Cherry Creek Arts Festival celebrates 35th anniversary
As the United States of America celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Colorado marks 150 years as a state, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival also celebrates a milestone: 35 years as one of the Rocky Mountain region’s most popular summer happenings.
The three-day signature event of year-round creativity produced by CherryArts is a multi-sensory affair and a repeat winner of the Gold Grand Pinnacle Award for best festival.
While festivalgoers appreciate the visual arts, live performances, street food and premier people-watching, the artists primarily appreciate the festival sales. Last year, the event generated approximately $4.5 million in art sales for participating artists.
Free and open to the public, the hours are as follows:
• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 3; accessibility hour from 9 to 10 a.m.
• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 4
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 5
In Cherry Creek North, commerce blossoms
Staged each July in conjunction with Independence Day, the festival unfolds in one of Colorado’s most prestigious multiuse districts: Cherry Creek North. The arts festival serves as an economic engine in an already thriving, high-traffic neighborhood known for upscale tourism, shopping, dining and entertainment.
The State of Cherry Creek report issued May 15 by the Cherry Creek Alliance indicated that despite broad economic uncertainty — especially in retail and commercial real estate sectors — Cherry Creek outperforms regional and national trends.
The festival is the capstone event of the nonprofit CherryArts, but the organization offers ongoing arts education throughout the year. The website reads as follows: “The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is produced by CherryArts, a Denver-based nonprofit dedicated to the beliefs that access to art is for everyone and that artists are essential. CherryArts supports artists and arts education through interactive programming at the annual festival and year-round throughout Colorado.”
Follow arts festival etiquette
This year, to mark the CCAF’s 35th anniversary, we offer 35 fun facts that tell the story of one of the premier arts festivals in the nation. But first, a few fine points:
• Do not photograph artworks without permission from artists.
• It’s July and a mile high. You know the drill: Wear a hat, sunscreen and stay hydrated.
• Leave your pets at home, unless a service dog. The art festival is notoriously hot with July temperatures, hot pavement and hordes of people. The festival website states, “…bringing pets is highly discouraged for the safety of both animals and patrons alike.”
• The event is cashless for all culinary, beverage, and merchandise booths. Touchless pay and all major credit and debit cards will be accepted.
35 fun facts about the 35th annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival:
- Number of people who attended the festival in 2025: 150,000+
- Number of national/international artists in this year’s festival: 265
- Number of applicants for 2026 festival: 1,983
- Number of artists from Colorado: 37
- Number of artists from outside the U.S.: 4
- Number of first-time exhibitors: 80
- Number of artists who have exhibited at the festival for 20 or more (non-consecutive) years: 6 (Brian Blackham, Jeffrey Cannon, M Kemper, Kelly Marshall, Jamie Perry and John Whipple.) All of this year’s artists are searchable here.
- Number of artists returning to the festival for the first time in more than 10 years: 9 (Theresa Carson, Andrea Haffner, Rachel Harvey, Sarah Hassler, John Mascoll, Justin Robinson, Marlene Rose, Allan Teger and Richard Wilson.)
- Number of independent arts professionals who served as jurors on the CCAF art selection committee, which changes every year: 5 — This year’s jurors included two from Denver: Denver Public Library curator of art Emily Grace King and the artist Thomas “Detour” Evans. “What impressed me most about the submissions by the artists was the variety of art and creativity with different materials, processes and subject matter,” Evans said.
Known for his public murals as well as his monumental sculptural installation at Denver International Airport, Evans added, “There are things tied to Colorado and our culture that will be present because many artists leaned in that in their submission. But there was such a variety of different artists to choose from that I think there is something for everyone.”
Evans encouraged festivalgoers to connect with artists. “Talk to the artists about their process and materials because sometimes looking on the surface doesn’t tell the story about how a piece of art is made.”
10. Number of artists named “Michael” on the 2026 roster of artists: 8
11. Number of artists who donated work for the annual CherryArts Art Auction: 90 — The annual art auction opens Monday, June 29 and continues through the festival, with proceeds benefiting CherryArts education programs throughout Colorado.
12. Number of dollars raised at the 2025 art auction: $73,000
13. Number of different media showcased at 2026 CCF: 13 — The festival includes painting, drawing, glass, jewelry, wood, ceramics, photography, fiber, printmaking, digital art, mixed media, metalwork, and sculpture.
14. Number of live acts performing free of charge over three days of the festival: 13 — The Canvas Credit Union Main Stage on Fillmore near First Avenue will showcase Mary Louise Lee Band, The Reminders, Chris Daniel and the Kings and more.
15. Number of students directly served last year by CherryArts: 40,000 — Through mobile outreach, CherryArts offers programs “designed to spark creativity and empower the next generation through arts education.”
16. Number of kids sponsored at CherryArts Art Camp: 38 — The creative week-long camp teaches design and sewing skills, campers create five fashion looks inspired by posters from the festival’s 25-year history.
17. Number of CherryArts Art Kits sold at 2025 festival: 2,468 — At the festival, high school students sell ready-to-use art kits for drawing, watercolor painting or mixed media.
18. Number of CherryArts Art Kits distributed to schools and community centers across the state: 2,468 — For every Art Kit sold at the festival or online, CherryArts donates one kit to a school in need.
19. Number of dollars CherryArts grants to schools for the Student Art Buying program: 500 — As part of the festival each year, CherryArts grants $500 to dozens of Colorado students to purchase original works of art for permanent display in their schools.
20. Number of schools granted $500 for the 2026 Student Art Buying program: 24 — Each school will send two to four students to select and purchase art.
21. Number of total schools granted $500 for Student Art Buying program: 470 — The art-buying experience is the culmination of an in-school art curriculum that teaches students art appreciation and aspects of the business of art.
22. Number of CCAF artists supported by purchases from the Student Art Buying Program: 800+
23. Number of original artworks since 2001 through the Student Art Buying Program: 1,309 — According to CherryArts, “The program teaches art appreciation, teamwork, public speaking, financial literacy and the business of art, and the schools receive original artwork for permanent display.”
24. Number of students the Mobile Art Gallery has reached across Colorado: 149,272 — CherryArts said, “The traveling exhibition brings original artwork directly to students while providing educational tools for teachers. Participants help install the exhibition and are trained to give tours, learning about the artists, creative process and how to share art with others.”
25. Number of food vendors at this year’s CCAF: 18 — That’s in addition to Cherry Creek North’s many restaurants. Check out food vendors here: https://cherryarts.org/events/cherry-creek-arts-festival/things-to-do/
26. Number of feet in height and width of the mural to be painted live by Anna Charney: 8 by 12 — Denver artist Anna Charney will create a new mural during the festival. The artist will invite community participation on Opening Night. Her design includes abstract pattern work and subtle references to Colorado landscapes. After the festival debut, the portable installation will inspire audiences across Colorado through CherryArts events and education programming.
27. Number of emerging artists supported since 2004: 135 — For the third year, CherryArts awarded five emerging artists a $5,000 Emerging Artist grant of unrestricted funds to support their work, along with a mentor program and a booth at the festival.
28. Number of daily guests, on average, who visited CCAF 2025 Creation Station: 1,000 — Each day of the festival, Creation Station offers free, family-friendly art activities and cultural performances. This year, inspired by the CO150 theme, guests can participate in creating a large-scale collaborative mural.
29. Booth number of Atlanta-based mixed-media artist Bennett, who created this year’s commemorative poster: 262 — The artist known as Bennett titled his work “Well Wishes and Dirty Dishes.” The artist said he envisions “a world where we are always willing to make a bigger table rather than excluding others.”
30. Number of CCAF volunteers and volunteer shifts annually: 250 to 275 volunteers work 460 shifts during the three-day arts festival.
31. Number of dollars a ticket costs for the CCAF Opening Night event: 115 — from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, ticketed guests enjoy an intimate preview of a block of artists, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks at the opening night festivities. Ticket sales support CherryArts’ mobile arts education program for Colorado schools.
32. Number of businesses in the Cherry Creek district, according to State of Cherry Creek report: 1,694
33. Number of development projects underway in Cherry Creek: 8 — Construction cranes continue to loom over the multi-use district, bringing highly anticipated development projects such as Cherry Creek West, the Waldorf Astoria Residences and Cherry Lane.
34. Number of Cherry Creek development projects announced: 8
35. Number of posters produced over 35 years of Cherry Creek Arts Festival: 36 — In 2017, the organization created two posters. The best-selling poster in the history of the festival is the 2009 Cherry Creek Arts Festival poster by artist Michael McKee.