Summer is just around the corner, and so is festival season with plenty of old favorites and new additions to the scene. Whether it’s art, music, culture, the outdoors or more, there’s a gathering to celebrate it. Here’s a summer full of festivals in Colorado Springs to put on your calendar and get ready to celebrate.
Sports and Outdoors Festivals in Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak APEX
June 13-14
Palmer Park, Cañon City, Cheyenne Cañon
This one’s for the mountain bikers and gravel grinders. This world-class bike challenge draws pros and amateurs for three days of riding on some of the Pikes Peak region’s best trails. This year’s mountain bike start and finish line will be at the Penrose House near The Broadmoor with an option of two classic loops in Cheyenne Canyon. Gravel riders can also do the 135-mile Queen of the Canyons route to Cañon City along much of the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway.
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Fan Fest
June 19-21
Pikes Peak and Downtown Colorado Springs
Race Week has been a big deal for over 100 years when daring racecar drivers speed their way to the summit of Pikes Peak in the Race to the Clouds. You can get your tickets for practice runs and Race Day Sunday to see the world-class drivers race the clock up the Pikes Peak Highway.
You can also join fans and drivers downtown on Friday for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Fan Fest. At the 10-block street party, you can meet the drivers and race teams, witness high-flying stunts during the FMX freestyle motocross show, visit the beer garden and more.
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
July 14-18
Norris Penrose Events Center
Break out the boots and cowboy hats. For four days each July, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is a priority for top talent on the competitive rodeo cycle. The best bull riders, steer wrestlers, barrel racers and more compete for big prize money, and Colorado Springs celebrates its Western heritage. Kids can get in on the fun too in the entertaining mutton busting. Find out how to prepare for the rodeo in Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Keeps the Western Spirit Alive.
Rocky Mountain State Games
July 17-19
All over Olympic City USA
Colorado’s largest multi-sport festival draws thousands of athletes to compete in more than 35 sports. Competitions include traditional games like basketball, hockey, soccer and more out-of-the-box fun, such as disc golf, ninja challenge, pickleball and more. Anyone can join, at least with a little training.
Royal Gorge Whitewater Fest
July 17-18
Royal Gorge and Cañon City
Celebrate whitewater season on the Arkansas River at Cañon City’s annual whitewater rafting festival. There are intense kayaking and rafting races in the Royal Gorge rapids, and there are fun events, such as a floatie rodeo, weenie dog race and a 5K trail run. Whether you watch or get wet, Royal Gorge Whitewater Fest offers a weekend full of fun.
royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com
Arts & Entertainment Festivals
Garden of the Gods Art Festival
May 16-17
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Celebrate art, food, music and beauty beneath Garden of the Gods. The festival highlights an outstanding lineup of 150 juried fine artists and craftsmen from across the nation, presenting pottery, jewelry, textiles, paintings, sculpture, glass art and more.
Roll Bike Art Festival
June 12
Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort
The annual Roll Bike Art Festival celebrates the bicycle through all mediums of art. You’ll find all sorts of bike artwork, plus local vendors, performers, live music and food trucks. The Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort is a great spot for all things bike, and you can read more about it in our Roll With It: Bicycles, Art & Culture.
Green Box Arts Festival
July 4-19
Green Mountain Falls
Each summer the tiny hamlet of Green Mountain Falls comes alive with world-class art.The festival’s 18th year will kick off with a sweeping America250 celebration on July 4 that features a ceremonial WWII-era fly.over. The Oklahoma City Ballet will be in residence. And a filmed production of the acclaimed Santa Fe Opera’s La Bohème will be screened, marking the first time a Santa Fe Opera production has been shown outside of New Mexico. Five new visual art installations will be unveiled, including Open House by Billy Joe Miller. Overall, Green Box Arts hosts a two-week schedule of performances, events, concerts and classes. And you don’t want to miss shows in the James Turrell Skyspace. Read more about this unique and exceptional festival in Green Box Arts Has Always Has a Big Vision.
Colorado Springs Comic Con
Aug. 21-23
Broadmoor World Arena
Get ready for a weekend full of exciting panels, workshops, vendor booths selling unique merch, costumes and all of your favorite pop culture fun. And don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet some of your favorite comic books artists, actors and cosplayers. Artists and guests continue to be announced leading up to the comic con.
Commonwheel Art Festival
Sept. 5-7
Memorial Park, Manitou Springs
Celebrate and support local artists at the 52nd annual Labor Day weekend festival in Manitou Springs. Enjoy live music and specialty foods as you tour the talents of sculptors, jewelers, potters, painters and more.
Music Festivals in Colorado Springs
MeadowGrass Music Festival
May 22-46
La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, Black Forest
When the music drifts among the pines in Black Forest, you know festival season has officially begun. The region’s premier music fest always boasts an eclectic lineup of emerging local and national acts that you just might see headlining Red Rocks a few years down the road. This year’s artists include ALO, the Nershi Hann Trio and the Kyle Hollingsworth Band — both side projects by members of the jamgrass juggernaut String Cheese Incident, Banshee Tree, Shook Twins and more. Camping, a beer garden, yoga sessions, a kid zone and more family-friendly activities all help to make MeadowGrass a local favorite. Here are our 10 Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss This Year’s MeadowGrass.
United We Rock
Aug. 1
Rock Ledge Historical Site
It’s time to party like it’s 1876! As part of the Colorado 150 America 250 celebrations this summer, United We Rock is bringing live music, local food, artist vendors, beer and whiskey tastings, and interactive historical experiences to Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 2-8 p.m. From jazz and Americana to bluegrass and dance music, the stage will rock all day long with performances by Tony Exum, Jr., Tiny Pockets, Rafiel and the Roomshakers, WireWood Station, Grass It Up and Collective Groove.
Rocky Mountain Flower Fest
Aug. 8
Gather Mountain Blooms at Venetucci Farm
It’s a music festival filled with flowers. Head to the historic and scenic Venetucci Farm for a day of good tunes and beautiful blooms. Pick a bouquet from the fields. Weave a floral crown. Take lots of pictures. Join a barn dance or kick back and enjoy the live music with good food and drinks on the farm. This year’s lineup features Grass It Up and Patchwork Jack.
Tacos and Tequila Festival
Aug. 8
UC Health Park
Yes, you can kick it with your crew over tacos and tequila, but this is really “your favorite throwback hip-hop festival.” This year’s artists include T.I., Genuwine, Chingy and more. You’ll also find craft margaritas, lucha libre wrestling, a chihuahua beauty pageant, art installations and more.
Food and Drink Festivals
Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival
June 6
Memorial Park, Manitou Springs
Sample wines from more than 30 Colorado wineries as you stroll through Manitou’s Memorial Park. Enjoy live music, peruse gift vendors and grab a bite to eat from one of the many local food trucks. It’s a great way to kick off summer in Manitou. Tickets sell out every year, so don’t wait. Note that there are children or dogs allowed.
Feast of Saint Arnold
June 13
Chapel of Our Saviour Episcopal Church
With a huge selection of craft beers and activities for all ages, the Feast of Saint Arnold bills itself as “Colorado’s Family Friendly Beer Festival.” Sample some of the best local brews on the Pilgrimage of Pints pre-festival beer tour. Hang out in the Family Fun Zone. Listen to live music by local artists, like WireWood Station. And meet St. Arnold, the patron saint of beer. Plus, all proceeds benefit Westside Cares.
Taste of Pikes Peak
July 9
Hillside Gardens
The Taste of Pikes Peak has grown into the Springs’ food festival that you don’t want to miss, and this year it’s moving to the beautiful grounds of Hillside Gardens. The annual Taste of Pikes Peak invites guests to enjoy food and drinks from around 90 local restaurants, breweries and distilleries. When you’re not eating, drinking or mingling, you can dance the night away to live music from the main stage.
Indian Food Festival
Aug. 1
Liberty High School
Celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage, from the streets of New Delhi to the coastal kitchens of Kerala. Sample flavors, aromas and traditions from across the country, and enjoy Indian music, dancing, henna artists and vendors bringing Indian culture to live. General admission is free, but you can pay for early access.
Vino and Notes
Aug. 1
Woodland Park
Get ready to sip and sway at the 18th annual Vino and Notes Festival in Woodland Park’s Memorial Park. Colorado wineries, including Latigo Winery, Evergood Adventure WInes, Dragon Meadery, Manitou Winery and Aspen Peak Cellars, will be pouring all afternoon. Local vendors will be serving delicious bites. The Beer Garden will have ice-cold brews, and the live music lineup will keep you dancing.
Community and Cultural Festivals
Territory Days
May 23-25
Old Colorado City
Put on your Old West best and hit the streets of Old Colorado City for Colorado’s largest street fest. The popular Memorial Day weekend gathering celebrates its 50th year in 2026. You’ll find live music, food, craft vendors, gold panning, a mechanical bull, kids play area, a Cowboy Church service, toy train rides, live blacksmithing, period costumed characters, live birds of prey, Native American dancers, beer gardens and more. The original pioneers wouldn’t believe all the options in the Colorado Territory’s original capital.
Pearl Devere Day
June 7
Cripple Creek
Celebrate Cripple Creek’s Gold Rush heritage and Wild West red light district. Pearl Devere was the madame who built and ran the historic Old Homestead House. Now the main event of this weekend festival is the annual bed race. Teams of two Johns and one Pearl race their bed up and down Cripple Creek Street. Prizes are given for best costumes and decorations too.
Pikes Peak Pride Fest
June 13-14
Alamo Square Park (Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum)
Celebrate Pride with the Colorado Springs LGBTQ community during Pride Month. Thousands of visitors and locals gather in downtown Colorado Springs for two days of pride-filled fun, including live entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden and parade.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
June 13 – Aug. 2 weekends only
Larkspur
Step back in time and experience the 16th century with jousting knights, royal feasts, acrobats, magicians and jesters. When you’re not captivated by the Renaissance spectacles, you can visit the artisan marketplace for unique handmade goods and gifts, and don’t forget to indulge in the delicious turkey legs, mead and other treats.
Southern Colorado Juneteenth Festival
June 20-21
Norris Penrose Events Center
Celebrate culture, heritage and inclusion at Southern Colorado’s biggest festival of diverse communities. Everyone is welcome to the free gathering of music, food, dance, arts and family fun. You’ll find step shows, car shows, a fashion show and live music music by David Banner, Tony Exum Jr.’s Rhythm N’ Smooth Experience..
Water Lantern Festival
June 26
Prospect Lake at Memorial Park
Enjoy an evening of enchantment and wonder at the Water Lantern Festival, held at Memorial Park’s Prospect Lake. With a floating lantern kit provided, attendees can unleash their creativity and adorn the lanterns with a personal touch before setting them free to join the mesmerizing dance of lanterns on the water.
Donkey Derby Days
June 26-28
Downtown Cripple Creek
Head to the west side of Pikes Peak to be inspired by Cripple Creek’s historic resident donkey herd. The local beasts are believed to be the distant relatives of the original mining donkeys of the Gold Rush days. The street festival includes donkey races, live music, a beer tent, food vendors and a parade. And you can always try your luck in the local casinos.
La Vida! Colorado Springs
Aug. 22
Country Club of Colorado
Celebrate the rich Hispanic culture in Southern Colorado. Hosted by the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber, the La Vida festival will take place at the Country Club of Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Enjoy Latin-inspired music and cuisine with gorgeous views of Cheyenne Mountain. VIP tickets grant you early admission and access to the VIP Lounge, where you can meet Hispanic celebrities and enjoy lounge-exclusive musical performances.
Labor Day Lift Off
Sept. 5-7
Memorial Park
Call it Colorado Springs’ big celebration of the end of summer or the grand kickoff to fall. The Labor Day Lift Off has been one of the most popular festivals in Colorado Springs and all of Southern Colorado. This year is its 50th anniversary! Timed with America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th birthdays, you know it will extra special.
The weekend schedule is packed with hot air balloon launches, nightly balloon glows, live music, food vendors, a 5K run and walk, a beer garden, family fun and more. Read more about it our Highlights of the Labor Day Lift Off, and make plans to go. This is a festival every Springs local should experience.
coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com
Fiestas Patrias Colorado
Sept. 12
Colorado Springs Flea Market
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and commemorate Mexico’s independence from Spain at Fiestas Patrias. The free family festival brings together people from diverse Hispanic backgrounds to celebrate culture, music, food and community. Enjoy live entertainment, Mexican wrestling, vendor booths, and authentic food.
