Our Top Picks for Festivals and Fun
By Rebecca Treon
Summer is one of Colorado’s most beautiful seasons, when warm weather beckons us outside to enjoy all the state has to offer, from high-country adventure to the bustle of the city. Festivals abound both in the Mile High City and further afield, offering everything from live music to food and wine — all with the purpose of bringing community together for an immersive experience. We’ve gathered some of the state’s notable summer festivals below.
Denver Chalk Art FestivalJune 2-3 in Larimer Square
Denver Chalk Art Festival follows street painting traditions that originated in 16th century Renaissance Italy when artists began transforming asphalt into canvas using chalk. The artists were called “madonnari,” after their customary practice of recreating chalk paintings of the Madonna. Historically, madonnari were known for their life of travel and freedom, making their living from coins received from passersby. Along with the hundreds of visual artists you’ll see creating masterpieces along Larimer Square, there will also be a selection of talented musicians on hand. www.larimerarts.org
Folk West in Pagosa Springs
Various times this summer
Far-flung Pagosa Springs is nestled in Southern Colorado’s San Juan mountain range, and is host to Folk West, which puts on two festivals during the summer: the Four Corners Folk Festival (August 31-September 2) and The Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass event (June 8-10). The Four Corners Folk Festival has hosted the likes of Los Lobos and Bela Fleck; Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass has featured the Tony Furtado Trio and the Lil Smokies, among others. Camp under the stars and enjoy all the folk and bluegrass you want at these two festivals. www.folkwest.com
GoPro Mountain Games
June 7-10 in Vail
Head up to Vail to watch the top national event in the outdoor industry. Under human power, outdoor athletes compete in 11 sports and 27 disciplines for more than $120,000 in prize money. Lifestyle events include the GoPro Outdoor Reels film series, the Mountain Click photography competition, interactive expo area, Gear Town, the Mountains of Music concert series and the Outside Adventure Film School. www.mountaingames.com
Vail Craft Beer Classic
June 14-17
What could be better than enjoying a great craft beer or spirit in a picturesque mountain setting? All the greats will be on hand for you to try, including Odells, Great Divide, 10th Mountain, Boulder Beer, Breckenridge Brewery, Broken Compass, Colorado
Cider Co., Epic Brewing, Left Hand Brewing, Oskar Blues, Telluride Brewing, Tito’s Vodka and lots more! Enjoy sips, bike rides, parties and hikes at this fun event! www.vailcraftbeerclassic.com
25th Annual Colorado BBQ Challenge
June 14-16 in Frisco
A popular tradition since 1993, the 2018 BBQ Challenge in Frisco features bands, pig races, kids’ activities, the annual Fire Fighter Cook Off, food sampling, whiskey tasting and much more. Fun for kids and adults, and this will be some of the best barbecue you’ll enjoy. Hogback tickets are the official currency and are good for everything from beer to BBQ to berry kabobs. This is a Kansas City Barbecue-sanctioned competition, and winners of the Frisco Challenge are eligible to compete in the American Royal – the “World Series” of Barbecue. www.townoffrisco.com
Aspen Food & Wine Classic
June 15-17
The food and wine world’s premier event unfolds with much fanfare every summer in the mountains of Aspen, where celebrity chefs, world-class wine experts, and exhibitors gather to bring the best of the culinary scene to our front door. From chef-prepared dinners by the hottest names in the industry to workshops on wine and tastings and after-parties galore, this is the summer’s hottest ticket. www.foodandwine.com
Denver Barbecue (BBQ) Festival
June 15-17, Sports Authority at Mile High
Father’s Day practically screams barbecue, and this year, Dads, you’re in luck: it’s the inaugural year of the Denver Barbecue Festival, bringing together the country’s best pitmasters for an event of epic, um, pro-portions, with tickets benefitting Food Bank of the Rockies. Sports Authority at Mile High is the place to be, with two BBQ-consuming options: Saturday and Sunday admission is free with live music and food (plus beer and drinks) for purchase; ticketed all-you-can-eat Pit Passes (including a Friday Preview Party) have all-access. Honored award-winning pitmasters include local favorite Jason Ganahl (GQUE BBQ), Big Moe Cason (Des Moines, IA), Scott Roberts (Driftwood, TX), and John David Wheeler (Horn Lake, MS) among other award winners. www.denverbbqfest.com
Colorado Renaissance Festival
June 16-August 5, Larkspur
Each weekend during the summer, the town of Larkspur is transformed into a magical place, as hundreds of costumed merrymakers create original works and entertain crowds. This year marks the festival’s 42nd season, and will be a memorable experience with rollicking music, wonderful food and performances galore. www.coloradorenaissance.com
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 21-24
Now in its 44th year, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival is a rare treat, and performers include bluegrass superpickers, soulful songwriters and a variety of musical superstars sprinkled into the mix. The festivarian audience is a loyal bunch, and many attendees are going on their 20th consecutive year (or more!). The setting of the festival, in the rugged San Juan Mountains surrounded on three sides by the spectacular Telluride Box Canyon, makes this a special event. www.bluegrass.com/telluride
BRAVO! Vail
June 21-August 2
Four of the world’s greatest orchestras make their summer home at Bravo! Vail. All summer long, internationally renowned musicians and acclaimed soloists perform powerful classical masterworks and sensational pops programs in the beautiful setting of Vail. Plus, experience intimate chamber music concerts performed by world-class soloists throughout the Vail Valley. Featuring the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. www.bravovail.org
Colorado Tiny House Festival
June 22-24, Adams County Fairgrounds
The Colorado Tiny House Festival is returning for its second year – bigger and better than ever! Doubling in size, the festival features a uniquely diverse assortment of small living structures from tiny houses on wheels to container homes, a semi-trailer conversion, schoolies, van conversions, teardrops, yurts and more. The Colorado Tiny House Festival will blend the spirit of the tiny living movement with the most up-todate information on going tiny, simplifying your life, minimalistic living, and living greener. In addition to tours of nearly 40 unique small living structures, attendees will enjoy expert speaker presentations, hands-on workshops, a product and service marketplace, food, drink, and more. www.coloradotinyhousefestival.com
Westword Music Showcase
June 23 in Golden Triangle
Now in its 24th year, the Westword Music Festival offers more live music than ever at various venues throughout the Golden Triangle neighborhood. After polling some 200 people in the music biz, who nominated 800 musical acts, Westword whittled the selection down to 150 — half of which will perform at the festival. In the lineup: national headliners like Galantis, St. Lucia, and Tracksuit Wedding, plus slews of local bands (guests are encouraged to vote for their favorites). The main event takes place on two outdoor stages (and other venues) from noon until 10 p.m. VIP tickets are also available, with access to perks like shade, food and drink, and a private entrance. www.westwordshowcase.com
Cherry Blossom Festival
June 23-24, Sakura Square in downtown Denver
A thrilling celebration of Japanese heritage and culture through live entertainment, food and drink and a marketplace of informative exhibits and demonstrations. www.cherryblossomdenver.org
Telluride Wine Festival
June 28-July 1
The historic mining town of Telluride is the ideal backdrop for an intimate four-day food and wine festival that immerses guests in a complete gourmet experience. The 37th annual Telluride Wine Festival assembles chefs like Tom Coohill and John Tesar for wine pairing dinners and more, but the real focus is wine, with winemaker seminars, reserve and grand tastings, and a culinary village. www.telluridewinefestival.com
Colorado Lavender Festival 2018
June 29-July 1, Palisade
Every year in Palisade in western Colorado, visitors flock to gawk at the endless variety of lavender that thrive under clear blue skies, a dry climate and lean soils. The beautiful landscape derives from snowmelt waters from the Rocky Mountains, which nourish the high-altitude farms where the lavender is cultivated. The festival includes educational seminars, great food and wine, and an intriguing array of artisan products. www.coloradolavender.org
Vail Jazz Festival
July 1-August 24
From jazz legends to emerging artists, the Vail Jazz Festival showcases a variety of styles, from swing, salsa and blues to Brazilian and American songbook. Featuring performances by some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians, this season’s lineup includes more than 75 performances and 200 artists. www.vailjazz.org
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 6-8, Cherry Creek North
This world-class and award-winning celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts tranforms the tree-lined streets of Cherry Creek North into a high-end gallery. Through engaging cultural and arts education experiences, thousands of visitors interact with 265 visual artists, performing artists, sponsors and other cultural organizations. More than 2,100 artists apply annually, making CCAF one of the most competitive juried shows in the nation. This year’s festival features 265 national and international artists, in 13 different media categories. Wander over to Artivity Avenue for hands-on demonstrations and interactive art-making at the Janus Henderson Art Experience. This year, Arrow Electronics features Handsome Little Devils as they provide surprise popup performances throughout the festival site. On Culinary Avenue, patrons will enjoy a selection of 22 unique and tasty delights fit to satisfy any festival foodie. Four food trucks will also be located throughout the festival site. www.cherryarts.org
Central City Opera’s 2018 Festival
Experience the extraordinary at Central City Opera’s 2018 Festival July 7 through August 5. This year, main stage productions include “The Magic Flute” (beginning July 7) and “Il Trovatore” (beginning July 14). Both world-class performances will be brought to life in the historic 550-seat jewel box opera house in Central City, Colorado. Patrons will experience the grand talent of opera singers who perform at top-tier venues such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and are the first to see young talent who are accepted into the competitive Bonfils- Stanton Foundation Artist Training Program. Graduates of this program perform throughout the world to critical acclaim. In addition to the two main stage productions, Central City Opera’s 2018 Festival will feature two one-act operas: the 40th anniversary of “The Face on the Barroom Floor” and “Acis and Galatea.” These one-act operas will be performed in various locations in Central City, beginning July 25. Wrapping up the 2018 summer season, Central City Opera is excited to announce “Encore: A Musical Revue,” August 8, 9 and 11. Conceived by Curt Olds, who is a past apprentice and principal artist with Central City Opera, “Encore: A Musical Revue” is an exhilarating and eclectic mix of old and new pieces of music theater, from Broadway and Off-Broadway composers. www.centralcityopera.org
Slow Food Nations
July 13-15 in Larimer Square
The Slow Food movement began in Italy in the late 1980s, dedicated to preserving traditional foodways and combatting fast food and lifestyles. Today, more than 160 countries participate in the movement, with 150 chapters in the United States. Slow Food Nations will host a takeover of Larimer Square that celebrates flavor, culture, and exploring food. There are several free events like the Taste Marketplace, featuring more than 100 culinary exhibitors offering samples, or Eat Street, a block-long pop-up food and drink court. Ticketed workshops run for $50 with topics like The A to Z of Olive Oil and The Ancient Art of Tortillas, where you can expand your culinary knowledge. www.slowfoodnations.org
Hot Air Balloon Rodeo
July 14-15 in Steamboat Springs
One of Colorado’s most colorful weekends takes place each summer in the picturesque setting of Steamboat Springs. Now in its 37th year, balloons lift off over Bald Eagle Lake, and the image is nothing short of magical. The colorful balloons dot the Yampa Valley sky, and local vendors offer great food and hot coffee, while just minutes away kids can enjoy Art in the Park featuring arts and crafts, performances and an interactive children’s area. On Saturday as the sun sets, head back to the mountain area and watch in wonder as the colorful balloon glow lights up on Mt. Werner. www.steamboatchamber.com
Breckenridge Food and Wine Festival
July 28
This rustic mountain town is transformed into a picturesque mountainside vineyard, featuring a tantalizing array of varietals from top wineries. An enthusiast’s choice of nearly 300 wines, complemented by mouthwatering small dishes selected to accompany each vintage. Add to this some great live music, and you’ll want to make this a mainstay of every summer vacation! www.rockymtnevents.com/breckenridge-food-wine
Vail International Dance Festival
July 28-August 11
Celebrating its 30th anniversary season, the 2018 Vail Dance Festival is a two-week showcase of the beautiful world of dance, with showstopping performances by acclaimed artists from around the world. www.vcf.org/arts
Underground Music Showcase
July 27-29 in Denver
The Rocky Mountain region’s largest indie music festival returns to Denver’s Baker/South Broadway neighborhood. This is a great opportunity to discover new musical acts as you stroll along the eclectic streets lined with unique restaurants, bars and shops. The multi-day event showcases local bands and national acts, including comedy and podcast recordings, panel discussions and live music. Sponsored by Two Parts, tickets and information are available at www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com
Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival
August 9-12
Celebrate great food and drink in a spectacular setting at the 12th annual Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival. Showcasing the culinary wizardry of local chefs, exclusive wines and more. Sip custom blends, sample great tequilas, indulge in a fabulous wine dinner, participate in hands-on mozzarella making or take a port and cheese excursion. Fun for foodies as well as anyone who appreciates a great glass of wine at altitude! www.beavercreek.com/explore-the-resort/activities/summer-activities
Velorama Colorado
August 17-19
RiNo Art District is the place to be for the second annual Velorama entertainment experience. Celebrating the arts, music and cycling, this is a one-of-a-kind “festival” where you’ll be treated to national music acts including Wilco and Death Cab for Cutie, hundreds of vendors, a Bike Expo, and independent craft makers of beer, cider and wine. www.veloramafestival.com
“Happy City: Art for the People”
“Happy City: Art for the People” is a six-week, citywide art intervention with the purpose of breaking down personal, emotional and social barriers, while nurturing individual and collective well-being. The project is produced by The Denver Theatre District with artistic direction by Black Cube and is inspired by British artist Stuart Semple. “Happy City” brings together more than 10 artists’ perspectives to address ideas of happiness and community wellness, in an effort to imagine a more connected society. The initiative includes a series of artwork interventions by local, national and international artists spread throughout public spaces of downtown Denver. Artists include Theresa Anderson, Matt Barton, Milton Melvin Croissant III, Carlos Frésquez, Vince McKelvie, Kelly Monico, Zach Reini, John Roemer, Stuart Semple, Joel Swanson and Frankie Toan. The installation sites include streets, alleyways, billboards, video screens and Union Station, among other locations. In addition to the installations, the “Happy City” initiative will present “Happy Talks” and “Happiness Unpacked: a panel discussion,” deeper conversations exploring the intersection of art, mental wellness and civic participation, and engaging programming initiated and supported by nearly a dozen community partners. www.happycitydenver.com
