This is your comprehensive guide to spring festivals West of 105. With over 30 amazing festivals, pencil them in now. Check back for our summer festival guide in May.
1. Crane Days | Eckert
March 15 - 17, 2019
Monte Vista Crane Festival (pictured above) may have passed but you still have an opportunity to spot this mass sandhill crane migration. Eckert Crane Days festival takes place from May 15 to 17 between 9 am and 11 am each day with viewing stations set up that have scopes and binoculars courtesy of the Black Canyon Audubon Society.
2. Durango Bach Festival | Durango
March 17 - 23, 2019
Lovers of Bach will be delighted during this week-long festival that celebrates the classical composer. The week will consist of student recitals, catered lunches, mid-week concerts and wraps up with a grand finale.
3. Aspen Cares | Aspen
March 28, 2019
Benefiting the Aspen Hope Center, whose mission is to extend a beacon of hope to those in an emotional crisis, the Aspen Cares gala fashion show combines fashion, dance and music into a night of entertainment and charity. High-end fashion meets streetwear to present on-trend fashion for Aspen and beyond.
4. BigWonderful Beerfest | Winter Park
March 30, 2019
Bundle up and head to Winter Park Resort later this month to listen to some bluegrass from The Lil Smokies and Woodshed Red as well as enjoy unlimited beer and cider samples from 10 local companies. There will also be more than two dozen Colorado makers featuring a wide range of outdoor apparel, locally made jewelry, hot sauces and more.
5. Aspen Shortsfest | Aspen & Carbondale
April 2 - 7, 2019
Aspen Film will once again bring top international filmmaking talent to both Aspen and Carbondale for this festival that explores a range of themes through a series of 12 programs that feature the newest and most innovative works of short-form cinema. This year’s program includes 69 films, guest filmmakers and industry experts at Q&As, panels and receptions.
6. Taste of Vail | Vail
April 3 - 6, 2019
With beautiful Vail Ski Resort as the backdrop, Taste of Vail offers four days of seminars, amazing food and, of course, plenty of fantastic wines to be sampled! Highlights include the American Lamb Cook-off and the Grand Tasting and Auction.
7. The Apres Music Festival |
Aspen, Buttermilk
April 5 - 7, 2019
The Après is a brand new three-day music and mountain festival that will be held on the snow at the base of Buttermilk. The festival will kick off with Umphrey’s McGee on Friday followed by back-to-back nights of jamming with The String Cheese Incident. Take to the slopes Saturday and Sunday and catch Après on the mountain.
8. Breckenridge Beer Festival | Breckenridge
April 6, 2019
More than 45 breweries will be on hand pouring tastings of brews of all kinds. There is also a VIP experience on offer that includes entry into the tasting event, an indoor private seating area, a catered lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm with snacks after, full pours and limited edition beers as well as other perks. Proceeds will benefit The Cycle Effect, a nonprofit that empowers young women through mountain biking to achieve brighter futures and build stronger communities.
9. Estes Park Bigfoot Days | Estes Park April 12-13, 2019
This debut festival promises two days of bigfoot mania that kicks off with a bigfoot-themed dinner and live music on Friday. Saturday offers a five-mile run and the main event where 30 vendors and food trucks, a beer garden and live music come together to entertain while a Q&A, bigfoot slideshow and a bigfoot tour will be on offer. The weekend culminates in a bigfoot party.
10. Durango Bluegrass Meltdown | Durango
April 12 - 14, 2019
In its 25th year, the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown will have music from top bluegrass performers including Junior Sisk and Friends, The Larry Keel Experience, Songs from the Road Band, John Reischman, the Jaybirds and more. There will also be jam sessions where you can play with other musicians.
11. Cardboard Classic | Steamboat Springs
April 13, 2019
Using only cardboard, glue, paint, tape, string and decorations, participants must construct sleds and race down Stampede run in this fun end-of-season activity which is now in its 39th year.
12. 5Point Adventure Film Festival | Carbondale
April 25 - 28, 2019
Started in 2007, 5Point offers four days of short films, engaging conversations, art, various performances, panel discussions and much more. The 12th edition of the festival will also celebrate 10 years of the 5Point Dream Project, a scholarship program for local high school students.
13. Pints and Pools Craft Beer Fest | Pagosa Springs
April 27, 2019
A unique event that fuses soaking with beer tasting, Pints and Pools takes place at he Springs Resort & Spa. Guests soak in the 23 geothermal soaking pools then don their robes to take part in the beer tasting at 3 pm which will feature over 50 brews from local and regional breweries. There will also be food trucks and music.
14. Durango Wine Experience | Durango
May 2 - 4, 2019
The 13th annual wine fest will showcase not only award-winning wines, but also spirits and beers. The festival is a multi-location, downtown Durango tasting event that takes place on Friday and Saturday. The grand tasting is on the last day.
15. OHV Adventure Rally | Rangely
May 2 - 5, 2019
The new Rangely Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Adventure Rally is the perfect event for travelers looking for a unique trail riding experience this spring. The event will feature almost a dozen trails for free-riding as well as guided rides and an OHV Rodeo where riders can participate in speed and tactical challenges to win prizes.
16. Montana Fishing Film Festival |
Basalt & Breckenridge
May 3 - 4, 2019
It’s no secret that Colorado offers some of the best fly fishing around. So it should come as no surprise that there is a film festival devoted to this popular sport. This fairly new annual community event is now in its sixth year and showcases fly fishing films from the Rocky Mountain region.
17. Fruita Fat Tire Festival | Fruita
May 3 - 5, 2019
Kick-off mountain biking season in Colorado’s premier mountain biking destination. Festival-goers come together to celebrate all things bikes with demos, product expos, downtown block parties and competitions.
18. Estes Park Duck Race Festival | Estes Park
May 4, 2019
The Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival has been a fundraising tradition since 1989 and has raised more than $2.4 million for local charities and groups. People “adopt” little yellow ducks, choose a charity from a list of dozens and then watch as they race down the Fall River in Estes Park. Prizes are awarded to the winners.
19. Love Your Valley Festival | Ridgway
May 11, 2019
Now in its 23rd year, the Love Your Valley Festival brings together live music from A Mac & The Height, a beer tasting as well as food options. The event is free to attend, but the beer tasting, which takes place from from 1 pm - 6 pm, is $20. Proceeds benefit the free summer concert music series that takes place in Ridgway Town Park every week during July.
20. Ute Mountain Mesa Verde Birding Festival | Cortez
May 8 - 12, 2019
Hosted by the Cortez Cultural Center, the festival’s tours, which include new and repeat favorites, explore an array of birding hotspots that attract avian species from loons and grebes to sparrows and grosbeaks. There will also be lectures, social hours, a bird-themed art show and a banquet.
21. Montrose Wine & Food Festival | Montrose
May 17 - 18, 2019
The leading annual fundraiser for the Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club, the Montrose Wine & Food festival has been running since 2004. This year’s festival promises plenty of tasty dishes alongside a range of equally delicious wines.
22. One Vibration | Hesperus
May 17 - 19, 2019
The two-night, three-day festival features electronic music and art. The third edition will include dozens of musical performers, including AU5, Buku, Kiva and Vibesquad among many others.
23. Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival |
Beaver Creek
May 24 - 26, 2019
Beaver Creek Resort ends spring with the 16th annual Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival over Memorial Day weekend. Celebrating Colorado’s best brews and Kansas City’s best barbecue, the festival also includes live music.
24. CKS PaddleFest | Buena Vista
May 24–27, 2019
CKS Paddlefest welcomes summer with a weekend of on-water activities, demos and workshops. There will be professional and amateur kayak and SUP competitions, fitness and yoga workshops, live music and beer gardens.
25. Taste of Creede | Creede
May 24 - 27, 2019
The 31st annual Taste of Creede food festival will showcase local art and cuisine in the town’s historic downtown. Chefs compete for the Silver Chef crown and artists take part in a ‘quick draw’ event that will see them create a work of art in 60 minutes, after which the pieces will be auctioned off.
26. Grand Old West Day | Craig
May 24 - 27, 2019
Taking place over Memorial Day weekend, the Grand Old West Day festival happens at several locations in town and includes a horse show, parade, carnival, live music, food and games.
27. Mountainfilm | Telluride
May 24 - 27, 2019
One of the longest-running film festivals in the state, Mountainfilm has been entertaining and educating audiences since 1979. On top of selected film screenings there will also be guest presentations, conversations, book signings, parties and music. The aim of the festival is to ignite social change through the power of film and the arts.
28. Durango Blues Train | Durango to Silverton
May 31 - June 1, 2019
Organized by the same folks that are responsible for the epic Tellurides Blues and Brew Festival, the Durango Blues Train is a unique way to experience the joy of blues music and the stunning Colorado scenery at the same time.
29. Mike the Headless Chicken Festival | Fruita
May 31 - June 1, 2019
This festival is dedicated to the amazing story of one chicken’s will to live. Events include a 5k run, a disc golf tournament, wing and peep eating contests, live music, delicious food and artisan booths. This is surely one of the most unique Colorado festivals.
30. Burning Can | Lyons
May 31 - June 2, 2019 (main event June 1, camping May 31 and June 1)
Organized by Oskar Blues, Burning Can brings together around 100 breweries, two nights of camping, sporting events (for both four- and two-legged creatures) and music for a weekend of classic Colorado fun. The beer relay is, we're told, not to be missed.
31. Telluride Balloon Festival | Telluride
May 31 - June 2, 2019
Now in its 36th year, the balloon festival offers sunrise balloon viewing from Telluride’s beautiful Town Park. The sunset glow, an evening event that offers a slightly different experience, takes place on Main Street. There is also a ballooning workshop.
32. Campout for the Cause | Buena Vista
May 31 - June 2, 2019
The 11th annual edition of this event will see Billy Strings and the California Honeydrops, among others, perform. There will also be daily yoga and wellness classes among other things. With 100 percent of the profits going to humanitarian causes, Campout for the Cause is a good way to have fun and feel good at the same time.
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