I made a big mistake last summer. Instead of exploring Colorado, I gallivanted around Europe and other parts of the United States.
Call it pent-up post-pandemic wanderlust or whatever you want, but I swear I blinked a few times, and suddenly it was September.
I spent so much time traveling that I missed summer in Colorado — and I’ve been kicking myself ever since. Dramatic? Maybe, but it’s true.
This summer, I won’t make the same blunder. You’ll find me right here in the Centennial State, camping and hiking with my dogs, sipping drinks on sunny patios, trying to level up my mountain biking skills, and otherwise soaking up the state’s abundant natural beauty.
Perhaps most importantly, I’ll try to hit as many summer festivals as possible, using the list below as a guide. I hope you’ll do the same.
May
May 24-27
Planet V. If you’re looking for a Burning Man-style experience without leaving Colorado, make plans to attend Planet V. It started during the pandemic as an impromptu gathering of friends from the famous Nevada desert festival and has since blossomed into a three-day extravaganza featuring camping, music, art and camaraderie. It’s held at CampV, a remote southwestern Colorado mining town reborn as a hip glamping destination.
CampV, Ee 26 Road, Vancorum
May 24-26
MeadowGrass Music Festival. Congrats, you made it to summer. Your reward? Three days of jamming out to folk, Americana, bluegrass, rock, country and other genres with fellow music lovers in the Colorado sunshine. This festival, which is now in its 15th year, also has camping, yoga, craft beer, kids’ activities, hiking and workshops. For budding musicians, there’s a youth songwriting contest, too.
La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, Colorado Springs
May 24-27
Boulder Creek Festival. Boulderites have been ushering in summer with this creek-side fête for over three decades. Held over Memorial Day weekend, the Boulder Creek Festival brings together more than 30 bands and entertainers for four days of outdoor performances in the shadow of the Flatirons. Local food vendors, a painting competition, free skate lessons, kids’ activities, a beer fest, and other events round out this family-friendly gathering. Stick around through Monday to run, walk, or watch the Bolder Boulder 10K race.
Boulder Creek Path, 1212 Canyon Boulevard, Boulder
May 25-26
Denver Arts Festival. You’ll walk away feeling inspired by the Denver Arts Festival — and you might just come home with a new piece of art, too. This two-day gathering features the work of ultra-talented Colorado artists (and a few from outside the state, too) specializing in photography, ceramics, mixed media, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry and other mediums. There’s also live music, food and drink vendors, and a place for kids to make their own masterpieces.
Central Park Conservatory Green, 8304 E. 49th Place, Denver
May 25-27
Territory Days. No time machine is required here: Step back in time at Territory Days for a snapshot of life before Colorado became a state in 1876. Now in its 49th year, this three-day event includes Wild West-themed activities like train rides, gold panning, a mechanical bull and even a “cowboy church” service. Dozens of musicians will also perform throughout the weekend, with country music singer Dillon Carmichael headlining this year’s festival.
Old Colorado City, Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets, Colorado Springs
June
June 1
Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival. This one-day bash has all the makings of a good time: Live music, food trucks and Colorado wine. All the delectable beverages available at this festival–including wine from over 30 wineries, meads and glögg—are made here in the Centennial State.
Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs
June 1-2
Outside Festival. New this year, the Outside Festival features live music, film screenings, vendor demos and wellness activities. There will also be talks by athletes, activists, artists, and entrepreneurs, including snowboarder Shaun White, rock climber Sasha DiGiulian, and filmmaker Cory Richards, to name a few. The musical headliners are Thundercat and Fleet Foxes.
Civic Center Park, Denver
June 1-2
Denver Chalk Art Festival. What some people can do with a few chalk sticks and a sidewalk square is amazing. See for yourself at the Denver Chalk Art Festival, which fills the sidewalks of Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood with colorful, whimsical street art. More than 150 artists will be participating.
12th Avenue and Bannock Street, Denver
June 1-July 5
Boulder Plein Air Festival. After a rigorous jury process, 40 artists were selected to participate in this year’s Boulder Plein Air Festival. They’ll spend June 1-7 taking their easels to various Boulder County locales and painting whatever inspires them. When they’re all done, you can admire their work at an exhibit in downtown Niwot from June 8 to July 5.
Niwot
June 5-9
Rocky Mountain Star Stare. Astronomy is having a moment this year, thanks to the total solar eclipse that was visible from part of North America on April 8. Keep the momentum going by attending this multi-day stargazing extravaganza organized by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society. Late-night dark-sky observation sessions are the main events, but you can also attend lectures and hang out with other Copernicus wannabes while camping under the cosmos.
Gardner
June 6-9
GoPro Mountain Games. Hosted by the Vail Valley Foundation, this festival is jam-packed with sports, art, music and other types of family-friendly fun. Watch high-flying dogs soar through the air in pursuit of a toy and marvel at freestyle kayakers as they show off their coolest tricks. Athletes compete in everything from slacklining and fishing to rock climbing and disc golf — and there are nightly concerts.
Vail
June 8-Aug. 11
Colorado Shakespeare Festival. The show must go on: Crews are renovating the historic building surrounding the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, the primary venue for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival at the University of Colorado Boulder for the last 60 years. As a result, this year’s performances will take place indoors at the Roe Green Theatre (which is fresh off its own renovation). So, while you won’t be able to gaze up at the stars during the shows, you will still be able to catch top-notch performances of “Macbeth” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” — both by William Shakespeare — as well as “Arden of Faversham,” written by a mysterious unknown author.
University of Colorado Boulder campus
June 9
Boulder Jewish Festival. Head down to the Pearl Street Mall for an afternoon of food, art, music and camaraderie at the Boulder Jewish Festival.
Boulder
June 13-16
Parker Days. Back in the 1970s, Parker Days was just a small community fair. Fast-forward 48 years, and it’s ballooned into a big annual event that draws hundreds of thousands of attendees. Enjoy carnival rides, cooking demos, silent discos, live music, games, street performers, food, and other family-friendly activities all weekend long.
Downtown Parker
June 13-16
FIBArk Whitewater Festival. The Arkansas River fills with snowmelt in late spring and early summer, creating a whitewater playground for rafters, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders. This long-standing annual event–held since 1949—celebrates the spring runoff with a variety of whitewater races, live music, a skateboarding competition and other festivities.
Salida
June 14-16
Food & Wine Classic. This Aspen culinary gathering usually sells out, but if you can snag a ticket, you can attend cooking demonstrations, rub elbows with chefs and celebrities, and enjoy samples of food, wine and spirits from more than 150 brands.
Aspen
June 14-15
Vail Craft Beer Classic. Life (and summer) is short. Drink the beer–all the beers—at this sunny mountain beer fest, which features refreshing pours from across the state.
Vail
June 15
Lake Dillon Beer Festival. Sample brews from Colorado establishments like Cohesion Brewing, Ratio Beerworks and Telluride Brewing while gazing out at the cerulean waters of Lake Dillon. This event benefits the Colorado Brewers Guild and the Blue River Watershed Group, so if you care about supporting craft beer and healthy rivers, get yourself here.
Dillon
June 16
Flatiron Sounds Music Festival. Held in the shadow of the Flatirons on the grounds of the Colorado Chautauqua, this one-day bash has a beer garden, a vendor market, food and live music. This year’s musical guests are Clay Street Unit, Two Runner, Jake Leg, King Cardinal and Alexa
Wildish
June 19-23
Boulder Comedy Festival. Who couldn’t use a good laugh right now? This hilarious gathering brings together top-notch comedians from around the nation, focusing on highlighting women and diverse comics.
Boulder
June 20-23
Telluride Bluegrass Festival. This popular music fest often sells out, but those lucky enough to grab tickets are in for a treat. Four days of camping, music, workshops and just vibing while being surrounded by the beauty of Telluride’s craggy peaks–what could be better?
Telluride
June 20-23
Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience. This annual music fest is a highlight of summer in the Roaring Fork Valley. Performances occur at venues all over Aspen throughout the long weekend, and you’ll have plenty of time to squeeze in some other activities, like mountain biking and al fresco dining. This year’s line-up includes Cory Henry, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Bobby Rush and many others.
Aspen
June 20-Aug. 1
Bravo! Vail Music Festival. For six weeks every summer, internationally acclaimed orchestras visit Vail to deliver awe-inspiring performances at venues throughout the Vail Valley. If you can only make it to one or two, prioritize concerts at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, which is a gorgeous, open-air theater nestled among the mountains.
Vail
June 21-23
Strawberry Days. This nostalgic, fruit-centric festival harkens back to simpler times when summer was as sweet as a just-picked strawberry. It dates back to 1898 and features an old-fashioned parade, live music, family activities, a pancake breakfast, running races, an arts and crafts village, and, yes, free strawberries and ice cream.
Glenwood Springs
June 22-23
Bacon and Bourbon Festival. The crispy, salty, savory taste of bacon pairs nicely with the velvety smooth notes of vanilla and baking spices you get from a sip of bourbon. Fortunately for us, this match made in heaven is the focal point of this two-day bash in the mountains.
Keystone
June 22
Red, Whites & Brews. The Yampa Valley is lush and gorgeous in the summer. And if you need a reason to drive up there, plan a trip around this one-day gathering that includes beer, wine and live music.
Steamboat Springs
June 26-July 7
Greeley Stampede. You don’t have to be a cowboy or cowgirl to have fun at the Greeley Stampede, a long-standing Northern Colorado tradition. This 13-day festival has a jam-packed schedule, filled with rodeos, concerts, a carnival, a Western art show, parades and more. This year’s headliners include T.I. with Waka Flocka Flame, Chris Young with Hailey Whitters, We The Kingdom with Colton Dixon and Cheap Trick with Romero.
Greeley
June 26-Aug. 18
Aspen Music Festival and School. This is a milestone year for the Aspen Music Festival and School: It’s celebrating 75 years of classical music performances in the Roaring Fork Valley. Since 1949, this beloved annual event has been mentoring young artists and bringing the community together for emotional and thought-provoking concerts. This year’s 53-night season is themed “Becoming Who You Are.”
Aspen
June 27-30
Telluride Yoga Festival. You owe it to yourself to take a few days off and focus all of your energy on your health and well-being. The Telluride Yoga Festival is the perfect place to do just that, with wellness classes, yoga and meditation sessions, outdoor adventures, live music and joyful dance circles.
Telluride
June 28-30
Colorado Lavender Festival. Peaches may get all the attention, but lavender also grows heartily on the Western Slope. Celebrate this fragrant, light purple herb by taking a guided farm tour, participating in workshops, and attending seminars at this festival, which is organized by the Lavender Association of Colorado.
Palisade
June 28-30
Blues From the Top Music Festival. Spend the weekend recharging in the mountains while listening to artists like Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Big Head Todd & the Monsters and Eric Gales at this immersive music fest. This event, organized by the Grand County Blues Society, also features a silent auction and night shows around town.
Winter Park
July
July 5-7
Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Good news: With the Fourth of July on a Thursday this year, you can easily make this a long weekend — and what better way to spend your time than surrounded by art? This three-day gathering features the work of 250 artists, who were selected by a jury from more than 1,900 applicants. These ultra-talented creatives specialize in everything from jewelry to photography, and if you see something you like, you can buy it and take it home.
Cherry Creek North Shopping District, Denver
July 5-10
Rooftop Rodeo. This Estes Park event’s clever nickname is the “rodeo with altitude.” And, it’s true: You can watch a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association performance each night of the festival at 7,522 feet above sea level. There’s also a patriotic parade, an adorable mutton bustin’ event, and a high-energy “cash catch” that involves kids trying to grab a $5 bill attached to a sheep.
Estes Park
July 5-Aug.4
Colorado Music Festival. There’s something for everyone at the Colorado Music Festival, which runs throughout July and August in the shadow of the Flatirons at the Colorado Chautauqua. Performances range from a family-friendly stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” to full-blown symphony concerts.
Boulder
July 11-14
High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival. Jim Lauderdale is the headliner of this year’s four-day event, which helps raise money for Custer County charities. Other nationally recognized bluegrass performers on the schedule include Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands and Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys, among many others.
Bluff and Summit Park in Westcliffe
July 11-14
Boulder Environmental/Nature/Outdoors Film Festival. This inspiring event spotlights films about the natural world and features screenings, Q&As, live music, and receptions.
July 12-21
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. Most people know summer, fall, winter and spring. But, in Colorado, there’s a fifth name to add to this list: wildflower season. Crested Butte goes all out in celebration of this colorful time of year, with a 10-day bash that includes everything from photography workshops and Jeep tours to guided hikes and watercolor workshops.
Crested Butte
July 13
Colorado Brewers Rendezvous. Need an excuse for a mid-summer road trip? Get tickets to this craft beer celebration, which helps support the Colorado Brewers Guild and the Salida Chamber of Commerce.
Salida
July 13-14
Art in the Park. Stroll in the sunshine through Steamboat’s West Lincoln Park, where more than 130 gifted artisans will be displaying their sculptures, paintings, leather goods, clothing and more. Stop by the beer tent for a refreshing beverage or tap into your creative side at interaction stations throughout the park. Kids can play around on inflatables, too.
Steamboat Springs
July 13-14
Snowmass Art Festival. This juried art show features photography, sculpture, wood, glass, ceramics, painting and other works created by local and national artists.
Snowmass
July 13-14
Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival. What’s more sophisticated than grooving to jazz while sipping wine? You can be your best self at this two-day gathering in the mountains.
Keystone
July 26-27
Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival. Prepare yourself for some serious only-in-Colorado fun. Watch (or participate in!) the stand-up paddleboard parade, laugh at the ingenious designs for the build-your-own-boat race, and coo at the adorable pups fearlessly crushing it during the “weenie dog” race. Silly events aside, this fest also includes more serious rafting races, a mountain bike ride and a trail run.
Cañon City
July 26-28
Buffalo Bill Days. It all started back in the 1940s, when members of the Buffalo Bill Saddle Club started making trail rides up to William Cody’s grave on top of Lookout Mountain. Today, that beloved annual tradition has ballooned into a full-blown community celebration, complete with live entertainment, arts and crafts, a parade and mutton bustin’.
Golden
July 27-28
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. This is the largest dragon boat festival in the nation–how lucky are we to have such a vibrant Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community right here in Colorado? Watch exhilarating races, feast on scrumptious Asian cuisines and get inspired during traditional and contemporary cultural performances.
Sloan’s Lake, Denver
July 26-28
Mountain Fair. Carbondale is such a cool, quirky Colorado gem–and this festival really embodies everything that makes this mountain town so special. Art, live music, pie- and cake-baking contests, wood-splitting competitions, yoga, drag queen story times and so much more are on the schedule. This year’s live music line-up includes Dragondeer, Triptides, Kiltro and many other talented musicians.
Carbondale
July 26-Aug. 5
Vail Dance Festival. While lots of Colorado festivals showcase visual arts and music, few focus on dance — which is part of what makes the Vail Dance Festival so special. You can enjoy 13 performances by some of the best companies in the nation, including Dance Theatre of Harlem, Limón Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Colorado Ballet and DanceAspen.
Vail
August
Aug. 1
Denver Burger Battle. Whether you love a classic cheeseburger or a gourmet patty with tons of toppings, you’re sure to find the burger of your dreams at this foodie fest. Sample burgers from 20 top Denver restaurants, then vote on your favorite. (Esteemed local judges also taste and vote on their favorites.) Proceeds go to Firefly Autism, which supports children and families living with autism spectrum disorder.
Auraria Campus, Denver
Aug. 2-4
Leadville Boom Days. This is fun at 10,158 feet above sea level. Leadville Boom Days celebrates the Old West with burro races, mining skill contests, gunslingers and a street fair with more than 100 food and craft booths. Be sure to bring the little ones, too, because this festival is super family-friendly.
Leadville
Aug. 2-3
Olathe Sweet Corn Festival. We should all bow down to the hardworking Olathe farmers who grow such succulent sweet corn for us, year after year. This two-day fête pays homage to this starchy yellow vegetable with events like a parade, a corn-eating contest, a fire department water fight, a demolition derby, a karaoke contest, and other corny activities.
Olathe
Aug. 3-10
Sand & Sage Round-Up. When was the last time you road-tripped out to Colorado’s Eastern Plains? If it’s been a while, make plans to attend the Sand & Sage Round-Up, which doubles as the Prowers County Fair. Enjoy a week’s worth of wholesome activities, ranging from a parade to a carnival.
Lamar
Aug. 3-4
Bluegrass & Beer Festival. Listen to your favorite string bands while sipping craft beer and enjoying the gorgeous mountain weather in Keystone. More than a dozen bluegrass musicians will be playing throughout the weekend, including Pert Near Sandstone and Shadowgrass.
Keystone
Aug. 8-10
Colorado Brazil Fest. Organized by the Boulder Samba School, this lively event celebrates Brazilian culture with dance and music performances. You can get in on the action, too, by participating in classes and workshops.
Boulder
Aug. 8-11
Vail Wine Classic. Vail may be known for its skiing and snowboarding, but it’s equally as fun (and beautiful) in the summer. Soak it all in while sampling wines, attending paired dinners and listening to insightful seminars.
Vail
Aug. 9-11
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. Folk music fans from all over the world flock to Lyons every summer for this event, organized by Planet Bluegrass. Michaela Anne, Peter Mulvey, Jamestown Revival and the Watson Twins are just some of the talented musicians playing at this three-day extravaganza.
Lyons
Aug. 9-11
Telluride Jazz Festival. Music, culture and community take centerstage at the Telluride Jazz Festival, which has been luring audiophiles to the gorgeous San Juan Mountains since 1977. This year’s line-up includes Christian McBride, Marco Benevento, Antibalas, Cool Cool Cool and many other top jazz musicians.
Telluride
Aug. 10
Boulder Taco Fest. Can you ever have too many tacos? According to the organizers of this Boulder festival, the answer is a hard “no.” If you feel the same way, grab your friends and head to this fiesta, which includes tacos from restaurants and food trucks, tequila tastings and craft beer, live music, kids’ activities and lucha libre wrestling matches.
Boulder Civic Area and Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave.
Aug. 10-11
Plein Air Art Festival. You haven’t lived until you’ve witnessed an artist painting en plein air, a French phrase that means “outdoors.” It’s a peaceful, inspiring practice that brings together nature and art. The organizers of this annual event invite 20 artists to spend a few days soaking up all the beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley. Then, their artwork gets judged and displayed — and made available for you to buy and bring back home.
Snowmass
Aug. 10-11
Estes Park Wine Festival. Enjoy unlimited tastings at this 9-year-old festival, which takes place in the heart of Estes at Bond Park.
Estes Park
Aug. 17
Cidermass. Hard cider is definitely having a moment right now, thanks to its versatility and lack of gluten. See what all the fuss is about while sampling the delicious creations of more than 20 different distilleries and cideries across the nation.
Snowmass
Aug. 22-24
Breckenridge Wine Classic. Calling all oenophiles: The Breckenridge Wine Classic is for you. Try wines from around the world, rub elbows with winemakers, attend seminars and treat yourself to paired wine dinners and lunches.
Breckenridge
Aug. 22-24
Durango Blues Train. Chug along on a historic steam-powered train while listening to live blues performances. This unique event, organized by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, takes riders on a musical journey through the scenic San Juan National Forest. When you’re not gazing out at the views, walk from coach to coach to hear each of the six musicians.
Durango
Aug. 23-Sept. 2
Colorado State Fair. Whether you’re a transplant or a Colorado native, celebrate the people and traditions that make this place so special by attending the state fair. Live music, 4-H competitions, a carnival, horse shows, fine arts exhibitions, kid-friendly activities and more are all on the docket.
Pueblo
Aug. 16-17
Palisade Peach Festival. Palisade peaches are one of the key reasons we all choose to live in Colorado. Eat your fill of the state’s juicy, coral-colored fruits at this two-day event, which is now in its 56th year. Stock up on peaches from Western Slope farms, listen to live music, munch on bites from food trucks and soak up the beauty of harvest season, all while admiring the views of the Book Cliffs.
Palisade
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Four Corners Folk Festival. Live music, nature and community–what more could you possibly need? This beloved event, now celebrating its 28th year, delivers on all three with performances in the shadow of the rugged San Juan Mountains.
Pagosa Springs
Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ Labor Day Experience. The organizers of this Roaring Fork Valley music fest always manage to land big-name artists — and this year is no exception. Brandi Carlile, Sting and Tim McGraw are headlining, with additional performances by the Black Crowes, OneRepublic, Lukas Nelson, Michael Marcagi and the War and Treaty.
Snowmass Village
Aug. 31-Sept. 2
Labor Day Lift Off. Be sure to pack your camera for this one. Hot air balloons in a variety of colors and patterns will be soaring through the air–with the mountains as their backdrop—during this three-day fest. You can hitch a ride on one or take in the magical scene from the ground. Also, enjoy beer and wine tastings, concerts, drone shows, food vendors, an evening balloon “glow,” and more.
Memorial Park, Colorado Springs
September
Sept 6-8
Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival. This annual fête attracts dozens of Scottish and Irish clans (and fans of Celtic culture) to Estes Park for music, whiskey tastings, dog exhibitions, bagpiping competitions, highland dance, strongman competitions and other beloved activities.
Estes Park
Sept. 6-7
Union Peak Festival. Copper Mountain has become a year-round destination, thanks in large part to events like this one. The schedule is jam-packed with live musical performances, sports clinics, art and other festivities.
Copper Mountain
Sept. 13-15
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. This year, the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is turning the big 3-0–and they need your help to celebrate. Soak up the gorgeous San Juan Mountain views and sip craft beer while listening to gospel, indie, rock, funk, blues, jam-band and soul musicians. This year’s headliners include Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals, Gary Clark Jr. and Joe Bonamassa.
Telluride
Sept. 13-15
Snowmass Balloon Festival. Back for its 49th year, this colorful tradition features more than 30 hot air balloons floating serenely across the skies of Snowmass. Catch lift-off in the morning, or stay up late for the “Night Glow” event on Saturday.
Snowmass
Sept. 14
Snowmass Wine Festival. In need of one last quick weekend in the mountains before fall sets in? Ask your GPS to take you to the Roaring Fork Valley for this half-day, wine-centric gathering, which supports scholarships awarded by the Rotary Club of Snowmass Village. Festivities include more than 30 tables of wines from across the globe, bites from local eateries, music and a silent auction.
Snowmass
Read more at DenverPost.com
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