Denver Arts Festival — Weekend Art Fair

Denver Arts Festival opened on Saturday, May 23, at Conservatory Green in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood for its 27th annual Memorial Day weekend run. The free outdoor event is scheduled to continue through Sunday, May 24, with artists, live music, food vendors and family activities spread across the site. Organizers say the festival has been held annually since 1999 and remains focused on Colorado artists alongside a smaller group of national exhibitors. Visit Denver lists the event as one of the city’s opening summer arts festivals, and the festival’s own site says parking is free. ### Where is this weekend’s art fair actually happening? Conservatory Green, at 8304 E. 49th Place in Denver, is the festival site listed by organizers for the 2026 event. The location is in the Central Park neighborhood, not Civic Center Park downtown, according to the festival’s official website and Visit Denver. The festival website lists hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. Organizers also ask visitors to leave dogs at home. ### How big is the festival this year? More than 140 artists are participating this weekend, according to ColoradoBiz, while the festival website and Visit Denver describe the lineup as more than 150 Colorado and national artists. The event is presented as a fine arts and fine crafts festival, with work including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, glass and mixed media. The Denver Arts Festival website says the event is dedicated to showcasing Colorado artists and a select group of national artists. Mile High on the Cheap reported that 70% of the artists are from Colorado, citing festival information. ### What can visitors expect beyond the artist booths? Live music is scheduled on both days, according to the festival website and Visit Denver. ColoradoBiz reported that performers this weekend include the Denver Concert Band, Dotsero, Bailenque and the Jacob Larson Band. A Kids Art Zone is also part of the event, with painting activities, a photo booth and giveaways, ColoradoBiz reported. Visit Denver says children can create their own painting to take home. ### Is there an admission charge? Admission is free, according to the festival website, ColoradoBiz and Visit Denver. The event also offers food trucks and a wine, beer and spirits area, Visit Denver said. ColoradoBiz reported that volunteers from Colorado Pet Pantry are staffing the beer, wine and spirits garden and that proceeds from that area will benefit the nonprofit. Mile High on the Cheap listed Odell Brewery, Carboy Winery and Tito’s Handmade Vodka among the featured beverage partners. ### Who is organizing it? Jana Novak, executive director of the Denver Arts Festival, told ColoradoBiz that the event aims to connect artists and the community through accessible arts programming. The festival website says the event is celebrating 27 years of supporting the arts. Since 1999, the festival has built its Memorial Day weekend schedule around a juried outdoor marketplace, according to organizer materials and local event listings. Visit Denver describes it as one of the country’s top-ranked shows, echoing language used on the festival’s own site. ### What happens next if you want to go Sunday? Sunday, May 24, is the final day of the 2026 festival, with hours scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Conservatory Green. Organizers have posted artist information, a booth map and festival details on the Denver Arts Festival website, while Visit Denver carries a separate event listing for attendees checking weekend plans.