Aspen Public Art presents: Mall Fest 50

vintage black and white photograph of the Aspen Pedestrian mall with a crowd of people walking, riding bikes, and mingling in a large courtyard area with trees and ornamental lanscaping.
Pilot program of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall in 1973, courtesy Aspen Historical Society

What is Mall Fest 50?

Aspen Public Art and the City of Aspen present Mall Fest 50, 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.

Mall Fest 50 Events

  • Shifting Light

    May 15 - Oct 31, 2026

    An installation by textile artist Rachel B. Hayes featuring ten sewn panels that visitors can walk beneath, creating an immersive experience of color and light.

    View Project

  • Mall Fest 50 Art Parade

    Saturday, June 27, 2026

    An artist-led, people-powered procession of costumes, contraptions and performances celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall.

    Learn More | Register for Parade

  • More Events

    To be announced soon!

    Stay Tuned

co-presented with the support of City of Aspen agencies

  • 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
  • Red Brick Center for the Arts
  • Special Events
  • Transportation
  • Wheeler Opera House

Community partners

  • Anderson Ranch Arts Center
  • Aspen Art Museum
  • Aspen Chamber Resort Association
  • Aspen Fire Department
  • Aspen Historical Society
  • Aspen Institute
  • Aspen Saturday Market
  • Aspen School District
  • Aspen Thrift Shop
  • AspenOUT
  • bARTer Collective
  • Best Buddies
  • Buckhorn Public Arts
  • Challenge Aspen
  • Dance Aspen
  • History Colorado
  • Jazz Aspen Snowmass
  • Leah Potts Art
  • Pitkin County Senior Center
  • Pitkin County Sheriff
  • The Hoffmann Hotel
  • The Project Shop
  • Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies

Questions?

Please direct inquiries to Lara Whitley, Program Lead, Aspen Public Art, lara.whitley@aspen.gov.