Boulder Art Festival - on the Pearl Street Mall 2026

     The Boulder Art Festival is a very popular annual event that features high quality art, hand crafted goods, local merchants, live music, and a whole lot more!  You will have the opportunity to exhibit to thousands of interested buyers in the heart of Downtown Boulder on the Pearl Street Mall.   This exciting event features visual art and handcrafted goods along with live music and community fun.  This event will be very well attended by thousands of people and you will have an outstanding opportunity to sell your work and grow your business.  The participating artists will be in front of an extremely high flow of customer traffic.  The Pearl Street Mall is the place for culture, music, socializing and entertainment.  Taking place on the very busy Labor Day Holiday weekend.
     You are invited to be part of the premier art and craft festival in Colorado.  This well attended event will take place in the center of Downtown Boulder.  This event features a prime downtown location, extensive marketing both online and in print, great live music and free admission.   This popular annual event, draws large crowds with a high number of enthusiastic, sophisticated and affluent art buyers. We are looking for both local and national artists and both professional and emerging artists to participate.
     This event will be extremely well attended and you will have an outstanding opportunity to sell your work and grow your business.  The participating artists will be in front of an extremely high flow of customer traffic.  This event will be taking place on all 4 blocks of the historic Pearl Street Mall in the heart of Downtown Boulder.   This main artery of shopping and entertainment, is the most popular tourist destination in Boulder and was named one of the country’s best open-air pedestrian malls.  Boulder is one of the most beautiful towns in Colorado and its population a very well educated and affluent and the Town has received numerous accolades for being one of the best cities in America.

    We invite all artists and makers of handmade crafts to apply to the 2026 festival.   All participants must make their own merchandise.  Reproductions are permitted but no reselling of mass produced items.  This event is open to all mediums of art and craft items.  This is an Art and Craft Festival so all work sold must be of original design.   Artists may apply in more than one category, but must submit separate applications and jury fees for each medium.  The jury is composed of Colorado artists representing various media.  The number of exhibitors in each category and selection of exhibitors shall be determined by the jury.  Once the show is full, we will keep have a wait list on a category basis.  We have a rolling jury process, which means that we review applications once every two weeks.  We will review and continue to accept vendors until the event is full.  The jury application deadline listed above, is the last jury session prior to the event date.  It is possible that the event will sell out before that deadline, so the sooner you apply the better.

Event Marketing & Promotion
Colorado Events places a strong emphasis on professional marketing and promotion to attract a large audience of engaged buyers and visitors.
Our promotional campaign includes:
• targeted social media advertising
• email campaigns to past attendees
• regional tourism promotion
• online event calendars and travel websites
• local magazine and newspaper advertising
• posters, rack cards, banners, and street signage
• cross-promotion with local businesses and tourism partners
These combined efforts help ensure strong attendance and excellent exposure for participating artists.

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About Colorado Events
Colorado Events is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that has been producing high-quality community festivals since 2002.
Colorado Events produces art festivals, outdoor markets, and cultural events in many of Colorado’s most vibrant downtown and resort destinations including Denver, Boulder, Glenwood Springs, Colorado Springs, Estes Park, Winter Park, Crested Butte, Vail, and Fort Collins.
Colorado Events festivals have been:
• Ranked among the “Ten Best Summer Art Festivals in Colorado” – Westword Magazine
• Named one of the “Top Craft Shows in Denver” – CBS News
• Featured in The Denver Post, NBC News, 5280 Magazine, Boulder Weekly, and numerous regional publications.
Our events bring together enthusiastic audiences of locals and visitors who appreciate high-quality art, handmade goods, and live music.

For more details, photos, and information about all of our events, please check our website:
 www.boulderartfestival.com  or  www.artfestivalsincolorado.com or www.coloradoevents.org

    A jury entry will be judged for eligibility based upon quality, originality and presentation.   We are looking for distinctive high quality craftsmanship and unique art and crafts.  Our curation process will ensure an appropriate balance for the entire show, when determining the number of artists invited for each medium.
    Pictures of your work are required.  Images: 4 (a booth shot is recommended but not required)  We will accept a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 photos of your work.  If a booth shot is not available, a grouping of work is acceptable.
    Applicants should submit five color digital images that represent your work, via the ZAPP application.  If possible, you should use one of the four images to show your both display.

You can submit up to 4 applications for this show.

Show Location and Hours
Septemebr 5 & 6, 2026 on the Pearl Street Mall
11am – 7pm on Saturday, 11am to 6pm on Sunday

Jury Information
Applicants must submit four digital images through ZAPP representing their work.
A booth display image is recommended but not required.
Images are juried anonymously, so please ensure your name or business name does not appear in the image or file title.
Artists are selected through a juried process based on originality, craftsmanship, and presentation.
Only original artwork and artist-produced reproductions may be displayed or sold.
No mass-produced or buy/sell items are permitted.

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Medium Categories – (No forms of mass production are permitted) - All participants must make their own merchandise

Artisan Crafter: Agricultural products, gourmet foods, bakeries, bottled beverages (nonalcoholic), bath/body, health/wellness, flowers and garden, candles, soaps, aromatics, children's clothing and toys, pet items.  Please note: all edible items for sale must be prepackaged for consumption.
 
Ceramics, decorative: All original clay and porcelain work other than jewelry is accepted in this category.

Ceramics, functional: All original clay and porcelain work other than jewelry is accepted in this category.

Computer generated/digital art: This category includes any original work for which the original image, or the manipulation of other source material, was executed by the artist using a computer.

Drawing/Pastels: Works created using dry media including chalk, charcoal, pastels, pencil, wax crayon, etc. or from the fluid medium of inks and washes applied by pen or brush are to be entered in this category.

Fiber, Wearable: All work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, leather work, tapestry, and paper making.  Manufactured clothing with unique applied art will be considered.

Fiber, Woven/Non-Woven: All work crafted from fibers including basketry, embroidery, weaving, leather work, tapestry, and paper making.

Glass: Only hand-crafted glass work will be accepted.

Graphics/printmaking: Original works made with pen, pencil, charcoal or traditional printmaking. Prints hand pulled by artists from traditional methods, including etching, engraving, silkscreen, stone and plate lithography, linoleum block or woodcut, produced in signed and numbered limited editions from an original image created by the artist.

Jewelry: All jewelry whether the work is produced from metal, glass, clay, fiber, paper, plastic, or other materials must be entered in this category.   Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may display and sell jewelry.

Metalwork: Includes all non-sculptural, non-jewelry works crafted from metals.

Mixed media: This category includes works, both 2 and 3 dimensional that incorporate more than one type of physical material to produce. Includes non-sculptural work as determined by the artist.

Painting, oil or acrylic: Works created in oils and acrylics are in this category. Creation of a still life, portrait, landscape, abstract or other image on a flat surface, such as canvas, with oil and/or acrylic paint or sticks.

Painting, watercolor: Works created in watercolor are in this category. Creation of a still life, portrait, landscape, abstract or other image on a flat surface with watercolors.

Photography: Photographic prints made from the artist's original image, which have been processed by that artist, or under his/her direct supervision, are included in this category.

Sculpture: Three-dimensional original work done in any medium.

Wood: Original works in wood that are hand-tooled, machine-worked, turned or carved are accepted in the wood category

Yes, I agree to the terms and conditions of Colorado Events and acknowledge that I have read and will adhere to the rules and regulations governing participation in Colorado Events festivals.  I acknowledge that a refund will not be granted for inclement weather or other reasons. We don’t guarantee product sales, attendance, weather, or exclusivity of any product or service.  I understand and agree that Colorado Events, its officers, directors, staff, volunteers, sponsors, venue partners, municipalities, and affiliated organizations shall not be held liable for any injuries, losses, damages, or claims arising from participation in any Colorado Events festival, including but not limited to schedule changes, adverse weather conditions, acts of nature, public safety situations, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the event organizers.  Exhibitors participate at their own risk and are solely responsible for their merchandise, equipment, displays, and personal property. Colorado Events is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items at any event.  All events take place rain or shine unless otherwise determined by Colorado Events or local authorities. In the event of severe weather, public safety concerns, government restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances, Colorado Events reserves the right to delay, modify, relocate, or cancel the event at its sole discretion.  All exhibitor fees are non-refundable.  If an exhibitor cancels their participation 60 days or more prior to the event, Colorado Events may issue a company credit toward a future Colorado Events festival at its sole discretion. No credits or refunds will be issued for cancellations within 60 days of the event.  No refunds or credits will be issued due to weather, low attendance, vendor dissatisfaction, personal scheduling conflicts, illness, travel issues, or other reasons.  By submitting payment, the exhibitor agrees not to initiate credit card chargebacks or payment disputes with their financial institution. Any payment disputes must be addressed directly with Colorado Events. Initiating a chargeback constitutes a violation of these terms and may result in the exhibitor being permanently disqualified from participating in any future Colorado Events festivals.  All vendors are responsible for complying with all applicable state, county, and municipal licensing and tax requirements.  Exhibitors must be properly registered with the State of Colorado and any applicable local sales tax authorities. Vendors are solely responsible for collecting and remitting all required sales taxes.  Colorado Events will provide instructions regarding tax registration and licensing requirements in the vendor information packet distributed after acceptance into the show.  All food vendors must be properly licensed and approved by the appropriate County Health Department and must comply with all local and state food safety and food handling regulations.  Proof of required health permits and licenses may be required prior to participation.  Restrictions on Alcohol and Mobile Vendors  The sale of alcoholic beverages by vendors is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized by Colorado Events and permitted by local licensing authorities.  Food trucks, food trailers, mobile boutiques, or similar mobile retail units are not permitted at most Colorado Events festivals.  Exceptions may be made only for select events in Glenwood Springs, Colorado Springs, and Estes Park, and all such vendors must receive prior written approval from Colorado Events before participating.  Colorado Events reserves the right to limit or deny mobile vendor participation based on event layout, permitting restrictions, or product mix.  Colorado Events reserves the right to approve or deny any vendor application, product category, or booth display at its sole discretion.  Colorado Events may cancel a booth reservation and refund fees if a vendor is found to be duplicating products or services already represented in the event, selling unauthorized merchandise, or failing to meet the standards of the event.  Colorado Events also reserves the right to remove any vendor from an event if their merchandise, display, or conduct is deemed inappropriate, unsafe, or inconsistent with the event’s vision and mission.  By participating in a Colorado Events festival, the exhibitor agrees to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Colorado Events, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, sponsors, venue partners, property owners, municipalities, and affiliated organizations from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or related to the exhibitor’s participation in the event.  This includes, but is not limited to, claims involving personal injury, property damage, product liability, food safety issues, equipment failure, or any other loss or damage caused by the exhibitor, their employees, agents, contractors, or products.  The exhibitor acknowledges that they are solely responsible for the safety, operation, and condition of their booth, equipment, merchandise, and activities during the event.  By submitting an application and payment, the exhibitor acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by all Colorado Events rules, policies, and terms and conditions.  Colorado Events reserves the right to modify event rules or policies when necessary for the safety, success, and integrity of the event.