Prepare yourself for a big summer (and fall) of music, beer, wine, films, yoga, hula hoops, downriver SUP rallies, conversations, bike races, dog jumping contests, campouts and community. The annual Elevation Outdoors Festival Guide is here to help you choose and plan from an incredible assortment of happenings this summer where you will be able to partake in everything from swaying to Phil Lesh bass lines to sipping craft whiskey to fist pumping with Michael Franti to hitting the the dirt with the best trail runners in the Rockies. Pack the cooler, load up the vehicle, turn up the volume and dig in.
MAY
Wednesday Night Trivia
Every Wednesday, 7-10pm
Denver, CO
Every Wednesday night from 7-10pm, 10 Barrel asks the questions. Provide all the right answers and you can win swag and beer. Don’t, and it’s still a blast.
Food Truck Carnival
May 10-12
Northglenn, CO
Indulge in everything from Vietnamese to BBQ at this tasty party featuring bluegrass and Americana music on the main stage, beer tastings and a Tilt-A-Whirl-style carnival.
Upslope Get Down
May 11 | Boulder, CO
Dance to live music, eat great food, crush your friends in yard games, all while sampling beers on tap at this spring fling held in the back parking lot at the Upslope Brewery. You are sure to see EO staff here and, best of all, it’s free.
4th Annual Swimwear Day
May 11
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, CO
Sure, it’s May but this ski season shows no signs of slowing down. Nor does the Basin, open until June 2. Come in spring style—bikini, Speedo, whatever—and receive a raffle ticket for big prizes.
arapahoebasin.com/event/swimwear-railjam
Head for the Hills Pickin’
on the Poudre
May 11 | Bellvue, CO
Colorado fest season kicks off here when Head for the Hills—a post-modern bluegrass, progressive string band—hits the stage with Daniel Rodriguez (of Elephant Revival) and Whippoorwill at Mishawaka Amphitheatre.
New Belgium Brewing + Leopold Bros. Beer & Whiskey Tasting
May 11 | Fort Collins, CO
Grab your tickets available on Eventbrite by April 27 for this tasty event and look for Instagram updates here:
@newbelgium_thesource
Grand Junction Off-Road
May 17-19
Grand Junction, CO
Test yourself in singletrack, doubletrack and gravel bike races of 5, 30 or 40 miles on the world-famous Lunch Loops trail system.
epicrides.com/events/grand-junction-off-road/event-guide
SUMMER KICKOFF and GEAR SWAP
May 18th
Dillon, CO
Summit County’s Wilderness Sports may be closing down its Second Tracks Consignment shop upstairs, but the famed retailer still wants to give loyal customers a chance to buy/sell/trade used gear. The 9 a.m. swap kicks off a whole day of celebration for the coming summer and a cookoff—and it raises money for The Cycle Effect, an Eagle-based non profit that works to empowers young women through mountain biking.
Bentgate Presents: Bike Packing with Justin Sumoni
May 22
Golden, CO
Are you bikepacking curious? Head to Bentgate to learn valuable tips and tricks from the experienced bikepacking fiend and La Sportiva athlete Justin Simoni, who will share a trip breakdown from the pages of the new bike packing guidebook he’s currently at work on.
MeadowGrass Music Festival
May 24-26
Colorado Springs, CO
Spend Memorial Day weekend shaking your thing to eclectic bands, hiking or hammocking with your fam and practicing yoga at the La Foret Conference & Retreat Center.
rockymountainhighway.org/meadowgrass6/
CKS PaddleFest
May 24-27
Buena Vista, CO
Held in the mountain town EO readers voted “Best of the Rockies,” this four-day paddling blowout includes comps and other fun events in whitewater, flatwater and land races in the heart of Buena Vista. You can plunge in or simply kick back and enjoy the party.
Bluebird Music Festival
May 25
Boulder, CO
This second annual daylong musical happening at CU’s Macky Auditorium will feature Jim James, Gregory Alan Isakov, Neyla Pekarek and more. It benefits the Future Arts Foundation, which provides arts opportunities for Colorado youth.
Denver Day of Rock
May 25
Denver, CO
This free one-day music event will feature five stages along Denver’s 16th Street Mall and benefit local non profit Amp the Cause.
Fly Fishing 101
May 25
Tabernash, CO
Head to Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa to learn the basics of fly angling.
Bike Junkies Fest
May 26
Golden, CO
Join the party at this demo and ride festival at Golden Bike Shop.
Festival of the Brewpubs
May 26
Arapahoe Basin, CO
Plunge in to spring skiing, tunes and brews at A-Basin’s an endless corn snow and suds block party.
arapahoebasin.com/event/festival-of-the-brewpubs
Bonfire Block Party
May 31-June 2
Eagle, CO
Live music, food vendors and craft beer make this street fair a winner. Don’t miss the Sunday Sayonara event with The Lil Smokies and tasty bloody marys and mimosas. Combine it with the Eagle Outside Festival (see below).
Eagle Outside Festival
May 31-June 2
Eagle, CO
Test new bikes at the bustling demo and sign up for events like the RippinChix Skills Clinic or races like the new Enduro or the Intergalactic Footdown Championship. Finish up by getting down at The Bonfire Block Party (see above).
Campout for the Cause
May 31-June 2
Buena Vista, CO
Feel good about your festival vibe—the annual benefit Campout held in Buena Vista features music, yoga and lifestyle workshops with a positive focus on sustainability and community.
Oskar Blues Burning Can at the Lyons Outdoor Games
May 31
Lyons, CO
Partake in trail running, biking, yoga and kayaking—or bring your kids and watch them crush it—all while enjoying craft brew at this outdoor lifestyle throw down.
oskarblues.com/burning-can-festival
JUNE
21st Annual Buena Vista Bike Fest
June 1
Buena Vista, CO
Ride a stunning century route along the rolling hills of Turquoise Lake Road, around the Mineral Belt Trail, through the rarefied air of the historic Leadville Mining District—and turn around and head back to Buena Vista.
Animas River Days
June 1 | Durango, CO
Durango embraces its lifeblood—its downtown river—with whitewater slalom, kayak rodeos, boatercross and SUP races. And all this paddling fun is packed into one Saturday afternoon.
Upslope Brewing 5K Colorado Brewery Running Series
June 2
Boulder, CO
Join Colorado Brewery Running Series at Upslope Brewing for a 5k-ish course that starts and ends at this awesome brewery! Weave through the surrounding area at whatever pace you like, no matter what, there’s a beer waiting for you at the finish line.
ERk. Elephant Rock
June 2 | Castle Rock, CO
Head to the 30th iteration of this Colorado cycling classic to compete on three road courses (40, 62 and 100 miles) or two gravel routes (27 and 56 miles)—or hop along on a fun family ride (eight miles).
Crawford Pioneer Days
June 6-9
Crawford, CO
Seeking a shot of old-fashioned charm? Here you can enter a baking contest, holler in an auction, march in a parade or stand atop the throne in the outhouse races.
crawfordcountry.org/crawford-pioneer-days
2019 GoPro Mountain Games
June 6-9
Vail, CO
Come join in on the country’s largest celebration of mountain sports or just ogle Olympians. Don’t miss three free nights of concerts, including Rapidgrass, Joan Osborne and Citizen Cope at the historic Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
Hanuman
June 13-16
Boulder, CO
Open your heart and experience awakening, belonging and connection at this four-day celebration of world-class yoga, mind-blowing music, inspirational experiences and nourishing community.
FIBArk
June 13-16
Salida, CO
FIBArk is the oldest whitewater festival in the world! The festival, best known for its paddling events, will include so much more this year, its 70th year. Head to downtown Salida for four days of whitewater, free music from national acts and an always hopping beer garden.
North Fork Uncorked Paonia
June 14-16
Hotchkiss, CO
Pop it open. The West Elk wine-makers invite you to North Fork Uncorked. Meet local wine-makers, take part in vineyard tours and tasting, and enjoy farm-to-table dinners or food-and-wine pairings with local chefs.
westelksava.com/north-fork-uncorked
Denver PrideFest
June 15-16
Denver, CO
Join 350,000 people of all orientations celebrating love and inclusion.
Dinner on the Divide
June 16
Tabernash, CO
Point it to Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa for a special farm-to-fork event featuring local farms, breweries and distilleries. The four-course menu includes wine pairings.
Clear Creek Rapidgrass
Bluegrass Festival
June 19-20
Idaho Springs, CO
Low-key but delivering high-energy entertainment, this core fest features Rapidgrass the band and friends—it’s a no-brainer for bluegrass fans.
Rocky Mountain Burger Battle
June 20
Vail, CO
Be there for this intense burger showdown! Taste and vote for your favorite burger from an impressive, curated bracket of independently owned restaurants from across the Rocky Mountains. Yum.
Telluride Bluegrass
June 20-23
Telluride, CO
Don’t miss the big daddy. Beyond the pickers, Sunday is going to be a special day with Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves headlining.
Sonic Bloom Festival
June 20-23
Hummingbird Ranch, Spanish Peaks County, CO
Electronic music freaks rejoice! Join acts including Gramatik, Opiuo, Spoonbill, Zilla, Merkaba Sasha Rose and dozens more under the sparkling Colorado skies.
Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival
June 21-23
Canon City, CO
Join in on two glorious days of boats, bands and beer along the Arkansas—and you might even take a scenic train ride along the gorge.
royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com
Vail Craft Beer Classic
June 21-23
Vail, CO
The Classic kicks off with the Sip of The Summit on Friday, June 21 with arguably the highest altitude beer tasting in the country. Saturday’s Toast of Vail is the biggest tasting of the weekend and will feature a wide variety of breweries from around the country as well as various food vendors and live performances all in the heart of Vail Village.
Keystone’s Bacon and Bourbon Festival
June 22-23 | Keystone, CO
What pairs better than bacon and bourbon? Top it off with a bacon Bloody Mary and hard lady rock from Hell’s Belles and the Sweet Lillies.
10 Barrel Brewing Denver Deluxe
June 22 | Denver, CO
The Denver Deluxe combines all summer essentials for an incredible afternoon music fest. Jam to live music all afternoon with cold beers on tap and burgers flipping. The event will also feature live art from local street and graffiti artists. This is a family-friendly event and kids under 12 are free.
Gunnison River Festival
June 22-24
Gunnison, CO
This festival is more than fun and games: It celebrates the importance of clean water for everyone, bringing people together to celebrate at the headwaters of the Taylor and Gunnison Rivers and regional creeks off the Continental Divide.
Crested Butte Bike Week
June 27-30
Crested Butte, CO
You cannot call yourself a true fat-tire freak unless you crank it out at the world’s oldest mountain bike festival.
cbchamber.com/events/cb-bike-week
Telluride Yoga Festival
June 27-30
Telluride, CO
Now in its 12th year, this limber fest includes biking, slacklining and SUP yoga events. Bonus: The gondola ferries yogis between classes.
30th Annual Colorado Brewers’ Festival
June 28-29
Fort Collins, CO
This free hoppy happening features 150+ Colorado beers, 40+ Colorado breweries, an interactive Beer School with tastings and demonstrations, music vendors and food trucks.
downtownfortcollins.com/events/colorado-brewers-festival
Salida Art Walk
June 28-30
Salida, CO
The lovely annual Art Walk features exhibits from local and regional artists in many forms, including art demos, musicians and busking street performers.
Blues From the Top
June 29-30
Winter Park, CO
Winter Park’s non-profit blues extravaganza brings some heat to the high country. It also serves as a showcase for young and up-and-coming blues artists.
Beanstalk
June 27-29
Rancho del Rio, CO
Jam band fans will delight with three days of the Magic Beans and more in the heart of Vail Valley. Kill the hangover with a morning hike to the nearby Radium Hot Springs.
Ridgway River Festival
June 29
Ridgway, CO
Float into this celebration of the Uncompahgre River and the Ridgway community. Events include SUP races, an inflatables race, a hard shells race and “Junk of the unc” race. Riverfest is produced by a Ouray nonprofit that is dedicated to helping protect the Uncompahgre River watershed.
Rapids & Grass Beer Festival
June 29-July 1
Buena Vista, CO
It’s time to double dip. For the price of one festival ticket here you get access to unlimited tastings from over 50 breweries. Enjoy shows at the Surf Hotel’s stunning Ivy Ballroom and the Beach Stage, where Head for the Hills will play on Friday evening.
On tap with KBCO
July 7
Littleton, CO
You won’t want to miss soulsters St. Paul and the Broken Bones at the brewery! Sign up for the ticket lottery now and make use of the ride share program.
JULY
Colorado Springs Art & Music FestivalGreen Box Arts Festival
July 4-July 13
Green Mountain Falls, CO
You can both enjoy and take part in the arts at this community festival in the shadow of Pikes Peak.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
July 5-14
Crested Butte, CO
If you want to celebrate summer in the mountains, head to one of the most colorful and beautiful festivals in Colorado. Be sure to get out on one of the insightful guided hikes.
crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com
4th Annual Tequila & Taco Fiesta
July 6 | Winter Park, CO
Top off one of the world’s best food and drink mixes with live music.
playwinterpark.com/tequilaandtacos
Copper Live
July 6
Copper Mountain, CO
Enjoy free music all summer long at these casual, but rocking concerts up at Copper Mountain. Plus the EO Live Outside and Play Tour will be here on this date!
Blues Under The Bridge, 91.5 KRCC
July 13
Colorado Springs, CO
Now in it’s 13th year, Blues Under the Bridge will celebrate with cool tunes from Tabb Benoit Nikki Hill and more.
Under the Big Sky Festival
July 13-14
Whitefish, MT
This new Americana bash up in Whitefish should be worth the drive with headliners including Nathaniel Rateliff, Band of Horses, Jenny Lewis and Dwight Yoakam.
14th Annual Targhee Fest
July 13-15
Alta, WY
Get high in the Tetons with pumping beats, great food and drink and the spirit of sustainability. Best of all, enjoy Targhee’s mellow, accepting vibe and dance with some new friends.
grandtarghee.com/event/targhee-fest
Colorado Brewers Rendezvous
July 13
Salida, CO
Suds take over historic downtown Salida, with over 75 Colorado breweries and 300 frosty samplings.
Ride Festival
July 12-14
Telluride, CO
Telluride’s new-school festival features heavy hitters including Widespread Panic, Rose Hill Drive and The Yawpers.
Frisco Triathlon
July 13
Frisco, CO
This mountain-town-style tri includes SUP, mountain biking and trail running.
Steamboat Hot Air Balloon Rodeo
July 13-14
Steamboat, CO
If you have never taken to the sky in a hot air balloon, this is your big chance. Just don’t let that good old Steamboat cowboy attitude scare you off.
steamboatchamber.com/signature-events/hot-air-balloon-rodeo
Keystone Wine and Jazz
July 13-14
Keystone, CO
Lift a glass of Malbec and bob your head to fest favorites Dotsero.
Global Dance Festival
July 19-20
Denver, CO
Diplo, Excision, Kaskade, Black Tiger Sex Machine. Get moving.
Hooplagers IV
July 20-21
Longmont, Colorado
Float around in oversized pools while you get your mug filled with a refreshing lager, or relax on our sandy beach, Wibby Riviera style! Live island music will be pumping from the shaded pavilion’s main stage or hit the silent-disco-arcade taking over the blacked-out, air-conditioned taproom.
Red Ants Pants
July 25-28
White Sulphur Springs, MT
Montana’s big summer blowout will bring Patty Griffin, Shakey Graves, The Waifs, Valerie June, Colter Wall and more hot acts to the Treasure State.
Oyster Ridge Music Festival
July 26-28
Kemmerer, WY
The Oyster Ridge Music Festival is Wyoming’s Largest free festival. Kemmerer is quirky and cool, too.
Rockygrass
July 26-28 | Lyons, CO
The premier hoedown for bluegrass aficionados features Sam Bush, Punch Brothers (playing bluegrass), I’m With Her (the collaboration of Sara Watkins, Sara Jarosz and Aoife Donovan) and all the hot pickin’ you can handle.
Denver Summer Brew Fest
July 27 | Denver, CO
Taste from a selection of 100+ beers, ciders and more from 40 different breweries at this annual throwdown. The action goes down at Denver’s Mile High Station spreading out into the parking lot where there will be live music and food trucks.
Sanitas Taco Fest
July 27 | Boulder, CO
Come enjoy drinks from five craft breweries, 10 tacos vendors and men in tight pants and masks (a.k.a. lucha libre wrestlers).
Copper Mac & Cheese Fest
July 27-28
Copper Mountain, CO
Gobble down indulgent, crafty, cheesy dishes at this extravagant get down. If samples are not big enough, you can stretch your tummy at the “eating.” Kids can partake in an afternoon of free fun-filled activities and entertainment and everyone can boogie down to live music.
AUGUST
Pickin’ in the Park
August 1, 8, 15, 22 | Paonia, CO
This four-show series, with two bands each night, is free to the public and features top notch music from around the country. Don’t Miss: More shows on August 9, 16, 23—and hard cider from Delicious Orchards.
ARISE Music Festival
August 2-4
Loveland, CO
Join EO’s Live Outside and Play team and open yourself to this joyous event that celebrates community and life with music, yoga, camping, art and more. Slightly Stoopid, Trevor Hall, Fierce le Fev and more will keep your body moving all night long.
Rhythms on the Rio
August 2-4
Boulder, CO
Hosted by the South Fork Music Association this fest serves up a relaxed vibe at a beautiful site on the upper Rio Grande and will feature acts including the Gasoline Lollipops, Bill Nershi and Fruition. r
Keystone Bluegrass and Beer Festival
August 3-4
Keystone, CO
Appalachia meets Colorado at this quintessential mountain festival. Add in drinks from 40+ craft breweries and you have one down-home weekend.
Evergreen Town Race
August 4
Evergreen, CO
This classic 5k or 10k run down the Upper Bear Creek Valley will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019. And feel good as you huff—the race benefits the Alpine Rescue Team.
Colorado FUNC Fest
August 9-10
Montrose, CO
Water sports enthusiasts, competitors, and the fun-loving Montrose community gather to enjoy the Fun on the Uncompahgre “FUNC Fest” at the Montrose Water Sports Park.
Telluride Jazz Festival
August 9-11 | Telluride, CO
The real sophistcation hits Colorado’s favorite festival town with jazz in the box canyon. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue top an impressive lineup.
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest
August 9-11
Fort Collins, CO
This free community music festival features 80+ Colorado bands on six stages of entertainment; more than 250 specialty, art and food booths; and a family-centered Kids’ Music Adventure and Kids’ World area.
Run the Rockies Trail Race
August 10 | Frisco, CO
Get ready to set a new PR on this fast course along the Ten Mile Range.
Steamboat Movement Fest
August 15-18 | Steamboat, CO
Far more than yoga, this enlightened happening encourages conscious connection through music, movement and plenty of outdoor play.
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
August 16-18
Lyons, CO
Kick back creekside on the Planet Bluegrass grounds and enjoy an all-star lineup this year, including Ani Difranco, Mandolin Orange and Ben Folds.
Keystone Mountain Town Music Festival
August 17
Keystone, CO
Blind Pilot and Lone Bellow take the main stage while local food vendors line the streets concocting their best Colorado peach recipes capped off with fireworks over the village to wrap up the evening.
2019 SBT GRVL Race
August 17-18
Steamboat Springs, CO
SBT GRVL is a new, world-class gravel race experience held on the greatest gravel roads on Earth in magnificent Steamboat Springs. The town’s unique combination of the quiet roads surrounding a thriving resort town create an unmatched venue for a world-class gravel bike race action.
Colorado Classic
August 22-25
Denver, CO
Step aside bros. The premier, four-day Colorado Classic stage race, which is sponsored by just-moved-to-Denver VF Corp, is now solely for women.
Trinidaddio Blues
August 24 | Trinidad, CO
Cruise down to the New Mexico border for this hot, end-of-summer happening that features Sugarray Rayford Band, Jaqui Gibson, Rick Estin and more.
Four Corners Folk Festival
August 30-September 1
Pagosa Springs, CO
Earls of Leicester, Billt Strings, Molly Tuttle—they’re all coming to this year’s fete. Spend your downtime soaking in Pagosas steamy pools.
folkwest.com/fourcornersfolkfestival
Seven Peaks Festival
August 30-September 1
Buena Vista, CO
The Collegiate Peaks will echo with roots music: Country star Dierks Bentley, in partnership with Live Nation, will once again hold the Seven Peaks Music Festival, a multi-stage country and bluegrass extravaganza.
Keystone Oktoberfest
August 31 | Keystone, CO
Dig out the lederhosen and the dirndls and bring out the family for Keystone’s Oktoberfest. Earn your stein with Das Bier Burner 5K fun-run that kicks off the day.
Royal 50 Mountain Bike Race
August 31-September 1
Cañon City, CO
Turn your cranks on the outstanding Royal Gorge Park Trails. Sign up for a rugged race on either the 50- or 20-mile singletrack course and then celebrate at a post-ride party with music, food and plenty of beer at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.
Copper Country
August 31-September 1
Cañon City, CO
Copper’s annual free hoedown will get your boots movin’. Plus, kids will revel in the arts and crafts.
A Taste of Colorado
August 31- September 2
Denver, CO
The festival will continue its 36-year tradition of being the largest free admission food and music festival in Colorado. A Taste of Colorado has something for everyone with over 50 food vendors, 175 marketplace vendors, a Kids Zone experience with arts, crafts and a children’s entertainment stage and the elevated music experience with a larger main stage featuring over 25 national and regional musical acts.
SEPTEMBER
Septemberfest Eagle
September 6-7
Eagle, CO
Break a sweat at the Mountain Rats at Septemberfest comps—a 50k, trail marathon and half marathon race on Saturday morning with the start and finish in Septemberfest’s venue.
Telluride Blues and Brews
September 13-15
Telluride, CO
This fall classic will feature Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, Boz Scaggs, TBA, Ryan Bingham and more—oh, and plenty of hoppy refreshment. The Grand Tasting is the perfect way to cap off the entire festival season with one big, extended toast. Extend the buzz with late-night concerts throughout town.
Lead King Loop Charity Races
September 15
Marble, CO
Run, walk, or hike the 25k loop around Lead King Basin or cheer the kids on as they run the 2.5k kids loop around Marble. Proceeds benefit the Marble Charter School.
Pirate Fest
September 20-21
Northglenn, CO
Costumes are very much encouraged at this celebraton of arggh that includes a traditional pirate feast, pirate music, raucous dancing and a costume contest. And don’t miss the Cardboat Boat Regatta races on Saturday.
Colorfest Weekend
September 20-22
Pagosa Springs, CO
Celebrate the peaceful, easy feeling of small-town Americana at this fall shindig that will wow you with a colorful hot air balloon mass ascension in downtown Pagosa Springs.
Great American Beer Festival
October 3-5
Denver, CO
The world’s greatest gathering of brews and those who make and imbibe them goes down (where else?) in craft-beer central. Designate a driver.
Mountain Harvest
September 26-29 | Paonia, CO
Tour the local wineries and farms and lace up your boots for a full lineup of roots music at this fall shindig.
14er Fest
September 27-29
Buena Vista, CO
This homegrown Buena Vista fest brings together all disciplines of outdoor play: off-roading, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing and trail running. Add in trail events, clinics, camping, live music and local libations and you have the premier event celebrating life among the peaks.
OCTOBER
The Holler!ween XVII
October TBD
Fort Collins, CO
Stay tuned for details on the 17th edition of Michael Kirkpatrick’s costumes-required good-time ball.
12 Hours of Penitence MTB Race
October 13
Penitente Canyon, San Luis Valley, CO
Put your endurance to the test in the San Luis Valley in the fourth-annual iteration of this local favorite. Sign up to race solo, duo or trio teams on the epic 17-mile course.
8th Annual Hard Cider Fest
October 26
Hotchkiss, CO
Taste cider from all over Colorado at Big B’s Delicious Orchards annual Hard Cider Fest. Top it off with finger-lickin’ BBQ, live music all day long and community camping in the orchard.
NOVEMBER
Nitro Fest
November 9
Longmont, CO
It’s a gas, gas, gas. Left Hand Brewing Foundation will host this sixth annual nitro-exclusive beer festival. That feeling that it just got crazy? It’s not the beer. The fest hires circus acts and encourages costumes.
