[Denver Chalk Art Festival. Photo: Ed Donahue] Come spring, Colorodans can’t wait to take on the approaching warm weather days. And this is evidence in the fun festivities showcasing Colorado’s springtime beauty. Spring runs from Thursday, March 21st to Friday, June 21st, 2019.
Taste of Vail is a fun way to kick off the season in the high country. Enjoy fine wine and cuisine, then hit the slopes. There are a number of exciting Denver festivals, including two art fests and a Cinco De Mayo celebration. Towards the end of spring, the 8-week Colorado Renaissance Festival begins.
Festivals in March
Bud Light Rocks the Boat
- Date: Saturday’s in March and April (March 2-April 14), 2019
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: Free concert series now in its 20th season, held at the base of the mountain. Several concerts are held over the course of the ski season. The series features a mix of music genres with many big name acts having performed. The concert runs from 3:30-5pm.
Festivals in April
Taste Of Vail
- Date: Wed-Sat, April 3-6, 2019
- Address: Vail Village
- About: 29th annual Taste is the largest food and wine festival in Eagle County.
Bud Light Rocks the Boat
- Date: Saturday’s in March and April (March 2-April 14), 2019
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: Free concert series now in its 20th season, held at the base of the mountain. Several concerts are held over the course of the ski season. The series features a mix of music genres with many big name acts having performed. The concert runs from 3:30-5pm.
Aspen Film Shortsfest
- Date: Tue-Sun, April 2-7, 2019
- Address: Aspen
- About: 28th year celebrating one of the continent’s best short film festivals and Oscar-qualifying showcase. International short films are defined as 40 minutes or less.
Cardboard Classic
- Date: Sat, April 13, 2019
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: 39th annual event features homemade sleds constructed only using cardboard, glue, string, water based paint, duct tape and masking tape. It’s a race down Headwall in this hysterical end to the season.
Pondskim Closing Day Celebration
- Date: Sun, April 14, 2019
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: 12th annual event features skiers and riders attempt to cross a pond at the base of the mountain. Judged on distance, outfit creativity and crowd response. A free Bud Light concert follows at 3:30pm.
Durango Bluegrass Meltdown
- Date: Fri-Sun, April 12-14, 2019
- Address: Durango
- About: Three days of concerts showcasing bluegrass bands from around the country. Special events include a Durango-style barn dance, Saturday night Celtdown, and music in local restaurants and bars. Headquarters is in the historic Strater Hotel.
5Point Film Festival
- Date: Thur-Sun, April 25-28, 2019
- Address: Carbondale
- About: Four day Carbondale film festival with traveling events throughout the year.
Festivals in May
Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival
- Date: Wed-Sun, May 1-5, 2019
- Address: Cañon City
- About: Long running music festival featuring a parade, rodeo and carnival. High school, middle school and junior high school bands from across the country compete in Concert Band, Jazz Band, Parade and Orchestra.
Durango Wine Experience
- Date: Thur-Sat, May 2-4, 2019
- Address: Durango
- About: 13th annual wine festival showcasing hundreds of craft wines, spirits and beers. The Walk-About Durango is a wine tasting held Friday and the Grand Tasting starts Saturday afternoon.
Fruita Fat Tire Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, May 3-5, 2019
- Where: Fruita
- About: Four day celebration of mountain biking featuring seminars, competitions and a giant expo, now in its 24th year.
Estes Park Duck Race Festival
- Date: Sat, May 4, 2019
- Address: Estes Park
- About: You “adopt” a little rubber duck and race it down the Fall River. 95% of your entree will go to your choice of over 60 Estes Valley charities. There’s also prizes for hundreds of entries. Bond Park will feature family games and live music. In addition to the duck race, vendors in downtown Estes Park will be having a sidewalk sale Saturday and Sunday.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
- Date: Sat-Sun, May 4-5, 2019
- Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
- About: 32nd Cinco de Mayo celebration with music, dancing, food and festivities.
Grand Old West Days
- Date: Fri-Mon, May 24-27, 2019
- Address: Craig
- About: Old West cultural festival that takes place over the Memorial Day Weekend at several locations: Fairgrounds, Downtown, and Cedar Mountain. Activities include a horse show, parade, carnival, live music, food and games.
Mountainfilm In Telluride
- Date: Fri-Mon, May 24-27, 2019
- Address: Telluride
- About: Film festival held since 1979 in downtown Telluride, making it one of the longest running in America.
Denver Arts Festival
- Date: Sat-Sun, May 25-26, 2019
- Address: Stapleton, Denver
- About: 21st annual arts fest showcasing fine art from Colorado and national artists.
Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown
- Date: Fri-Sun, May 25-27, 2019
- Address: Denver
- About: The ultimate pinball and gamer festival returns for its 16th year. Attend one or all three days and play all the games you can, no quarters needed.
Festivals in June
Telluride Balloon Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, May 31-June 2, 2019
- Address: Telluride
- About: 36th year, festivities include two sunrise balloon ascensions from Town Park, a sunset glow on Main Street and a balloon workshop.
Durango Blues Train
- Date: Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, August 16-17, 2019
- Address: Durango
- About: Attend one of two nights on an epic, one-of-a-kind blues train, roundtrip from Durango to Silverton.
Burning Can
- Date: Sat, June 1, 2019
- Address: Lyons
- About: 50+ craft breweries who CAN their beer, plus world class competition in world class kayaking, dirt jumping and slacklining.
Denver Chalk Art Festival
- Date: Sat-Sun, June 1-2, 2019
- Address: Larimer Square, Downtown Denver
- About: Watch over 200 artists spend the weekend painting the sidewalks with chalk.
GoPro Mountain Games
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 6-9, 2019
- Address: Vail
- About: Summer GoPro Mountain Games are the biggest festival of adventure sports, art and music, held annually in Vail. There are competitions in biking, climbing, fishing, kayaking, slacklining, standup paddling, rafting, running, disc golf and even events for the dogs.
Colorado Medieval Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 7-9, 2019
- Address: Loveland
- About: It’s an outdoor medieval themed festival with live entertainment including knights, swordsmanship and music. There’ll be plenty of food, beer, craft vendors and a kid zone, no pets.
Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 7-9, 2019
- Address: Pagosa Springs
- About: 14th annual music festival showcasing bluegrass and folk tunes.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
- Date: Mixed days, June 7-August 11, 2019
- Where: Boulder
- About: 62nd season showcasing Shakespeare’s wonderful plays. It’s held on varying days throughout the week on the CU campus.
Hudson Gardens Summer Concert Series
- Date: Mixed Days, June 9-September 15, 2019
- Where: Littleton
- About: Twenty-one years and counting for this favorite summer outdoor concert series. Shows takes place regularly on Sundays, some Saturdays and July 4th.
Country Jam
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 13-16, 2019
- Address: Grand Junction
- About: Four day country music party on the Western Slope, with camping available.
FIBArk Salida
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 13-16, 2019
- Address: Downtown Salida
- About: America’s oldest whitewater festival, dating back to 1949. There are a number of exciting events including Slalom Race, Crazy River Dog and the Hooligan Race. Camping is available in the town of Salida and nearby on Highway 50.
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 14-16, 2019
- Address: Palisade
- About: 11th annual bluegrass fest in Riverbend Park.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
- Date: Weekends Sat-Sun, June 14-August 4, 2019
- Address: 650 W Perry Park Ave, Larkspur (between Denver & CO Springs on I-25)
- About: On its 43rd season, the Renaissance 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.
Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 14-16, 2019
- Address: Aspen
- About: World renowned chefs give cooking presentations and lectures, enjoy top notch cooking and wine, as well as beer, wine and cocktails.
Sonic Bloom
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 20-23, 2019
- Address: Rye
- About: 14th annual electronic music festival held during the summer solstice. The festival grounds are located by Rye in Spanish Peaks Country at Hummingbird Park.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 20-23, 2019
- Address: Telluride
- About: 46th annual bluegrass music festival in downtown Telluride.
Need help deciding? Here are eight favorite spring festivals.
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