Upcoming Spring Festivals in Colorado

Come spring, Coloradans can’t wait to take on the approaching warm weather days. And this is evidenced in the fun festivities showcasing Colorado’s springtime beauty. Spring runs from Thursday, March 19th to Saturday, June 20th, 2022.

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

Boulder International Film Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, March 3-6, 2022
• Address: Boulder
• About: Film fanatics won’t want to miss the annual Boulder International Film Festival. Quickly becoming an internationally acknowledged talent hub for theater, this soiree features film screenings, panels, workshops, and theme afterparties.

Bud Light Rocks the Boat

• Date: Saturday’s March 5-April 10, 2022
• Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: Free concert series now in its 23rd 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.

Mile High Beer Festival

• Date: Saturday, March 5, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Annual beer festival highlighting both well-known and up-and-coming breweries in addition to a few distilleries and cideries. Visitors have 2.5 hours to taste unlimited samples while enjoying live music, food vendors.

Monte Vista Crane Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 11-13, 2022
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: The annual Crane Fest, celebrates the annual migration of cranes that have been going on for years.

Denver Restaurant Week

• Date: Fri-Sun March 11 – 20, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Hundreds of Denver restaurants come together for a ten-day culinary celebration boasting delicious multi-course menus for a fixed price.

Frozen Dead Guy Days

• Date: Fri-Sun, March 18-20, 2022
• Address: Nederland
• About: 19th year of FDGD with crazy contests, competitions, live music, great food, parades, and parties.

Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race

• Date: Sat, March 5, 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: Ski mountaineering race over all four of Aspen’s famed mountains. You’ll climb (or watch others climb) 11,500 feet of vertical over 25 miles, including the epic Highlands Bowl.

Festivals in April

Bud Light Rocks the Boat

• Date: Saturday’s March 5 – April 10, 2022
• Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: Free concert series now in its 23rd 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.

Aspen Film Shortsfest

• Date: Tue-Sun, April 5-10, 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: One of the continent’s best annual short film festivals and Oscar-qualifying showcases. International short films are defined as 40 minutes or less.

Taste Of Vail

• Date: Wed-Fri, April 6-9, 2022
• Address: Vail Village
• About: 30th annual Taste is the largest food and wine festival in Eagle County.

Cardboard Classic

• Date: Sat, April 9, 2022
• Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: 40th 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.​

Colorado Tartan Day Festival 

• Date: Sat-Sun, April 9-10, 2022
• Address: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont
• About: An annual event celebrating all things Scottish, the Colorado Tartan Day Festival is free to attend and great for the entire family. Activities at the festival include a parade, face painting, combat demonstrations, and live music.

Pondskim Closing Day Celebration

• Date: Sun, April 10, 2022
• ​Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
• About: Annual event features skiers and riders attempting to cross a pond at the base of the mountain. Judged on distance, outfit creativity, and crowd response. A free Bud Light concert follows.

5Point Film Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, April 21-24, 2022
• Address: Carbondale
• About: Four-day Carbondale film festival with traveling events throughout the year.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown

• Date: Fri-Sun, April 22-24, 2022
• 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.

Durango Wine Experience

• Date: Fri-Sat, April 29-May 1, 2022
• Address: Durango
• About: 3-day 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.

Mountain Plover Festival

• Date: Fri-Sat, April 29-May 1, 2022
• Address: Karval
• About: Held annually in late April or early May, Karval plays host to the annual Mountain Plover Festival. The only event of its kind in the US, and you’re likely to spot not only plovers but also prairie dogs, big-horned owls, and other migratory birds.

Festivals in May

Mile High International Pastel Exhibition

• Date: Sat-Sat, April 9 – May 21, 2022
• Address: Washington Hall Gallery, Central City
• About: Taking place at Central City’s Washington Hall Gallery and showcasing nearly 100 pastel paintings, the Mile High International Pastel Exhibition is for those who love art.

Durango Wine Experience

• Date: Fri-Sat, April 29-May 1, 2022
• Address: Durango
• About: 3-day 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.

HESTIVAL

• Date: Fri-Sat, April 29-May 1, 2022
• Address: Hotchkiss
• About: A 3-day camping event that offers a myriad of activities including excursions, live music, hiking, and mountain biking. Great for the family, dogs included, guests will enjoy camping under the stars, sipping cider, listening to live music, and spending time in nature.

Mountain Plover Festival

• Date: Fri-Sat, April 29-May 1, 2022
• Address: Karval
• About: Held annually in late April or early May, Karval plays host to the annual Mountain Plover Festival. The only event of its kind in the US, and you’re likely to spot not only plovers but also prairie dogs, big-horned owls, and other migratory birds.

Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival

• Date: Wed-Sun, May 4-8, 2022
• 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.

Royal Gorge Rodeo

• Date: Fri-Sat, May 6-7 2022
• Address: Cañon City
• About: Founded in 1872, this is Colorado’s longest continuously running rodeo, held over two days as part of the aforementioned Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival.

Fruita Fat Tire Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, May 6-8, 2022
• Where: Fruita
• About: Four-day celebration of mountain biking featuring seminars, competitions and a giant expo, now in its 25th year.

Estes Park Duck Race Festival

• Date: Sat, May 7, 2022
• 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 are 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.

TheBigWonderful

• Date: Sat, May 7, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Celebrating the Kentucky Derby and Cinco De Mayo, TheBigWonderful features over 100 local makers, live music on two stages, a VIP program, and a lot of Colorado craft food and beverage.

Cinco de Mayo Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, May 7-8, 2022
• Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
• About: 33rd Cinco de Mayo celebration with music, dancing, food, and festivities.

Rifle Rendevous Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, May 13-15, 2022
• Address: Rifle
• About: 25th year of western fun, complete with a carnival, car show, live music, and vendors.

Chalk Vines & Lines

• Date: Sat-Sun, May 14-15, 2022
• Address: Aurora
• About: Chalk Lines & Vines is an annual 21+ event that takes place in Aurora’s Arapahoe County Fairgrounds where guests can sample over a dozen wineries, live entertainment, and chalk art.

Civic Center EATS

• Date: Thursdays, May 19 – Sep 1, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Civic Center EATS is a one-stop-shop for some of the best food on wheels you can find in the Mile High City. Located in Denver’s Civic Center Park, there will be about 10 to 15 food trucks selling a myriad of delicious meals.

Grand Old West Days

• Date: Thur-Mon, May 26-30, 2022
• 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: Thur-Mon, May 26-30, 2022
• 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 28-29, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: 23rd annual arts fest showcasing fine art from Colorado and national artists.

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

• Date: Sat-Mon, May 28-30, 2022
• Address: Durango-Silverton
• About: Historic bike race against the Durango and Silverton train, now in its 50th year.

Festivals in June

Mike the Headless Chicken Festival

• Date: Fri-Sat, June 3-4, 2022
• Address: Fruita
• About: Two days of honoring the late headless chicken named Mike. Events include a 5k race, poultry show, disc golf tourney, and car show.

Animas River Days

• Date: Fri-Sat, June 3-5, 2022
• Address: Santa Rita Park, Durango
• About: 3-day celebration on the Animas River thru the whitewater park. Festivities include kayak, raft, and SUP races, all capped off by a wild river parade with a viewing party from the park.

Colorado Medieval Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, June 3-5, 2022
• 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.

Telluride Balloon Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, June 3-5, 2022
• Address: Telluride
• About: 39th year, festivities include two sunrise balloon ascensions from Town Park, a sunset glow on Main Street, and a balloon workshop.

Greeley Blues Jam

• Date: Saturday, June 4, 2022
• Address: Greeley
• About: Blues music festival with a variety of events for the whole family. Camping is available at the festival location in Island Grove Park.

Colorado College Summer Music Festival

• Date: Sun-Fri, June 5-24, 2022
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: An annual 3-week classical orchestral and chamber music festival showcasing classically trained musicians from around the globe as well as Colorado College students and faculty members.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

• Date: Mixed days, June 5-August 7, 2022
• Where: Boulder
• About: With over 60 successful seasons under its belt, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival showcases multiple performances of some of Shakespeare’s best plays. It’s held on varying days on the CU campus.

GoPro Mountain Games

• Date: Tues-Sun, June 7-12 2022
• 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.

Aspen Fringe Festival

• Date: Fri-Sat, June 10-11, 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: A 2-day performance art festival highlighting the work of a featured playwright.

Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass

• Date: Fri-Sun, June 10-12, 2022
• Address: Pagosa Springs
• About: 15th annual music festival showcasing bluegrass and folk tunes.

Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, June 10-12, 2022
• Address: Palisade
• About: Annual bluegrass fest in Riverbend Park, featuring guitars, fiddles, and amazing artistry.

Meekerpalooza

• Date: Fridays, June 10,17 & 24 and July 15 & 22, 2022
• Address: Meeker
• About: Held in June and July, the annual Meekerpalooza celebrates art, music, and culture.

FIBArk Salida

• Date: Thur-Sun, June 16 – 19, 2022
• Address: Downtown Salida
• About: America’s oldest whitewater festival, dating back to 1949. There are a number of exciting events including the Slalom Race, Crazy River Dog, and the Hooligan Race. Camping is available in the town of Salida and nearby on Highway 50.

Sonic Bloom

• Date: Thur-Sun, June 16-19, 2022
• Address: Rye
• About: 15th 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 16-19, 2022
• Address: Telluride
• About: 49th annual bluegrass music festival in downtown Telluride.

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

• Date: Fri-Sun, June 17-19, 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: World-renowned chefs give cooking presentations and lectures, enjoy top-notch cooking and wine, as well as beer, wine, and cocktails.

Juneteenth Music Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, June 17-19, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival is one of the country’s largest celebrations. Attracting 50,000 attendees, the festival boasts live music, vendors, food stalls, art murals, activities for kids, and a parade.

Strawberry Days

• Date: Fri-Sun, June 17-19 2022
• Address: Glenwood Springs
• About: 123rd annual festival held the third weekend in June every year. It features live music, stage entertainment, FamilyFest for kids, arts & crafts, a food court, a carnival, and a parade down Grand Avenue, with free strawberries and ice cream after the parade.

Yampa River Roots Rock Reggae Festival 

• Date: Sat, June 18, 2022
• Address: Craig
• About: Taking place at Loudy Simpson Park, and benefitting the town of Craig, the Yampa River Roots Rocks Reggae Festival is a one-day event with fun activities like live music, a 5K fun run, yoga in the park, craft, food vendors, and a glow party.

That’s a roundup of Colorado’s annual spring events. Need help deciding? Here are eight favorite spring festivals.