Whether you’re looking for raucous or relaxing, city or country, cultured or crazy, Colorado has a festival for you this summer. Take your pick from these standouts all around the Centennial State.
Summer is high season for festivals, and Colorado is home to some world-famous festivals. We’ve assembled a list of some of the finest events for fun all over the Centennial State. Go for a day or immerse yourself in the multi-day festivities. We’ve arranged the list by type, but some of these epic gatherings transcend categories. So check out the full list, make your plans and buy your tickets. We’ve also capped this collection at Labor Day. Colorado’s fall festivals are worth a whole other story.
Of course, when you want to stay closer to home, there’s an impressive calendar full of festivals in Colorado Springs too. We’re assembled that list for you to at All the Best Summer Festivals in Colorado Springs.
Wherever you choose to head, here’s to a celebratory summer!
Colorado Music Festivals
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 19-22
Telluride
It doesn’t get any bigger or better than Telluride Bluegrass. For 52 years, festivarians have gathered to jam in the stunning setting of Telluride. Main stage performances include Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, I’m With Her: Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O’Donovan, Greensky Bluegrass, Sam Bush Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Punch Brothers, Lake Street Dive and many more.
Country Jam
June 26-28
Grand Junction
Head to the Western Slope to see top country artists, including Luke Bryan, Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman, Tracy Lawrence, Cooper Alan, Ashley Cooke and many more.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Experience
June 26-29
Aug. 29-31
Aspen
The posh and gorgeous mountain town bookends summer with a combo of music festivals that feature world-class lineups of jazz, blues, soul, pop, rock and more artists. The June Experience hosts concerts all around Aspen, featuring Tank & The Bangas, Samantha Fish, Dumpstahunk and more.
The Labor Day Experience takes places in the majestic scenery of Snowmass Town Park with big-name headliners Imagine Dragons, Lenny Kravitz, Luke Combs, The Marcus King Band, Cannons and more.
Bravo! Vail Music Festival
June 19 – July 31
Vail
See some of the world’s greatest orchestras perform in the scenic high-country setting, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and more.
Underground Music Showcase
July 25-27
Denver
Find your new favorite band among this lengthy lineup. More than 200 local and national bands play on four stages at 12 venues around Denver. This year’s headliners include All Them Witches, Flylana Boss, Devotchka and more.
RockyGrass Festival
July 25-27
Lyons
Head to Lyons for the 53rd annual riverside festival to see some of the nation’s top pickers at the home of Planet Bluegrass. This year RockyGrass features Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush Bluegrass Band, The Fretliners, The Infamous Stringdusters and more. It’s always a favorite to wade in the St. Vrain River which flows right past the main stage.
Folks Festival
Aug. 8-10
Lyons
In August, Planet Bluegrass plays hosts to some of the finest songwriters around. This year’s lineup includes the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Daniel Rodriguez, Watchhouse, Steve Poltz, The Devil Makes Three and more.
Food and Drink Festivals in Colorado
Food and Wine Classic in Aspen
June 20-22
Aspen
Foodies and connoisseurs from around the world gather in Aspen for this three-day culinary adventure. The Grand Tasting Pavilion is the centerpiece of the show. But there’s a broad schedule of cooking demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings and panel discussions led by world-class chefs and beverage experts. Bon appetit!
Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival
June 21-22-23
Keystone
Stroll the River Run Village in this chill summer festival where you can savor all things bacon, bourbon and live music. There’s even a Camp Bacon for kids. It’s a sizzling good time.
Breckenridge Agave Festival
June 27-29
Breckenridge
This three-day festival is all about tequila, mezcal, margaritas and music in the heart of the Rockies. Kick off the weekend with a VIP pairing dinner on Friday, then sip and savor your way through Saturday’s Grand Tasting featuring more than 100 agave spirits. Sunday brings a relaxed brunch with cocktails and live tunes. All-access passes are available if you want the full fiesta.
Colorado Brewers Rendezvous
July 12
Riverside Park, Salida
Raise a few along the banks of the Arkansas River, but pace yourself. More than 60 Colorado breweries will pour hundreds of types of brews. Pair them with food vendors’ fare and live music in this annual gathering of the Colorado Brewers Guild.
Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival
July 13-20
Crested Butte
Crested Butte Wine and Food Festival is a gathering of oenophiles, connoisseurs, foodies and people who just like food and wine—in a gorgeous mountain setting. Join winemaker dinners, tastings, seminars and all the outdoor beauty of one of Colorado’s most beautiful mountain towns. The Grand Tasting happens Saturday, July 13.
Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival
July 19
Breckenridge
Head for the mountains to taste from 40 breweries and listen to live music at Breck’s Beaver Run Resort. The incredible views are included.
summer.breckenridgebeerfestival.com
Arts and Culture Fests
MountainFilm
May 22-26
Telluride
Mountainfilm has become a leading film festival for outdoor filmmakers, and it is an Academy Award Qualifying Festival for the Documentary Short Film Category. The annual gathering brings together a community of filmmakers and change makers, showcasing documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
July 11-20
Crested Butte
Surround yourself in the colorful beauty of Colorado’s wildflower capital. Join hikes and walks, art workshops, photography classes, culinary and medicinal workshops, birding and butterfly tours and more.
crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com
Breckenridge International Festival of Arts
Aug. 15-24
Breckenridge
Join Breckenridge’s transformative 10-day journey exploring the interconnectedness of people and ecosystems. BIFA is a celebration of adventure, creativity, nature and play. Local, national and international artists create an eclectic mix of music, dance, film, visual arts and family entertainment rooted in mountain culture and the natural environment.
Sports and Outdoor Festivals
Outside Festival
May 31 – June 1
Civic Center Park, Denver
The weekend Outside Festival is a jam-packed collection of live music, film, ideas, conversations with elite outdoor athletes and change makers, and fun, including games, yoga, climbing and more. The musical lineup features Lord Huron, Kruangbin, Sylvan Esso, Trampled by Turtles and more.
GoPro Mountain Games
June 5-8
Vail
The GoPro Mountain Games are the country’s largest celebration of adventure sports, art and music. You can watch top mountain athletes compete and join in competitions. There’s climbing, paddling, cycling, running and more, plus a full schedule of live music, film, yoga and more.
FIBArk
June 12-15
Salida
Spend Father’s Day at America’s “oldest and boldest” whitewater festival. FIBArk stands for “First In Boating the Arkansas,” but there’s a full lineup of events that include bike and running races, a parade, live music, beer garden and a retrieving event for your crazy river dog. Don’t miss the Hooligan Race, open to anything that floats except boats.
