Every summer, communities across Colorado come together to celebrate food, music, dance, art, culture, and heritage. It might sound Pollyannaish, but this year especially, these annual gatherings can serve as a rare bright spot during an otherwise challenging moment.
My advice? Turn off your news alerts—even for a long weekend—and get out there.
Chat up someone who doesn’t look or sound like you, order a dish with ingredients you’ve never heard of, dance an unfamiliar jig, support an up-and-coming artist, give a stranger a high five at a concert, and bask in the serenity of Colorado’s abundant wilderness.
As you start planning for the summer, consider attending these Colorado festivals between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Editor’s note: We did our best to include as many festivals as humanly possible (no artificial intelligence here!) But if you know of one we missed, please let us know.
May
May 22-26
Mountainfilm Festival. Craving a road trip? Point your wheels toward Telluride for the Mountainfilm Festival. Spend Memorial Day weekend in Telluride at this film festival, which has been celebrating the “indomitable spirit” of documentary filmmaking since 1979. Telluride.
May 23-26
Planet V. Can’t make it to Burning Man? Don’t sweat it, head to Planet V instead. Inspired by the annual Nevada desert festival, Planet V is a mix of live music, camping and glamping, immersive art, workshops, fire and circus performances, karaoke, sound healing and more. This year’s musical guests include Random Rab, Manic Focus, Evan Hatfield and Tone Ranger, to name a few. CampV, Ee 26 Road, Vancorum.
May 23-25
MeadowGrass Music Festival. There’s nothing quite like the giddy joy you feel attending your first music festival of the summer—and, lucky for us, that’s usually MeadowGrass. Now in its 16th year, this Memorial Day gathering features performances by nearly two-dozen bands, camping, workshops, yoga, a beer fest, a songwriting contest and other family-friendly activities. La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, Colorado Springs.
May 23-26
Boulder Creek Festival. Boulder Creek Fest and the annual Bolder Boulder 10K race are Boulder’s official kick-off to summer. Grab the kids and head up U.S. 36 for a weekend filled with food, music, entertainment, shopping, a beer festival, an art battle and other fun in the sun. Boulder Creek Path, 1212 Canyon Boulevard, Boulder.
May 24-25
Denver Arts Festival. Show some love to Colorado’s many talented artists by attending this two-day event, which is back for its 26th year. Peruse their masterpieces while enjoying live music, food, drinks and kids’ art activities. Central Park Conservatory Green, 8304 E. 49th Place, Denver.
May 24-26
Territory Days. “Cowboy core” is all the rage this year, and you can get in on the trend by attending Territory Days. This year is a big one for the festival, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Help them celebrate by donning your favorite cowboy hat and riding the mechanical bull, panning for gold and jamming out to live music. Old Colorado City, Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets, Colorado Springs.
May 30-31
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival. The story behind this Fruita festival is just as bizarre as it sounds: It honors Mike, a chicken that reportedly lived for 18 months without a head in the late 1940s. Today, the two-day bash includes a 5K run, a car show, music, food, drinks, games, a Peep eating contest and lots of chicken costumes. Fruita.
May 31-June 1
Outside Festival. Back for its second year in the Mile High City, the Outside Festival includes movie screenings, conversations with top athletes and other change-makers, climbing, yoga, bikes, games, gear demos, and more. Musical performances this year by Khruangbin, Lord Huron, Sylvan Esso, Trampled by Turtles and tons of other artists. Civic Center Park, Denver.
May 31-June 6
Boulder County Plein Air Festival. For the uninitiated, “plein air” is a French term that roughly translates to “outdoors.” Today, it mainly describes painters who ditch their studios and head out into nature for inspiration. At this festival, creatives take their easels and canvases to spots throughout Boulder County from June 1-5, then paint whatever beautiful scenes they find. Then, from June 6 to July 4, their masterpieces will be on display (and available for purchase) at the Armory in North Boulder. Boulder.
May 31
Troutfest Colorado. Curious about fly fishing? This one-day event is a great way to dip your toe into the water—pun intended—while also learning about the importance of protecting Colorado’s rivers. Coors Field, Denver.
May 31-June 1
Animas River Days. Watch (or participate in) adrenaline-boosting events like river surfing, kayak slalom, freestyle kayaking, downriver races, and a river parade at this splashy two-day bash. Durango.
June
June 5-8
GoPro Mountain Games. Sure, this outdoor extravaganza has plenty of human-centric feats—including freestyle kayaking, climbing and more. But, if we’re being honest, it’s the dogs who steal the show every year. Organized by the Vail Valley Foundation, this upbeat festival includes gravity-defying “DockDogs” events, in which adorable pooches leap into the air and splash into a pool while pursuing a favorite toy. Vail.
June 6-8
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival. Spend three glorious days along the Colorado River jamming out to national and local bluegrass artists. Other activities include painting workshops, camping, paddle boarding, wine tastings and more. Palisade.
June 6-8
Colorado Medieval Festival. Dress in your best cosplay costume and spend the weekend among belly dancers, fairies, princesses, aerialists and maybe even a mermaid or two. 1750 Savage Road, Loveland.
June 7
Lake Dillon Beer Festival. Organized by the Colorado Brewers Guild, this annual beer fest is one of the best ways to kick off the summer. Sip the crisp concoctions of more than 30 Colorado breweries while admiring the shimmering waters of Lake Dillon. By doing so, you’ll help raise money for the guild, as well as the Blue River Watershed Group. Dillon.
June 7
Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival. Wine, friends, sun, music—what could be better? Find all that and more at this one-day gathering, which shines the spotlight on Colorado wineries. Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs.
June 7-8
Denver Chalk Art Festival. Every June, artists descend upon Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood and unleash a torrent of creative goodness on the sidewalks. Admire the clever, colorful street art of more than 200 talented folks. 12th Avenue and Bannock Street, Denver.
June 7-Aug. 10
Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre is still closed for renovations, but don’t use that as an excuse to skip the Colorado Shakespeare Festival at the University of Colorado Boulder. Running for over six decades, the annual tribute to the Bard is again held indoors at the Roe Green Theatre. This year’s line-up of plays includes “The Tempest,” “Richard II,” and “Doctor Faustus.” University of Colorado Boulder campus.
June 8
Boulder Jewish Festival. Back for its 29th year, this one-day fête celebrates Jewish culture with food, art, music and community. Boulder.
June 7-8
Taste of Fort Collins. Neon Trees and Fitz and the Tantrums are headlining this year’s two-day bash, including local band performances all weekend. Washington Park, Fort Collins.
June 12-15
Parker Days. Back for its 49th year, Parker Days is a fun-filled, family-friendly affair with live music on four stages, food, drinks, shopping, street performers, carnival rides, games, and more. Downtown Parker.
June 12-15
FIBArk Whitewater Festival. Every year, adventurous kayakers, paddle boarders and rafters from across the nation congregate on the Arkansas River in Salida for a weekend of whitewater races and other feats of athleticism. You can also enjoy live music, a parade, kids’ activities, vendors and more at this beloved annual event, which has been going strong since 1949. Salida.
June 13-14
Vail Craft Beer Classic. This two-day bash has all the trappings of a serious good time: Colorado craft beer, sunshine, mountain views, food trucks and live music. What else do you need? Vail.
June 15
Juneteenth Music Festival. Juneteenth commemorates the day when the last of the nation’s enslaved people learned of their freedom. Denverites have been celebrating Juneteenth since at least the 1950s and, today, the festivities fill the streets of the historically Black neighborhood of Five Points. Enjoy a parade, performances, block parties and more. 2701 Welton St., Denver.
June 14-Aug. 3 (weekends only)
Colorado Renaissance Festival. Travel back in time to a 16th-century medieval amusement park, Larkspur, filled with scrumptious roast turkey legs, invigorating stage shows, games, kids’ activities, and talented artisans.
June 18-Aug. 20
Snowmass Rodeo. Giddyup! Now in its 51st year, the Snowmass Rodeo takes place every Wednesday, rain or shine, delivering classic events like barrel riding, saddle bronc, bull riding and more. Come early to enjoy a “cowboy dinner,” mechanical bull rides, a petting zoo, shopping and other family-friendly activities. Snowmass.
June 19-22
Telluride Bluegrass Festival. If you can snag tickets, plan a road trip to Telluride for a bit of camping and community, plus a whole lot of music, in the shadow of the San Juans. Telluride.
June 20-22
Food & Wine Classic. It usually sells out, but if you can score tickets to this annual Aspen affair, you can rub elbows with celebrities, chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and other foodie experts. Aspen.
June 19-July 31
Bravo! Vail Music Festival. No excuses: You’ve got six weeks to attend the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, which brings internationally acclaimed orchestras to the Vail Valley. Back for its 38th season, this cultural celebration includes more than 60 performances. Vail.
June 20-22
Strawberry Days. No, your eyes are not deceiving you: This sweet tribute to the humble strawberry started in June 1898, meaning 2025 will be its 128th year running. Enjoy live music, a pancake breakfast, running races, arts and crafts, family activities plus free strawberries and ice cream. Glenwood Springs.
June 21
Red, Whites & Brews in the Boat. Wine, beer, food and live music are on tap for this one-day bash in downtown Steamboat Springs. Stick around for a few days to tube the Yampa River, hike among the wildflowers or get yourself a cowboy hat from F.M. Light & Sons. Steamboat Springs.
June 21-22
Bacon and Bourbon Festival. Treat yourself to a decadent weekend filled with bacon and bourbon in Keystone. There’ll be bacon-eating contests, bacon songs, and the crowning of a bacon prince and princess. Keystone.
June 25-29
Rocky Mountain Star Stare. Take a nap (or several) so you don’t miss a moment of this five-day stargazing bash, organized by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society. Listen to insightful lectures, marvel at the cosmos and nerd out with fellow astrophiles. Gardner.
June 25-29
Boulder Comedy Festival. Boulder may be landlocked. But, come June, it’s slated to become a “sea of hilarity” as comedians descend upon the city for five days of laughs, gags, jokes and all-around good times. Boulder.
June 25-July 1
Aspen Ideas Festival. Solving the world’s most pressing problems will require a lot of collaboration. Fortunately, many of the smartest people on the planet come to Aspen every summer to chat about everything from artificial intelligence and the criminal justice system to space exploration and humanitarian crises.
June 25-July 6
Greeley Stampede. Obsessed with the hit television show “Yellowstone?” Pretend you’re a cowboy at the Greeley Stampede, which includes rodeo events, concerts, a carnival, a Western art show, parades and more. This year’s live music line-up includes Scotty McCreery, Parker McCollum, Ludacris, Warren Zeiders and Justin Moore. Greeley.
June 26-29
Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience. The Roaring Fork Valley is stunning in late June, as wildflower blooms begin to paint the landscape with color. See for yourself while attending this beloved music fest, which takes place at 12 venues all over Aspen. This year’s line-up includes Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Dumpstaphunk, Shayna Steele and many other performing artists. Aspen.
June 26-29
Telluride Yoga Festival. Couldn’t we all benefit from a few days of peace and tranquility right now? Set among the ruggedly beautiful mountains of Telluride, this four-day gathering will leave you feeling inspired and deeply connected. Telluride.
June 27-29
Colorado Lavender Festival. With its cheery purple flowers, heavenly scent and floral flavor, lavender is a treat for all the senses. Celebrate this soothing herb with live music, seminars, demos, workshops, farm tours and other activities on the Western Slope. Palisade.
June 27-29
Blues From the Top Music Festival. Organized by the Grand County Blues Society, this three-day party includes performances by artists like the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Sonny Landreth, Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers, Little Feat and other talented musicians. Winter Park.
June 27-July 12
Green Box Arts Festival. Now in its 17th year, this two-week cultural cornucopia includes classes, performances, camps, conservation, parties, exhibitions and more. Green Mountain Falls.
June 28-29
Denver Pride. Don your most colorful ‘fits and spend the weekend celebrating love and diversity at Denver Pride, which includes a 5K run, a parade, live performances, food and community. Civic Center Park, Denver.
July
July 2-Aug. 24
Aspen Music Festival and School. Since 1949, this eight-week event has been a cherished summer staple in the Roaring Fork Valley. It allows young adult musicians to perfect their craft while giving audiences world-class opportunities to explore classical music. The schedule includes more than 300 enriching events, from lectures and concerts to recitals and family programs.
July 4-6
Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Held over the Fourth of July, this prestigious three-day festival spotlights more than 250 juried artists. Find your next favorite masterpiece while perusing the prints, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and jewelry at Cherry Creek North Shopping District in Denver.
July 5-10
Rooftop Rodeo. This is no average rodeo—it is held at 7,522 feet above sea level. Enjoy nightly Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events, heart-warming spectacles like mutton bustin’ and a kids’ stick-horse rodeo. Estes Park.
July 3-Aug. 3
Colorado Music Festival. Revisit some old favorites—like Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”—and explore some new, lesser-known works—like Grammy-winning composer Joan Tower’s new saxophone concerto “Love Returns”—during this month-long summer concert season. All told, you can enjoy 19 orchestral and chamber music performances. Boulder.
July 10-13
High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival. Make your way to the Wet Mountain Valley for this four-day music fest, which raises funds for Custer County charities. This year’s line-up includes Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Ismay, Becky Buller Band and other talented bluegrass musicians. Westcliffe.
July 17-20
Boulder Environmental/Nature/Outdoors Film Festival. Join other film, science, and outdoor sports aficionados for four days of screenings, interviews, live music, and other events in Boulder.
July 11-20
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. Crested Butte markets itself as the “wildflower capital of Colorado”—and they’re not exaggerating. Celebrate the colorful blooms with other flower fans during 10 days of guided hikes, creative writing sessions, photography workshops and more. Crested Butte.
July 12-13
Art in the Park. Explore works of art made by more than 120 local and national artists at this family-friendly fest, which also includes food trucks, a beer garden, live entertainment, interactive activities and a kids’ area. Steamboat Springs.
July 12-13
Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival. Sip and sample wine while strolling along River Run Village and grooving to the funky beats of talented jazz musicians like Dotsero and Gregory Goodloe. Keystone.
July 18-19
Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival. Weenie dog races, a standup paddleboard parade, yoga, kayak and raft races, live music and more await at this fun-filled fête on the Arkansas River. Cañon City.
July 18-20
Pearl Street Arts Fest. Stroll along Boulder’s famous Pearl Street pedestrian mall—in the shadow of the Flatirons—while perusing incredible works from more than 100 artists. Boulder.
July 24
The Big Eat. Colorado’s vibrant culinary community needs our support, perhaps now more than ever. Show your love by attending this festive annual party organized by EatDenver, the nonprofit membership group representing independent food and beverage concepts along the Front Range. Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1400 Curtis St.
July 25-27
Buffalo Bill Days. William “Buffalo Bill” Cody died more than a century ago. But his legendary Wild West spirit lives on at this three-day bash in Golden, which includes an arts and crafts festival, mutton bustin’, a parade and live music. Golden.
July 25-27
Mountain Fair. Camaraderie and community are at the heart of this Carbondale tradition, which is back for its 54th summer. The line-up is jam-packed with activities, like dance lessons, limbo contests, pie- and cake-baking contests, wood-splitting competitions, yoga, art, live music and more. Carbondale.
July 25-Aug. 5
Vail Dance Festival. You’re guaranteed to feel inspired after attending one (or several) of the 14 performances throughout the Vail Valley. Marvel at the incredible artistry of dancers representing top companies, including the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the New York City Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, the Royal Danish Ballet and the Philadelphia Ballet. Vail.
July 31-Aug. 2
Telluride Reserve. Spend three days enjoying curated meals, educational seminars, delicious tasting events and outdoor adventures—all set against the beautiful backdrop of the San Juan Mountains. Telluride.
August
Aug. 1-3
Leadville Boom Days. You haven’t lived if you’ve never seen a human sprinting alongside a donkey. One of the best places to catch a burro race? At Leadville Boom Days, which also includes tons of other fun activities like a street fair, a car show, motorcycle games and kids’ events. Leadville.
Aug. 2-3
Fort Collins Art Festival. Immerse yourself in handcrafted goods and visual arts, from sculptures and paintings to ceramics and woodwork. Fort Collins.
Aug. 2
Heritage Fire. Spend the evening celebrating live-fire cooking, heritage-breed animals and heirloom vegetables with chefs and family farmers at this culinary extravaganza. Snowmass.
Aug. 2-3
Bluegrass & Beer Festival. The name says it all: Sip refreshing craft beers while jamming out to some of the best string bands in the nation. Keystone.
Aug. 2-10
Sand & Sage Round-Up. This 9-day event doubles as the Prowers County Fair and includes 4-H events, a parade, a carnival, rodeo events, delicious food and drinks, and family-friendly activities. Lamar.
Aug. 7-10
Colorado Brazil Fest. No passport? No problem. Celebrate Brazil’s rich heritage through music, dance, culture, and food at this enriching event, which the Boulder Samba School hosts. Boulder.
Aug. 7-10
Vail Wine Classic. If you consider yourself an oenophile—a lover of wine—get yourself to the Vail Valley for a long weekend of wine tasting, wine hikes, seminars, paired meals and more. Vail.
Aug. 8-10
Sculpture in the Park. Now celebrating its 41st year, this immersive experience at Benson Sculpture Garden is the nation’s largest outdoor juried show and sale. Proceeds help the Loveland High Plains Arts Council purchase new, permanent pieces to add to the 10-acre park. Benson Sculpture Garden, Loveland.
Aug. 8-10
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. Cool off in the refreshing waters of the St. Vrain Creek while listening to talented folk musicians like Jon Muq, Alysha Brilla, Bandits on the Run and others. Lyons.
Aug. 8-10
Telluride Jazz Festival. Jazz, funk, and soul performances take center stage at this multi-day gathering in Telluride, which has been running for nearly five decades. But that’s not all: You can also do yoga, take a historical walking tour and march in a New Orleans-style second line parade. Telluride.
Aug. 9-10
Art in the Park. Another art festival in Loveland? Both Art in the Park and Sculpture in the Park are part of “The Weekend of Art.” At this two-day event, which is now in its 58th year, you can explore the works of more than 250 visual artists and craftspeople. North Lake Park, Loveland.
Aug. 9-10
Plein Air Art Festival. Over 20 artists will spend four days painting outdoors around the Roaring Fork Valley. When they’re all done, art lovers are invited to check out (and, ideally, buy) their work at Snowmass Base Village. Snowmass.
Aug. 9-10
Estes Park Wine Festival. Sip, swirl, and sample around Bond Park while listening to live music and munching on tasty bites from food vendors.
Aug. 15-16
Palisade Peach Festival. Shout out to Colorado’s peach growers, who tirelessly bring us the sweetest, juiciest, most perfectly balanced fruits every summer. Now in its 57th year, this two-day bash includes live music, food trucks, cooking demos, kids activities, a peach eating contest and so much more. Palisade.
Aug. 16
Cidermass. Crisp, bubbly, tart, sweet and refreshing, hard cider is a versatile summer pour. You can taste more than 30 hard ciders, spirits, and hard seltzers at this afternoon event on the Snowmass Mall. Snowmass.
Aug. 21-23
Breckenridge Wine Classic. Kids may be heading back to school, but plenty of summer remains for us adults. Make the most of the gorgeous weather by attending the Breckenridge Wine Classic, which includes tastings, seminars, paired meals, and more. Breckenridge.
Aug. 22-Sept. 1
Colorado State Fair. Organizers have been putting on the Colorado State Fair since 1872, so they know a thing or two about having a good time. Carnival rides, livestock shows, concerts, delicious fair food, and more make this annual celebration worth planning. Pueblo.
Aug. 23
Boulder Taco Fest. Who doesn’t love tacos? (No, really, are there people out there who don’t like tacos?). The geniuses behind this one-day party decided to dedicate an entire festival to this delicious and versatile snack, with a 5K taco run, lucha libre wrestling, margaritas and craft beer. Boulder Civic Area and Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder.
Aug. 23
Olathe Sweet Corn Festival. Fresh, juicy, sweet corn is one of summer’s greatest pleasures—and you can eat as much as you want at this one-day party in Montrose. Enjoy live music, a car show, a recipe contest and other tasty activities. Olathe.
Aug. 28-31
Four Corners Motorcycle Rally. You don’t have to be a motorcycle rider to have a good time at this four-day bash, which includes bike shows, workshops, vendors, tattoo artists, live music, rodeo events, food and drinks and more. A few notable highlights? The Ives’ Brothers “Wall of Death” and the drifter cross races. Durango.
Aug. 29-31
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience. Send off the summer in style at this epic three-day Roaring Fork Valley music fest. Headliners include Imagine Dragons, Lenny Kravitz and Luke Combs, plus additional performances by Cannons, Lawrence, Max McNown, Marcus King Band and Grave Bowers & the Hodge Podge. Snowmass Village.
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Labor Day Lift Off. This has been a Labor Day tradition in Colorado Springs for nearly five decades. Spend three days watching colorful hot air balloons soar through the air, with the mountains as the backdrop—or book a flight and get a bird’s eye view. The festival includes food vendors, beer and wine tastings, evening balloon “glows,” and camaraderie. Memorial Park, Colorado Springs.
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Commonwheel Artists Co-op Art Festival. Now in its 51st year, this Labor Day weekend tradition brings 100 artists and craft artisans to Colorado. Manitou Springs.
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Windsor Harvest Festival. Going strong for 103 years, the Windsor Harvest Festival includes a parade, hot air balloons, a pie-eating contest, fireworks, a car show, and so much more. Windsor.
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Estes Park Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show. Find your next favorite masterpiece or start your holiday shopping early at this three-day tradition in Estes Park, which the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club organizes. Proceeds from the show help provide grants to local nonprofits and scholarships for local students. Bond Park, Estes Park.
