Indianapolis Area Chalk Art Festivals | 2023

We’re huge fans of sidewalk chalk, that’s how we stumbled upon these Indiana Chalk Art festivals. They’re always a favorite on our events calendar.

Sidewalk chalk is a huge staple at our house during the warm months. It’s on the shopping list right up there with toilet paper, bread, and milk. Our sidewalk and driveway are welcoming seas of scribbles, scrawls, and mostly indecipherable things, and so much of this is inspired by seeing real-life chalk art in person!

If you’ve never visited a chalk art festival, it’s an event where artists from varying levels of experience, create temporary works of art on the ground or pavement using colored chalk. Sometimes there’s live music, and often there are food vendors. It’s a great place to visit and participate OR just visit to see the process and finished product.

Artists work individually or in teams and they create a wide range of artwork, from abstract designs to realistic portraits and landscapes. And again, even if you don’t consider yourself an amazing artist, I encourage you to participate, especially if you can get your children involved.

Indiana Chalk Art Festivals

I love taking my children to participate in the Indy area Chalk Art Festivals. We’re on the hunt to find all of them for you to check out!

Chalk the Walk

Franklin Amphitheater, 237 W. Monroe Street, Franklin, Indiana

Participants can register for a 3 x 3 square at the amphitheater for a chance to win cash prizes. The top prize is $100! Register by noon on September 23rd to reserve a space. Walk-up registrations may be available on a limited basis. Chalk will be available for use, but participants are highly encouraged to bring their own.

Date: October 7, 2023, 9 am – 5 pm
| Register online |

How to Participate in the Chalk Art Event

Sometimes we pull up a square and create our own mural on the ground and other times we just walk around and admire what everyone else has created.

Chalk Art Events We’re Waiting On

I’ve noticed that many of the great events and activities we loved before the pandemic have still not returned to programming. I’m hopeful that the events below will announce dates soon for the 2023 Chalk Art Festivals.

Great Chalk Out at the Indiana State Museum

The Indiana State Museum has an event where they invite families to get creative on the sidewalks around the museum! “Buy” a large square to decorate for $10 or a small square for $5. Chalk can be purchased for $3. The competition will take place inside if it rains. Prizes will be awarded for: Best Family Art; Best Child Art (age 7 and younger), Best Youth Art (ages 8-15), and Best Adult Art (ages 16+).

Date: To be announced

Hamilton Town Center Chalk Art Festival

Hamilton Town Center typically offers a festival in June, where professional and amateur artists line the streets of the Center with beautiful chalk art creations. This event also features face painting, vendor booths, food for sale, a kid zone, and even more fun!

Date: To be announced

Garfield Park Chalk Art Festival

The annual event at Garfield Park offers the chance for park-goers to participate in creating art on the sidewalks of the park. All ages are welcome, and you can even register for the chalk art competition!

Date: To be announced

I hope you’ll take your family along and get to enjoy these Indiana Chalk Art Festivals, as a participant or as someone who can go to appreciate the art. Chalk art events provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their talents, and we get to enjoy their unique, colorful displays of art!