After the winter freeze, Colorado comes alive with warm days, blue skies and high-altitude fun. But there’s more to the Rocky Mountains than outdoor adventure and jaw-dropping views; summer is festival season – from craft beer and live music to rodeos and some of the downright-strangest celebrations you’re ever likely to see. Here are just a few of the options:
TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Surrounded on all sides by the spectacular peaks of the San Juan Mountains, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival is arguably the most-scenic music festival on the planet. It’s one of the most respected too, with legends of the bluegrass, roots and Americana scene converging on this hip mountain town every year since 1974.
Stay: Dunton Hot Springs Resort, a former ghost town restored to a luxury, log-cabin retreat.
FOOD & WINE CLASSIC
Featuring celebrity chefs, winemakers and the world’s finest culinary experts, this is the crème-de-la-crème of foodie festivals. Highlights include expert-led cooking demos, Michelin-star master classes, daily grand tastings and the chance to hobnob with greats from across the gourmet globe.
Stay: Hotel Jerome, a landmark of Aspen luxury since 1889.
COLORADO BREWERS’ FESTIVAL
In a state renowned for its craft beer, Fort Collins, 80-miles north of Denver, is the undisputed king. Sample more than 90 hand-crafted Colorado beers from more than 40 local breweries at the Colorado Brewers Festival, along with expert-led tasting, demonstrations and live music, all for free.
Stay: Edwards House, a slick, contemporary-designed B&B in downtown Fort Collins.
BROADMOOR PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB
Known as The Race to the Clouds, this 12.42-mile daredevil climb to the 14,115ft summit of Pike’s Peak, one of the highest mountains in the state, is one of the oldest, most spectacular and downright crazy motor races in the country. It takes an average person two hours to drive to the top; these guys do it in less than ten minutes.
Stay: The Broadmoor, an historic hotel with excellent golf and a spa.
ROOFTOP RODEO
Wild West flamboyance joins equestrian expertise at Estes Park’s Rooftop Rodeo
Rated the No 1 small rodeo in the country, this boot-stompin’, bull-buckin’, family-friendly ‘whoop-up’ showcases Colorado’s cowboy heritage, right on the doorstep of the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Stay: The Stanley Hotel, an elegant manor house hotel with spectacular mountain views.
CRESTED BUTTE WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL
In summer, this hip ski town transforms itself into the wildflower capital of Colorado, with dozens of floral varieties blanketing the slopes. See them at their peak at the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, with daily art and photography classes, guided hikes, botanical lessons and more.
Stay: The Ruby of Crested Butte, a luxury B&B in the heart of town.
ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL
This quirky festival fuses world-class live music and performance art with yoga, wellness and environmental workshops. It’s part retreat, part all-out party – like a boutique Woodstock for the millennial generation. Expect long, loud nights, gentle days and plenty of hugs from strangers.
Stay: Camping is available on site, or try Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch nearby – with 3,200 acres of private rolling pastures, it’s perfect for horse rides and romantic breaks.
BRECKENRIDGE INTER- NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS
The ski resort of Breckenridge is also popular for summer festivals
This unique multi-arts festival pairs creativity with adventure in a breathtaking mountain setting. Previous years have included cycle-in cinema, hiking-trail art installations, outdoors yoga accompanied by an orchestra, as well as an eclectic mix of experimental theatre, street art and all-round family fun. Learn more about the festival here.
Stay: Abbett Placer Inn, an historic B&B with gourmet breakfasts and sunset views.
PALISADE PEACH FESTIVAL
Celebrating Colorado’s rich agricultural history, the family-friendly Palisade Peach Festival Festival – on the outskirts of Grand Junction, in the heart of Colorado’s wine-country – is full of great food and small-town fun. Highlights include orchard tours, cooking demonstrations, street dances, a parade and, of course, a peach-eating competition.
Stay: Palisade River Ranch, a working, 100-acre farm and wildlife reserve, right on the Colorado River.
THE RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Red Rocks, ten miles west of Denver, is perhaps the most-naturally-beautiful concert venue in the world – a stunning amphitheatre under the stars that has hosted everyone from the Beatles to U2. Each summer, a range of stellar acts perform including, this year, Carlos Santana, Norah Jones and the ever-popular Reggae on the Rocks.
THE DURANGO BLUES TRAIN
On board the Durango Blues Train
This unique blues festival takes place on board the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, an authentic 19th-century steam train, as it travels from Durango through the deep canyons and precarious cliffs of the San Juan Mountains. Each carriage becomes a stage, with six separate performances providing the soundtrack to one of the most spectacular train rides in the world.
