A mural at Sylvan Corners in Citrus Heights is one of the featured murals in the CH-40 Arts District’s virtual walking tour of more than 11 different murals in Citrus Heights.

UPDATE, AS OF Oct. 23: The ArtBeat event scheduled for Oct. 25 has been jointly canceled by the City of Citrus Heights and Gigi's Citrus Heights Arts on account of the predicted rainy weather on Saturday, Oct. 25. The vent will reschedule to spring and deposits for vendors and exhibitors will be refunded.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Rusch Community Park at 7801 Auburn Blvd. in Citrus Heights will come alive in a vibrant celebration of art, music, culture, creativity and community, as the popular Citrus Heights ArtBeat festival returns for its third year.

ArtBeat, which has become one of the city’s most anticipated community arts events, moves this year from the Marketplace at Birdcage to the spacious grounds of Rusch Community Park.

This year’s theme, “Color on the Corridor,” ties into Citrus Heights Arts’ ongoing mural and public art projects which have been popping up on walls throughout the city, including new works in Rusch Community Park, Sylvan Corners and the Sylvan Community Center.

“ArtBeat isn’t just an event, it’s our city’s creative heartbeat,” said Gigi Rayford, Citrus Heights Arts executive director. “Every mural, every song, every booth represents people investing in pride of place.”

A thematic mural adorns the wall of DarkHeart Brewing in Citrus Heights as part of the Citrus Heights Arts District initiative that launched in June.

The free public event, suitable for all ages, is presented by Citrus Heights Arts and the CH-40 Arts District, in partnership with the city of Citrus Heights, Stones Gambling Hall and Republic Services, along with support from state Senator Roger Niello.

The annual festival highlights the growing CH-40 Arts District now flourishing along Auburn Boulevard and brings together artists, musicians, poets, dancers, food vendors and families for a full day of immersive creativity and joyful connection, Rayford said.

Visitors will witness live paintings of public murals in Rusch Community Park, enjoy music and dance performances throughout the afternoon and explore a variety of vendor booths offering food, crafts and interactive art activities which will take place on the park grounds, according to Rayford.

Supported by the City of Citrus Heights through its nonprofit Community Support Fund, ArtBeat continues to highlight the importance of accessible, community-driven cultural experiences, the nonprofit founder said.

Leading up to ArtBeat 2025, Citrus Heights Arts launched a new arts district in June, transforming Auburn Boulevard corridor with vibrant, colorful murals on multiple commercial storefronts.

A mural at Sylvan Corners is visible to drivers traveling along Auburn Boulevard. The artist who created the mural is planned to be announced soon.

A virtual walking tour of more than 11 of the murals which have been completed along Auburn Boulevard will be available to the community. The murals are visible to drivers traveling along Auburn Boulevard from Sylvan Corners heading north and each of the artists who created them is planned to be announced soon, Rayford said.

Completed thematic murals adorn the exterior walls of Mr. Pickle’s Deli, Ciro’s Pizza, DarkHeart Brewing, the Bearpaw Outlet Store, Whatsupstairs thrift store, Dollar General and Elite Bicycles, with more in the works.    

Aside from murals along Auburn Boulevard, other mural projects have taken place throughout the city, including two recent murals painted at the Stones Gambling Hall.

In recent months, Citrus Heights Arts also partnered with the Sunrise Recreation and Park District to paint murals at Walerga Park outside of Citrus Heights.

Citrus Heights ArtBeat will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 in Rusch Community Park, 7801 Auburn Blvd. in Citrus Heights. For more information, visit: https://citrusheightsarts.org/artbeat.

Follow @CitrusHeightsarts on Facebook and Instagram for additional updates, schedules and sneak peeks of the newest murals that will be featured during the Oct. 25 event.