Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. Photo: Ultra 5280
The longest, sunniest day of the year signifies the start of another epic Colorado summer. It runs from Sunday, June 21st to Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015.
June Festivals
Telluride Wine Festival. Photo: Scott Ellis
Telluride Wine Festival
Date: Thur-Sun, June 25-28, 2015
Address: Telluride
About: Four day event with many wine tastings, lunches, lectures, and vineyard tours.
Colorado Brewers’ Festival
Date: Fri-Sun, June 26-28, 2015
Address: Civic Center Park and Washington Park, Denver
About: 26th annual brew fest celebrating Colorado craft beer and live music.
Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour
Date: Sat-Sun, June 27-28, 2015
Address: River Run Village, Keystone
About: Everything bacon at this festival, featuring bacon-infused cuisine from around twenty food vendors, a Bacon Bloody Mary Bar and live music.
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, June 27-28, 2015
Address: Bond Park, Downtown Estes Park
About: Celebrate the longest day of summer, the summer Solstice, with Scandinavian song, dance, and music. There’ll be local food and crafts, a viking encampment, a silent auction and a raffle for a trip to Scandinavia.
Greeley Stampede
Date: Thur-Sun, June 25-July 5, 2015
Address: Greeley
About: 93rd annual Stampede features PRCA rodeo, live country music, monster trucks, a demolition derby, carnival, roller derby, fireworks and one of the largest Independence Day parades in the nation.
High Peaks Art Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, June 27-28, 2015
Address: Nederland
About: 15th annual arts juried arts fest featuring fine arts, contemporary crafts, music, local food and free admission.
July Festivals
Greeley Stampede Rodeo. Photo: Dave Morris
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, June 13-14, 20-21, 27, 28, July 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, August 1-2, 2015
Address: 650 W Perry Park Ave, Larkspur (between Denver & CO Springs on I-25)
About: On its 39th season, the festival is held over 8 weekends in June, July, August with medieval events for all ages. It’s held 10am until 6:30pm each day, rain or shine. Parking is free, no pets.
Greeley Stampede
Date: Thur-Sun, June 25-July 5, 2015
Address: Greeley
About: 93rd annual Stampede features PRCA rodeo, live country music, monster trucks, a demolition derby, carnival, roller derby, fireworks and one of the largest Independence Day parades in the nation.
Cowboys’ Roundup Days
Date: Thur-Sun July 2-5 2015
Where: Downtown Steamboat Springs
About: The 112th Annual Cowboys’ Roundup Days is a truly western celebration of Independence Day. Concerts, a parade, rodeo, fireworks, pancake breakfast, and other activities highlight this six day extravaganza.
Plateau Valley Heritage Days
Date: Thu-Sat, July 2-4, 2015
Address: Collbran
About: Centered around a CPRA Rodeo, events include a parade down Main Street, horseshoe tournament and various games, merchants and food vendors.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Date: Fri-Sun, July 3-5, 2015
Address: Denver
About: 25th cultural celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts.
Cattlemen’s Days
Date: Sat-Sun, July 4-12, 2015
Address: Gunnison
About: Weeklong festival showcasing three days of western rodeo competitions, live music and vendors. Event claims to be the “Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos”.
Colorado Irish Festival
Date: Fri-Sun, July 10-12, 2015
Address: Clement Park, Littleton
About: Since 1994, this festival has brought Irish culture, music, dancing, food, activities and entertainment together in Denver area. Pets not permitted.
Colorado Brewers Rendezvous
Date: Sat, July 11, 2015
Address: Riverside Park, Salida
About: 19th annual beer festival held on the banks of the Arkansas River, featuring more than 70 breweries, 200 beers and live music.
JUL-IPA Festival
Date: Sat, July 11, 2015
Address: Millenium Harvest House, Boulder
About: 3rd annual beer festival with 100% of proceeds benefiting 100% Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence.
Ride Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, July 11-12, 2015
Address: Telluride
About: Fourth annual rock and roll fest featuring Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule and many others.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Date: Mon-Sun, July 13-19, 2015
Address: Crested Butte
About: A week of wildflower festivities in historic CB. Events include over 80 hikes, alpine yoga classes, 4×4 tours, garden tours, photography, art & cooking classes, medicinal classes using botanical ingredients, planting wildflowers at home, birding and butterflies.
Castle Rock WineFest
Date: Sat, July 18, 2015
Address: Castle Rock
About: Single day event showcasing more than two dozen wineries and over 180 choices of Colorado wine.
Evergreen Summerfest
Date: Sat-Sun, July 18-19, 2015
Address: Evergreen
About: Over 100 artists gather for this community fine arts and crafts festival, now in its 35th year. Summerfest kicks off Arts Alive Evergreen, a ten day showcase on visual and performing arts.
Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, July 18-19, 2015
Address: River Run Village, Keystone
About: Tastings available from over 300 international wines. Special events include wine seminars and jazz concerts.
Colorado Freeride Festival
Date: Thur-Sun, July 23-26, 2015
Address: 85 Parsenn Rd, Winter Park
About: Four day event featuring athletes in slopestyle, enduro racing, air downhill, cross country, and pond crossing events. Events held in Winter Park Village.
Denver Brew Fest
Date: Fri-Sat, July 24-25, 2015
Address: Denver
About: Sample from over one hundred craft beers and forty-five breweries.
Rockygrass
Date: Fri-Sun, July 24-26, 2015
Address: Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons
About: 43rd annual Rockygrass music festival featuring three days of bluegrass concerts along the banks of the St. Vrain River. Camping is available, either at the festival, at Meadow Park, a 5 minute walk, or at Olson Campground, a 10 minute walk or free shuttle. Fishing and tubing are fun river activities.
Cheesman Park Art Fest
Date: Sat-Sun, July 25-26, 2015
Address: Cheesman Park, Denver
About: The 3rd annual art fest invites more than one hundred national, juried artists and craftmans to showcase their work around Cheesman Park.
Archuleta County Fair
Date: Thur July 30 – Sun, August 2, 2015
Address: Pagosa Springs
About: In its 64th season, events include archery, BBQ competition, boxing, Colorado State Fast Draw Championships, live music, livestock auction, Junkyard Jamboree Car Show, Salida circus, skateboarding. There’s also a kid’s and a ranch rodeo. Vendors will on-site selling food, gifts and games.
Crested Butte Arts Festival
Date: Fri-Sun July 31-August 2, 2015
Address: Elk Avenue, Downtown Crested Butte
About: Now on its 43rd season, this festival attracts artists from all over the globe. Expect spectacular art, lively entertainment and delicious cuisine. There’s demonstrations from artists and chefs, plenty of activities for the kids, and an art auction.
August Festivals
Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival. Photo: Paul Swansen
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, June 13-14, 20-21, 27, 28, July 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, August 1-2, 2015
Address: 650 W Perry Park Ave, Larkspur (between Denver & CO Springs on I-25)
About: On its 39th season, the festival is held over 8 weekends in June, July, August with medieval events for all ages. It’s held 10am until 6:30pm each day, rain or shine. Parking is free, no pets.
Archuleta County Fair
Date: Thur July 30 – Sun, August 2, 2015
Address: Pagosa Springs
About: In its 64th season, events include archery, BBQ competition, boxing, Colorado State Fast Draw Championships, live music, livestock auction, Junkyard Jamboree Car Show, Salida circus, skateboarding. There’s also a kid’s and a ranch rodeo. Vendors will on-site selling food, gifts and games.
Crested Butte Arts Festival
Date: Fri-Sun July 31-August 2, 2015
Address: Elk Avenue, Downtown Crested Butte
About: Now on its 43rd season, this festival attracts artists from all over the globe. Expect spectacular art, lively entertainment and delicious cuisine. There’s demonstrations from artists and chefs, plenty of activities for the kids, and an art auction.
Springs Beer Fest
Date: Sat, August 1, 2015
Address: Colorado Springs
About: 9th annual beer festival featuring unlimited tastings from over 55 microbreweries, live music, local vendors and games.
Keystone Bluegrass & Beers Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, Aug 1-2, 2015
Address: Keystone
About: Over 30 microbreweries, mountain music and home cooking come together in River Run Village.
Leadville Boom Days
Date: Fri-Sun August 7-9, 2015
Address: Leadville
About: Features a weekend of activities, food and recreation held on the first full weekend in August. Events include burro races, Motorcycle Rodeo, historic contests of individual mining skill, a gun show, a softball tournament, street fair and live entertainment. More highlights include the Boom Days Parade and a car show.
Palisade Peach Fest
Date: Thur-Sun, August 13-16, 2015
Address: Palisade
About: Now in its 47th year, enjoy four days of enjoying Palisade peaches. Last year’s festival topped more than 15,000 people from around the world.
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
Date: Fri-Sun, August 14-16, 2015
Address: Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons
About: Celebrating its 25th year, enjoy three days of concerts along the Saint Vrain River. Outside food and drinks are permitted, just no alcohol. Food and alcohol is sold on-site. Camping is popular around the festival, either at the festival grounds or under the cliffs at Meadow Park. The event kicks off with the Folks Songwriter Showcase, where a juried group of artists from around the world compete for a spot in this year’s lineup.
Telluride Mushroom Festival
Date: Thur-Sun, August 13-16, 2015
Address: Telluride
About: Celebrate all aspects of this fungus for the 35th year. Events include lectures, forays, performances, workshops, parade, movies, cooking and food.
Bruises & Brews Festival
Date: Sat, August 15, 2015
Address: Glendale
About: Beer fest next to the rugby 7s tournament action.
Mountain Town Music Festival
Date: Fri-Sat, August 21-22, 2015
Address: River Run Village, Keystone
About: Free concerts and more than twenty local food vendors.
NedFest
Date: Fri-Sun, August 28-30, 2015
Address: Nederland
About: Outdoor music, arts and microbrew festival in its 17th season.
Breckenridge Beer Festival
Date: Sat, August 29, 2015
Address: Breckenridge
About: 10th annual summer beer festival with over 40 breweries, live music and local vendors.
Colorado State Fair
Date: Fri-Mon, August 28-September 7, 2015
Address: 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo
About: Widely popular 11 day event with parades, live music, rodeos, carnival, live stock, horse show, and hundreds of vendors selling everything from Indian Tacos to handcrafted jewelry.
September Festivals
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. Photo: Donna Boley
Colorado State Fair
Date: Fri-Mon, August 28-September 7, 2015
Address: 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo
About: Widely popular 11 day event with parades, live music, rodeos, carnival, live stock, horse show, and hundreds of vendors selling everything from Indian Tacos to handcrafted jewelry.
Four Corners Folk Festival
Date: Fri-Sun, September 4-6, 2015
Address: Reservoir Hill, Pagosa Springs
About: Highlights for the 20th annual Folk Fest include food vendors, a beer garden, live folk music and kids’ entertainment. Many people camp at the event on Reservoir Hill or at a satellite spot, with campsites available for tents and RVs for a fee.
Telluride Film Festival
Date: Fri-Mon, September 4-7, 2015
Address: Telluride
About: One of the top film festivals in the U.S, now in its 42nd year.
A Taste of Colorado
Date: Fri-Mon, September 4-7, 2015
Address: Civic Center Park, Downtown Denver
About: Free fest with five stages of live music, lots of great local food, over 200 arts & crafts booths and carnival rides for kids and adults.
Keystone Oktoberfest
Date: Sat, September 5, 2015
Address: River Run Village, Keystone
About: Keystone’s fourth annual Oktoberfest with beer and brats. Activities include free face painting, a bounce house and the Edelweiss Polka Dancers.
Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials
Date: Wed-Sun, September 9-13, 2015
Address: Meeker
About: Five days of sheepdog herding competition held annually in September.
Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival
Date: Thur-Sun, September 10-13, 2015
Address: Estes Park
About: Known as Scotfest, this four day celebration features large bagpipe marching bands, the Estes Tattoo and the Longs Peak Concert. Highlights include live music, regional food, jousting tournaments, Highland dance, and local merchants.
Tough Mudder
Date: Sat-Sun, September 12-13, 2015
Address: Snowmass Village
About: 10-12 mile endurance challenge around the hills of Snowmass. It’s designed with 20-25 obstacles by British Special Forces. Prices go up the later you sign up.
Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock
Date: Sat-Sun, September 12-13, 2015
Address: Castle Rock
About: More than 180 international artists ascend on Castle Rock for this 25th annual fine arts fest.
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Date: Fri-Sun, September 18-20, 2015
Address: Town Park, Telluride
About: Tickets go on sale March 1st for the 22nd Annual Blues & Brews Fest featuring world class blues music and great local food.
Boulder International Fringe Festival
Date: Wed-Sun, September 16-27, 2015
Address: Boulder
About: Twelve day un-juried festival of arts featuring a variety of performing and visual arts including theater, dance, puppetry and cinema.
Breck FilmFest
Date: Thur-Sun, September 17-20, 2015
Address: Breckenridge
About: 35th annual festival features a variety of independent films, premieres, receptions, educational programs and retrospectives.
Colorado Mountain Winefest
Date: Thurs-Sun, September 17-20, 2015
Address: Riverbend Park, Palisade
About: Now in its 24th season, the Winefest attracts dozens of local wineries in Colorado’s premiere wine festival. There’s interactive seminars and demos, live entertainment, fantastic food, unlimited wine samples, a commemorative tasting glass, wine tote and plenty of wine for sale.
Colorfest Balloon Rally
When: Fri-Sun, September 18-20, 2015
Where: Pagosa Springs
What: 29th year of high flying fun since 1986. The Passport to Pagosa Food & Wine Fest kicks off the festivities on Friday night with international wine and food pairings.
Lake City Uncorked Wine & Music Festival
Date: Sat, September 19, 2015
Address: Lake City
About: Music and wine festival in one of Colorado’s most remote towns.
Centennial Chalk Art Festival
Date: Sat-Sun, September 19-20, 2015
Address: Centennial
About: Larimer Arts Association’s second location for their Italian chalk art festival. There’ll be live music, food, beverages and a Kids’ Circle to accompany the live artist demonstrations.
Please share any more summer events below.