Palmer Lake
July 24th - 26th
Palmer Lake Centennial Park
live bands . art classes & demos . activities for kids . food trucks . beer & wine sales . stargazing party
Inspired by Chautauqua
The Palmer Lake Arts Fest engages all ages in an interactive arts and educational experience in a spectacular outdoor setting as a modern echo of the original Chautauqua movement of the early 1900s.
Arts, Food, & Activities
Join us for an exciting weekend of live music! Enjoy a diverse lineup of bands performing a variety of styles.
Explore and shop an exciting selection of work from talented local artists. Discover unique creations that reflect the vibrant spirit of our community.
Stargazing Party
Join us for a magical Star Party with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society (CSASTRO)! Enjoy an evening of stargazing through telescopes and exploring the wonders of the night sky.
Poetry
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of poetry as local poets share their heartfelt creations. Experience the power of words and celebrate the talent in our community. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow poetry lovers and support our artists!
Plein Air Painting Competition
Kids Art Events
Painting, drawing & more
Live Bands
Austin Johnson - Violinist
Anna Grace - Singer
John Marble - Family Musicians
Food Trucks
& Beer Garden
coffee, tacos, pizza, burgers & chicken
Art Vendors
We are full for art vendors. Keep an eye out for next year though!
Saturday & Sunday - July 25 & 26
Details
– July 25 & 26, Saturday & Sunday
– Showcase original, high quality artwork
– Painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, etc.
– Original work only, must be created by the artist
– No vendor fee; artists must provide their own 10×10 tent
– No electricity available
– $25 Peddler’s License required (Town of Palmer Lake)
– Submit 2 digital images of your work with your application
– Spaces are free but limited – early application encouraged
Application
Please fill out the form below. You can submit up to three photos of your work.
Palmer Lake
Photography Contest
Photo of Palmer Lake or Town of Palmer Lake
First place winner will have photo entry enlarged to a16 x 20in canvas print, custom framed, and displayed in Palmer Lake Town Hall for three months. All winners photographs will be available (enlarged and framed) at the PLAC 2027 Off The Wall fundraiser.
- 1st Place - $300
- 2nd Place - $200
- 3rd Place - $100
Rules:
– Submissions must be of Palmer Lake or town of Palmer Lake
– Deadline for submissions is July 1st
– Original work taken by entrant
– No AI images allowed, limited digital editing
– File type: JPG files
– Free of signatures or watermark
– High resolution, minimum 2400 x 3000 pixels
– No obscene or defamatory subject matter
– Submissions may be in color, black & white or sepia
– Up to three entries per person
– PLAC organizers have rights to use all entries for promotion
Submission
Please fill out the form below. You can submit up to three entries.
Paint the Lake
Plein Air Kickoff
Join us for this 3rd annual and unique Plein Air “Paint the Lake” in Palmer Lake, CO, celebrating the camaraderie of fellow painters from across the Front Range.
- 1st Place - $300
- 2nd Place - $200
- 3rd Place - $100
- Saturday, July 25th
- Registration at 8:00am
- Registration Fee $20
Details:
8:00am: Register, stamp painter canvases, begin setup of painter’s chosen locations used throughout the morning painting period. Participants may select from any location around the lake or from around the town of Palmer Lake.
12:00pm: Judging by John DeFranscesco
12:30pm: Awards
1:00pm Plein Air Demonstration with Karin Toppel, a contemporary realist artist with an impressionist’s eye, with a goal to inspire and transport the audience to another level of beauty and meaning in the wide open spaces of the West.
Chocolate Making Class at the Rock House
White Chocolate Deviled Eggs
- July 25 & 26
- 9:30am - 11:00am
- Rock House Ice Cream - Palmer Lake, CO
- Free!
What you’ll learn:
The Recipe:
Create a creamy white deviled egg with the perfect filling
Key techniques:
– Learn tips for melting white chocolate, acheving the perfect filling and molding perfect egg halves
Decorationg & finishing:
– Add garnishes and textures
You’ll leave with:
– New skills and your own beauftial creations
Class details:
Level:
– All skill levels
– All ages
Duration:
– Appx. 60 – 90 min
Register Now
Please register for the chocolate making class
Schedule of events
Live Music
Friday
Ashtonz 6:00pm- 8:00pm
Saturday
Bagpipes & Parade 9:00am – 10:00am
Dead Buddies 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Outage Band 3:15pm – 4:00pm
Red Rocks Rebellion 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Skin & Bones 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Sunday
The Marble Family Band 10:30am – 11:30am
Anna Grace 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Austin Johnson 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Cask & Chisel 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Food Trucks
Friday
Pretzel Kings 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday
XCR Coffee Truck 9:00am – 11:00am
Smokey D’s BBQ 11:00am – 8:00pm
It’s Just Pizza 11:00am – 8:00pm
Miami Sandwich Machine 11:00am – 8:00pm
El Taco King 11:00am – 8:00pm
Sunday
4th Avenue Crepes 9:00am – 2:00pm
Hip Pop 11:00am – 2:00pm
Pretzel Kings 11:00am – 5:00pm
Classes & Activity Details
Ashtonz | Live Music
- Friday
- 6:00 - 8:00pm
- Band Tent
- Low degree-of-difficulty rock/pop/country and the occasional blooze…enjoy in moderation.
Beer, Wine & Food Trucks
- Friday
- 5:00pm - 8:00pm
- Gazebo Area
- Beer, wine and food trucks available for purchase
Plein Air Event | Class & Interactive Activity
- Saturday
- 7:30am - 12:00pm
- Classes Tent / Around Palmer Lake
- 3rd annual and unique Plein Air “Paint the Lake” . Participants may select from any location around the lake or from around the town of Palmer Lake.
Yoga
- Saturday
- 8:00am - 9:00am
- Classes Tent
- Early morning yoga class
Forest Walk and Journaling | Class & Interactive Activity
- Saturday
- 9:00am - 11:30am
- Santa Fe Trail (SE corner of the lake)
- Guided nature journaling walk and ceremonial tea.
Bagpipes and Parade | Live Music
- Saturday
- 9:00am - 10:00am
- Bridge
- Isaac began bagpipes at age 11 and loves playing at special events. He has been our event opener for all 3 years!
Tie Dye | Class & Interactive Activity
- Saturday
- 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Classes Tent / Around Palmer Lake
- Buy an Arts Fest t-shirt for $20 and learn to tie-dye it yourself.
Kids' Art Activities | Kids' Program
- Saturday
- 9:00am-12:00pm
- Classes Tent / Around Palmer Lake
- We have several forms of art mediums for the kids to learn about and enjoy.
Tai Chi | Class & Interactive Activity
- Saturday
- 9:00am - 10:00am
- Classes Tent
- Tai Chi to start your day
- Saturday & sunday
- 9:30am - 11:00am
- Rock House Ice Cream & More
- Class will learn how to construct a white chocolate devil egg. Limited to 20 persons; free online registration required. This 90 min class is free, sponsored and underwritten by the Rock House Ice Cream store.
Art Sales
- Saturday & Sunday
- 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Gazebo Area
- Over 30 artists will have displays of their art for sale, all day Saturday and Sunday.
Beer, Wine & Food Trucks
- Friday
- 5:00pm - 8:00pm
- Gazebo Area
- Beer, wine and food trucks available for purchase
Beer, Wine & Food Trucks
- Saturday & Sunday
- 11:00am - 8:00pm
- Gazebo Area
- Beer, wine and food trucks available for purchase
Plein Air Awards
- Saturday
- 12:30pm - 12:45pm
- Classes Tent / Around Palmer Lake
Photography Contest Awards
- Saturday
- 1:00pm - 1:15pm
- Classes Tent
- Awards for the 1st annual photography contest, 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
Plein Air Art Demo with Karin Toppel
- Saturday
- 1:00pm - 2:00pm
- Classes Tent
- Karin is contemporary realist artist with an impressionist's eye, with a goal to inspire and transport the audience to another level of beauty and meaning in the wide open spaces of the West. She will demonstrate techniques in oil painting.
Zentangle
- Saturday
- 1:00pm - 2:30pm
- Classes Tent
- This art form uses mostly black pen and white paper and branches into color with black, tan and gray paper along with colored gel pens, chalk pencils and even watercolor pencils. Zentangle is a relaxing form of artistic expression that involves creating intricate, structured patterns. It is for all ages and all artistic abilities. Drop In.
Dead Buddies | Live Music
- Saturday
- 2:00pm - 2:45pm
- Band Tent
- Formed in Denver Colorado, Dead Buddies is an ode to lost friends. Drawing inspiration from all over the music spectrum, this DIY indie outfit is always excited to share their original songs with new ears.
“All Ages” Sip and Paint By Number Class (Drop in)
- Saturday
- 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Classes Tent
- Learn to paint with watercolor, acrylics or just enjoy creating a scene of Palmer Lake in crayons!
Outage | Live Music
- Saturday
- 3:15pm - 4:00pm
- Band Tent
- An active metalcore band
Red Rocks Rebellion | Live Music
- Saturday
- 12:30pm - 12:45
- Classes Tent
- A great band that loves music, and they bring the Party!
Skin & Bones | Live Music
- Saturday
- 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Band Tent
- An energetic, talented, female-fronted rock cover band with a diverse set list.
Star Gazing Party
- Saturday
- 9:00pm
- Classes Tent
- Celebrate Palmer Lake's dark skies with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society who will set up their telescopes for viewing.
Poetry Readings
- Sunday
- 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Gazebo Area
- Beer, wine and food trucks available for purchase
Poets Open Mic
- Sunday
- 3:00pm - 3:30pm,
- Classes Tent
- Share you poetry with the community during open mic
Yoga
- Sunday
- 8:00am - 9:00am
- Classes Tent
- Early morning yoga class
Needle-felted Wool Class
- Sunday
- 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Classes Tent
- Discover the art of needle-felted wool in this introductory class with local artist, Ryan Aragon! Learn the basics, from the materials that are used to specific techniques utilized to create two and three-dimensional work. This class will focus on developing a 6x4 inch 2D depiction of the historic Palmer Lake Star! However, the skills learned in this class can be developed into more advanced two and three-dimensional art, with additional classes being offered at our shop, Finders Keepers, to take your artistic journey further!
Tie Dye | Class & Interactive Activity
- Sunday
- 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Classes Tent / Around Palmer Lake
- Buy an Arts Fest t-shirt for $20 and learn to tie-dye it yourself.
The Marble Family Band | Live Music
- Sunday
- 10:30am - 11:30am
- Gazebo Area
Ceramic Hands-On and Demo
- Sunday
- 12:00pm - 2:00pm
- Classes Tent
- Pottery instruction will include slab work, hand building and the opportunity to paint finished pottery pieces to take home.
Anna Grace | Live Music
- Sunday
- 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Band Tent
- Anna Grace is a poet, singer, and writer.
Phone Photography
- Sunday
- 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Classes Tent
- Local photographers Krista Bobo & Jennifer Yoeli. Open to all skill levels—bring your phone and your curiosity! Learn simple, creative techniques to instantly elevate your photos, including composition, posing people, and using natural light to your advantage. We’ll focus on seeing better light and angles to get the most out of your phone’s camera.
Kids Crafts with Real Red Riding Hoods
- Sunday
- 1:00pm - 2:00pm
- 279 Walnut Ave - Palmer Lake CO
- Come do some arts and crafts with Real Red Riding Hoods School… a homeschool enrichment program, offering music, art, science, and outdoor programs that enrich and complement your homeschool journey.
“All Ages” Sip and Paint By Number Class (Drop in)
- Sunday
- 12:00pm - 3:00pm
- Classes Tent
- Learn to paint with watercolor, acrylics or just enjoy creating a scene of Palmer Lake in crayons!
Theater Class | Class & Interactive Activity
- Sunday
- 3:00pm-4:00pm
- Classes Tent
- This hands-on workshop is a playful introduction to improv — no experience or performance skills required. Through 3-4 high-energy games, you’ll flex your imagination, learn to say “yes, and,” and get your whole body involved (not just your brain). Whether you want to learn to be more creative or just have some laughs and unwind, this event will have something for everyone.
Austin Johnson | Live Music
- Sunday
- 3:30pm - 4:30pm
- Band tent
- Austin is a young violinist who lives in Monument and plays with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and Colorado College Baroque Ensemble.
Cask and Chisel | Live Music
- Sunday
- 5:00pm - 7:00pm
- Band Tent
- Scottish and Irish music, pub tunes, and sea shanties….come sing~along!