Aurora Fest 2026

This application is only for Food Trucks and Trailers. There is a separate application for tented food booths.

Thank you for your interest in attending our 2026 Aurora Fest

The estimated attendance for this event is 8,000.

This event is designed to allow guests to sample food from many different cultures in one experience. To support this, vendors are encouraged to offer a limited menu, smaller portion sizes, and items that can be prepared and served quickly. This helps ensure smooth service and shorter wait times for attendees. Vendors whose menus best follow these guidelines are more likely to be approved.

Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, May 1.

If your application is approved, the vendor fee will be automatically charged to the card on file.

BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION PLEASE GATHER THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS-

• County Mobile Food Vendor License (Please note we are able to accept mobile food vendor licenses from any county in Colorado )
• City of Aurora Mobile Food Vendor Tax License 
• Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Aurora as additionally insured (see below for COI requirements)
• Proof of Workers Comp Insurance or Workers Comp Waiver (see below for more information)

Please see the Related Files section for examples of each of the required documents. Links to apply for the necessary licenses are available in the Food Vendor Required Documentation file.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN ORDER TO OFFER A VARIETY OF FOODS AND DESSERTS WE MAY NOT APPROVE YOUR APPLICATION. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO VENDORS WHO SUBMIT THE CORRECT PAPERWORK AT THE TIME OF APPLYING.

This is an electronic agreement and by submitting your application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

This application is only for Tented Food Booths. There is a separate application for Food Trucks and Trailers (mobile food units).

Cottage food vendors should use the Small Business/Craft Vendor application.

Thank you for your interest in attending Aurora Fest

The estimated attendance for this event is 8,000.

This event is designed to allow guests to sample food from many different cultures in one experience. To support this, vendors are encouraged to offer a limited menu, smaller portion sizes, and items that can be prepared and served quickly. This helps ensure smooth service and shorter wait times for attendees. Vendors whose menus best follow these guidelines are more likely to be approved.

Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, May 1.

If your application is approved, the vendor fee will be automatically charged to the card on file.

BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION PLEASE GATHER THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS-

• Araphoe County Special Event Food License (Please note we are not able to accept special event food vendor licenses from any other county in Colorado )
• City of Aurora Tax License from your regular business (bakery, commissary, snack etc) OR one day tax license (directions for this below)
• Certificate of Insurance naming the City of Aurora as additionally insured (see below for COI requirements)
• Proof of Workers Comp Insurance or Workers Comp Waiver (see below for more information)

Please see the Related Files section for examples of each of the required documents. Links to apply for the necessary licenses are available in the Food Vendor Required Documentation file.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN ORDER TO OFFER A VARIETY OF FOODS AND DESSERTS WE MAY NOT APPROVE YOUR APPLICATION. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO VENDORS WHO SUBMIT THE CORRECT PAPERWORK AT THE TIME OF APPLYING.

This is an electronic agreement and by submitting your application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

Thank you for your interest in Aurora Fest.

Expected attendance for the event is 8,000+

This application is for onsite sales of crafts, goods, and cottage foods. 

This eventt aims to celebrate global cultural traditions. Vendors offering handmade goods or products reflecting ethnic, cultural, or international heritage will be prioritized during selection, though all vendors are welcome to apply.

Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, May 22.

Before submitting your application please gather the following documentation:

-City of Aurora Tax License

-Proof of Workers Comp Insurance or Workers Comp Waiver (see below fore more information)

Cottage food vendors must also submit a COI listing the City of Aurora as a certifcate holder.

If you do not have a City tax license you can apply for a FREE one day event license at- https://aurorataxportal.gentaxcpc.net/tap/_/#1
(see below for detailed instructions)

This is an electronic agreement and by submitting your application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

Thank you for your interest in Aurora Fest.

Expected attendance is 8,000+

Marketing vendors may not do onsite sales of any kind. If you would like to sell items at your booth you must use the Small Business/Craft Vendor application regardless of non-profit status.

PLEASE NOTE THAT PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO INDEPENDENT AND LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS THAT PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO THE AURORA/DENVER METRO AREA.

Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, May 22.

Before submitting your application please gather the following documentation- 
 
-Proof of Workers Comp Insurance or Workers Comp Waiver (see below for more information)
-Proof of non-profit status if applying for discounted pricing

This is an electronic agreement and by submitting your application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

Thank you for your interest in Aurora Fest.

Expected attendance for the event is 8,000+

This application is for vendors who charge participants for on-site activities, games, or experience-based engagements occurring during the event.

Vendors who sell pre-made merchandise or handcrafted goods for purchase and takeaway must apply using the Small Business/Craft Vendor application.

Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, May 22.

Before submitting your application, please gather the following documentation:

• City of Aurora Tax License
• Proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance or Workers’ Compensation Waiver (see below for more information)

If you do not have a City tax license, you may apply for a FREE one-day event license at:
https://aurorataxportal.gentaxcpc.net/tap/_/#1
(See below for detailed instructions.)

Paid Entertainment Vendor Guidelines

Aurora Fest is a free, City-produced community event serving a diverse audience, including youth and families with limited discretionary income. To preserve equitable access while supporting small businesses and creators, the City has established pricing guidelines for paid entertainment/interactive activities.

All proposed paid activities will be reviewed during the application process. Vendors must submit a full description of their activity and complete pricing structure for approval in advance.

Pricing Policy

All entertainment and interactive experiences offered by vendors at the event must be priced at $15 or less for a single complete experience. 

To support equitable access for the community, vendors must provide at least one complete base experience priced at $5 or less. The base experience must allow participants to fully engage in the activity and may not require additional purchases, upgrades, or add-ons in order to participate.

Vendors may offer versions of the experience at higher price points, provided they remain optional and do not exceed the $15 maximum per experience.

Charging a separate entry fee, participation fee, supply fee, or required add-on that increases the cost of the base experience beyond $5 is not permitted. Bundled pricing structures that effectively prevent access to the $5 base experience are also prohibited.

Acceptable Pricing Example — Face Painting

A face painting vendor may structure pricing as follows:

• $5 Base Experience: Small design such as a star, heart, lightning bolt, flower, or cheek art design.
• $10 Experience (Optional Upgrade): Medium cheek or partial face design with multiple colors.
• $15 Experience (Optional Upgrade): Full-face or highly detailed design.

The $5 option must be a complete finished design, not a partial outline that requires an upgrade to complete. Customers must be able to receive a finished face painting for $5 without any additional required fees.

All pricing must be clearly displayed and communicated before services are provided. The City reserves the right to review pricing and require adjustments or discontinue offerings that do not comply with these requirements.

Prohibited Paid Activities
1. Duplicate Core Programming
Vendors may not charge for activities that duplicate City-provided free programming, including:

• Open-play console or e-sports gaming
• Facepainting
• Standard inflatables or bounce houses
• Character meet-and-greet experiences
• Interactive photo booths
• Paid access to children’s toys games, building materials, or open-play items intended for onsite use only, where no take-home product is provided

2. Core Access or Foundational Amenities
Vendors may not charge for access to event spaces or essential amenities, including but not limited to:

• Entry wristbands
• Seating access
• Panel room access
• Cosplay repair stations
• Water or basic comfort amenities
• Sensory-friendly spaces, special needs accommodations, adaptive play materials, or other accessibility supports intended as foundational event amenities

 3. Pay-to-Enter Competitive Activities
The following are not permitted:

• Paid-entry tournaments
• Pay-to-compete gaming contests
• Entry fees tied to prizes or awards

4. Activities Requiring a Colorado Gambling License
Activities that require a Colorado gambling license are prohibited, including but not limited to:

• Prize wheels with cash or variable-value payouts
• Raffle-based play models
• Games of chance involving cash prizes
• Any activity regulated under Colorado charitable gaming or gambling statutes

The retail sale of sealed or blind merchandise (e.g., mystery boxes, collectible packs, or similar products) is permitted, provided it functions as a standard retail transaction and does not involve cash prizes, tiered payout structures, or mechanics that would require a Colorado gambling license. Vendors operating under this retail sales model must apply through the Small Business/Craft Vendor application process.

 
The City reserves the right to determine whether a proposed activity aligns with these guidelines and may deny or modify approvals as necessary to maintain an inclusive, community-centered event environment.

This is an electronic agreement. By submitting your application, you are validating and approving this agreement electronically.

The City of Aurora and the Aurora Fest Planning Committee are seeking a parade of nations participants for the 2026 Aurora Fest on June 13, 2026.  Groups and/or individuals who are interested in participating in the 2026 Aurora Fest Parade of Nations must fill out the application below.

Deadline for submission is May 1, 2026.

List of flags to be presented: U.S.A, Afghanistan, Albania, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, DRC(Democratic Republic of Congo), Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Island, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Republic of Paraguay, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam

Groups and/or individuals who are interested in participating in the 2026 Aurora Fest, International Fashion Show on June 13 produced by the City of Aurora must fill out the application below.

This application will be reviewed by Aurora Fest Planning Committee.

Fashion Show is limited to 5 min per group and this rule will be strictly enforced.
Deadline for submission is May 1, 2026.

Groups and/or individuals who are interested in participating in the 2026 Aurora Fest on June 13 produced by the City of Aurora must fill out the application below.

 This application will be reviewed by Aurora Fest Planning Committee.

Performance is limited to 20 min per group and this rule be strictly enforced.
Deadline for Submission is April 1, 2026.