Skip to Main Content

Pearl Street Arts Fest 2025

Artist Frequently Asked Questions

Congratulations on being accepted to Downtown Boulder's Pearl Street Arts Fest!  We look forward to having you here in July.

Below are the most Frequently Asked Questions from artists that we receive each year.  If you have any additional questions about the event that are not addressed below, please contact our Events Department.

 

What are the event hours?

Pearl Street Arts Fest's main hours are Friday, July 18 from 3 - 8 pm, Saturday, July 19 from 10 am - 7 pm and on Sunday, July 20 from 10 am - 5 pm.  You will have the option of only showing at the event on Saturday and Sunday if preferred.

Please join us for the Artist Awards Breakfast on Sunday, July 20 at 8:30 am before you start the final day of the fest!

 

When is event set-up / can I set-up early?

When you purchase a booth in Zapplication, you may select Friday set-up to set-up on Friday, July 18 between 9 am - 3 pm.  If you wish to come earlier than 9 am, please check with event staff first.

Set-up for those only wishing to participate in the show on Saturday and Sunday is from 6 - 10 am on Saturday, July 19.   

 

How do I get a booth on the Mall?

Booths must be selected through the check out process in Zapplication.  Please refer to the instructions in your acceptance letter for details.  If Mall booths are sold out in the ZAPP® Shop, you may fill out this form to be added to the Mall Wait List.  Please remember, you must purchase a 14th Street booth in Zapplication to secure your spot in the show before filling out the Mall Wait List form.

 

How do I request a specific booth?

Please visit this page for instructions and to fill out the special booth request form. Links to the maps of every booth in the show are included. Please follow these instructions carefully so that we may process your request.  The deadline to submit a special booth request is Friday, May 30th. 

 

What do I do to request a booth as an invited artist?

Invited artists do not to need to do anything in Zapplication to secure booth space. You are most welcome to make a special booth request by following the instructions here.  Invited artists to do need to make any payment for their special booth request.

 

Where is my booth?

Booth assignments will be sent out in mid to late June 2025, along with maps showing your specific booth location.  We will also include a map of your assigned block, highlighting your booth, in your Artist Packet that you may pick up when you arrive for the show beginning on Thursday, July 17.

 

Where do I park?

On FRIDAY - paid parking is available throughout the district.  We recommend parking in the City of Boulder parking garages as you will not need to move your car after you park.  Street parking has a 3-hour limit on weekdays.  For those with oversized vehicles or trailers, you will be able to use the Justice Center parking lot, located at 6th and Canyon.  To walk back to your booth, follow 6th Street north to Pearl, then east (turn right) to the Pearl Street Mall (at 11th).

Saturday and Sunday: Oversized vehicles and those with trailers may use the Justice Center parking lot, located at 6th and Canyon on Saturday and Sunday.  To walk back to your booth, follow 6th Street north to Pearl, then east (turn right) to the Pearl Street Mall (at 11th).  Please note: no camping is allowed in the City of Boulder.

For those of you with normal-sized vans and cars, we recommend you park in the City of Boulder parking garages – parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays in the garages – there is a charge for street metered parking on Fridays and Saturdays.  Parking is not free in City garages on Fridays!

For artists located in other parts of the show (1201-1414), we recommend parking at 14th & Walnut (above the RTD bus station) or 15th & Pearl (accessible from 15th or 16th streets).  

A map of Accessible Parking downtown is available here.

Please Note: The City of Boulder has a fully gateless and ticketless garage system. For garage parking, you will need to register with Metropolis on your smartphone to pay. Once you've registered, you can simply drive in and drive our to start and end your parking sessions. Any payment due (Friday ONLY) is automatically charged and you will receive a text receipt. More information can be found here. Register your vehicle ahead of time at app.metropolis.io. 

 

Where can I camp?

For those of you traveling in campers and RVs, you can camp at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont about 20 miles away. Their rates are very reasonable, but they do not take reservations.  There are also some campgrounds outside of Boulder in the foothills.  Visit Recreation.gov for details. 

Camping is not permitted anywhere in the City of Boulder.  

 

What is the sales tax rate for the show?

The Sales Tax Rate is 9.045%. 

The City of Boulder requires all visiting artists to obtain a City of Boulder business license.  You cannot pay your sales tax through us.  If you would like to obtain a temporary license just for this Special Event, you may follow the instructions in the City's Special Event Vendor Guide.

If you are a local resident and are unsure if you already have a business license, you may verify it under the Learn More section on the website, or contact sales tax staff at salestax@bouldercolorado.gov. 

Everyone also needs to apply for a State of Colorado Special Events license. Visit their website for complete details. 

We are required to submit your City of Boulder Business License number to the City of Boulder no less than two weeks prior to the start of the show. We are also required by both the City of Boulder and the State to submit a list, including contact information, of all participating artists following the show. 

Here is a sample of the City of Boulder license - showing the number we will need. Here is a sample of the State of Colorado license that we will need if you are out of state. If you are in state, you can obtain a regular State of Colorado sales tax license. We will provide a form to provide this information when we send out booth assignments in mid to late June.

 

Do you have Booth Sitters?

Yes – we have volunteer booth sitters both days of the event.  Please let us know when you pick-up your packet if you would like the booth sitters to check-in with you periodically during the event.  You may also request a booth sitter by calling us at the Visitor Information Center.  We will also bring water around throughout both days of the event - and you can let those volunteers know that you are in need of a booth sitter as well.

 

Is there Overnight Security?

Yes, we have hired additional private security personnel – they work on Friday night from 8 pm until 7 am on Saturday morning and on Saturday night from 7 pm until 7 am on Sunday morning. Please keep in mind that they have a number of tents with four sides to watch.  Please secure your merchandise properly or (preferably) remove it altogether overnight.

 

What do I need to do to secure my booth at night?

Overnight theft has not been a big issue for us at this show, but we have had instances of people trying to gain access to the booths for shelter.  We encourage everyone to lock up merchandise at night. This will protect it from access, as well as theft and wind damage.  Removing merchandise from your booth is the best choice for smaller items.  You are allowed to pull up to your booths in the evenings to make this easier.  If you feel this is not a choice for you, please lock up the merchandise in your booth. Place it together in the center of your booth, cover it, rope it and lock it.  You can also help by securing the edges of your tent.  Using plastic ties on the zippers or put several knots in the ropes closing your tent.  Some artists wrap the entire tent in flexible fencing (which can be purchased at any hardware store) and zip tie shut.  Anything that you can do to make it harder to get at your merchandise will help secure it.

 

Where are the restrooms?

Public Restrooms are located to the north of the Visitor Information Center on the northeast corner of 13th and Pearl streets.  There are also portable restrooms located just north of the public restroom building.

 

What If It rains?

Pearl Street Fest will be held rain or shine. We only close down when the weather presents a safety hazard to patrons, artists and staff.

 

Are pets welcome at the event?

If you have a booth on 14th Street, you may have a pet with you.  Pets are not allowed on the Pearl Street Mall. This is a City of Boulder ordinance and the City of Boulder PD will ticket you if you are in violation.  

Here are a few local pet day care facilities if you need one:

 

If you have any additional questions about the event that are not addressed above, please contact our Events Department.