steamboatcreates.org

Steamboat Creates, Art in the Park

PO Box 774284

Steamboat Springs, CO 80477

970-879-9008

Art in the Park festival is an arts show for individual artists. We value our artists. Our rules as stated in this application and on our Legal Agreement will be enforced.

General Guidelines:

• Open to individual artists only; no commercial vendors or mass-produced items. *exception: small batch retail food, wellness items and books (with author present)
• One exhibitor per booth; partnerships on the same product must be disclosed in the application.
• Artists must be present for the entire festival or risk disqualification from prizes and future events.
• The festival includes up to 130 artists, including local artists, and up to 8 food/beverage vendors.
• Pets are not allowed in the park. 
• An entrance tent will be provided with medical assistance, information and greeters to welcome festival goers.
• Volunteer booth sitters will be available on a limited basis throughout the festival. 
• Artwork donations from exhibitors are encouraged and will be part of an auction and showcase tent for visitors.

Artwork & Display:

• All work must be original; mass-produced or copyrighted products are not allowed.
• Only artwork that has been juried and approved is allowed.
• Prints and reproductions (max 20% of display) must be labeled as such.
• Wearable art must be original and limited edition.
• Displays and tents must be professional, inviting, and safe withstanding inclement weather.
• No stakes are allowed in the park. Your tents must be adequately weighed down and stand alone.
• Modifications to booths and displays may be required upon inspection to address concerns regarding safety, professionalism or appropriateness of the space.

Waitlist & Acceptance:

• Waitlisted applicants may be invited if space and curation allows.
• All notifications will be sent via Zapplication.

Sales & Taxes:

• All entries must be for sale.
• All Vendors are required to have a City of Steamboat Springs Sales Tax License and a Colorado Sales Tax License and are responsible for paying sales tax on items sold. Only those vendors in good standing will be allowed to participate in Art in the Park 2026. 
• The City of Steamboat Springs Single Event Sales Tax License appliation for 2026 Art in the Park can be found here:  https://www.xpressformsbuilder.com/viewer/13cf5903-1e0c-4781-aea2-4df258dd0913
• All vendors are required to pay a sales tax deposit directly to Steamboat Creates. The deposit does not relieve single event vendors from collecting and remitting sales tax.
• After the event you are required to file and remit sales tax per local regulations. 
• The sales tax deposit (minus $20 admin fee) will be returned once sales tax is remitted, on time, to the City of Steamboat Springs.

Conduct & Compliance:

• Steamboat Creates reserves the right to disqualify any exhibitor causing any problems to fellow exhibitors, Steamboat Creates’ representatives or visitors.
• Parking, load-in/out, set-up and breakdown times will enforced. 
• Steamboat Creates is not liable for any loss or damage.
• By applying, artists grant Steamboat Creates permission to use images of artwork and event photos for promotions.
• We create a culture of kindness and helpfulness at Art in the Park. If you have questions or need anything before, during or after the event, please contact Steamboat Creates' staff.

Exhibitors, by accepting our invitation to participate and actually participating, you agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Steamboat Creates and their trustees, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents for any alleged or actual infringement or violation of copyright laws or rights by the Exhibitor Artist and for any costs, damages, or interest that may accrue as a result of any claim or damages made in connection with exhibiting at or promoting the Festival.

Failure to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by the event staff may result in expulsion from any and/or all events. Management reserves the right to make final interpretation of all rules.

Artist Booth Information:

• Artist booths are 10' x 10'  Exhibitors must bring their own display equipment and weather protection.
• The event takes place in West Lincoln Park in downtown Steamboat Springs. Artists will need to transport all supplies and artwork to assigned booth space. The ground in the park is vast, grassy and uneven. Bring a hand truck and dolly for transporting items. 
• No stakes, thumbtacks, or nails are allowed. Use tape, string, zip ties, weights, or adhesive materials.
• Exhibitors are responsible for setting up and attending their work at all times and for cleaning up their exhibition space at the end of each day. Artists are encouraged to demonstrate their craft and activate their booth.
• Exhibitors must stay within their booth space, including seating and storage.
• Jewelry vendors should be aware of natural sulphur springs in the park, which may cause tarnishing. We do our best to keep jewelry vendors farthest from the sulphur springs.
• No electricity is available for artist booths.

Food Service Vendors:

• Food Vendors/Truck spaces are 10' x 20'.
• Food vendors have access to a generator provided by Steamboat Creates. You will be contacted for wattage details prior to the event.
• Fire and Health inspections are required for all food vendors.
• You must maintain a clean and sanitary booth with hand sanitizer available.

Booth Fees:

Artists Booth Fee = $350 (Increases to $400 on May 1st)

Artist Double Booth Fee = $650 (Increases to $700 on May 1st)

Food Service Booth Fee = $450 (Increases to $500 on May 1st)

Creative Activity Booth Fee = $300 (Increases to $350 on May 1st)

Non-Profit Booth Fee = $250 (Increases to $300 on May 1st)

*UPGRADE to premier booth $150 (Increases to $200 on May 1st)

 

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

• All application processing fees are non-refundable.
• Cancellations must be postmarked prior to May 1, 2026 and incur a $75 admin fee.
• No refunds for cancellations after May 1, 2026.