Castle Rock Artfest 2026
By Connor Tien, DougCo Social · Updated July 2026
Early fall in Castle Rock means Artfest — two days of fine art taking over Festival Park and Perry Street. In 2026 it's September 12 & 13: 110-plus juried artists from across the country, live music on the main stage, food trucks, and a kids zone. Admission is free. Here's how to do it right.
The Essentials
- What: Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock — a juried two-day fine-art festival
- When: Saturday, Sept. 12 (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) & Sunday, Sept. 13 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), 2026
- Where: Festival Park, 300 Second Street, downtown Castle Rock (plus Perry Street between 3rd & South)
- Cost: Free admission · cashless event (debit/credit only)
- Host: Castle Rock Chamber · castlerock.org/castle-rock-artfest
What to expect
Artfest is a curated fine-art show, not a craft fair. More than 110 juried artists line Festival Park and Perry Street with life-size sculpture, photography, jewelry, glass, woodwork, and painting — a lot of it from artists who travel the national festival circuit. There's continual live entertainment on the main stage, food trucks and gourmet vendors, and a kids zone with face painting and hands-on art, so it works whether you're buying a statement piece or just strolling with the family.
Heads up: the whole event is cashless — bring a card. And it's outdoors in early September, so plan for sun early and the chance of an afternoon mountain storm.
Parking & the free shuttle
Downtown parking fills fast on Artfest weekend. Your options:
- Encore parking garage (Wilcox/Perry) — 300+ public spaces, floors 1–5, no overnight parking.
- Parking garage at Third/Jerry.
- Park & ride from the Douglas County Fairgrounds (500 Fairgrounds Drive) — a free trolley/shuttle loops continuously to the corner of Perry and South Street both festival days. Easiest way to skip the downtown hunt.
Check the Town of Castle Rock downtown parking map for the current layout.
2025 award winners
Last year's jury honored Pietra Wall (Best in Show), Kim & Krystal Obrzut (Best in Fine Art), and Cynthia White (Best in Fine Craft) — a good sense of the caliber to look for.
Make a day of it
Artfest sits right in the downtown restaurant core, so it's easy to fold in a meal — Ecclesia Market, Apres Coffee, and BAGL are steps from the footprint. See our guides to the best restaurants in Castle Rock and best coffee shops.
Artfest is the unofficial hinge between summer and fall in Castle Rock. Coming off the summer events season, and right before the leaves turn and the holidays ramp up toward Starlighting in November.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Castle Rock Artfest 2026?+
Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock.
Is Castle Rock Artfest free?+
Yes, admission is free to the two-day event. Note that Castle Rock Chamber events are cashless — vendors and food take debit and credit cards only.
Where is Castle Rock Artfest held?+
In downtown Castle Rock, centered on Festival Park (300 Second Street) and Perry Street between Third and South. It sits midway between Denver and Colorado Springs.
How many artists are at Artfest?+
More than 110 juried artists from across the country, showing everything from life-size sculpture to photography, jewelry, glass, woodwork, and painting. It's a curated fine-art show, not a craft fair.
Where do you park for Castle Rock Artfest?+
Downtown fills up. Best bets: the Encore parking garage at Wilcox/Perry (300+ spaces), the garage at Third/Jerry, or park at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (500 Fairgrounds Drive) and ride the free trolley/shuttle, which loops to the corner of Perry and South Street both festival days. Check the Town of Castle Rock downtown parking map for the latest.
Is there food and entertainment at Artfest?+
Yes. There's continual live entertainment on the Festival Park main stage, food trucks and gourmet vendors, a kids zone with face painting and hands-on art, and downtown restaurants right on the footprint (Ecclesia Market, Apres Coffee, BAGL, and more).
Never miss the big Castle Rock weekends
Subscribe to Castle Rock Crew for the heads-up on Artfest, Starlighting, and every major event downtown. Join 13,000+ locals.
Subscribe Free