By Helen  Reichert 

Denver is home to a wide variety of festivals that will excite audiences of all ages. This summer, Denver’s favorite art festivals are returning for another year of fun with art, food trucks, and live music. Whether you are interested in performance art, chalk art, photography, or painting, Denver has an art festival for you.

Denver Fringe Festival

June 4-8

RiNO and the Greater Five Points Area

Photo: Aerialists from Frequent Flyers performed 'Cirque de Minuit' at the 2021 Denver Fringe Festival.

For fans of theater, dance, and comedy, the Denver Fringe Festival is a must-see! It features over 70 original shows across 20+ venues and locations and features everything from avant-garde clown comedy to Black diasporic dance. This performing arts festival is inclusive and expansive, and has events for everyone.

The Denver Fringe Festival hopes to support independent artists, make performance art more accessible and inclusive, and build community around inspiring live performance. The Festival features a wide variety of events to cater to audiences of all ages and has both free and paid events. Tickets for events cost $20, or you can get a festival pass for $95 to access all events you can fit in!
 

For more information about the Denver Fringe Festival, check out their website here!

Denver Chalk Art Festival

June 7-8 10am-2pm

Golden Triangle Neighborhood

Photo: Denver Chalk Art Festival

Situated in the heart of downtown Denver is the family favorite Denver Chalk Art Festival! From June 7-8th check out the over 200 chalk artists as they create 2D and 3D works of art. Rain or shine, this festival is fun for everyone and has food and beverage vendors to keep everyone well fed.

One of the most fun parts of the festival is the kids' corner, where kids of all ages can create their chalk art and express their creativity. The Denver Chalk Art Festival is free to attend and features artists of varying styles.

For more information about the Denver Chalk Art Festival check out their website here! 

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

July 4-6 10am-8pm

Cherry Creek North0

Photo: Cherry Creek Arts Festival

If you’re looking for a family-friendly event over the July 4th weekend, be sure to check out the 34th annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival. With over 250 juried artists specializing in fiber arts, jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, and more, there truly is something for everyone. The Cherry Creek Arts Festival was also recently awarded the Gold Grand Pinnacle award by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), which is the IFEA’s highest honor, “recognizing festivals and events that excel in balancing all key elements essential for a successful event.”

Also available at the Arts Festival is live music on the Canvas Credit Union mainstage, where audiences can enjoy blues, funk, rock, and reggae music over the weekend. There are also various food and beverage vendors to keep the family well fed, and kids' activities where kids can explore their creativity. 

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is free to attend and is a must-see for anyone looking to explore art from a wide range of artists!

For more information about the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, check out their website here! 

Colorado Black Arts Festival

July 11-13

City Park

Photo: The Colorado Black Arts Festival at Denver’s City Park

The Colorado Black Arts Festival began in 1986 to empower Black artists working in all mediums. The festival supports and elevates Black artists and culture in Colorado. With music, food, and art, the Colorado Black Arts Festival provides family-friendly fun for the whole day!

Check out the Boogaloo Celebration Parade Saturday, July 12th at 10:30 am starting at 22nd and Downing St. as it makes its way to the Festival grounds in City Park! This festival is free, and they welcome donations at the gate if you would like to support them. 

For more information about the Colorado Black Arts Festival check out their website here! 

Cheesman Park Art Festival

July 26-27 9am-5pm

South Side of Cheesman Park

Photo: Cheesman Park Arts Festival

Nationally ranked as one of the top 100 shows of the decade by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the Cheesman Park Art Festival contains over 150 artists of all mediums and price points. Local musicians perform on a mainstage each day of the festival, and there is a wide variety of food trucks sure to appease even the pickiest of eaters. 

The festival is free of any commercial booths or sales, so you can enjoy the handcrafted works of artists hailing from 30 different states. This is the 12th year for the Cheesman Park Art Fest, and with free admission, it is a must-attend for any art lover!

For more information about the Cheesman Park Art Festival check out their website here!