This is Red Rocks!
Welcome to EO’s annual festival guide.There’s a little something for everyone in here—whether you want to pick and grin, drop the competition, sip some suds or simply just while around the hours with a hula hoop while you listen to Yonder Mountain String Band. The festy experience is eclectic. So here it is, the ultimate planner for enlightened festival goers. We hope to see you out there.
Music
Opening Day at the Mish
May 12, Bellvue
themishawaka.com
The Mishawaka is just not some place you go to see a band. The famed amphitheatre on the Poudre is a full experience, complete with a restaurant and bar and a new indoor stage as well as camping and the cred to draw some of the best roots acts on the scene.
Hot Acts: The season opener at this venerable venue features eclectic cowpunkers Split Lip Rayfield and Fort Collins’ own pickers Finnders and Youngberg.
Escape the Crowds: Nearby mountain biking on the Mill Creek Trail and at Lory State Park (parks.state.co.us/parks/lory).
MeadowGrass Music Festival
May 25-27, La Foret
meadowgrass.org
Tucked in the hills above Colorado Springs, this little festival packs a big punch. The proof? This year’s headliner will be alt-country icons Son Volt. And don’t miss the open jams around the campfire.
Hot Acts: Nathaniel Rateliff, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Big Daddy Love
Escape the Crowds: Sandstone climbing at Garden of the Gods (gardenofthegods.com).
Chili Pepper & Brew Fest
June 8-9, Snowmass
snowmasschiliandbrew.com
With much more of an indie vibe than those noodly pickin’-and-hula-hoopin’, festivals this Snowmass event features hot music and an even spicier chili cookoff. Cool it down by tasting a wide selection of professional and home brews.
Hot Acts: Galactic, Gogol Bordello
Escape the Crowds: Ride the Rim Tail straight outta Snowmass (singletracks.com/bike-trails/rim-trail-snowmass).
Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass Festival
June 8–10, Pagosa Springs
folkwest.com
Want to get back to the roots at a folks bluegrass fest? This three day event includes music and songwriting workshops in the price of admission.
Hot Acts: Elephant Revival, Mountain Heart, Finnders & Youngberg, David Wilcox
Escape the Crowds: You could soak in town or hike 10 miles roundtrip to undeveloped Rainbow and Piedra River Hot Springs.
Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival
June 15-17, Palisade
palisademusic.com
The atmosphere here can’t be beat: check out the music, then check out the town or nearby riding at Grand Junction and Fruita.
Hot Acts: The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Oakhurst, The Steel Drivers, 18 South
Escape the Crowds: Ride the Ribbon (gjmountainbiking.com) in Grand Junction and taste some Colorado Bourbon at the Peach Street Distillers (peachstreetdistillers.com).
Telluride Bluegrass
June 21-24, Telluride
bluegrass.com/telluride
If you don’t have tickets, don’t bother. They sold out in December. That’s right, December. Take a look at the lineup and you will know why in an instant.
Hot Acts: John Prine, Punch Brothers, Brett Dennen, Alison Kraus and Union Station, Thelma & Louise (Chris Thile and Bela Fleck), John Fogerty, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Laura Marling, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band
Escape the Crowds: Ride the free gondola to Mountain Village and hike or bike the local trails back down (visittelluride.com).
Sonic Bloom
June 21–24, Georgetown
sonicbloomfestival.com
We guarantee this electronic music happening is completely different from anything else in this festival guide.
Hot Acts: Octopus Nebula, Govinda, Lotus Drops, Bonobo, Emancipator
Escape the Crowds: Ride the historic steam engine (georgetownlooprr.com).
Wilco at Red Rocks
August 22-23, Morrison
redrocksonline.com
No, it’s not a “festival,” but it’s Wilco at Red Rocks, with the Punch Brothers on the 22nd and Dr. Dog on the 23rd.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival
June 22-July 7, Snowmass
jazzaspensnowmass.org
One name: Michael McDonald. Now that will either get you to this festival or make you feel like The 40 Year Old Virgin.
Hot Acts: The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue (Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs), Joe Cocker, K.D. Lang and the Siss Boom Bang, Chris Botti
Escape the Crowds: Ride the Prince Creek Trail to the base of Mount Sopris (carbondale.com/destination/prince-creek).
The Avett Brothers at Red Rocks
August 22-23, Morrison
redrocksonline.com
Another show at the world’s greatest amphitheatre that we won’t be missing. Devotchka opens on the 23rd.
High Mountain Hay Fever
July 12–15, Westcliffe
highmountainhayfever.org
No poseurs here. This is real pick-like-you-mean-business bluegrass for serious roots-music aficionados.
Hot Acts: Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press, Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, John Reischman and the Jaybirds, Honey Dewdrops
Escape the Crowds: You could soak in town or hike 10 miles roundtrip to undeveloped Rainbow and Piedra River Hot Springs.
Collegiate Peaks Music Festival
July 27-28, Buena Vista
bvmusicfestival.com
Meet the festival that represents the youth while still sticking to the roots. That nouveau vibe is encapsulated by headliners Greensky Bluegrass who told Rolling Stone: “We like fun, rowdy, energetic crowds who drink a lot and scream a lot.”
Hot Acts: Greensky Bluegrass, Nina Storey, The Grant Farm, Angie Stevens
Escape the Crowds: Hike one of the valley’s 14ers, perhaps Mount Elbert (14,433 feet), so you can claim you got the highest in the state (14ers.com).
RockyGrass
July 27-29, Lyons
bluegrass.com/rockygrass
We like to refer to it as Telluride for bluegrass snobs. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, RockyGrass may be the single best place for people who play bluegrass to get together, either at formal venues like RockyGrass Academy before the festival or just hanging out at the campground when things get cooking.
Hot Acts: The Punch Brothers, Bela Fleck, The Infamous Stringdusters, TIm O’Brien, Seldom Scene, Sam Bush
Escape the Crowds: Try the epic mountain bike loop of Hall Ranch, Picture Rock, and Heil Ranch (singletracks.com/bike-trails/hall-ranch).
Yarmony Grass
August 2-5, State Bridge
yarmonygrass.com
This core grass festival will keep the faithful coming back to this idyllic spot on the Colorado River. The lineup was still TBD at press time but last year featured crowd-pleasers Greensky Bluegrass and the Emmit-Nershi Band.
Escape the Crowds: The festival features activities that range from kickball to river floats to yoga.
Telluride Jazz Festival
August 3-5, Telluride
telluridejazz.org
Yep, yet another can’t-miss festival in the charmed town. This time, it’s serious jazz.
Hot Acts: Roy Hargrove, Victor Wooten Band, Funky Meters, Roberta Gambarini, Soul Rebels
Escape the Crowds: Get out of town and climb multi- and single-pitch routes on the Ophir Wall (bit.ly/Ijuh5t).
Boulder International Fringe Festival
August 15-26, Boulder
boulderfringe.com
A smorgasbord of art, drama and music on a mission to encourage creativity and artistic expression in the community. Trés, trés Boulder.
Hot Acts: Sam James, Longmont Chorale Singers, The Welcome Man, PI: The Physical Comedy Troupe, Screw You Entertainment
Escape the Crowds: Dispensary cruising? Just kidding. Why not just bring a tube and float Boulder Creek.
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
August 17-19, Lyons
bluegrass.com/folks
The smallest of Planet Bluegrass’ big three festivals is our personal favorite thanks to its laid-back vibe and eclectic music lineup.
Hot Acts: Neko Case, Lyle Lovett, Iron & Wine, Elephant Revival, Amos Lee, Gretchen Peters
Escape the Crowds: Bring a tube and float the St. Vrain straight through the festival.
NedFest
August 24-26, Nederland
nedfest.com
Oh so Ned.
Hot Acts: Kyle Hollingsworth Band, Jerry Garcia Band with Melvin Seals, Great American Taxi, New Monsoon
Escape the Crowds: Stop in Happy Trails (303-258-3435) and ask for beta on the local trails.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival
August 31-September 2, Snowmass
jazzaspensnowmass.org
Kid Rock jazz? A stretch. But who really cares what it’s called? This festival will bring in some of the best music to Colorado this summer.
Hot Acts: Kid Rock, Sugarland, The Steve Miller Band, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue
Escape the Crowds: Ride the local winds with Aspen Paragliding (aspenparagliding.com).
Four Corners Folk Festival
Aug. 31-SEPT. 2, Pagosa Springs
folkwest.com
Quite simply, you will find the true festival experience here in a very chill atmosphere.
Hot Acts: Railroad Earth, Sam Bush, Loudon Wainwright III, Elephant Revival
Escape the Crowds: Hike a section of the Continental Divide Trail in the Weminuche Wilderness (wilderness.net).
Telluride Blues and Brews
September 14-16, Telluride
tellurideblues.com
We are going to get in trouble by saying this, but Brews and Blues is the best damn festival in Telluride (and how many have we listed so far?). And it’s not just the music—the fall weather is perfect and there’s plenty of suds.
Hot Acts: Phil Lesh and Friends, The B-52s, Government Mule, Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Escape the Crowds: Nearby Mount Sneffels is an easy, yet aesthetically pleasing 14er to climb (ourayclimbing.com).
Sport
Black Hills Fat Tire Festival
May 25-27, Rapid City, S.Dakota
bhfattirefestival.com
There is some serious unheralded-yet-epic singletrack in land sacred to the Lakota tribes. The sixth annual incarnation of this baby features everything from downhill to cross-country races with fun rides on singletrack sprinkled in between.
Don’t Miss: The Flight at the Phoenix downhill on a double secret local downhill trail.
CKS PaddleFest
May 25-27, Buena Vista
ckspaddlefest.com
Buena Vista’s core water sport extravaganza features rodeos, SUP contests, education, raft races and lots of partying paddlers.
Don’t Miss: Paddling films on Friday and Saturday night at the State Highway Theatre
Live Music: Angie Stevens (a benefit for the river park in Buena Vista)
Teva Mountain Games
May 31-June 3, Vail
tevamountaingames.com/summer
The all-encompassing outdoor multi-sport celebration takes over Vail again this summer. The games are the perfect place for aspiring outdoor athletes to see what they are made of competing against the best in the business. Or just watch. It’s an ideal event for the whole family—parents can trade off competing while kids hit the climbing wall and paddle tank. Look for Team EO to make some noise again this year.
Don’t Miss: The downriver SUP race is fast becoming a classic event here.
Outside in Aspen
June 8-10, Aspen
outsideinaspen.com
It’s a festival about participation. This event gets you out with elite athletes, including Chris Davenport and Eric Larsen, learning and enjoying everything from SUP to road biking to fly fishing. The party revolves around an Adventure Base Camp with gear, talks on sport and giveaways.
Don’t Miss: Train and compete with Outside editors in the triathlon.
Hanuman Yoga Festival
June 8-10, Boulder
hanumanfestival.com
Boulder is the epicenter of athletic asanas and this festival brings in the big names in yoga to wow the faithful. Teachers include Richard Freeman, Amy Ippoliti, Erin Keely Philips and the Yogaslackers.
Don’t Miss: Live music with acts including Desert Dwellers, Durga Das and DJ Drez
Creek at the Peak
June 23, Dumont
creekatthepeak.com
Tommyknocker Brewery’s downriver race sends kayakers and rafters six-miles down the raging class IV whitewater of Clear Creek. It all benefits GOALS (Get Outside and Learn Something) a non profit dedicated to getting kids off the couch and playing outdoors.
Don’t Miss: Post-race party at the brewery
Lyons Outdoor Games
June 8-10, Lyons
lyonsoutdoorgames.com
“The little town that festivals” gets down with everything from whitewater paddling, to fly fishing, to mountain biking, to—that’s right—chainsaw carving.
Don’t Miss: The K9 Cannonball
New Belgium Brewing FIBArk Whitewater Festival
June 13-17, Salida
fibark.net
At this point, this paddlefest is as much cultural happening as it is whitewater comp. Anything you can float downriver gets in on the action here—everything from raft races to freestyle comps to non-river events including a bike race and running races.
Don’t Miss: The SUP Cross carnage
Crested Butte Bike Week
June 21-24, Crested Butte
ftbw.com
No Colorado town is more proud of its mountain biking resume than the Butte and the eponymous fest bills itself as the oldest such happening on the planet. There are expos, races, rides, debauchery, everything you would expect from the various clans of the fat-tire tribe.
Don’t Miss: The chainless downhill. It’s the world championships. Dress in costume.
Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival
June 22-23, Cañon City
royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com
Held in the depths of the Royal Gorge this festy includes everything from downriver races to a duckie dash.
Don’t Miss: The Whitewater Adventure Race, an obstacle course with a sense of humor
Gunnison River Festival
June 22-23, Gunnison
gunnisonriverfestival.com
Gunny’s river fest mirrors the town. It’s not pretentious but hardcore enough to feel like authentic Colorado.
Don’t Miss: The hooligan race
Telluride Yoga Festival
July 12-15, Telluride
tellurideyogafestival.com
One more festival in Telluride. This one is a backbend. Featured teachers include Duncan Wong, Annie Pace and the Yogaslackers.
Don’t Miss: Classes with Dr. M.A. Jayashree and Dr. M.A. Narasimhan from Mysore, India
Tour de Fat
September 1, Fort Collins
September 8, Denver
newbelgium.com
New Belgium’s signature festival is really a traveling cultural event, touring the nation and encouraging bike-minded folks to get on their green rides to enjoy the vibe of the bike tribe and raise money for a wide range of worthy non-profits.
Don’t Miss: If you are ready for the big step, you can even vow to trade your car for a bike on stage.
Film
Mountainfilm
May 25-28, Telluride
mountainfilm.org
Yep, another festival in Telluride—but leave the hula hoop at home. This event is a cultural happening, not just of films about mountains, adventure, culture, environment and exploration, but also a four-day discussion and celebration of the subject. Special guests this year will include documentary rock star Ken Burns, James Balog of the Extreme Ice Survey, climbing savant Chris Sharma, photographer and climber Jimmy Chin and Earth First! troublemaker Dave Forman.
Don’t Miss: Renan Ozturk presenting House of Cards, his film about conquering the unclimbed Shark’s Fin of Meru with Chin and Conrad Anker
Breckenridge Festival of Film
June 7-10, Breckenridge
breckfilmfest.com
Going strong for 32 years, Breck’s film happening celebrates independent filmmakers. The current lineup had not been announced by our press date but former presenters have included Alan Arkin, James Earl Jones, Robert Loggia, Marsha Mason, Sydney Pollack, Mary Steenburgen, and Donald Sutherland.
Don’t Miss: The festival’s GLBT film series
Mountain Summit: Mountainfilm
August 23-26, Aspen
wheeleroperahouse.com
Can’t make the Mountainfilm event in Telluride? Catch it in Aspen, when the whole shebang goes on tour to the fabled Wheeler Opera House.
TrindieFest
September 13-15, Trinidad
trindiefest.net
This celebration of independent filmmaking is the anti-Sundance. Submit your film or just attend a talk by indie director Mark Stolaroff.
