June marks the start to Colorado’s one-of-a-kind summer festival season. With mild temperatures and gorgeous blue-sky days, summer celebrations don’t get better than this. We’ve outlined a few of the finest Colorado summer festivals to help you get started on planning the ideal summer vacation.
For even more festivals, visit our Colorado events calendar.
1. FIBArk
June 13–16, 2013
If rivers are your passion, FIBArk (First in Boating on the Arkansas) is a must. “America’s oldest and boldest whitewater festival” draws kayakers, stand up paddlers and rafters to compete (and play) in the mighty Arkansas River. While whitewater is the draw, the city of Salida also showcases a variety of local color with live music, costumed bike competitors, a parade and foot races. fibark.net
2. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
June 14–16, 2013
Taste the crème de la crème of epicurean favorites at the 30th anniversary of Aspen’s Food & Wine Classic, hosted by Food & Wine magazine. Sip wine, sample food and indulge in the high-mountain scenery surrounding Aspen’s chic downtown. foodandwine.com/classic
3. Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 20–23, 2013
This June, music lovers from around the globe will come together at the world-renowned bluegrass festival in Telluride for four days of toe-tapping, carefree-dancing and music-loving fun. This year’s performers include Alison Krauss, Béla Fleck, John Fogerty and Yonder Mountain String Band, just to name a few. bluegrass.com/telluride
4. Greeley Stampede
June 27–July 7, 2013
Dust off your cowboy boots for one of Colorado’s largest summer festivals and rodeos. Dating back to the 1800s, Greeley’s Fourth of July celebration puts the “Yeehaw!” in Colorado’s western culture. Justin Moore, Credence Clearwater Revisited, Montgomery Gentry and Luke Bryan will headline this year’s Stampede. greeleystampede.org
5. Colorado Brewers’ Festival
June TBD, 2012
If you’ve tasted a Colorado-brewed beer, then you know why Colorado Brewers’ Festival is wildly popular. 30 Colorado breweries, showcasing more than 60 cold and fresh handcrafted beers, fill Fort Collins’ historic downtown. Summer has never been more refreshing than at this beer-lover’s paradise. downtownfortcollins.com
6. Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
July 8–14, 2013
As the official Wildflower Capital of Colorado, Crested Butte is the obvious place to host this event, packed with guided wildflower hikes, 4x4 tours, photography classes, gardening instruction and much more. crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com
7. The Underground Music Showcase
July 18–21, 2013
The Underground Music Showcase is the perfect place to witness Colorado and Denver’s exploding music scene. The Denver Post hosts this annual bonanza in Denver’s Broadway neighborhood. Every space viable for an intimate jam session opens its doors for music-lovers looking to discover the next Billboard-topping band. theums.com
8. Vail International Dance Festival
July 28–Aug. 10, 2013
Pirouettes, dips, leaps and headspins sweep through Vail during the prestigious International Dance Festival. Moves from Dancing with the Stars are so much more exciting in the flesh — not to mention in Vail’s scenic outdoor venues. vaildance.org
9. USA Pro Challenge
August 19–25, 2013
Because of incredible popularity in its first two years, the USA Pro Challenge returns to Colorado for a third year. Follow the race and festivities as world-class athletes pass through Aspen, Snowmass, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Beaver Creek, Vail, Loveland, Fort Collins and Denver. usaprocyclingchallenge.com
10. A Taste of Colorado
Labor Day Weekend 2013
Fifty food booths, 270 artisan vendors, six entertainment stages and 500,000 fellow Colorado fans converge in the heart of downtown Denver at Civic Center Park for a lively celebration of Colorado’s food and culture. atasteofcolorado.com
11. Colorado State Fair
August 22–Sept. 2, 2013
The Colorado State Fair in Pueblo expertly combines lively entertainment, thrilling competitions, intriguing vendor booths and old-fashioned family fun. Serving fair fare such as Pueblo green chiles, funnel cakes, deep-fried Snickers and other hearty treats, you’ll want to be sure to bring your appetite. coloradostatefair.com
12. Colorado Balloon Classic
August 31–September 2, 2013
Colorado’s largest hot air balloon festival is a sight to see in Colorado Springs. With massive colorful ascensions scheduled for each morning, a bonus feature is the nighttime festivities; when torches illuminate the balloons against the sparkling night sky. Memorial Park in Colorado Springs is transformed into balloon central — with local food vendors, live music and opportunities to chat with the crews that put those bad boys in the air. www.balloonclassic.com
Photos: Courtesy of Telluride Bluegrass Festival/Benko Photographics; copyright Aspen Food & Wine Classic; courtesy of FIBArk/Kevin Hoffman; Colorado State Fair; courtesy of Taste of Colorado.
