Experience the Festivals in Colorado
One of the best ways to experience USA in the summer is to attend one of these amazing festivals of Colorado, in fact, it may just be the highlight of your vacation.
Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival
The Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival takes place every year in late July in the spectacular mountain town of Crested Butte. Not only can you enjoy some of the most impressive landscapes on the planet, but the chance to sip fine wines, meet winemakers and sommeliers, attend a variety of wine-focused seminars, and even a James Beard Celebrity Chef tour dinner. The Grand Tasting is the main event and features over 500 wines selected from 25 wineries and distributors, food demonstrations and more. Of course, while you’re here you can also enjoy the myriad of outdoor adventures in the area, from hiking and mountain biking to float rides, fishing and thrilling kayaking trips on the Taylor, Gunnison or East River.
Hot Air Balloon Rodeo, Steamboat Springs
If you can get out of bed early on vacation, you can experience one of Steamboat Springs’ most breathtaking locations at one of the largest balloon festivals in the state. It hosts a massive colorful ascension that is scheduled every morning during the event, filling the almost always brilliant blue skies with an impressive array of elaborate balloons. After the balloons are launched into the air, you can enjoy an on-site coffee and breakfast with one of the local vendors and attend the annual Art in the Park event at West Lincoln Park which features arts and crafts, performances and an interactive area for children.
Greeley Stampede
One of Colorado’s most famous and largest summer festivals, the Greeley Stampede dates back to the 1800s and includes rodeos, carnival, Western art show, demolition derby, food, shopping, and more to celebrate the state’s Western culture. It is billed as the largest 4th of July event in the country and spans two weekends, which will be held from 23 June to 4 July. In addition to a pro-rodeo there are rodeos and bulls for kids, as well as a full range of free theatrical performances, country concerts and classic rock. Greeley Stampede was even inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Vail International Dance Festival
This summer dance celebration takes place annually for two weeks from late July to mid-August, from 29 July to 12 August. It features a wide range of dance forms and has a world-renowned reputation that attracts numerous prestigious artists such as the MOVES of New York ballet, BalletX, Martha Graham Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dane Company, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Royal Ballet stars, New York City Ballet, America Ballet Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Hamburg Ballet and Dance Theater in Harlem. This is your chance to see those amazing “Dancing with the Stars” moves in person in scenic outdoor locations.
Breckenridge Wine Festival
This fun Breckenridge Wine Festival hosts a variety of experiences in the city, in the mountains, in restaurants and classrooms. Picturesque Main Street is full of fun that includes live music, an arts and crafts fair, rubber duck competitions, food vendors, and a chance to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of food and wine. Meet the master sommeliers, cooks and winemakers and wine and have lunch during the peak of the area’s famous autumn colors.
Taste of Colorado
A Taste of Colorado is held over Labor Day weekend at Civic Center Park in Denver. Here, thousands of revelers gather to celebrate the end of summer and sample some of Colorado’s most delicious food. This is a great way to discover some of the state’s best cuisines, browse menus, and sample samples from over 50 restaurants. Watch cooking demonstrations, dance to music with live performances offered on six stages, and check out or purchase some of the impressive artwork in nearly 300 booths in the arts and crafts market.
Colorado State Fair and Rodeo
Colorado State Fair will run from August 25 to September 4 and offers the opportunity to indulge in your favorite deep-fried foods like deep-fried Snickers and other unique and decadent treats, as well as watch raging bulls, opposing broncos, and barrel-cowgirls racing at the Rodeo Arena in Budweiser. It also hosts live concerts, taste tests at Foam Fest, where attendees can sample some of the state’s newest and best craft beers, as well as watch exciting competitions, livestock and horse shows, enjoy carnival rides and games, and much more.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend Labor Day in the Rockies, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival is hosted for three days east of Aspen at Snowmass Town Park in Snowmass. The grand finale of the summer season features popular music, R&B, rock, funk, blues and soul and has included big names like Steely Dan, Lenny Kravitz and the Zac Brown Band that is sure to have you standing up and dancing in the high sun share of Colorado.