Downtown Beaufort to get a colorful makeover at the 2025 ‘Chalk It Up!’ festival. Here’s when
The streets of downtown Beaufort are set to change from pavement to masterpiece and come alive with color this weekend at the second annual “Chalk It Up!” chalk art festival.
The festival will run from March 28 to the 30. Hosted by the Freedman Arts District, this three-day festival will transform the pavement into an open-air gallery featuring large-scale chalk art created by talented artists from around the country.
The event will kick off on Friday, March 28, with an opening reception. This event is free to attend and will showcase a stage production by Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk, as well as a presentation by historian Valinda W. Littlefield.
Saturday and Sunday are when things will get colorful, as over 40 new and long-time artists bring their creations and illustrations to life.
All artists start with a blank slate of pavement, ranging in sizes from 4-foot squares, 10-foot slabs and even entire vertical panels to use as a canvas. The artists will begin on Saturday morning and work for almost 17 hours throughout the festival to create their pieces.
Visitors can watch the artists work on their pieces from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
The festival will feature local chalk artists and artists traveling from as far as Utah for the event. Some familiar faces from last year’s inaugural event include Atlanta’s Chelsey Scott and Lisa Gaither of Durham, NC.
But “Chalk It Up!” will bring more than art this year.
Musicians Ashley Holland, Flat Silly and Walker Dean will perform on Saturday with The Deckhand Band and Ed & Ryan performing on Sunday.
Food trucks will also be on the site and nearby shops including Southern Sweets and Hop Dog will be offering menu specials for artists.
A kids-zone area, hosted by Happy Art Studio, will also be available and features hands-on art activities along with vendors for guests to visit throughout the weekend.
Once the artists have completed their work on Sunday evening, the festival concludes with judging and an award ceremony where the top three artists will be awarded cash prizes.
The inaugural event in 2024 drew over 10,000 visitors to the Lowcountry and this year’s festival is expected to bring the same, if not more, according to Cherimie Weatherford, program director for the Freedman Arts District.
The festival is hosted by the Freedman Arts District, a nonprofit that encourages arts and artists in downtown Beaufort neighborhoods and economic revitalization of the district. “Chalk It Up!” serves as the biggest fundraising event for the organization.
“This event fuels the Freedman Arts District’s mission to inspire, unite and empower through the arts, ensuring that our rich cultural heritage continues to thrive for generations to come,” Weatherford said. “It’s proof that art has the power to bring us together, which is at the core of our mission.”
Volunteer spots are still open for those looking to get involved.
“Chalk It Up!” is a free event and open to the public. It will be held at 913 Port Republic Street in Beaufort.
For more information, visit chalkitupbeaufort.com.
