Colorado has amazing outdoor festivals! From music under the stars in picturesque settings to vibrant culinary feasts, there’s events all summer long to entertain families.
Colorado Outdoor Festivals to Attend This Summer
Denver Area Festivals
A Taste of Colorado
May 14th, June 4th and July 9th
Taking place a handful of times over the summer is the Taste of Colorado festival. Event coordinators recently merged this beloved celebration with ¡Viva! Streets Denver, to close down city roads to cars so that festival goers can bike, walk, scooter or dance their way to fun. Plan to sample food, shop the booths of artisan vendors and listen to live music all in the heart of downtown Denver. Multiple dates make it easy to attend.
Outside Festival
June 1st – 2nd
Hosted by Outside magazine, the event mixes outdoor adventures such as climbing, biking and wellness with live music, compelling speakers and dancing. The weekend also includes films, vendors, travel inspiration, food and a kids zone. It is truly highlighting why Colorado is such a draw for anyone who loves nature.
Summer Brew Fest at Mile High Stadium
June 15th
Held downtown, both indoors and outdoors at Mile High Stadium in June, Summer Brew Fest is a popular draw. Attendees can sample drinks from breweries across Colorado, grab a bite to eat, be entertained with local bands and more. To keep the affair manageable in terms of attendees, ticket quantities are capped. Plan to purchase either a daytime or nighttime session ticket, where each allows a three hour time stamp to sample and hang, or VIP status ticket which adds an hour of sampling time.
Colorado Pride Fest
June 22nd – 23rd
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of pride and equality for Denver, and the city is planning to really celebrate. The weekend (late June) kicks off with the Pride 5K, followed by a two-day event at Civic Center Park. Enjoy hundreds of exhibitors, a array of food vendors, live performances, music, and a parade on Colfax Avenue.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 5th – 7th
The Cherry Creek Arts Festival has become a renowned destination, showcasing a wide range of talented artists. Plan to sample great food and drinks, shop wonderful art, listen to live music, take part in kid friendly mural painting and art stations. It is held at the beginning of July.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
July 27th – 28th
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is a free event that is held at the end of July at Sloan’s Lake Park. The draw of this festival are the races and performances. Enjoy taste of Asia food trucks and vendors providing an abundance of tasty meals and treats while you cheer on your favorite boat. It’s a great event for the whole family!
Additional Colorado Festivals Worth Attending
Taste of Fort Collins
June 8th – 9th
The Taste of Fort Collins is a weekend-long event that highlights the city’s flavors as well as two-day music festival with big name acts. This event is a foodie’s haven. Don’t pass up a chance to sample a myriad of craft brews while listening to the music and sampling the vast array of culinary options. It is held on the first or second weekend in June.
FIBArk
June 13th – 16th
FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) is a must attend if the rivers of Colorado call your name. Or if you really enjoy watching professionals compete on the mighty Arkansas river in kayaks and SUPs then it is also worth checking out! The three day event is quite the draw for Salida’s charming downtown, as it showcases music, carnival rides, parades, art, youth paddling and more. Plan on clearing your calendar in the middle of June for this one-of-a-kind festival.
Greeley Stampede
June 22nd – July 7th
Dust off your cowboy boots and hats for one of Colorado’s largest summer festivals and rodeos. The Greeley Stampede, held late June through early July does not mess around. It hosts concerts that draw big names, a golf tournament, parade, art showcases, shopping, carnival, and of course top notch rodeo events. Centrally located only an hour north of Denver, makes this a party that families can attend without the pressure of having to find a hotel.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
July 12th – 21st
Crested Butte is the Wildflower Capital of Colorado and horticulture lovers flock to this serene and beautiful, 10 day event in July. It offers over 200 workshops in wildflower expertise in interests such as painting, pollination, photography, culinary arts and hikes.
Leadville Boom Day
August 2nd – 4th
During the first full weekend of August, Leadville celebrates its Wild West heritage. Historical celebrations of the Old West include burro races (an event not to be missed!), contests and a street fair with over 100 food and craft booths. There are modern activities as well, like the festival’s annual car show, bungee jumping and live music. All events are free to attend.
Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival
August 2nd – 4th
The Moffat County Hot Air Balloon Festival is a feast for the eyes. Beautiful, colorful balloons fill the sky as onlookers marvel at their ascension. The August weekend event also hosts a 5k run, classic car showcase, duck races, live music and more at Loudy-Simpson Park.
Telluride Jazz Festival
August 9th – 11th
The absolute dreamiest backdrop is only one draw of the laid-back Telluride Jazz Festival. Jazz, funk and soul music echos off the mountains while patrons enjoy culinary creations, craft brews and shopping. At night the party keeps going with dancing and more music all around town, as well as film screenings. The exclamation point at the end of this one-of-a-kind festival is the New Orleans-themed finale with a Mardi Gras-inspired parade down Main Street.
Palisade Peach Fest
August 16th – 17th
Palisade is “Peach Capital of Colorado,” and for good reason. These things are the real deal! In August it holds the annual Palisade Peach Fest where it features its amazing fruit and later celebrates the great wine that comes from the area too (this is held in September). Foodies will seek out the Feast in the Fields sponsored dinners, while families can enjoy the live music, parade, car show, peach eating contest, pig races and fun vendors.
Colorado State Fair
August 23rd – September 2nd
What’s more wholesome than a state fair?? Pueblo hosts Colorado’s, and it combines fun entertainment with rodeos and competitions. Shop the different vendor booths, take part in the old-fashioned family fun and never miss a chance to munch on the fare. Enjoy dishes made with local green chilies, the always favorite funnel cakes, deep-fried Snickers and a lineup of fried goodness. It starts late August and ends the first few days of September.
Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival
September 6th – 8th
Scottish and Irish culture is on full display in Estes Park during the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Festival. From dog agility competitions to whiskey tastings, this festival is a fun and vibrant event. The sounds of talented Celtic bands provide the backdrop while events like Scottish jousting take center stage.
With this many wonderful and exciting events taking place, you and your family will have a summer full of entertainment, culture, great food and music!
