Summertime in Colorado means warm weather, outdoor adventures, and tons of fun festivals. The Centennial State’s best summer festivals celebrate everything from beer and wine to art and music.
Whether you want to put your athletic skills to the test, dress up like a knight from medieval times, or catch a buzz sipping craft beer, there is a Colorado summer festival for you. Keep reading to discover 19 of the best fests to hit up this summer.
1. Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Date: Jul. 10-19
Location: Various locations throughout Crested Butte
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival is a 10-day floral celebration with more than 150 workshops where you can learn to arrange wildflower bouquets, make wildflower cocktails, photograph landscapes, or identify flowers with a mobile app.
There are also multiple hikes, garden tours, and adventure jeep tours you can take.
You must register and pay for events individually. You can view all the events and register for the ones you want to participate in here.
2. Winter Park Jazz Festival
Date: Jul. 18-19
Location: Rendezvous Event Center, 78821 US Hwy 40, Winter Park
Jazz lovers won’t want to miss the 43rd annual Winter Park Jazz Festival. This two-day event includes live performances by 10 artists, including Grammy-winner Patti LaBelle, violinist Damien Escobar, and jazz guitarist Gregory Goodloe.
Single-day, general admission tickets start at $100.45.
3. Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival
Date: Jul. 18-19
Location: River Run Village at Keystone Resort in Keystone
If you can’t make it to Winter Park’s jazz festival (or you prefer your jazz with a glass of wine), check out the Keystone Wine and Jazz Festival. This three-day event pairs smooth jazz performed by Colorado musicians with hundreds of wines to sample.
There will also be plenty of food, a kids’ zone, wine- and jazz-themed merchandise, and other activities sprinkled throughout the weekend, such as seminars and a cooking competition.
4. Underground Music Showcase
Date: Jul. 24-26
Location: Multiple locations throughout theRiNo Art District in Denver
Discover new artists at Denver’s Underground Music Showcase, which will feature performances by more than 200 emerging local talents and national headlining acts.
By hosting performances throughout the city’s RiNo Art District—at traditional music halls and unexpected settings—the event also encourages attendees to explore the area, discover new venues, and experience Denver in new ways.
Weekend passes start at $75 (presale).
5. Rockygrass Festival
Date: Jul. 24-26
Location: Lyons
Catch more than 20 musical performances across three days at the 54th annual Rockygrass Festival. The festival is held in Lyons, with the main stage, camping areas, and many attractions situated along the North St. Vrain Creek.
Single-day festival passes can be purchased for $105. The price increases to $275 for a three-day pass.
6. Vail Dance Festival
Date: Jul. 31 through Aug. 10
Location: Multiple venues throughout Vail
Watch performances by some of the country’s most talented dancers at the Vail Dance Festival. Dancers from the Colorado Ballet, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Philadelphia Ballet, and many others will take the stage throughout the festival.
Many of the performances will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, a large outdoor venue with covered seating and additional space on a grassy hillside with Rocky Mountain views.
7. Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date: Jul. 31 through Aug. 2
Location: Loudy-Simpson Park, Craig
Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off on Friday with a balloon launch followed by a concert. On Saturday, there is another launch followed by a full day of activities, including a 5K, car show, cardboard boat regatta, kite making, and more live music.
Craft and food vendors will also be set up in the park. The event will close with one final balloon launch on Sunday morning.
8. Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival
Date: Aug. 1-2
Location: River Run Village at Keystone Resort in Keystone
For a weekend of music and brews in the mountains, head to River Run Village for the Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival. Listen to the sounds of string bands while you sip craft beer at one of Colorado’s longest-running beer festivals.
Multiple national bluegrass acts will perform on three different stages throughout the event, which will also feature a kids’ zone and other activities like “best brew” and “best dish” competitions.
9. Colorado State Fair
Date: Aug. 28 through Sept. 7
Location: Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo
If you’ve never been to the Colorado State Fair, consider this your sign to make it a priority this summer. Like with most state fairs, there will be plenty to do: concerts, rodeos, livestock competitions, and activities for kids are all on this year’s schedule.
The fair will also feature plenty of food, art exhibits, carnival rides, and other attractions that will be announced closer to the event date.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
