Jeremy Papasso, Daily Camera file
You’ll get to hear top-notch performers when you grab tickets to Meadowgrass, a music festival that has been bringing incredible national and regional artists to Colorado Springs over the past 10 years. In addition to tons of live music, you’ll be able to camp, do yoga, attend music workshops and relax. There are also activities for kids, so it’s totally family friendly — children 12 and younger get in free with a paying adult. This year also marks the second year of the festival’s beer-tasting event. La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, Colorado Springs, meadowgrass.org
The Denver Arts Festival is in its 21st year of supporting the arts. That means you’ll be able to appreciate the work of dozens of local and national artists and enjoy live music from the Cass Clayton Band and Spinphony. There’s also a kids art zone and a wine-and-beer garden. It’s a super-popular festival, so you can expect to see about 50,000 other Colorado art lovers while you’re there. Stapleton Conservatory Green, 8304 E. 49th Place, Denver, denverartsfestival.com
Water World opening weekend
You know summer is officially here when you can finally hit up Water World again. If you’re a true fan of the water park, you won’t want to skip opening day over Memorial Day weekend. Plus, this is the water park’s 40th anniversary, so they’ve got tons of new ticket options and other fun stuff in the works this year. 8801 Pecos St., Heights, waterworldcolorado.com
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Boulder Creek Festival
After you finish running the Bolder Boulder (or anytime during Memorial Day weekend), make sure to head over to the Boulder Creek Festival for carnival rides, a fine-arts expo, fitness classes, a maker’s market, live music and community performances. There are tons of activities geared toward kids, too, so you can bring the whole family. Be sure to check out the summer camp preview and the face-painting station. Located near Broadway and Canyon Boulevard, Boulder, bouldercreekfest.com Territory Days
For a little trip through the past — to the 1860s, to be exact — hit up Territory Days for Wild West gunfights, train rides, American Indian displays, pony rides, gold panning, cowboy church, and tons of food and beverages. There’s also a kids zone for the little ones. This three-day party celebrates the time when Colorado was just a territory and “Colorado City” was its capital in 1861. You can expect to see 80,000 to 140,000 other festivalgoers while you’re there. Old Colorado City, Colorado Avenue between 23rd and 27th streets, Colorado Springs, pro-promotions.com/pro-events/territorydays Manitou Springs Wine Festival
Spend an afternoon sipping local wine at the Manitou Springs Wine Festival, which features tastings from 30 Colorado wineries. There’s also live music, food to munch on and gift vendors to leisurely peruse while you drink wine in beautiful Memorial Park. If you’re one of the first 1,500 people to buy a ticket, you’ll get a free wine tote in addition to your free festival wine glass. Memorial Park, Manitou Springs, manitousprings.org/calendar/manitousprings-colorado-wine-festival