Summer in Colorado means embracing the great outdoors and savoring everything the Centennial State has in store. It’s as if every weekend, spanning from Memorial Day to Labor Day, brings forth a festival in close proximity, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a culture enthusiast, or simply looking to revel in the season, here are some of the best summer festivals in Colorado you should attend:
Greeley Stampede
The Greeley Stampede, spanning over a week and a half, offers an eclectic blend of attractions. It features star-studded country music performances featuring renowned artists like The Band Perry and Kenny Rogers, as well as beloved rodeo traditions like PRCA Xtreme Bulls riding and an exciting demolition derby.
While most festivities are free to enjoy, a select few require paid admission, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to partake in during this vibrant gathering.
Summer Brew Fest
Indulging in a cold beer on a scorching summer day is an unmatched pleasure, and the Summer Brew Fest in Denver delivers precisely that.
Taking place downtown, this annual event attracts brewers hailing from both Colorado and beyond. It offers attendees the opportunity to savor a variety of brews, relish delicious bites, and spend leisurely hours with friends.
The Summer Brew Fest is a popular occasion that often results in quick ticket sales. Enriched with live music and a lineup of enticing food trucks, the fest creates an ideal environment to relax and unwind.
There are options for daytime or nighttime sessions, each lasting 3 hours. This allows you to tailor your experience to your preference. If you’re seeking a little extra, the evening VIP status extends sampling time by an additional hour
Telluride Jazz Festival
Exuding a relaxed atmosphere and featuring a lineup of world-renowned jazz, funk, and soul artists, the Telluride Jazz Festival stands as an essential experience for music enthusiasts.
Across the weekend, a myriad of performances materializes in various venues across town. Meanwhile, educational sessions and captivating film screenings are seamlessly woven into the fabric of the event.
A Taste of Colorado
Denver’s Civic Center Park becomes the ultimate destination every Labor Day Weekend, as the highly anticipated foodie extravaganza takes the spotlight.
Drawing over half a million attendees annually, this event treats visitors to a delectable assortment of bites from over 50 local and regional restaurants.
Beyond the culinary delights, local artisans and vendors showcase their wares while seven stages come alive with electrifying music and engaging educational performances.
A Taste of Colorado serves as an exceptional way to bid farewell to summer. An added bonus is that this delightful event comes with no admission fee, making it accessible to all who wish to partake.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Boulder’s summer evenings set the ideal stage for open-air theater, and the historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre on the University of Colorado campus stands as the quintessential venue.
Year after year, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival graces this location with a diverse selection of classic Shakespearean plays, ranging from the Bard’s uproarious comedies to his profoundly dramatic works.