Winter’s great and all, but we know know you’ve been jonesing to shake your hula thing in the full sun. To that end, we offer EO’s annual festival guide, your rundown of the best happenings across Colorado and beyond. Circle these events on your calendar—everything from music fests to river fêtes to beer celebrations to gatherings that’ll engage your root chakra. Plus, look for the EO Road Show, which will be stopping at select festivals with swag, high fives and magazines.
MAY
Estes Park Duck Race
May 6 Estes Park, CO
Yes, it’s duck season. Since 1989, this springtime fun fest has raised more than $2 million to local charities. epduckrace.org
Head for the Hills Pickin’
on the Poudre
May 13 Bellvue, CO
Back again to kick off the season, Head for the Hills lands at the legendary Mish. Don’t Miss: Mishawaka Open Jam, every Thursday at 8 p.m. All styles and instruments are welcome and entry is free. mishawaka.ticketforce.com
Colorado Bike Expo
May 19-20 Denver, CO
From a crit to demos, this baby’s the biggest bike event in the state. coloradobikeexpo.com
The Golden Games
May 19-21 Golden, CO
The Golden Games are a paddler’s paradise, celebrating outdoor adventure sports in an action-packed weekend. Don’t Miss: The two new SUP events this year: Paddle-o-War and SUP-n-Joust. thegoldengames.com
Grand Junction Off-Road
May 19-21 Grand Junction, CO
Hone your skills on technical singletrack with races at 15, 30 and 40 miles, then head downtown to enjoy live music and some of Colorado’s best wine and beer. Don’t Miss: You’re in wine country… need we say more? epicrides.com/events/grand-junction-off-road/event-guide
Colorado Whitewater Training Camp
May 19-21 Arkansas River, CO
Dive into paddling season with skills clinics for novices and experienced kayakers of all ages. Don’t Miss: Live music Saturday night (TBA). coloradowhitewater.org/training-camp
Vintage Market Days
May 19-21 Estes Park, CO
This three-day market is the place to find funky and maybe classic vintage swag. vintagemarketdays.com
Upslope Get Down
May 20 Boulder, CO
Dance to live music, eat great food, crush your friends in yard games, all while sampling beers on tap. Don’t Miss: The Elevation Outdoors team scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes!
upslopebrewing.com/getdown
Elevation Beer Co. Five-year Anniversary Party
May 20 Poncha Springs, CO
This party includes special tappings, food and a free performance by Trout Steak Revival. elevationbeerco.com
The 2017 La Sportiva Trail Running Series: Boneyard Boogie
May 20 Eagle, CO
Arguably one of the most scenic trail races in Colorado. You can sign up for the 5K, 10K or the fun run. Don’t Miss: The rest of the series during the summer: La Sportiva Summer Solstice in Beaver Creek (6/24), Vail Hill Climb (7/8), Camp Hale Half Marathon (7/22), Berry Picker 5K in Vail (8/5), 10K @10,000 Feet in Vail (8/26) and MeadowGold in Minturn (9/16). vailrec.com/sports-activities/vail-race/trail-running-racing
MeadowGrass
May 26-28 black forest, CO
Camp in the heart of the Black Forest and enjoy a relaxing weekend with live music and local artists. Don’t Miss: Morning yoga classes. meadowgrass.org
CKS Paddlefest
May 26-29 Buena Vista, CO
A jumpstart to Buena Vista’s famous river season, you’ll see some epic whitewater athletes compete from around the country. Don’t Miss: EO is hosting a River Park clean up with CKS Main and Eddyline Brewery on the morning of Monday, May 29. ckspaddlefest.com
Festival of the Brewpubs
May 28 Arapahoe Basin, CO
Beer, live music and spring skiing—that’s what Colorado does best. Don’t Miss: Skiing at the only resort still open. everfest.com/e/arapahoe-basin-festival-of-the-brewpubs-keystone-co
JUNE
Mike the Headless Chicken
June 2-3 Fruita, CO
Come out and celebrate the chicken that lived for 18 months without a head. Don’t Miss: The wing eating contest…seems fitting. miketheheadlesschicken.org/mike
Campout for the Cause
June 2-4 buena vista, CO
With a commitment to community and sustainability, the annual benefit Campout features music, yoga and lifestyle workshops. Don’t Miss: The new venue along the Arkansas River. campoutforthecause.org
Animas River Days
June 3 Durango, CO
Whitewater slalom, kayak rodeos, boatercross and SUP races—all this paddling fun is packed into one Saturday afternoon. Don’t Miss: The after-party in downtown Durango. animasriverdays.com
Run the Rockies 10K/Half Marathon
June 3 Frisco, CO
Get ready to set a new PR with a fast course along the Ten Mile Range. Don’t Miss: Beer from Backcountry Brewery at the post-race party. halfmarathons.net/colorado-run-the-rockies-half-marathon-10k
Meekerpalooza
June 3 Meeker, CO
Break out of the city and enjoy live music and art in a friendly small-town atmosphere. Don’t Miss: The beer and wine from Palisade Brewery and Blanco Cellars. meekerpalooza.com
Burning Can Festival at Lyons Outdoor Games
June 3 Lyons, CO
This little town puts on one of the best multi-sport throwdowns in the country—and it revolves around beer, with more than 50 breweries and over 200 canned craft brews. Don’t Miss: Action on the river park. burningcan.com/lyons
Eagle Outside Festival / CO XC & Enduro State Championship
June 3-4 Eagle, Co
A great opportunity to demo bikes on Eagle’s all-time single track. Don’t Miss: Alison Gannett’s Rippin Chix Women’s Clinics. eagleoutsidefestival.com
GoPro Mountain Games
June 8-11 Vail, CO
An adrenaline-filled weekend for the whole family, the GoPro Mountain Games are the country’s largest celebration of adventure sports. Don’t Miss: The Ultimate Mountain Challenge. mountaingames.com
Palisade Bluegrass and Roots
June 9-11 Palisade, CO
Enjoy three days of nonstop Americana, bluegrass and roots alongside th Colorado River. palisademusic.com
Pagosa Folk ‘n Bluegrass
June 9-11 Pagosa Springs, CO
Settle in for sounds from The O’Connor Band, Loudon Wainwright III and others. folkwest.com/folknbluegrass
Car Show at Pagosa
June 9-10 Pagosa Springs, CO
Check out classic and souped-up cars and enjoy music and beer. pagosachamber.com
Dolores River Festival
June 10 Dolores, CO
This fête celebrates the life of one of Colorado’s most beautiful rivers. Don’t Miss: The Mountainfilm tour will be stopping here. doloresriverfestival.org
Denver Berkeley Art & Music Festival
June 10-11 Denver, CO
Browse the art and take in the tunes at Denver’s Berkeley Park. coloradoeventsandfestivals.com
Hanuman
June 15-18 Boulder, CO
World famous yoga teachers including Rod Stryker and Janet Stone lead classes and workshops in the heart of downtown Boulder. Don’t Miss: Find balance with the slacklining yoga workshop. hanumanfestival.com
Telluride Bluegrass
June 15-18 Telluride, CO
The big daddy never disappoints. Don’t Miss: The annual Telluride Troubador Contest. bluegrass.com/telluride
Sonic Bloom
June 15-18 Hummingbird Ranch, Spanish Peaks Country, CO
An eclectic mix of electronic music in one of the most beautiful venues in the Rockies. Don’t Miss: Early bird camping starts Wednesday night so you can wake up Thursday refreshed and ready to boogie. sonicbloomfestival.com
Fibark
June 15-18 Salida, CO
Hit up the 69th anniversary of the country’s oldest whitewater festival. Don’t Miss: Beer from Eddyline brewing. fibark.com
Colorado BBQ Challenge
June 16-17 Frisco, CO
Bring an empty stomach to this event with 70-plus BBQ-ers, seven bands, pig races, kids’ activities and the third annual Fire Fighter Cook Off. friscobbq.com
Vail Craft Beer Classic
June 16-18 Vail, CO
More than just a beer fest, the Vail Craft Beer Classic pairs beer with adventure. Don’t Miss: Work off those 300-plus beers with yoga and hiking. vailcraftbeerclassic.com
Rails and Ales
June 17 Alamosa, CO
Brewfest by train? Yes Please. Don’t Miss: The brats. slvbrewco.com
Estes Park Marathon and Half
June 18 Estes Park, Co
Race past breathtaking views of the Continental Divide on a fast course with a six-mile downhill start. Don’t Miss: The 5K fun run the day before. epmarathon.org
Telluride Yoga Festival
July 20-23 Telluride, Co
Now in its tenth year, this unique festival includes biking, slacklining and SUP yoga events. Don’t Miss: Yoga Slackliners Extravaganza. tellurideyogafestival.com
Beanstalk
June 22-25 Rancho del Rio, CO
Jam band fans will delight with three days of the Magic Beans and more in the heart of Vail Valley. Don’t Miss: A morning hike to the nearby Radium hot springs. beanstalkfestival.com
Gunnison River Festival
June 22-25 Gunnison, CO
Not only for the Gunny— the convocation celebrates spring runoff, recreation and ecology of all our clean waterways. Don’t Miss: The riverbank beer garden. gunnisonriverfestival.com
Crested Butte Bike Week
June 22-25 Crested Butte, CO
The world’s oldest mountain bike festival! Don’t Miss: The gnarly downhill race. cbchamber.com/events/cb-bike-week
Salida Art Walk
June 22-25 Salida, CO
The 25th year of celebrating creativity in the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Don’t Miss: The street performers.
salidaartwalk.org
Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival
June 23-24 Canon City, CO
Join in two glorious days of boats, bands and beer along the Arkansas. Don’t Miss: The scenic train through the gorge. royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com
Rapidgrass bluegrass festival
June 23-25 Idaho Springs, CO
With a low-key vibe but no downgrade in the quality of bands performing—including Rapidgrass, Head for the Hills and Trout Steak Revival—true fans won’t want to miss this one. clearcreekrapidgrass.com
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
June 23-July 1 & September 1-3
Now in its 27th year, Jazz Aspen Snowmass has grown from a three-day event to a set of multi-day festivals that feature epic line-ups of musicians. Don’t Miss: Any of it. Both weekends are exceptional. jazzaspensnowmass.org
Boulder Beer Company 38th Anniversary
June 24 Boulder, CO
Ring in the big 3-8 with Colorado’s oldest craft brewery. Don’t Miss: This longtime brewery’s new look. boulderbeer.com/colorado-events/38th-anniversary-party
Attack of the Big Beers & Grilled Cheese Fest
June 23-25 Copper, CO
Craft beer, grilled cheese and a film festival—that’s a perfect weekend. attackofthebigbeers.com
Blues From the Top
June 24-25 Winter Park, CO
Winter Park’s nonprofit blues extravaganza brings some heat to the high country. Don’t Miss: Performances by some of the youngest blues artists in the country. bluesfromthetop.org
Keystone’s Bacon and Bourbon Festival
June 24-25 Keystone, CO
What pairs better than bacon and bourbon? Don’t Miss: The bacon bloody Marys. keystonefestivals.com
JULY
Ten Sleep Climbing Festival
July 1 Ten Sleep, WY
Climbing and craft beer in the Big Horn Mountains? Count us in. Don’t Miss: The crazy costumes. travelwyoming.com/event/ten-sleep-climbing-festival
Colorado Springs Art &
Music Festival
July 1-2 Colorado Springs, CO
There’s a wide range of art and live music at this festival that takes place in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs. Don’t Miss: The creative station for the kids. coloradoeventsandfestivals.com
Frisco’s Fabulous 4th of July
July 4 Frisco, CO
Let freedom ring in this all-American mountain town hoedown. frisco4th.com
Ridgway Concert Series
July 6 Ridgway, CO
Eight bands play for free for four Thursdays over the month of July. Don’t Miss: More shows on July 13, 20 and 27. ridgwayconcertseries.com
High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival
July 6-9 Westcliffe, CO
Bluegrass, and summer nights in the mountains of Colorado go together like peanut butter and bananas. Don’t Miss: Uncle Shuffelo and His Haint Hallow Hootnanny. highmountainhayfever.org
Copper Mountain Music Fest
July 7-9, 2017 Copper Mountain, CO
The views alone at this outdoor venue make this funky music festival worth attending. Plus, the activities day pass costs just $49! Don’t Miss: Title sponsor Elevation Outdoors will host a team scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes. coppercolorado.com
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
July 7-16 Crested BUtte, CO
It’s one of the most colorful and beautiful festivals in Colorado. Don’t Miss: Guided hikes and walks. crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com
Salida Brewers Rendezvous
July 21 Salida, CO
Seventy-five Colorado breweries will pour over 300 beer samplings in downtown Salida. salidachamber.org
Tequila & Tacos
July 8 Winter Park, CO
Two things that make life better. Plus live music. playwinterpark.com/tequilaandtacos
Ride Festival
July 8-9 Telluride, CO
The new kid on the Telluride block features a lineup of heavy hitters. Don’t Miss: Beck, baby. ridefestival.com
Steamboat Hot Air Balloon Rodeo
July 8-9 Steamboat, CO
Hold onto your hats because this hot air balloon festival meets rodeo is not your average outdoor event. Don’t Miss: The colorful Balloon Glow. steamboatchamber.com/signature-events/hot-air-balloon-rodeo
Frisco Triathalon
July 15 Frisco, CO
This mountain-town-style tri includes
SUP, mountain biking and trail running.
Lohi Music Festival
July 15 Denver, CO
Great music and vibes in downtown Denver. Don’t Miss: The after party at Cervantes. nightout.com/events/lohi-music-festival-2017/tickets
Salida riverside fine arts & music
July 15-16 Salida, CO
Browse the best offerings in many mediums and stay for the riverside tunes.
salidachamber.org
Targhee Fest
July 14-16 Alta, WY
Hit the road for the winner of the best festival award in the EO Best of The Rockies reader poll. Don’t Miss: The Marcus King Band (see page 63). grandtarghee.com/event/targhee-fest/
Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans
Hill Climb
July 15 Evergreen, CO
Do you have the lungs to race up a fourteener? bicyclerace.com
Keystone Wine and Jazz
July 15-16 Keystone, CO
Joel Rodney Simieon and a jammy red are just two pairings to enjoy on this weekend. keystonefestivals.com
Festival in the Clouds
July 15-16 Alma, CO
Twenty-five bands, 40 regional artists and a beer garden. Don’t Miss: Work by 40 regional artists. almafoundation.com
Salida Brewers Rendezvous
July 21 Salida, CO
Seventy-five Colorado breweries will pour over 300 beer samplings in downtown Salida. salidachamber.org
Never Summer 6 and 24 Hour Adventure Race
July 22-23 Granby Ranch, CO
Compete in epic singletrack mountain biking, on and off trail trekking, and pack-rafting. myjourneyracing.com
Colorado FUNC fest
July 22 Montrose, CO
That’s short for fun on the Uncompahgre at the Montrose Water Sports Park. visitmontrose.com
UpaDowna: ROAR in the City
July 22 Colorado Springs, CO
ROAR stands for Really Outrageous Adventure Race. upadowna.org
Winter Park Rendezvous Mountain Bike Capital USA Weekend
July 28-30 Winter Park, CO
If you ride a bike, be here. Don’t Miss: The epic downhill terrain in Winter Park. playwinterpark.com
Rockygrass
July 28-30 Lyons, CO
Reserve a camping spot (early) at this big small-town fest that gets people grooving alongside (and in) the St. Vrain River. Don’t Miss: The Infamous Stringdusters. bluegrass.com/rockygrass
Oyster Ridge Music Festival
July 28-30 Kemmerer, WY
Ever heard of a Bandscramble? Witness this ultimate band jam here, this year. Don’t Miss: The Wyoming State Flatpick / Fingerpick Contest. oysterridgemusicfestival.com
Breck 100
July 29 Breckenridge, CO
Test your legs and your lungs on this off-road course that climbs nearly 14,000 feet over 100 miles and crosses the Continental Divide three times. Don’t Miss: Entering as a two- or three-person relay team. warriorscycling.com/races/breckenridge-100
AUGUST
Pickin’ in the Park
August 3 Paonia, CO
The 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 10, 17, 24—and hard cider from Delicious Orchards. pickinproductions.com
Under the Stars Film Series at the A-Lodge
August 3, Boulder, CO
A free night of outdoor adventure films projected onto a 24-foot inflatable screen on the lawn of a beautiful lodge located by Fourmile Creek? We’ll be there.. www.facebook.com
Middle Park Fair and Rodeo
August 4-13 Kremmling, CO
After all, rodeos are festivals too! middleparkfairandrodeo.com
Crestfest
August 4-5 Crestone, CO
Mountain music festival meets carnival meets charming small town good time. Don’t Miss: Carnival games. crestfest.org
Arise MUSIC FESTIVAL
August 4-6, 2017 Loveland, CO
Relax, rejuvenate and dance the night away in the mountains of northern Colorado. Don’t Miss: Finding your inner warrior at the Yoga Sanctuary. arisefestival.com
Telluride Jazz Festival
August 4-6, 2017 Telluride, CO
Camping passes for this iconic music festival are only $59. Don’t Miss: Mavis Staples. telluridejazz.org
Crested Butte Arts Festival
August 4-6 Crested Butte, CO
Art in all its forms (thin cuisine, too) is on display in this iconic mountain town. Don’t Miss: Art Alley, where kids (and adults) can make art of their own. crestedbutteartsfestival.com
Leftapalooza
August 5 Longmont, CO
Beer festivities and the Mile High Tribute Band Competition raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Left Hand Brewing Foundation. lefthandbrewing.com/event/high-five-events
Keystone Bluegrass and
Beer Festival
August 5-6 Keystone, CO
Appalachia meets Colorado at this funky festival. Add in 40+ craft beer vendors and you have one hell of a weekend. Don’t Miss: Headliners the Peter Rowan Band. keystonefestivals.com
Steamboat Movement Fest
August 10-13 Steamboat, CO
Festival attendees at this fest are encouraged to consciously connect through music, movement and the great outdoors. Don’t Miss: The panel of presenters that includes Shannon Paige and Laura Rust. steamboatmovementfest.com
Velorama Festival
August 11-13 Denver, CO
Meet our favorite new festival when it comes to high-flying lineups. It’s time to rock out in Denver’s hip RiNo Art District and maybe stop by Stem Ciders (see page 53) for three days of bands, brews and bikes. Don’t Miss: Wilco, The New Pornographers, La Santa Cecilia, Death Cab for Cutie. veloramacolorado.com
SolShine Music Festival
August 12 Winter Park, CO
Soak in live music at the newly remodeled outdoor stage in the heart of Winter Park. playwinterpark.com/solshine-music-festival
Aspen Backcountry Marathon and Half Marathon
August 12 Aspen, CO
Ready your legs and lungs for the most challenging marathon you’ll ever run. Don’t Miss: Spectacular views of the Elk Mountains. aspenbackcountrymarathon.com
Denver Sloan’s Lake Fine Arts & Music Festival
August 12-13 Denver, CO
Perfect location, meet unbeatable live music and art. coloradoeventsandfestivals.com
Outerbike
August 18-20 crested butte, CO
Find all things bikes at the new summer edition of the ever-popular event. Don’t Miss: Demos with your favorite brands. outerbike.com/summer-crestedbutte
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
August 18-20 Lyons, CO
Cap off your summer with one last outdoor music festival in everybody’s favorite quirky Colorado small town. Don’t Miss: Local hero Gregory Alan Isakov. bluegrass.com/folks
NedFest
August 25-27 Nederland, CO
This kid-friendly festival in Nederland highlights a variety of musical genres in an intimate space. Don’t Miss: The rockabilly sounds of The Gasoline Lollipops. nedfest.org
Trinidaddio Blues Fest
August 26 Trinidad, CO
From the Fabulous Thunderbirds to Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, this fest is the real deal. trinidaddiobluesfest.com
Buses at the Brewery
August 26 Colorado Springs, CO
Hey Millenials, there’s #vanlife and craft beer here. bristolbrewing.com
10th Annual Albuquerque Hopfest
August 26 Albuquerque, NM
The Land of Enchantment proves it has some hops at this beer festival with over 70 breweries and seven bands on three stages. albuquerquehopfest.com
SEPTEMBER
Four Corners Folk Festival
September 1-3 Pagosa Springs, CO
The Wood Brothers, Los Lobos, The Drunken Hearts—they’re all coming to year’s Four Corners Folk Fest. Don’t Miss: Early bird ticket pricing. folkwest.com/fourcornersfolkfestival
Salida Winefest
September 2 Salida, CO
Colorado’s grapes take center stage in the heart of the mountains.
Telluride Blues and Brews
September 15-17 Telluride, CO
Take in changing autumn colors along with world-class music (think Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal) and exceptional beer at the Telluride Blues and Brews festival. Don’t Miss: Late night concerts throughout Telluride. tellurideblues.com
Colorfest Weekend
September 15-17 Pagosa Springs, CO
The Mountain Harvest Festival is small town Americana at its best. Don’t Miss: The colorful hot air balloon mass ascension in downtown Pagosa Springs. visitpagosasprings.com
17th Annual Mountain
Harvest Festival
September 21-24 Paonia, CO
This autumn weekend celebration is jam-packed with a variety of fun events. Don’t Miss: The farms and winery tours. mountainharvestfestival.org
Salomon Golden Leaf Half Marathon
September 23 Aspen, CO
Incredible autumn views between Snowmass and Aspen make this 13.1-mile half-marathon a tad easier. Don’t Miss: Free lunch post-race as long as you have your bib. goldenleafrace.com
Longmont Oktoberfest
September 22-23 Longmont, CO
Longmont shuts down for a massive family-friendly carnival and beer fest featuring Left Hand Brewing. lefthandbrewing.com/event/high-five-events
Parker Fine Arts & Music Festival
September 23-24 Parker, CO
Enjoy live music and browse fine artisan wares in O’Brien Park. coloradoeventsandfestivals.com
14er Fest
September 29-October 1 Buena Vista, CO
Celebrate a love of trails, no matter if you 4×4, mountain bike, hike, fish or run. colorfulcolorado.com/14erfest
OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER
Great American Beer Festival
October 5-7 Denver, CO
It’s Disneyland for craft beer drinkers. Don’t Miss: The food pairing pavilion where 21 chefs pair up with 21 craft breweries. greatamericanbeerfestival.com
Nitro Fest
November 11 Longmont, CO
Forty-plus breweries from across the U.S. pour rare, never-before-seen nitro styles alongside circus acts. Lefthandbrewing.com/event/high-five-events
By Lily Krass and Tyra Sutak
