Colorado hosts numerous exciting events during springtime, and May is the unofficial kick-off to summer month. There are a lot of festivals to choose from, including concerts, fairs, rodeos, food fests, and plenty of chances for craft beer.
May brings warm weather and an end to the snow. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer with festivities across the start. Fun events include the Downtown Denver Arts Festival and the Mountain Film In Telluride.
2024 Annual May Festivals in Colorado
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.
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: TBD 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: TBD 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.
Fruita Fat Tire Festival
- Date: TBD 2024
- Where: Fruita
- About: Four-day celebration of mountain biking featuring seminars, competitions, and a giant expo, now in its 27th year.
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: TBD 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 TBD 2024
- Address: Rifle
- About: 27th year of Western fun, complete with a carnival, car show, live music, and vendors.
Highlands Farmers Market
- Date: TBD 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, 2023
- 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.
Go To June Events
Latest in May
Things to do in May in Colorado
As the sunny, warm days begin to outnumber the chilly ones come May in Colorado, it’s…
8 Great Springtime Colorado Festivals
Spring in Colorado is a dazzling time of year. As the snow starts to melt and…
Upcoming Spring Festivals in Colorado
Come spring, Coloradans can’t wait to take on the approaching warm weather days. And this is…
First Friday Art Walks in the Mile High
A cool, hip city like Denver is bound to have some fun, art-related nightlife. Probably the…
View more event articles
Related Activities
Search for upcoming performing arts, rodeos, and sports that aren’t listed under events.