Get Festive

Summer in Colorado brings fabulous festivals of all sizes and stripes. We’ve got you covered with this (almost) complete roundup of fêtes—just pick your theme and hotspot and mark your calendar.

FOR FINDING THE PERFECT PIECE OF FINE ART:

Vail Arts Festival, June 24-26, eaglevalleyevents.com/vail-arts
Browse the works of 75 leading artists from around the country, open-air street-style at Lionshead Mall. 

Aspen Antiques & Fine Arts Fair, July 1-10, aspenartfairs.com
Head to the 16,000-square-foot Ice Garden in downtown Aspen to browse the finest in furniture, antiques, silver and jewelry, during one of the best months to be in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, July 2-4, cherryarts.org
Join more than 350,000 art lovers in wandering through a sea of artist booths in Denver’s Cherry Creek North shopping district. You can even make the most of the whole July 4th holiday weekend with three days full of festivities in the visual, culinary and performing arts. 

Pikes Peak Arts Fest, Colorado Springs, July 2-4, pikespeakartsfest.com
Colorado Springs’ America the Beautiful Park sets the stage for this lively, family-friendly affair, dubbed the “signature downtown event of the summer” by mayor Lionel Rivera. 

Crested Butte Arts Festival, August 6-7, crestedbutteartsfestival.com
Now in its 39th year, the Crested Butte Arts Festival pairs fine art with top-notch cuisine (plus artist and chef demonstrations) in the charming setting of the blocks of historic Elk Avenue. 

Telluride Festival of the Arts, August 12-14, telluridefest.com
Art and scenery rival each other in this unique outdoor exhibition in Telluride Mountain Village.

FOR FINE FARE AND DELICIOUS SIPS:

Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival, June 4, manitousprings.org
Sip fine vintages from 25 of our state’s very own wineries and kick back to live music, all in historic Manitou Springs. 

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, June 17-19, foodandwine.com/promo/classic-in-aspen
No small-town food festival, this annual favorite draws a world-class bunch of chefs, sommeliers and foodies for a lively portfolio of seminars, demonstrations and events. 

Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival, July 20-24, crestedbuttewine.com
A Grand Tasting event, wine seminars, the James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner, plus plenty of chances to rub elbows with some of Colorado’s best-loved chefs are reasons enough to get out of town and head to the mountains for this festivity. 

Telluride Wine Festival, June 22-26, telluridewinefestival.com
Join other unabashed wine geeks at this five-day celebration of all things vino. (Plus: the scenery is sure to enhance your glass.) 

Steamboat Wine Festival, Steamboat Springs, August 4-7, steamboatwinefestival.com
Not your average wine festival, this laid-back gathering takes you into restaurants and out of doors, and includes a “Wine on the Mountain Kickoff Celebration” and the “Stroll of Steamboat Grand Tasting.” 

FOR LIVELY SOUNDS IN A SPECTACULAR SETTING:

Aspen Music Festival and School, June 29-August 21, aspenmusicfestival.com
All summer long, Aspen rings with beautiful music as the Aspen Music Festival and School puts on a vibrant mix of performances. Plus, the open-air Benedict Music Tent sets the perfect stage. 

Telluride Musicfest, June 22-July 3, telluridemusicfest.com
Classical music lovers will rejoice at this chance to hear four chamber music programs perform their finest, and guests will also enjoy the amateur night and children’s concert.

FOR A DOSE OF SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Aspen Eco Fest, June 3-5, aspenecofest.com
Enjoy celebrating all things eco-friendly, with events ranging from an Environmental Art Show and an Environmental Short Film Fest to an Eco Fashion Show. 

Strawberry Days, Glenwood Springs, June 17-19, strawberrydaysfestival.com
Now in its 114th year, this good-natured gathering features such wholesome events as a pie-eating contest, pancake breakfast, and farmers’ and artisan markets (plus free strawberries on Saturday). 

Western Colorado Lavender Festival, Palisade, July 15-17, coloradolavender.org
Guided farm tours, a wine reception, and a lavender lunch are just a few of the bright spots in this colorful inaugural festival, which takes places in historic downtown Palisade. 

Grand Valley Performing Arts Festival, Grand Junction, August 5-6, visitgrandjunction.com/events
This brand-new festival will celebrate the Colorado National Monument with indoor and outdoor performances, offering a little entertainment for everyone. 

Palisade Peach Festival, August 18-21, palisadepeachfest.com
Celebrate Colorado’s bountiful peach harvest at this sweet affair, complete with orchard tours, a pancake breakfast, a recipe contest and peach cuisine made by Colorado chefs.