Our many festivals are just part of the reason why Colorado is a great place to live and visit. We’ve put together this roundup of our picks for a year of Colorado festivals. Fill up your calendars to take in the variety.
January
Denver Jewish Film Festival – Jan. 22 – Feb. 1
The 30th Annual DJFF features two weeks of films from around the world that highlight diverse perspectives, compelling narratives, and meaningful connections to Jewish Life.
February
Backcountry Film Festival – Feb. 7
Join Winter Wildlands Alliance for the 21st Annual Backcountry Film Festival at Warren Station Center for the Arts featuring human-powered winter films, a special presentation by the Keystone Ski Patrol, giveaways, and more.
Day of Darks Beer Festival hosted by Wynkoop Brewing Company celebrates the season’s best dark beers with unlimited tastings from more than a dozen participating Colorado-based breweries. All ticket proceeds benefit the Movember Foundation.
Five Points Jazz Roots – Feb. 7-21
The Black History Month celebration happens at multiple venues across the Five Points neighborhood which was once known as the “Halem of the West.”
2026 Denver Winter Tequila Tasting Festival – Feb. 14
Sip from a curated selection of tequila and mezcal brands. VIP guests will enjoy access to top shelf selections valued at $80+, plus buffet bites and earlier entry to enjoy the event with no lines.
Colorado Environmental Film Festival – Feb. 20-22, Online Film Encore: Feb. 23 – Mar. 1
CEFF features over 60 films from around the world every year, pairing short and feature length films that aim to inspire, educate, and motivate people to protect and preserve the environment.
March
Monte Vista Crane Festival – Mar. 6-8
Celebrate the spring migration of Sandhill Cranes. Enjoy a variety of activities, tours, and presentations about these birds and the San Luis Valley.
Colorado Dragon Boat Film Fest – Mar. 20-22
The 10th annual Dragon Boat Film Festival features film screenings, community conversations, and special events to highlight and promote the culture, contributions, and accomplishments of AANHPI communities.
April
Denver Jazz Fest – Apr. 7-12
Enjoy 4 days of jazz from a curated selection of diverse styles.
Denver Silent Film Festival – April 10-12
Showcasing a bygone era of film magic, see silent films on the big screen with live musical performances the way they were meant to be seen.
Park City Wine Festival: Spring Edition – April 9-11
Okay, technically, this event happens in Park City, Utah but it’s organized by Team Player Productions, the Colorado company behind the Breckenridge Wine Classic. PLUS, we are offering $10 off any Grand Tasting tickets for this event for In Good Taste Denver readers. Click the event link name to learn more about this food and wine-lover’s event.
Boulder International Film Festival – Apr. 9-12
This 4-day celebration of cinema features a wide variety of films from local, national, and international filmmakers. Additional experiences include food from nationally renowned chefs, night galas, talented musicians, and much more.
Mile High 420 Festival – April 20
Held in Civic Center Park, the ticketed event for those age 21 and up, features national performing artists, two stages, unique vendors, experiential zones and food and drink choices.
La Primavera Festival: A Celebration of Spring – April 25
Held at the Museum of Outdoor Arts’ Marjorie Park, is inspired by the Gaelic Beltane tradition and European May Day festivities. There will be food, live music, Maypole fold dancing, flower crown craft stations, yard games and art-themed scavenger hunt. Tickets include beverages or concession items.
Women + Film Festival – Apr. 24-26
View over a dozen of outstanding features, shorts, and documentaries celebrating female filmmakers behind the camera and stories of women on the screen.
May
SeriesFest – May 6-10
Celebrate episodic storytelling with groundbreaking screenings, exclusive panels, and unforgettable special events in Denver, Colorado.
Glenwood Art Festival – May 23-25
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend surrounded by art and creativity. The outdoor festival features visual arts in historic downtown Glenwood Springs.
Urban Market at Denver Union Station – May 30 & 31 plus dates in June through October
The open-air marketplace features local artists, makers, collectors and small businesses offering every-changing selections.
Colorado Shakespeare Festival – May 30 – Aug. 2
CSF returns to the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre for the 2026 season. This season features performances of ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘Julius Caesar’, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, and ‘Friends/Romans/Countrymen’.
June
Denver Fringe Festival – Jun. 3-7
Enjoy a week of diverse, artistic voices showcased through live performances across RiNo, Five Points, and beyond.
Telluride Balloon Festival – Jun. 5-7
Weather permitting, view hot air balloons lift off from Telluride Town Park and float effortlessly over the Telluride Valley.
Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival – Jun. 6
This celebration of Colorado wineries features wine samples from local wineries and vendors, 3 live music artists, and a bevy of food trucks.
Telluride Food & Vine Festival – Jun. 13-15
Telluride’s premier food and wine festival returns, delivering a curated epicurean experience framed by the town’s iconic scenery.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival – Jun. 18-21
Journey to Telluride for 4 days of music and camping. Main stage lineup acts include Gregory Alan Isakov, Punch Brothers, Chris Thile, and many more.
Juneteenth – June 20
Celebrate the day that the last enslaved people found out they were free, in Galveston, Texas. Here in Denver, it’s a day of live music, food, drink and vendors.
FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen – Jun. 19-21
The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen brings together the world’s most celebrated chefs, sommeliers and spirits experts for an unforgettable lineup of intimate, hands-on seminars. Discover the stories, flavors, and inspirations behind today’s most exciting kitchens and cellars.
Strawberry Days Festival – Jun. 19 – 21
The Glenwood Springs Chamber Foundation invites you to be part of one of Colorado’s oldest and most beloved festivals featuring free strawberries and ice cream, live music, family fun, and a colorful parade – all free to attend.
June Jubilee in Downtown Colorado Springs – June 20-21
The outdoor celebration of fine art, handcrafted goods and live music is in Acacia Park on the Summer Solstice.
Greeley Stampede – Jun. 24 – Jul. 5
The Greeley Stampede showcases a variety of events including a rodeo, concerts, a carnival, and much more.
Bravo! Vail Music Festival – Jun. 25 – Aug. 6
Celebrate classical music and community with performances from a rotating lineup of orchestras and small ensembles.
15th Annual Colorado Lavender Festival – Jun. 27-29
Go on farm tours, shop for handcrafted lavender products from dozens of vendors, and enjoy a ‘Lavender & Wine’ 3-course delectable dinner.
Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival – Jun. 27-28
Bacon enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike won’t want to miss this weekend-long celebration of bacon and bourbon. Sample from bacon and bourbon vendors with a festival ticket, shop from bacon merchandise vendors, enjoy music from a lineup of talented artists, and more.
Denver Cherry Blossom Festival – Jun. 27-28
Celebrate the Japanese heritage and culture with live entertainment, food and drink, a marketplace, and live demonstrations.
Denver Pride Festival – Dates TBD
2026 brings a redesign of the annual event which includes a parade. Because of the construction on Colfax, expect some changes.
23rd Annual Telluride Plein Air Festival – Jun. 29 – Jul. 5
Support the restoration and preservation of the Sheridan Opera House and enjoy quality arts and entertainment in the town of Telluride. Festivities include painting competitions, a cocktail party, and an art exhibition and sale.
City Park Jazz – JUNE-AUGUST – TBA
Enjoy another season of Colorado-based jazz performances at City Park.
July
Cherry Creek Arts Festival – Jul. 3-5
Free and open to the public, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival features 250+ juried artists and offers the opportunity to connect with others through art, live music, food, and more.
Colorado Music Festival – July 9-Aug. 9
At Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, hear 14 diverse performances of orchestral and chamber music.
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival – Jul. 10-19
This annual 10-day festival features more than 150 wildflower- themed workshops – from painting, pollination, photography, and more.
Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival – Jul. 13-18
This festival blends world-class food and wine with the relaxed, adventurous spirit of Crested Butte. Attend seminars on a variety of topics ranging from knife skills to fermentation, a dinner prepared by renowned chefs, and more.
Keystone Wine & Jazz Festival – Jul. 18-19
Colorado jazz musicians will catch your ear throughout River Run Village while you enjoy more wine, delectable food dishes, and unique merchandise from near and far.
Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms Lavender Festival – Jul. 19-20
Learn about dye plants, enjoy live music, and explore Chatfield Farms’ curated gardens of more than 2,000 lavender plants.
The Big Eat – Jul. 23
This annual celebration of the region’s vibrant food and beverage community pairs live music with bites and sips from over 75 locally owned restaurants and beverage brands.
Breckenridge Food and Wine – Jul. 24-26
The Breckenridge Food and Wine Festival offers a unique wine-tasting experience with over 300 wines from across the globe. The festival features live music, tastings, and the vaunted Wine Pairing Dinner.
Vail Dance Festival – Jul. 31 – Aug. 10
The Vail Dance Festival is an internationally renowned two-week celebration of artistry that features live dance and musical performances throughout the Vail Valley.
Red, Whites & Brews in the Boat – TBA
Downtown Steamboat Springs plays host to this event that is chock-full of activities including unlimited wine & craft beer tastings, live music, vendors, and food.
August
Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival – Aug. 1-2
Ring in August with specialty brews, amazing bluegrass acts, and mountain morsels that highlight Keystone’s culinary side.
Vail Wine Classic – Aug. 6-8
Sip wines from the West Coast to France with 100+ wineries featured at the Grand Tastings, go on paired wine hikes, and choose from seminars hosted by winemakers and sommeliers to elevate your wine knowledge.
Mushroom Festival in Telluride – Aug. 12-16
Celebrate all things mycological with talks from renown mycologists, culinary delights, and the world renown Telluride Mushroom Festival parade.
Breckenridge Wine Classic – Aug. 20-22
Discover new wines, learn about winemaking, and meet other wine enthusiasts in Breckenridge this summer.
Palisade Peach Festival – Aug. 21-22
The Palisade Peach Festival is a vibrant celebration of Palisade’s world-famous peaches and the town’s rich history as the Peach Capital of Colorado. It features food trucks, a kids zone, and more.
Olathe Sweet Corn Festival – Aug. 22
This free annual festival features a 5k run/walk, live music all day, vendors, and much more family-friendly fun.
Denver Food & Wine Festival – Aug. 26-29
Enjoy a multi-day extravaganza of food, wine, and spirits events.
Colorado State Fair in Pueblo – Aug. 28 – Sep. 7
The Colorado State Fair is packed with classic fair fun featuring fried food, petting zoos, Foam Fest for the adults, a rodeo, and much, much more.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival – Aug. 29-30
Head out to Sloan’s Lake for a weekend of dragon boat racing, cultural celebration, and community connection. The festival also features food and marketplace vendors, live performances, and more.
Telluride Film Festival – Aug. 29 – Sep. 1
This world-renown, artist-driven festival features a surprise-revealed lineup, intimate mountain setting, and an emphasis on cinematic excellence over red-carpet spectacle.
Sugar Beet Days – TBA
Enjoy 2 days of festival fun! Browse vendors, listen to live music, and sample regional food.
September
Keystone Oktoberfest – Sept. 5
Make the most out of summer by celebrating Oktoberfest early in Keystone. There will be live dance performances, polka lessons, and the kids will love Kinderfest – their very own Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest in Lionshead Village – Sep. 5-7
A 3-day Oktoberfest celebration packed with live polka, stein-holding contests, keg bowling, and more.
Oktoberfest in Vail Village – Sep. 12-14
Vail Village follows Keystone and Lionshead with their own 3-day Oktoberfest celebration that features nonstop live music, traditional dance performances, bratwurst eating competitions, and more.
Breckenridge Film Festival – Sep. 17-20
Celebrate independent cinema, community, and mountain culture with 100+ films, filmmaker events, and special screenings set against Breckenridge’s fall colors.
Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival – Sep. 18-20
One of Pueblo’s biggest annual events, this festival features vendors offering local fresh products, live entertainment, cooking competitions, and chilies, lots and lots of chilies!
Snowmass Wine Festival – Sept. 18-19
Kicking off with a four-course wine dinner featuring Greek wines, this two-day event brings together a beautiful venue in Snowmass Town Park, music, cuisines from local restaurants, and lots of wine and spirits.
Colorado Mountain Winefest – Sep. 19
Celebrate the 35th Anniversary Colorado Mountain Winefest with top wines, gourmet bites, and immersive experiences in Palisade, CO.
Aspen Filmfest – Sep. 22-27
Each fall, Filmfest presents a curated, story-driven collection of films from around the world across multiple screening venues in Aspen.
La Junta Tarantula Festival – Sept. 25-26
See tarantulas in their native habitat, learn loads about them, watch a parade and enjoy local food and drink, especially green chile.
Taste of Fort Collins – Sep. 26-27
Taste of Fort Collins shifts from early June to September this year to bring you delicious food, live music, and community energy.
Savor the Season – Sep. 28 – Oct. 1
Savor the Season is Denver’s premier fall culinary celebration, featuring six-course dinners from top regional chefs, an open bar of local craft beverages, and a mission-driven focus on supporting culinary and community advocacy.
October
Steamboat Food & Wine Festival – Oct. 1-4
Interact with renowned chefs in small-format events that focus on creativity and technique, participate in curated wine and spirits tastings, and revel in the picturesque mountain-luxury setting of Steamboat.
Great American Beer Festival (GABF) – Oct. 8-10
The nation’s favorite beer festival returns to Denver with hundreds of craft breweries, thousands of beers to sample, and the premier beer competition.
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms – Oct. 10-12
Celebrate fall with a day of activities including a 10-acre pumpkin patch, food trucks, beer and cider vendors, wagon rides, and more.
Beer Block – Oct. 11
Beer Block returns to Larimer Square for another unforgettable block party featuring craft brews, bites, and bands.
Denver Film Festival – Oct. 22 – Nov. 1
An annual celebration of cinema that showcases a wide range of innovative, diverse, and thought-provoking films from around the world. It also features red-carpet events, filmmaker Q&As, and more.
November
Denver Christkindl Market – Starts Nov. 20. End date in December to be determined.
The holiday market brings an authentic, German tradition to Colorado with European-style artisan and food vendors.
December
Vail Film Festival – Dec. 3-6
The Vail Film Festival is a boutique, internationally focused festival that features screenings, panels, workshops, and a mission to support emerging filmmakers through the Colorado Film Institute. This year’s festival will have a special emphasis on emerging French cinema.
Sundance Short Film Tour and Sundance Indigenous Film Tour – TBD
Experience Sundance’s most exciting short-form storytelling without traveling to the main festival.
–Compiled by Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor, InGoodTasteDenver.com. Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com.
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