Chalk Art Fest Returns May 31–June 1!

Be Part of the Art — Chalk Art Fest is Back!
May 31–June 1 | Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island, IL
🎨 FREE Admission | Live Art | Family Fun | $2,000+ in Prizes!

Quad City Arts’ 9th Annual Chalk Art Fest returns May 31–June 1, transforming downtown Rock Island into a vibrant, temporary art gallery. Watch incredible chalk masterpieces come to life on the pavement, enjoy live music, food trucks, and activities for all ages—and even get creative yourself!

Inspiring and engaging for people of all ages, this free, two-day sidewalk chalking festival brings together hundreds of local and regional artists that spend hours transforming blank pavement into a museum of chalk art, while competing for cash prizes. The festival starts at 10 a.m. on both days and goes until 7 pm on Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday. Visitors strolling by can see the wonderful works of art as they come to life, vote for their favorite, and even do some chalk art of their own by taking part in the collaborative community piece. 

A full line-up of live music, food trucks, concessions, craft brews, face painting, a bounce house, the Kaleidoscope Bus, and a kid’s chalk zone are all part of the festivities. In addition, on Saturday, May 31, people will be able to participate in Art for the Spirit’s ‘Have a Heart for Kidneys’ community art project, and the Rock Island Public Library’s Library2Go will be on site from 10am-2pm. Over $2000 in prizes will be awarded including a People’s Choice award, and youth category awards for ages 12-17. The artworks are temporary, lasting only until the next rainfall, so you’ll want to catch a glimpse before they are gone!  

Festival Hours:
Saturday, May 31: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 1: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Awards announced at 4:30 p.m. Sunday

Bring the Whole Family – Free fun all weekend!
- Chalk artists in action
- Food trucks & craft brews
- Bounce house & face painting
- Kid’s Chalk Zone
- Kaleidoscope Bus
- Live music all day (View the full lineup)
- Community chalk piece (you can help fill it in)
- Rock Island Library’s Library2Go and Art for the Spirit's Have a Heart for Kidneys project on Saturday

The art is temporary—catch it before it washes away!
Get all the details on our website: quadcityarts.com/chalk-art-fest

We can't wait to see you at Chalk Art Fest! Share with friends and RSVP on Facebook!
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Volunteer – Help us make magic happen!
Volunteers help with setup, artist support, chalk voting, and more. You’ll get a free Chalk Art Fest t-shirt and the chance to be part of one of the most colorful weekends in the Quad Cities. Sign Up To Volunteer

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Community Collaboration Piece
Join the Fun! Participants will have chalk available to help fill in a 2’ x 2’ portion of a larger collaborative image. Once complete, the full artwork will come to life as a vibrant community masterpiece! (Chalk will be provided for use on-site only.)

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When you attend Chalk Art Fest, you're doing more than just enjoying a weekend of creativity—you’re actively supporting local artists, fueling cultural vibrancy in the Quad Cities, and helping us demonstrate the power of public art. Your participation shows that our community values the arts, which strengthens future programming and ensures events like this continue to thrive. Plus, every smile, photo, and vote adds energy and momentum to the festival—proving that art truly comes alive when shared. Let's keep being creative together, Quad Cities! 

P.S.–You can help us keep this event free for the community with a special donation to Quad City Arts through Birdies for Charity. When you give, Quad City Arts receives 100% of your donation, plus a guaranteed 5–10% bonus, making your support go even further.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS