Denver Chalk Art Festival. Photo: Ed Donahue
Come spring, Colorodans can’t wait to take on the approaching warm weather days. Spring runs from Monday, March 20th to Monday, June 20th, 2017.
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.
March Festivals
Bud Light Rocks The Boat.
- Date: Saturday’s in March, 2017
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: Free concert series now in its 17th 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.
April Festivals
Fruita Fat Tire Festival. Photo: Joe
- Date: Wed-Sat, April 4-8, 2018
- Address: Vail Village
- About: 28th annual Taste is the largest food and wine festival in Eagle County.
- Date: Saturday’s during April ski season, 2018
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: Now in its 19th season, it’s a free concert series held at the base of the mountain. The series features a mix of music genres with many big name acts having performed. The concert runs from 3:30-5pm.
- Date: Tue-Sun, April 4-9, 2017
- Address: Aspen
- About: 26th 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.
- Date: Sat, April 15, 2017, 10am-11:30am
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: 37th 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 16, 2017, 1pm
- Address: Gondola Square, Steamboat Springs
- About: Tenth 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.
- Date: Fri-Sun, April 21-23, 2017
- 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.
- Date: Thur-Sun, April 20-23, 2017
- Address: Carbondale
- About: Four day Carbondale film festival with traveling events throughout the year.
- Date: Thur-Sun, April 27-30, 2017
- Where: Fruita
- About: Four day celebration of mountain biking featuring seminars, competitions and a giant expo, now in its 22nd year.
May Festivals
Cinco De Mayo Festival in Denver.
- Date: Thur-Sat, May 4-6, 2017
- Address: Durango
- About: 11th 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.
- Date: Thur-Sun, May 4-7, 2017
- Address: Cañon City
- About: 79th annual festival featuring national high school and middle school bands in competition areas of concert band, jazz band, parade and orchestra. A marching band and float parade is held downtown, with ample food vendors if you get hungry.
- Date: Sat, May 6, 2017
- 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.
- Date: Sat-Sun, May 6-7, 2017, 10am-8pm
- Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
- About: 30th Cinco de Mayo celebration with music, dancing, food and festivities.
- Date: Sat-Sun, May 7-8, 2017
- Address: Clement Park, Littleton
- About: Features more than 200 local and national brewers, as well as live bands and food vendors.
- Date: Sat, May 20, 2017
- Address: Pueblo
- About: Fourth annual festival held by the Arkansas River and part of the Boats, Bands and BBQ celebration.
- Date: Fri-Mon, May 25-28, 2017
- 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.
- Date: Fri-Mon, May 25-28, 2018
- Address: Telluride
- About: Film festival held since 1979 in downtown Telluride, making it one of the longest running in America.
June Festivals
Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival. Photo: Richard Johnson
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 1-3, 2018
- Address: Telluride
- About: 35th year, festivities include two sunrise balloon ascensions from Town Park, a sunset glo on Main Street and a balloon workshop.
- Date: Fri-Sat, June 2-3, 2017
- Address: Durango
- About: Attend one of two nights on an epic, one-of-a-kind blues train, roundtrip from Durango to Silverton.
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 2-4, 2017
- 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.
- Date: Sat, June 3, 2017
- Address: Lyons
- About: 50+ craft breweries who CAN their beer, plus world class competition in world class kayaking, dirt jumping and slacklining.
- Date: Sat-Sun, June 3-4, 2017
- Address: Larimer Square, Downtown Denver
- About: Watch over 200 artists spend the weekend painting the sidewalks with chalk.
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 7-10, 2018
- 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.
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 8-10, 2018
- Address: Pagosa Springs
- About: 13th annual music festival showcasing bluegrass and folk tunes.
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 9-11, 2017
- Address: Palisade
- About: 9th annual bluegrass fest in Riverbend Park.
- Date: Sat-Sun, June 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, July 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 2017
- Address: 650 W Perry Park Ave, Larkspur (between Denver & CO Springs on I-25)
- About: On its 41st 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.
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 14-17, 2018
- Address: Grand Junction
- About: Four day country music party on the Western Slope, with camping available.
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 15-18, 2017
- Address: Rye
- About: 12th annual electronic music festival held during the summer solstice. The festival grounds are located by Rye in Spanish Peaks Country at Hummingbird Park.
- Date: Thur-Sun, June 15-18, 2017
- 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.
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 16-18, 2017
- Address: Glenwood Springs
- About: 120th annual festival held the third weekend in June every year. It features live music, stage entertainment, FamilyFest for kids, arts & crafts, food court, carnival and a parade down Grand Avenue, with free strawberries and ice cream after parade.
- Date: Fri-Sun, June 16-18, 2017
- Address: Aspen
- About: World renowned chefs give cooking presentations and lectures, enjoy top notch cooking and wine, as well as beer, wine and cocktails.
Need help deciding? Here are eight favorite spring festivals.
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