As more events open up and restrictions lessen, so do those festivals that we all missed in 2020. 303 Magazine has created a roundup of warm-weather festivals to keep your plans busy and your summer chocked full of fun from music to booze and everything in between.
We’ll update this list as more events get announced.
Music
Juneteenth Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Juneteenth Music Festival’s Facebook.
When: June 18 – 19
Where: TBA and Online
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: The Juneteenth Music Festival is back for 2021. The festival – which celebrates African American history through music, education and entertainment – will offer programs and performances online and in-person this year. For more information check here.
READ: Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival Goes Virtual for 2020
Colorado Music Festival
Photo Courtesy of Colorado Music Festival on Facebook
When: July 1 – August 7
Where: Various locations check here
Cost: Varying prices
The Lowdown: The Colorado Music Festival returns for the summer season. The festival hosts a myriad of performances from orchestral arrangements to solo performances from accomplished musical talents over a span of six weeks.
Crested Butte Music Festival
Photo Courtesy of Crested Butte Music Festival on Facebook
When: June 25 & July 23 – October 1
Where: Various locations check here
Cost: Varying prices
The Lowdown: The Crested Butte Music Festival is back for its 25th year. The festival will kick off with a preview party on June 25 and fully commence on July 23 for a season full of music in the mountains.
Underground Music Showcase 2021
Photo by Kyle Cooper
When: August 27 – 29
Where: Underground Music Showcase, S. Broadway between 6th Ave. and Alameda Ave., Denver
Cost: $50 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Rock out to some of the best musicians all weekend long at the Underground Music Showcase 2021. The annual music festival is back in Denver after running a virtual event in 2020. The full lineup of performances will be released later in July – make sure to stay tuned.
READ: The Underground Music Showcase To Stage 2021 Return
Food
Bacon and Beer Classic
Photo Courtesy of Bacon and Beer Classic on Facebook
When: May 22, 1 p.m.
Where: Kennedy Golf Course, 10500 E. Hampden Ave., Denver
Cost: $59 – 79 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Dive into crispy bacon while sipping on a cool brew during the Denver Bacon and Beer Classic. The bacon-tastic festival is chock full of bacon-themed food from local chefs as well as more than 40 craft beer to wash them all down for a tasty oasis.
Vail Craft Beer Classic
Photo Courtesy of Vail Craft Beer Classic on Facebook
When: June 25 – 26
Where: Ford Park & Sculpture Garden, 522 S. Frontage Rd. E., Vail
Cost: $49 – $99 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Imbibe on one of the most diverse lineups of craft beers during the Vail Craft Beer Classic. The brew-centric weekend offers beers from all across the world and around Colorado for a tasting event like no other.
Heritage Fire
When: July 31, 4:45 – 7 p.m.
Where: Snowmass Base Village, 84 Carriage Wy., Snowmass Village
Cost: $99 – $150 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Take a trip into the mountains for Heritage Fire by Cochon 555. The live-fire festival celebrates cooking techniques from around the world with outdoor dining. You can feast on a myriad of sustainably sourced food from local growers, chefs and more during the giant culinary experience.
Denver Burger Battle
Photo by Alex Palmerton
When: August 5, 5 p.m.
Where: Auraria Campus, 900 Auraria Pkwy., Denver
Cost: $74 – $139 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Sink your teeth into juicy burgers during the 10th annual Denver Burger Battle. You can sample grilled burger bites from local restaurants such as Hickory & Ash, Stoic & Genuine and Highland Tap & Burger during the judged battle to win the best burger. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Firefly Autism.
Vail Wine Classic
Photo Courtesy of Vail Wine Classic on Facebook
When: August 12 – 15
Where: Vail Athletic Fields, 646 Vail Valley Dr., Vail
Cost: $65 – $225 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Delight in the fanciest of wines while basking in mountainous view during the Vail Wine Classic. You can sip on wines from participating wineries such as Attimo Wine, Carboy Winery and 7 Cellars through the weekend.
Top Taco Festival
Photo by Alden Bonecutter
When: August 26, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Cost: TBA here
The Lowdown: Munch on tacos galore during the Top Taco Festival. The festival offers fresh street tacos from over 50 local restaurants, cocktails created by local bartenders and more for a spicey evening. Tickets go on sale on June 1.
Great American Beer Festival 2021
Photo by Kyle Cooper
When: September 10 – October 17
Where: Online and Various locations
Cost: $20 passport here
The Lowdown: The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is going virtual this year. You can snag a passport for deals and discounts to participating breweries and take part in the GABF passport program as well as watch the GABF competition online.
READ: GABF Will Not Return For An In-Person Festival This Year
A Taste of Colorado
Photo courtesy of Taste of Colorado.
When: September 4 – 6
Where: Various locations, Downtown Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: A Taste of Colorado returns to the city with various stops around downtown Denver this September for some killer music and flavor-filled bites. This Denver food and music festival will host a lineup of live music, art and more for a fun Labor Day Weekend. Check here for more information.
Art
Film on the Rocks
Photo Courtesy of Denver Film on Facebook
When: May 26 – August 2
Where: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Cost: $16 – $59.50 get tickets here and here
The Lowdown: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre teams up with Denver Film to present Film on the Rocks. The event features a series of film screenings at the iconic amphitheater. You can experience the films through a drive-in theatre format or select in-amphitheater viewings.
READ: Film on the Rocks to Return This May
JAAMM Fest
Photo Courtesy of Neustadt JAAMM Festival
When: May 20 & June 17
Where: Online
Cost: $12 per household here
The Lowdown: Get your Jaamm on during the 2021 Neustadt Jaamm Festival. The festival celebrates Jewish arts, authors, movies and music with educational programs, workshops and more. This year the festival has moved to a virtual format with year-round events.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Photo Courtesy of Colorado Renaissance Festival on Facebook
When: July 3 – August 22
Where: Colorado Renaissance Festival, 650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur
Cost: Varying prices check here
The Lowdown: Go back to medieval ages with knights, jousting, fairies and more at the Colorado Renaissance Festival. The ever-so-popular festival is back for its 44th year and ready for a rousting season full of adventure.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Performing at the Cherry Creek Arts Fest. Photo by Ellen Jaskol.
When: September 4 – 6
Where: Cherry Creek North, 2nd Ave. through 3rd Ave. between Clayton St. and Steele St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: CherryArts is back with the 30th Annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival. The event features a gathering of more than 200 local and national artists, immersive art activities, live music and more. You can sip on drinks, delight in food and watch live performances while perusing the giant art showcase. Additionally, the event has moved across the street to the creekside area of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center in order to create more space.
Summerfest
Photo Courtesy of Center for the Arts Evergreen on Facebook
When: September 4 – 5
Where: Buchanan Recreational Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen
Cost: $5 at entry
The Lowdown: The Center for the Arts Evergreen hosts Summerfest. The warm weather festival celebrates fine arts, music and brews. You can shop from a wide selection of fine art vendors, raise funds for the Center for the Arts Evergreen’s programs and more throughout the holiday weekend.
High Plains Comedy Festival
High Plains Comedy Festival. Photo by Brittany Werges.
When: September 16 – 18
Where: Locations vary
Cost: Prices vary, check here
The Lowdown: Laugh all weekend long during the High Plains Comedy Festival. The festival features performances from local and national comedians, workshops and more. The full lineup of events and sets is yet to be announced.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Photo Courtesy of Colorado Dragon Boat Festival on Facebook
When: September 25 – 26
Where: Sloan’s Lake, 25th Ave. and Sheridan Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, one of the largest cultural celebrations in Denver, is set to return for its 20th year. You can watch magnificent dragon boat racing, art and immerse yourself into dragon boat culture throughout the two-day festival.
2021 Telluride Horror Show
Photo courtesy of Telluride Horror Show.
When: October 15 – 17
Where: Sheridan Opera House, 110 N. Oak St., Telluride
Cost: $20 – $195 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Dive into all things terrifying at the 2021 Telluride Horror Show. The three-day festival celebrates horror films with film viewings, chilling tales and more – perfect for all those horror fanatics out there.
READ: Everything You Need to Know About This Year’s Telluride Horror Show