2025 New Haven Chalk Art Festival
Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 12-4pm at The Shops at Yale
Enjoy a day of music, art and family entertainment in celebration of the local community in the heart of downtown New Haven and Yale University. The Shops at Yale invites all professional and amateur artists, students, and artist groups to participate in the 8th New Haven Chalk Art Festival.
Bring the whole family — stroll the Broadway District to view and vote on elaborate chalk art designs by more than 60 talented artists at a new expanded location in the Broadway District that includes an Elm Street closure (between Park and Broadway), The Civil War Monument Park and Broadway Island (56 Broadway). Enjoy a Family Fun Zone with free chalk, exclusive offers to retailers and restaurants, a raffle and more! This event is free and open to the public, with free parking available at the 150 York Street Garage from 11am-6pm with a validation stamp at The Shops at Yale tent during the event.
Artists compete for bragging rights and gift cards to The Shops at Yale
⊕ 1st Place: $1,000 to Hull’s Art Supply
⊕ 2nd Place: $500 to Urban Outfitters
⊕ 3rd Place: $250 to J.Crew
⊕ Best Amateur/Beginner: $250 Sneaker Junkies
Winners in each People’s Choice Awards category (Teen, Adult and Group) will receive a $100 gift card to J.Crew for 1st Place and $75 gift card to Urban Outfitters for 2nd Place. Winners for Best Halloween Theme, Best Use of Color and Best Photo Rendition will receive $100 each to dwell New Haven. Everyone who votes will automatically be entered to win one of five $50 gift cards to local restaurants!
View Chalk Art in the Broadway District
Broadway Island, 56 Broadway across from Apple, J.Crew & Urban Outfitters, and along Elm Street (there will be a street closure between Park St and Elm St).
Entertainment
The New Haven Chalk Art Festival will provide a fun-filled day with entertainment and activities for the whole family! The entertainment will feature:
♥ Roaming Magician
♥ Where the Love Is Animal Rescue on Broadway Island
♥ Complimentary Crafts
♥ Complimentary Italian Ice
♥ Glitter tattoos on Broadway Island
♥ Complimentary Kettle King Kettle Corn in front of Urban Outfitters
♥ Free Face Painting in the Family Fun Zone
♥ Family Fun Zone with free chalk for the first 200 children, music and free drawing lessons from a professional artist with The Giggling Pig
♥ Lunch specials, $.99 and $1.99 menu items, and exclusive store sales with sales sheets available at The Shops at Yale tables!
♥ Live Music from the RumRunners band from 12:30-3:30pm near Broadway Island (56 Broadway)
Free Parking
The Shops at Yale will offer FREE all-day parking at the 150 York Street Garage for both participants and spectators. Bring your ticket to The Shops at Yale tent on Broadway Island for a validation stamp.
Locations
- → Location A (Artists Check-In and Artists): 56 Broadway (across from Apple, J.Crew & Urban Outfitters)
- → Location B (Artists): Elm Street (street closure between Park St and Broadway)
- → Location C (Family Fun Zone): will be held in the courtyard behind Apple and Sherkaan Indian Street Food (65 Broadway)
Rules
- > Check-in is from 9:30-11:30am *pre-registration is required.
- > Artists will be given a 4’X4′ square on either brick or light grey granite pavers.
- > Artwork Theme: Halloween (G rated, family friendly only) OR Fall for those who do not celebrate Halloween.
- > Artwork must be completed by 3:30pm to allow for judging.
- > Permitted Chalk: ONLY “Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk” sticks are permitted. No sprays or pastels of any kind. We highly suggest arriving with Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk. No other brands of sidewalk chalk are permitted, all participants must use “Crayola Washable Sidewalk Chalk”.
- > The Grand Prize winner, as well as 2nd and 3rd place, will be chosen by a local, professional artist.
- > Prizes (1st, 2nd & 3rd) will be awarded in each age division by People’s Choice:
- > Teen (ages 13 – 17)
- > Adult (ages 18+)
- > Adult Group (13+ *minimum of two artists)
2025 Artists Registration – Free to participate
View Photos from the New Haven Chalk Art Festival
VIEW PREVIOUS CHALK ART FEST PHOTOS!
