Upcoming Spring Festivals in Colorado | 2019 CO Annual Spring Events

[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.

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

Fruita Fat Tire Festival. Photo: Joe

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

Cinco De Mayo Festival in Denver.

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

Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival. Photo: Richard Johnson

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.