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 Tuesday, March 19th to Thursday, June 20th, 2024.
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 many 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: Saturdays, March 9 – April 14, 2024
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: Free concert series now in its 25th season that is held at the base of the mountain. Enjoy several concerts throughout the ski season. The series features a mix of music genres with many big-name acts having performed in previous years.
Denver Home Show
- Date: Fri-Sun, March 22-24, 2024
- Address: Denver
- About: Every March in Colorado, HGTV fans flock to the Denver Home Show for renovation inspiration. With informative presentations from experts in the home industry, sweepstakes, and home-related goods for sale, visitors can gather all the information needed for their next project.
Festivals in April
Aspen Film Shortsfest
- Date: Mon-Sun, April 1-7, 2024
- Address: Aspen and Carbondale
- About: One of the continent’s best annual short film festivals and Oscar-qualifying showcases. There are several venues showing international short films, defined as 40 minutes or less in length.
Taste Of Vail
- Date: Wed-Fri, April 3-6, 2024
- Address: Vail Village
- About: 32nd annual Taste of Vail is the largest food and wine festival in Eagle County. Enjoy wine and food vendors against a beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
Denver Auto Show
- Date: Thur-Sun, April 4-7, 2024
- Address: Colorado Convention Center, Denver
- About: A premier showcase of the newest and hottest models of the year, including both domestic and imported vehicles.
Mrs. Colorado and Miss Colorado for America Strong
- Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
- Address: Denver
- About: Annual competition where women compete for scholarships, prize packages, and the chance to represent Colorado at the Mrs. America national pageant.
Rocky Mountain Train Show
- Date: Sat-Sun, April 6-7, 2024
- Address: National Western Complex, Denver
- About: Showcasing more than 20 manufacturers, 50 vendors, and 20 operating layouts, the annual Rocky Mountain Train Show has something for every train lover. There is even a junior engineering program for children.
Cardboard Classic
- Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: 42n 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 FestivalÂ
- Date: Sat-Sun, April 13-14, 2024
- Address: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont
- About: An annual event celebrating all things Scottish, the Colorado Tartan Day Festival is free to attend and fun for the entire family. Activities at the festival include a parade, face painting, combat demonstrations, and live music.
Splashdown Pond Skim
- Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024
- ​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, followed by a free Bud Light concert.
Durango Bluegrass Meltdown
- Date: Fri-Sun, April 19-21, 2024
- 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. The headquarters is in the historic Strater Hotel.
5Point Film Festival
- Date: Thur-Sun, April 25-28, 2024
- Address: Carbondale
- About: Four-day Carbondale film festival with traveling events throughout the year.
Mountain Plover Festival
- Date: Fri-Sat, April 26-28, 2024
- 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.
Durango Wine Experience
- Date: Fri-Sat, April 26-27, 2024
- Address: Durango
- About: 2-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: Friday-Sunday, April 26-28, 2024
- 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.
Festivals in May
Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival
- Date: Wed-Sun, May 1-5, 2024
- 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 categories.
Fruita Fat Tire Festival
- Date: Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, 2024
- Where: Fruita
- About: Four-day celebration of mountain biking featuring seminars, competitions, and a giant expo, now in its 28th year.
Royal Gorge Rodeo
- Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
- Address: Cañon City
- About: Founded in 1872, this is Colorado’s longest continuously running rodeo, held as part of the aforementioned Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival.
Estes Park Duck Race Festival
- Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
- Address: Estes Park
- About: “Adopt” a little rubber duck and race it down the Fall River in support of over 60 Estes Valley charities. Bond Park comes alive with 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: Saturday, May 4, 2024
- 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 4-5, 2024
- Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
- About: 35th Cinco de Mayo celebration with music, dancing, food, and festivities.
Mile High International Pastel Exhibition
- Date: TBD 2024
- Address: Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village
- About: Taking place at Greenwood Village’s Curtis Center for the Arts and showcasing nearly 100 pastel paintings, the Mile High International Pastel Exhibition is for those who love art.
Monte Vista 3rd Friday Art Walk
- Date: Friday, May 17, June 21, July 19, & August 16, September 20, 2024
- Address: Monte Vista
- About: Those who love art and music should head to downtown Monte Vista this summer for the 3rd Friday Art Walk. Taking place in different forms year-round, during the warmer months a portion of Adams St. will be blocked off for artists, musicians, and vendors.
Chalk Vines & Lines
- Date: Sat-Sun, May 18-19, 2024
- 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.
A Taste of Colorado
- Date: Sundays, TBD 2024
- Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
- About: Four free Sunday festivals held throughout the summer in collaboration with Viva Streets Denver featuring lots of great local food, arts & crafts booths, and live music, now in its 41st year.
Civic Center EATS
- Date: Wednesday and Thursday, early May to mid October, 2024
- 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.
Rifle Rendevous Festival
- Date:Â Thursday-Sunday, May 16-19, 2024
- Address: Rifle
- About: 27th year of Western fun, complete with a carnival, car show, live music, and vendors.
Highlands Farmers Market
- Date: Sundays, May 19 – October 13, 2024
- Address: Highland Square, 32nd Avenue, Denver
- About: Great farmer’s market with handcrafted goods and locally grown produce. Go hungry because there is plenty of homemade food for sale, fresh and ready to eat.
Mountainfilm In Telluride
- Date: Thur-Mon, May 23-27, 2024
- Address: Telluride
- About: Film festival held since 1979 in downtown Telluride, making it one of the longest-running in America.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
- Date: Fri-Sun, May 24-26, 2024
- Address: Durango-Silverton
- About: Historic bike race against the Durango and Silverton train, now in its 52nd year.
Grand Old West Days
- Date: Fri-Mon, May 24-27, 2024
- 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.
Denver Arts Festival
- Date: Sat-Sun, May 25-26, 2024
- Address: Denver
- About: 25th annual arts fest showcasing fine art from Colorado and national artists.
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival
- Date: Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, 2024
- 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.
Greeley Blues Jam
- Date: Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, 2024
- 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.
Telluride Balloon Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, May 31-June 2, 2024
- Address: Telluride
- About: 41st year, festivities include two sunrise balloon ascensions from Town Park, a sunset glow on Main Street, and a balloon workshop.
Festivals in June
Highlands Farmers Market
- Date: Sundays, May 19 – October 13, 2024
- Address: Highland Square, 32nd Avenue, Denver
- About: Great farmer’s market with handcrafted goods and locally grown produce. Go hungry because there is plenty of homemade food for sale, fresh and ready to eat.
Civic Center EATS
- Date: Wednesday and Thursday, early May to mid October, 2024
- 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.
Mike the Headless Chicken Festival
- Date: Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, 2024
- 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.
Greeley Blues Jam
- Date: Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, 2024
- 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.
Telluride Balloon Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, May 31-June 2, 2024
- Address: Telluride
- About: 41st year, festivities include two sunrise balloon ascensions from Town Park, a sunset glow on Main Street, and a balloon workshop.
Animas River Days
- Date: Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2, 2024
- Address: Santa Rita Park, Durango
- About: Weekend 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.
Kids Adventure Games
- Date: TBD 2024
- Address: Highline Lake State Park, Fruita
- About: The only multi-city adventure race for children ages 6-14 that is tailored to the natural landscape of the host city.
Unknown Motorcycle Show
- Date: TBD 2024
- Address: Cerise Park, Montrose
- About: Annual vintage and custom motorcycle show held in western Colorado. Swing by on Saturday for rare, restored motorcycles, competitions, live music, and vendors.
Yoga on the Rocks
- Date: Saturdays, TBD 2024
- Where: Morrison
- About: Every Saturday morning, yogis of all levels can begin their day by flowing in the serene and beautiful outdoor setting of the iconic Red Rock Amphitheatre.
Colorado College Summer Music Festival
- Date: Sun-Fri, June 2-21, 2024
- 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.
A Taste of Colorado
- Date: TBD 2024
- Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
- About: Four free Sunday festivals held throughout the summer in collaboration with Viva Streets Denver featuring lots of great local food, arts & crafts booths, and live music.
GoPro Mountain Games
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 6-9, 2024
- 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 dogs.
Aspen Fringe Festival
- Date: Fri-Sat, June 7-8, 2024
- Address: Aspen
- About: A 2-day performance art festival highlighting the work of a featured playwright.
Colorado Medieval Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 7-9, 2024
- 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 are allowed.
Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass
- Date: TBD 2024
- Address: Pagosa Springs
- About: 17th annual music festival showcasing bluegrass and folk tunes.
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 14-16, 2024
- Address: Palisade
- About: Annual bluegrass fest in Riverbend Park, featuring guitars, fiddles, and amazing artistry.
Denver Summer Brew Fest
- Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
- Address: Denver
- About: Sample from over one hundred craft beers and forty-five breweries, with 3 event sessions in 1 day to choose from.
That’s a roundup of Colorado’s annual spring events. Need help deciding? Here are eight favorite spring festivals.