Colorado is known for its stunning landscapes, picturesque mountain ranges, and endless opportunities for adventure and exploration. However, there’s much more to the Centennial State than meets the eye. It’s also home to some of the most exciting and unique festivals and fairs in the country, celebrating everything from craft beer and music, to food and wine, and even hot air balloons. Here are a few of Colorado’s best festivals and fairs that you definitely shouldn’t miss!
1. Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival is America’s premier beer festival and the largest gathering of beer lovers in the country. Held annually in Denver, Colorado, the festival features over 4,000 different beers from more than 800 American breweries, including plenty of local Colorado breweries. The festival is more than just a beer tasting event though. Attendees can take part in educational seminars and brewery tours, as well as sample some of the country’s best food and enjoy live music.
2. Telluride Bluegrass Festival
The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is a four-day music festival held annually in the beautiful mountain town of Telluride, Colorado. Featuring a lineup of some of the best bluegrass, folk, and roots musicians from around the world, the festival draws thousands of music lovers from across the country. In addition to great music, the festival also offers a variety of workshops, camping and outdoor activities and an incredible atmosphere that makes it one of the most beloved festivals in the country.
3. Colorado State Fair
The Colorado State Fair is an annual celebration of all things Colorado, held in Pueblo, Colorado every summer. The fair features a wide range of attractions and events, including live music, parades, rodeos, carnival games and rides, agricultural exhibits and contests, and so much more. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of traditional fair foods, including corn dogs, funnel cakes, and deep-fried everything.
4. Winter Park Jazz Festival
The Winter Park Jazz Festival is an annual event held every summer in the picturesque mountain town of Winter Park, Colorado. The two-day festival features performances by some of the biggest names in jazz, funk, and R&B, along with a variety of food and drink vendors offering the best of Colorado cuisine. The festival also offers a variety of other activities, including yoga and dance classes, art exhibits, and more.
5. Colorado Balloon Classic
The Colorado Balloon Classic is a Labor Day weekend tradition in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The festival features a variety of hot air balloons, including some of the most creative and unique balloons in the world. Visitors can watch the balloons take off and soar above the mountains, or even take a ride in one of the balloons themselves. The festival also offers food vendors, live music, and other activities for the whole family.
6. Taste of Colorado
The Taste of Colorado is an annual food and music festival held in downtown Denver over Labor Day weekend. The festival features over 50 food vendors offering a variety of cuisines from around the world, along with live music performances from both local and national artists. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of other activities, including art exhibits, carnival rides, and more.
7. Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering
The Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering is an annual celebration of the cowboy way of life, held every fall in the historic mountain town of Durango, Colorado. The festival features performances by some of the best cowboy poets and musicians in the country, telling tales of the Wild West and celebrating the traditions of the cowboy life. Visitors can also take part in workshops and other events celebrating the cowboy lifestyle.
8. Breckenridge Wine Classic
The Breckenridge Wine Classic is an annual celebration of wine, held every fall in the beautiful mountain town of Breckenridge, Colorado. The festival features tastings and seminars from some of the country’s best wineries, as well as a variety of food vendors offering the best of local Colorado cuisine. Visitors can also participate in outdoor activities, including hiking and biking, and enjoy live music performances.
Don’t Miss Out on the Fun!
Colorado is home to some of the most exciting and unique festivals and fairs in the country, celebrating everything from craft beer and music to food and wine. If you’re planning a trip to Colorado, be sure to check out one of these amazing events and experience all that Colorado has to offer.