Colorado Shakespeare Festival
June 7–Aug. 11
Mary Rippon Outdoor Theater
Since 1958, this professional theater company has presented the Bard’s works under the stars under the Boulder campus. This summer’s offerings: Twelfth Night, As You Like It, and Romeo and Juliet.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
June 20–23
Telluride Town Park
It’s a summer solstice tradition, with American roots music running every day from 10 a.m. to midnight. This year’s 46th annual lineup includes Chris Thile, Leftover Salmon, Gregory Alan Isakov, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, the Sam Bush Band, Kacey Musgraves, and Brandi Carlile.
Greeley Stampede
June 26–July 7
Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley
It’s more than just a rodeo: This year’s event includes music (Brothers Osborne, Kip Moore, Brett Eldredge, and REO Speedwagon), a demolition derby, freestyle bullfighting, team roping, hot rods, and tea with Miss Rodeo Colorado 2019.
Colorado Brewers Festival
June 28–29, 12–5 p.m.
Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins
This fest, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is a beer drinker’s dream: 100-plus Colorado beers, 50-plus Colorado breweries, live music, artisan exhibits and food. Enjoy unlimited pours of a variety of brews, including rare, exclusive options on Friday.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 5–7
2nd through 3rd avenues, Clayton to Steele streets
Hundreds of artists (painters, ceramicists, jewelers, photographers, fiber artists, printmakers, and woodcrafters), plus “the Art of Food” (Venezuelan, Mexican, Greek, Thai, Cajun, and more), plus festival nights at the Janus Henderson Main Stage and the Stella Artois Beer Garden.
Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival
July 13
Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center
This 14th annual festival brings together more than 40 breweries for tastings, live music, food and retail vendors.
Hot Air Balloon Rodeo/Art in the Park
July 13–14
Steamboat Springs
Up, up, and away! Get to Bald Eagle Lake early (6 a.m.) to watch more than two dozen balloons inflate and take flight in the rodeo, now in its 38th year. In the evening from 6 to 9, visit Howelsen Hill to watch the balloons glow at sunset as you listen to live music and visit the beer garden. The same weekend, Steamboat hosts the 45th annual, free Art in the Park, which features nearly 160 artists, live entertainment, food vendors, and an interactive children’s art area.
Palisade Peach Festival
Aug. 15–18
Palisade
Palisade peaches—the pride of Colorado—are the focus of this annual fest, which features chef demos, vendors, events for kids, and music. Events include Peach Jam Stage, peach orchard tours, an ice cream social, a car show, a peach eating contest, a “biggest peach” contest, a recipe contest, and the Just Peachy 1K, 5K, and 10K race.
Colorado State Fair & Rodeo
Aug. 23–Sept. 2
1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo
Yeehaw! This 146th annual fair will feature horse and livestock shows, RV rallies, rodeos, a big carnival, a family fun zone, a kids parade, a 5k run and two-mile fun walk, plus concerts galore (Aaron Watson, Granger Smith, Brett Young, and the Beach Boys).
A Taste of Colorado
Aug. 31–Sept. 2
Civic Center Park
Named the fourth best “general food festival” in the nation last year by USA Today, this fest has everything from small tastes to full meals from more than 50 Colorado restaurants and food trucks, plus more than 175 booths of arts and crafts, free concerts, and a kids zone.
