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I’m a Colorado local here to guide you to the best festivals in Colorado!
These 35 events and festivals include some of the greatest things to do Colorado offers. Many are festivals free to attend, and there are events for every month of the year!
Kick off ski season, celebrate Labor Day weekend, enjoy music on a warm summer night, and so much more. There’s something for everyone on this ultimate list of Colorado events!
Oh, and I’ve also guide a guide to the best festivals in Denver if you’re focused on the Mile High City.
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Table of Contents
Colorado Festivals in January
National Western Stock Show
Take in the world’s largest stock show and celebrate Denver’s Western spirit.
📅 January 11 – 26, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | National Western Stock Show Website
The National Western Stock Show is one of the best things to do in Denver. It attracts people from around the world for the 2-week festivities.
The evening rodeos are some of the most popular events, but you can spend a full day or more at the stock show. Visit exhibition booths, see prized stock animals as they’re groomed to show, and definitely stop by the baby animal area!
The MusicFest at Steamboat
Enjoy live music in a gorgeous setting during breaks from skiing.
📅 January 6 – 11, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | The MusicFest Website
With more than 200 hours of live music, MusicFest has been called “The Super Bowl of Texas Music.” You’ll find discounts on ski rentals, lift tickets, and Steamboat Springs lodging, plus more to round out your week.
⛷️ Don’t Miss: Read about Steamboat Resort and nearby Howelsen Hill in our guide to the best Colorado ski resorts!
Ouray Ice Festival & Competition
Watch ice climbers test their mettle and raise money for a unique ice park.
📅 January 18 – 21, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Ouray Ice Festival & Competition Website
One of Colorado’s best mountain towns hosts the Ouray Ice Festival. It features movie screenings, outdoor gear expos, clinics, and of course, ice climbing competitions. Money from the event goes to maintain Ouray’s Ice Park, which is free and open to the public each winter.
Rio Frio Ice Fest
Blast away winter blues with a weekend of outdoor winter events in Alamosa.
📅 January 26 – 28, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Rio Frio Ice Fest Website
The Rio Frio Ice Festival is two days of family fun. Watch ice sculpting, enjoy a fire and ice bonfire, see the polar plunge (or participate if you’re feeling brave!), and cross-country ski a trail lined with luminaria at night. The main event is a 5K across the icy land.
Colorado Festivals in February
Steamboat Winter Carnival
Salute this winter with ski ballet, Nordic jumping, and other snow activities.
📅 February 7 – 11, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Steamboat Winter Carnival Website
Steamboat Springs brightens the winter doldrums with a weekend festival. It includes Nordic ski jumping (with chances for kids to learn how), snow sculptures, ski obstacle races, ski ballet, and a family s’mores party.
📚 Related Reading: 21 Best Things to Do in Steamboat Springs (in 2023)
Loveland Sweetheart Festival
Celebrate love in the Sweetheart City.
📅 February 10, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Loveland Sweetheart Festival Website
Enjoy music, local arts and crafts, food trucks, and kids’ activities on the weekend before Valentine’s Day. There’s also a tunnel of love, along with ice sculpting, and the Sweetheart Classic 4-mile race on Saturday.
Colorado Springs Chinese New Year Festival
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with dance, drumming, and food.
📅 February 17 | 📍 Google Maps | Colorado Springs Chinese New Year Website
This Chinese New Year Festival in Colorado Springs is an all-day event that features lion dances, martial arts performances, and Asian music and dance. A Kid Zone has hands-on art to help kids learn about and celebrate the holiday. If you’ll be in the area for a while, be sure to check out this list of things to do in Colorado Springs!
Colorado Festivals in March
Monte Vista Crane Festival
See massive flocks of 4-foot tall birds migrate to the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, and enjoy programming from local nature experts.
📅 March 8-10, 2024 |📍 Google Maps | Monte Vista Crane Festival Website
The Monte Vista Crane Festival celebrates the migration of sandhill cranes and their stop-over in the scenic San Luis Valley. These birds are impossible to miss given their 4-foot height and loud, reverberating calls, along with the sheer size of their flocks.
Over 20,000 birds — nearly the entire Rocky Mountain population of sandhill cranes — pause at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The site is backdropped by mountains and near Great Sand Dunes National Park, granting incredible photo opportunities. At no cost, you can visit the refuge on your own to watch the cranes feed, loaf, and roost.
Alternatively, you can join a guided bus tour hosted by the Monte Vista Crane Festival. Other festival highlights include engaging lectures from local wildlife experts, plus an art exhibit and craft fair. Most events are priced individually, ranging from $10 – $70 per.
For more details, see Abigail’s full article on the Monte Vista Crane Festival.
Frozen Dead Guy Days
Perhaps Colorado’s strangest annual festival, this year in Estes Park.
📅 March 14 – 17, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Frozen Dead Guy Days Website
Frozen Dead Guy Days is an odd weekend festival. It honors a cryogenically-frozen man who hangs out in a Tuff shed in Nederland. Although it was celebrated for 20 years in that town, in 2023, the festival is moving to Estes Park.
Guests can participate in a polar plunge, coffin races, a frozen salmon toss, and the Parade of Hearses. If you need lodging, check out Abigail’s recommendations on where to stay in Estes Park!
Colorado Festivals in April
Aspen Shortsfest
See short films that are shortlisted for the Oscars.
📅 April 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Aspen Shortsfest Website
Aspen Shortsfest is an Oscar-qualifying film festival, so it’s possible the movie you take in could be a future prestigious award-winner. Along with screenings, you’ll get panels, workshops, and a celebration of movie shorts.
Colorado Festivals in May
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Celebrate the holiday with food, dance, and music in downtown Denver.
📅 May 4 – 5, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cinco de Mayo Website
Denver celebrates Cinco de Mayo in a big way. Its festivities include a parade, chihuahua races, a low-rider car show, and lots of dancing, live music, and delicious food. Expect incredible Mexican dishes from some of the best restaurants in Denver.
Colorado Festivals in June
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival
Celebrate Fruita’s famous fowl with a weekend of festivities.
📅 May 31 – June 1, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Mike the Headless Chicken Website
Mike the Headless Chicken became a notable Fruita resident in 1945 after a farmer lopped off his head and he lived (and thrived) for another 18 months. The summer festival now includes games, live music, and a pancake breakfast. There’s also a 5k run and… a brewery wing and peeps eating contest, of course.
Five Points Jazz Festival
Enjoy a day of jazz in the Harlem of the West.
📅 June 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Five Points Jazz Festival Website
This one-day music festival features up-and-coming jazz artists. It also celebrates the history of Five Points, one of the greatest Denver neighborhoods. This festival even made our list of the 150 Best Things to Do in the USA last summer!
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival
Enjoy guitar and banjo pickin’ under a warm sun at this summer festival.
📅 June 14 – 16, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival Website
Riverbend Park in Palisade is the perfect spot to gather for bluegrass music that’s sure to get you on your feet and dancing! The festival features three days of top bluegrass musicians, along with some bands just getting started.
If you want to make a weekend of it, check out these fun things to do in Grand Junction nearby.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Forsooth, enjoy the plays of the Bard at this CU Boulder festival.
📅 June 8 – Aug 11, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Colorado Shakespeare Festival Website
Shakespeare lovers gather in Boulder every summer to see plays by the famous author. These are presented by a professional theatre company. This summer’s offerings include Much Ado About Nothing,King Lear, andThe Winter’s Tale. Be aware that children under 5 are not allowed at performances.
Sonic Bloom Festival
Enjoy electronic music in Rye at one of the longest-running music festivals in Colorado.
📅 June 15 – 18 | 📍 Google Maps | Sonic Bloom Website
This festival, which features electronic and jam band music, takes place at the Hummingbird Ranch in Rye. Along with lots of live music, you’ll find tons of activities including yoga classes, art installations, and fire spinners along with food and artisanal vendors. A Children’s Village has artistic kids’ activities as well.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Listen to live music and attend workshops with Telluride’s breathtaking scenery as a backdrop.
📅 June 20 – 23, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Telluride Bluegrass Festival Website
You’ll hear some of the best bluegrass in the country in Telluride during this festival. There are also free workshops at Elks Park, and NightGrass evening concerts are a fun part of the weekend as well.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? Check out Abigail’s recommendations in her guide on where to stay in Telluride.
Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Try tastings, see demos, and enjoy mouthwatering meals!
📅 June 14 – 16, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Food & Wine Classic Website
The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen has cooking demonstrations, beverage seminars, and wine tastings. The weekend event also features delicious dinners and more activities for wine and food lovers. For this reason, June is absolutely one of the best times to visit Aspen!
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Hear ye, hear ye, enjoy this Larkspur festival all summer long!
📅 June 17 – August 6 | 📍 Google Maps | Colorado Renaissance Festival Website
Colorado’s Renaissance Festival runs for most of the summer in beautiful Larkspur, between Denver and Colorado Springs. Enjoy food, medieval shows, and the chance to dress like a fairy princess and demand to be called “milady” for a day.
Dragon Boat Festival
Celebrate Asian culture with dragon boat races, performances, food, and more.
📅 June 27 – 28, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Dragon Boat Festival Website
The highlight of the Dragon Boat Festival is, of course, the dragon boat races. During the day, they take place on Sloans Lake, one of the best lakes near Denver. There are a variety of vendors plus martial arts demonstrations, live music, dance performances, and more throughout the event.
Greeley Stampede
Concerts, rodeos, a demolition derby, and more.
📅 June 26 – July 7, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Greeley Stampede Website
Greeley is, quite literally, a cow town, as agriculture is one of the city’s main industries. The Greeley Stampede celebrates livestock and agriculture with a parade, several rodeos, a carnival, live music, food, and lots of vendors.
Denver Chalk Art Festival
Admire over 150 chalk art pieces at this downtown Denver festival — and be sure to vote for your favorite!
📅 June 1 – 2 |📍 Google Maps | Festival’s Website
In my opinion, the Denver Chalk Art Festival is one of the best free things to do in Denver. This annual event draws more than 150,000 visitors to the Golden Triangle Creative District. It’s hard to miss the crowds surrounding 12th and Bannock. But look up the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art if you need a landmark.
You’ll be amazed by the dozens of chalk art pieces at this festival. Some will likely be works in progress, allowing you to watch artists in action. As you wander, be sure to take advantage of photo ops (like Chris Carlson’s 3D piece, pictured left).
You’ll also want to take snaps of your favorites. Then, cast your vote! I voted for Jennifer Leon’s piece (right), which won second place that year.
– Abigail Bliss
Bravo! Vail Music Festival
Beautiful music under the stars all summer long.
📅 June 20 – August 1, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Bravo! Vail Music Festival Website
Orchestras travel from all over to perform at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. This is the main venue for the summer’s Bravo! Vail Music Festival. The outdoor setting is beautiful and the music is world-class, making this one of the many amazing things to do in Vail!
📚 Related Reading: Where to Stay in Vail (Best Areas, Hotels, & Resorts)
Denver PrideFest
A parade and performances all weekend long make this one of the top Pride celebrations in the country.
📅 June 24 – 25 | 📍 Google Maps | Denver Pride Website
U.S. News & World Report named Denver’s PrideFest one of the top 15 pride celebrations in the country [ Source]. Festivities begin Saturday with a 5K that leads to a 2-day celebration at Civic Center Park. You’ll see performances, hear live music, and find plenty of food and drink vendors. The Pride Parade through downtown Denver happens Sunday morning.
Fan EXPO Denver
Get your cosplay outfit ready for four days of fan fun.
📅 July 4 – 7, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Fan EXPO Denver Website
Although many people still refer to this as Denver Comic Con, the official title of this 4-day celebration of fan culture is the Fan EXPO Denver. You can meet celebrities in the world of comics, sci-fi, horror, gaming, and other areas of pop culture. There are family-friendly events, celebrity photo sessions, and plenty of merch available as well.
Colorado Festivals in July
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
A free festival celebrating art in all its forms.
📅 July 5 – 7, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Cherry Creek Arts Festival Website
Every July, Cherry Creek turns into an outdoor art show, with paintings, sculptures, performances, and music on display in the streets. There are vendors and places to buy art as well as hands-on activities for creative kids.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Celebrate the Wildflower Capital of Colorado.
📅 July 12 – 21, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Crested Butte Wildflower Festival Website
Hiking in meadows of wildflowers is one of the best things to do in Crested Butte, and this festival celebrates them in all their multi-colored glory! The 10-day festival has workshops on photography, painting, and hiking around the wildflowers.
Lavender Festival at Chatfield Farms
Marvel at thousands of lavender plants and peruse lavender-infused goods at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Littleton location.
📅 July 15 – 16 |📍 Google Maps | Festival’s Website
Chatfield Farms is a key attraction in Littleton, Colorado. It’s the Denver Botanic Gardens’ southern location, spanning 700 acres in the foothills.
Every July, it hosts the Lavender Festival, one of my favorite summer events. During it, more than 2,000 varieties of lavender plants are in bloom. You can also admire several other exhibits and learn from horticulture experts. I especially recommend visiting the dye garden. It features plants used for dying textiles and its volunteers are excited to share their craft.
In addition, the Lavender Festival has dozens of vendor booths. Sip lavender cider, shop for lavender-scented candles and cosmetics, and browse other locally-made goods. Live music further adds to the experience.
– Abigail Bliss
Underground Music Showcase
An outdoor music festival in the Baker area of Denver.
📅 July 26 – 28, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Underground Music Showcase Website
This 3-day outdoor music festival showcases bands from around the world. The festival is also near lots of great local shops and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat between sets.
👉 Don’t Miss: 13 Denver Travel Tips & Things to Know (By a Local)
Colorado Festivals in August
Leadville Boom Days
Watch burro races and learn about this mining town’s history.
📅 August 2 – 4, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Leadville Boom Days Website
Burro races may sound a little funny, but the contenders (including the burros) take the race seriously! Along with the race, you’ll find mining skill contests, gunfight re-enactments, and a street fair.
If booking accommodations in Leadville, be sure to check out the town’s other fun things to do!
Colorado State Fair
See Colorado’s bounty and enjoy deep-fried everything at this Pueblo fair.
📅 August 23 – September 2, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Colorado State Fair Website
The Colorado State Fair in Pueblo shows livestock and produce raised by Coloradans, along with crafts and other creations. Stroll the midway and ride the carnival rides. Take in some live music. And, of course, sample all the delicious Colorado State Fair food you can handle!
Telluride Film Festival
Head to the San Juan Mountains to enjoy one of the top film festivals in the U.S.
📅 August 31 – September 4 | 📍 Google Maps | Telluride Film Festival Website
The Telluride Film Festival causes this Colorado mountain town to triple in population for the weekend. You may be the first to catch an award-winning film before it’s seen by the rest of the world. In fact, movies like Brokeback Mountain,Blue Velvet,The Civil War, andJuno all premiered here.
💡 Local Trivia: Read my list of more fun facts about Colorado!
Colorado Festivals in September
Taste of Colorado
Sample a variety of foods and listen to music all weekend.
📅 September 2 – 4 | 📍 Google Maps | Taste of Colorado Website
Taste of Colorado happens in Denver each Labor Day weekend. It’s considered by many to be the official end of summer. You’ll find a lineup of live music lasting all day, plus tons of arts and crafts booths, food trucks, and a kids’ area.
🛏️ Need a Hotel? Check out our guide on where to stay in Denver, along with Nate’s list of the best Denver hotels.
Denver Oktoberfest
Enjoy beer, German food, and competitions like stein hoisting.
📅 Festival Dates TBD | 📍 Google Maps | Denver Oktoberfest Website
Denver’s Oktoberfest is one of several around Colorado. It features music, dancing, keg bowling, stein hoisting, and plenty of food and beer.
Colorado Festivals in October
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms
Welcome fall with pumpkins and a massive corn maze.
📅 Oct 6 – 8 | 📍 Google Maps | Pumpkin Festival Website
Visiting Chatfield Farms is one of the best things to do in Littleton! Enjoy hayrides, bouncy houses, music, craft booths, and lots of Instagrammable backdrops at this fall festival. You won’t regret making a trip to the Denver suburbs for this one.
Great American Beer Festival
This brews festival tops the list of best beer festivals in the country.
📅 Oct 10 – 12, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Great American Beer Festival Website
The Great American Beer Festival is one of the best-known Colorado events! For festival-goers, it’s a great place to sample a vast array of brews — more than 2,000, as a matter of fact. For brewers, it’s also a competition to see how they rank against others in their industry.
🍺 Love Beer? Don’t miss our guide to the best Denver breweries!
Colorado Festivals in November
Denver Christkindl Market
Get ready for the holidays at this downtown Denver festival.
📅 November 17 – December 23 | 📍 Google Maps | Christkindlmarket Website
Each year around Christmastime, Denver celebrates with a traditional German holiday market. Take in the festive lights, enjoy a hot beverage and shop for arts and crafts at Civic Center Park.
Colorado Festivals in December
Ullr Festival
A Breckenridge winter celebration, Viking-style.
📅 December 12 – 14, 2024 | 📍 Google Maps | Ullr Festival Website
Each December, Breckenridge pays homage to Ullr, the Norse god of snow, so he’ll bless them with a great powder season. Take in the Main Street parade and massive bonfire to kick off ski season.
👉 Bookmark This: Check out our guide to the best places to stay in Breckenridge, featuring ski-in, ski-out lodging!
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Hopefully, this article gave you plenty of ideas for festivals in Colorado to attend. If you liked this post, read our guide to the best places to visit in Colorado next!
(Featured Image Credit: Vicki L. Miller / Shutterstock)
