FESTIVALS
June 30-July 2
BLUEBIRD Art + Sound: This is a new fest we’re excited about in Snowmass. It’s described as a “leading-edge art and music event” that will make its grand entrance over the summer. Goers will enjoy top-level artists and musical talent while taking in the breathtaking Snowmass scenery. Snowmass, gosnowmass.com/ event/bluebird-art-sound
JULY
July 1-3
Cherry Creek Arts Festival: Since 1991, Cherry Creek Arts Festival has given attendees the chance to meet and talk with international visual artists while sampling amazing cuisine, enjoying live music, artist demonstrations and more. They even have families covered, with interactive ARTivities. Denver’s Cherry Creek North Shopping District, cherrycreekartsfestival.org
July 6-9
High Mountain Hay Fever Festival: Head to Westcliffe for a lesser-known music festival, but one that should be on your summer event bucket list. It’s a blast — and incredibly affordable, with plenty of nearby campsites. Located near Main Street and Adams Boulevard in Westcliffe, highmountainhayfever.org
July 8-9
Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park: Colorado doesn’t shy away from rodeos. But Hot Air Balloon Rodeos? You have to see it to believe it. Located in Steamboat Springs, the festivities include art on canvases and art in the air. Enjoy crafts, hot air balloon shows and a special kid’s area. Bald Eagle Lake, 35565 S. U.S. 40, Steamboat Springs, steamboatchamber.com/ signature-events/hot-air-balloonrodeo
July 12-14
Movie at the Symphony — “La La Land” in Concert: It made waves at this year’s Oscars for the wrong-card mix-up for the “Best Picture” announcement, but before that it made waves for being a wonderful film — and we can relive the magic with a special performance, with the Colorado Symphony performing the movie’s score live with the full screening of the film. Tickets are $15-$89, Boettcher Concert Hall, tickets.coloradosymphony.org July 14-16
Slow Food Nations: New this summer, folks. Mark your calendars for Slow Food USA and Slow Food International’s first U.S. Slow Food event. Inspired by Slow Food International’s biannual Terra Madre gathering in Italy, this event combines the greatness of a street food fest, the gravitas of a conference and the inspiration of a cultural exchange. Denver Union Station and Larimer Square, slowfoodnations.org
July 15
Country Pub Crawl: Y’all, it’s time to grab your chaps. Squeeze into your finest Daisy Dukes. Sport the biggest belt buckle in the world. LoDo is ready for all cowboys and cowgirls to hop to participating bars with 16-ounce mason jars filled with your hopes and dreams. Tickets start at $15, eventbrite.com
July 20-23
Telluride Yoga Festival: Namaste, dear readers. You and your new yoga pants have been waiting for the perfect moment to shine. This inspirational four-day event features more than 100 offerings including yoga, meditation, music, hiking, dining, social gatherings and more. We feel rejuvenated just writing about this. Telluride, tellurideyogafestival.com Mountain Fair: This weekendlong festival showcases more than 145 vendors, non-stop entertainment, live music, various forms of performing arts and a family area called The Oasis. There are also unique competitions that run the gamut from pie baking to wood splitting and more. Carbondale, carbondalearts.com
July 27-30
Buffalo Bill Days: This event dates back to the 1940s as a trail ride up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill’s grave. Now it’s the largest community fest in Golden. This year’s festivities include a “100 Years in Golden” themed parade, live music, classic car show, great food and more. Golden, buffalobilldays.com
July 29-30
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival: Dragon boating is over 2,000 years old and is steeped in tradition. We’re not sure which we love better, the cuisine from the festival’s 20 vendors or the intricate dragon boats gliding across Sloan’s Lake. Okay, both. Don’t worry, parents. There’s even Dragonland, an interactive children’s area to entertain the wee ones. Sloan’s Lake, Denver, cdbf.org
July 29-Aug. 12
Vail Dance Festival: This celebration runs for two weeks, and it features exceptional artistry and quite the lineup. From the L.A. Dance Project to Jerome Robbins and Martha Graham Dance Company, this is a season you don’t want to miss. Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail, vvf.org
AUGUST
Aug. 5-6
Bluegrass & Beer Festival: If two of your favorites things in life are banjos and beer, you gotta head to Keystone for this can’t-miss summer festival. You’ll dig downhome cooking, frothy flavors from over 40 craft breweries and 14 national and regional bluegrass acts on three different village stages. Keystone, keystonefestivals.com
Aug. 4-6
Leadville Boom Days: When you combine a car show with burro racing at 10,200 feet, you know the fun wagon is going to be running at full-throttle. Over 100 food and craft booths will fill the festival along with gunslingers, a parade, mining skill contests and multiple family-friendly activities to keep people of all ages busy. Leadville, leadvilleboomdays.org Aug. 5
Olathe Sweet Corn Festival: This annual event has grown to become one of Colorado’s best small town festivals. Bring your ears for some live music, enjoy food, drinks and games for the kids. It’s fun for the whole corny family. Olathe, olathesweetcornfest.com Aug. 10-13
Velorama Festival and Colorado Classic Pro Cycling: If you spot more people than usual walking around in spandex cycling shorts, there’s a reason for it. Pro bicycle racing returns to Colorado with the Colorado Classic, but in Denver, there will be a new companion to the race, a music, food and crafts festival. Headliners include Wilco and Death Cab for Cutie. Denver, axs.com
Aug. 17-20
Palisade Peach Festival: Movin’ to the country, gonna eat me a lot of peaches ... at the Palisade Peach Festival. Admit it, you totally read that while singing. The weekend is a popular choice for folks along the Western Slope. It’s also a great chance to head out of the city and enjoy plenty of food, entertainment, contests, activities for the kiddos and more. Palisade, palisadepeachfest.com
Aug. 18-20
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival: Are you needing a little bit more bluegrass in your life? Head to Lyons for this musical jubilee, which includes some greats in the genre such as Gregory Alan Isakov, The Weepies, Lake Street Dive, Peter Himmelman, Rhiannon Giddens and more. Bonus: There is even a kids fun zone to entertain the kiddos as you jive. Lyons, bluegrass.com
Aug. 25-Sept. 4
Colorado State Fair: If you haven’t been to the Colorado State Fair, where the heck have you been? Seriously. We’re talking concerts, a carnival, crazy amounts of food, livestock action, performances by the Harlem Globetrotters, Center Ring Circus and more. The Colorado State Fair knows how to fill up the days with stuff to do. Stuff to eat. Adult beverages galore. Get your rodeo on. Pueblo, coloradostatefair.com Aug. 25-26
Colorado Cider & Beer Circus: If adulting can get you down, here’s how to entertain your inner child while doing 21-and-over events. Head to Copper Mountain Resort to enjoy 75 craft cider and craft beers for sampling. The festivities also include amazing entertainers, aerial artists and more. Frisco, cidercircus.com
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 1-3
Four Corners Folk Festival: So far, this year’s music lineup includes Sarah Jarosz, The East Pointers, The Lil’ Smokies, We Banjo 3, Quiles & Cloud, The Ghost of Paul Revere and loads more. Pagosa Springs, folkwest.com
Sept. 1-3
Aspen Snowmass’ Labor Day Experience: Winter is coming. Before it does, party hardy over Labor Day weekend in Snowmass Village with headlining concerts, a free lawn party, food, beverages and more. Get ready, fans: Maroon 5 (Ha! Near Maroon Bells. Sorry, couldn’t hold that Colorado joke back), Keith Urban and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are all set. Snowmass, jazzaspensnowmass.org
Sept. 1-4
A Taste of Colorado: Wear your extra large sweat pants and leave ample room in your waistline. It’s time to fill up your bellies with amazing food from more than 50 Colorado restaurants and food establishments. Once you’ve hit your limit, stick around for concerts, family-friendly activities and more. Civic Center Park, Denver, atasteofcolorado.com Sept. 2
Wild West Air Fest: Spend Labor Day weekend in Steamboat Springs for the annual festival that is packed full with familyfriendly activities. The Wild West Air Fest features nationally renowned performers as they provide thrilling aerobatics and formation flying. Your kids will be crazy excited. And so will you. Steamboat Springs, steamboatchamber.com