This is a family-oriented workshop
The Mall Fest 50 Art Parade is coming June 27!
Join Aspen Public Art for a hands-on workshop to create your own costume, mask, or prop for the parade. The theme of the parade is “What do you LOVE about this place?” – a creative invitation to come together and bring joy to the streets.
Artist/educator Reina Katzenberger and her team at The Project Shop will help participants create wearable art to don for the Art Parade. Basic supplies will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring reclaimed, recycled and/or compostable fabric, materials and ornamentation that they would like to upcycle into their fits and kits.
Workshops are free with registration. Space is limited and early sign-up is encouraged to ensure materials and your spot.
Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Please see Parade Guidelines below.
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The Art Parade is open to all. Individuals, families, friend groups, schools, and neighborhood and community groups are invited to participate. Create your parade ensemble on your own or at one of our public workshops.
All entries must be handmade and people powered. Motorized vehicles (other than ADA mobility devices) and live animals (other than service animals) are not permitted. This includes bicycles, which are not allowed on the Mall.
Be inspired by the theme: What do you LOVE about this place?
We encourage everyone to be in costume – including parents and guardians accompanying children.
Costumes and ensembles must be noncommercial. No identifiable logos, written words, registered trademarks, or cartoon characters may be worn. This includes uniforms, T-shirts or signage representing organized teams, troops, schools or civic organizations.
Entries may not advocate for or against a particular political or religious belief. No identifiable flags or symbols from any country, political party, or religious representation of any kind, including verbal, may be displayed.
Neither throws (e.g. candy or swag) nor water spraying are permitted. No distribution of leaflets or flyers is allowed during the parade or along the parade route.
Children 14 and under must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18.
Aspen Public Art reserves the right to approve all entries and to require participants to change their entries at APA’s sole discretion.
Register online by Thursday, June 25, 2026 to ensure your spot in the parade and be eligible for the costume contest and prizes. Walk-ins on Parade Day will be accepted on a space-available basis.
“Through crafting, wearing, dancing and parading in costumes, we build community, discover hidden talents, and bring joy to the streets.”
What is Mall Fest 50?
Mall Fest 50 is a public art celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall.
As innovative as the Mall itself—constructed in 1976, the first car-to-pedestrian transformation in the state and one of the few remaining in the nation—Mall Fest 50 will feature a series of public art experiences across the car-free city park in the summer of 2026. Mall Fest 50 events are free and open to all!
Sign up for other Costume Workshops
Join Aspen Public Art for a hands-on workshop to create your own costume, mask or prop for the parade. Each workshop is designed as an independent session. Attend one, or attend all!
Co-presented by the City of Aspen with support from City departments
- Aspen Police Department
- Aspen Saturday Market
- Asset
- City Clerk
- City Manager
- Commercial Core + Lodging Commission
- Community Development
- DEIB Committee
- Downtown Business Services
- Engineering
- Environmental Health + Sustainability
- Historic Preservation Commission
- Parking
- Parks
- Special Events
- Wheeler Opera House
Community partners
- City of Aspen
- Anderson Ranch Arts Center
- Aspen Art Museum
- Aspen Chamber Resort Association
- Aspen Commercial Core & Lodging Commission
- Aspen Fire Department
- Aspen Historic Preservation Commission
- Aspen Historical Society
- Aspen Institute
- Aspen Police Department
- Aspen Saturday Market
- Aspen School District
- Aspen Thrift Shop
- AspenOUT
- bARTer Collective
- Best Buddies
- Buckhorn Public Art
- Challenge Aspen
- History Colorado
- Jazz Aspen Snowmass
- Leah Potts Art
- Pitkin County Senior Center
- Pitkin County Sheriff
- The Project Shop
- Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies
- Wheeler Opera House
Questions?
Please direct inquiries to Lara Whitley, Program Lead, Aspen Public Art, lara.whitley@aspen.gov.