From fairs and festivals to burro races and internationally renowned chamber music, there’s lots to do, see and explore in the Centennial State this summer.

The Colorado Music Festival, this year from July 5 through Aug. 4, features world-class musicians from around the globe who travel to Colorado to perform with the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra under the direction of Peter Oundjian. At the Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder, 11 guest artists, two internationally renowned string quartets and three guest conductors will dazzle audiences during 19 performances of world-class orchestral and chamber music.

Calendar of Events

Discover some of the best of Colorado’s summer festivals, exhibits, concerts and more. 

Now–May 5
Space Explorers: The Infinite
Inside Denver’s Stanley Marketplace, observe space and earth like never before during this immersive exhibit inspired by NASA missions. Three-hundred-and-sixty-degree video footage takes you inside the lives of astronauts on the International Space Station and in orbit.

Now–May 17
A Year With Frog and Toad
Author Arnold Lobel’s treasured characters come to life on the stage of the Arvada Center. The adaptation takes young audiences through the four seasons as they, along with cheerful Frog and grumpy Toad, learn about friendship and caring for others.

May 5–Aug. 11
Biophilia: Nature Reimagined
Explore humanity’s desire for connection with nature through this multisensory exhibition that features architecture, fashion, digital installations and immersive spaces at the Denver Art Museum.

May 18
Witchcraft & Wizardry: Murder by Magic
Gather a group of six or less and navigate your way around Colorado Springs to solve an app-based magical murder mystery in this outdoor escape room-style game where it’s okay to don your favorite cape or witch hat and earn a prize for best dressed.

May 24–26
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic
Feel the burn as you race the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge train on your bike along a nearly 50-mile route that crosses two mountain passes.

May 25–26
Denver Arts Festival
This year marks the 25th anniversary of this free arts festival, which features original works by more than 140 Colorado artists, in Denver’s Central Park. Expect to see several different styles of art, including 3-D, furniture and metal.

June 1–3
Kids Adventure Games
Children ages 6 to 17 gather in Highline Lake State Park in Fruita to take on a 3.5-mile adventure race dotted with obstacles, such as ropes courses, a climbing wall, a slip-and-slide, mud and more.

June 6–9
GoPro Mountain Games
Art and music meet adventure sports at this annual festival in Vail where participants compete in mountain biking, slack lining, fishing, kayaking, rafting, disc golf, running, climbing and stand-up paddleboarding.

June 14
Steve Martin and Martin Short: The Dukes of Funnytown
Punchlines and laughter resound within the sandstone walls of Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison when these two internationally revered comedians take the stage. (For AAA Member-exclusive discounts on comedy shows and more, visit AAA.com/Tickets.)

June 15–Aug. 4
Colorado Renaissance Festival
Spend family-fun weekends mid-June to early August in Larkspur dressing in medieval garb and learning how to swing a sword like a knight.

June 19–July 3
Disney’s Frozen
Family date night? This musical could be the perfect Broadway outing at Denver’s Buell Theatre, to watch Anna free her sister, Elsa, from eternal winter. (For AAA Member-exclusive discounts on Broadway shows and more, visit AAA.com/Tickets.)

June 22–23
Denver PrideFest
A 5K run, parade, drag entertainers, dance parties and so much more celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusivity during the 50^th year of Denver Pride. Most events take place in and around Civic Center Park.

June 22–23
Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival
What’s not to love about bacon and bourbon? The two are paired for a sizzling good time in Keystone’s River Run Village, where bacon-filled dishes can be sampled and dozens of bourbons that comprise the TINCUP Whiskey Tour sipped.

June 26–Aug. 18
Aspen Music Festival
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, this renowned show of classical music features more than 300 events.

June 27–30
Telluride Yoga Festival
Perfect your downward dog and focus on inner and physical wellness during this weekend of yoga, meditation, music and hiking—all set against the beautiful backdrop of Telluride’s mountains. 

July 4
Independence Day Celebration
What it lacks in fireworks this year, Breckenridge makes up for with the July 4th Strider Bike Race, a 10K trail run, the Firecracker 50 mountain bike race, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a National Repertory Orchestra concert.

July 4
Star Spangled Symphony & Fourth of July Fireworks
Marvel at Colorado Springs’ fireworks display, said to be one of the best in the nation, set against a backdrop of patriotic songs performed by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

July 11–13
Cattlemen’s Days
Through livestock shows and events like barrel racing, calf roping and bull riding, the “Grandaddy of Colorado Rodeos” in Gunnison honors the traditions of ranching culture.

July 12–14
Colorado Black Arts Festival
Visit historic Denver City Park West for an immersive celebration of African American art, culture and food.

July 12–21
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Kids love flowers and nature, so bring them along to share the Tour of Crested Butte Gardens, the Wildflower ID Walk, the Woods Walk (shady and dotted with tree forts) and the flower-rich Brush Creek hike.

July 19–21
Victor Gold Rush Days
With gold panning, a parade, guided history tours and more, kids will get acquainted with the 130-year gold-mining history of Victor.

July 26–28
Burro Days
Attend the 75th anniversary of Burro Days in Fairplay, where competitors, including kids, race burros, llamas and dogs—and outhouses.

July 27–28
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Families flock to this vibrant celebration of Colorado’s Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities to cheer on favorite dragon boats launched at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver.

Aug. 10
Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon
Raise money for the middle school and high school students of Clear Creek County by participating in one of the state’s oldest half-marathons on a course that runs downhill!

Aug. 8–11
Kids Adventure Race
Children ages 6 to 14 rendezvous in Vail to tackle a 3.5-mile adventure race dotted with 10–12 obstacles.

Aug. 17–18
Pikes Peak Regional Air Show
Colorado Springs is the place to see military planes in action, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and learn about aviation through hands-on activities.

Aug. 23–Sept. 2
Colorado State Fair & Rodeo
Thanks to parades, live music, a carnival, a horse show and funnel cakes galore, families adore this annual event in Pueblo.

Aug. 30–Sept. 1
Four Corners Folk Festival
Pagosa Springs hosts this folk music festival that also includes entertainment just for kids.

Aug. 31–Sept. 2
Labor Day Lift Off
Fingers and eyes lift to the skies to watch roughly 60 hot-air balloons in all colors and some interesting shapes—Darth Vader, anyone?—float above Colorado Springs.

Sept. 15
Open Streets
Fort Collins celebrates its ninth year of family-friendly fitness and wellness on streets open only to pedestrians for this special event.

Sept. 19–21
University of Colorado Boulder Homecoming
Alumni, family and current students come together for a weekend that culminates in the PAC-12’s Buffs versus the Big 12’s Baylor Bears. (For AAA Member-exclusive discounts on football games and more, visit AAA.com/Tickets.)

Sept. 21–22
Rails in the Rockies
Model trains in all gauges take over the Estes Park Events Complex, where youngsters and families gather to play with trains, see Thomas the Tank Engine and develop their model railroading skills.

Sept. 22
Golden Gallop
Start off the school year on the right foot by running the 18th annual Kids Fun Run, 5K and 10K, which help raise money for Golden schools.

Sept. 23–29
University of Northern Colorado Homecoming
Family and friends join their favorite students in this back-to-school tradition filled with mixers, tailgating, reunions and more in Greeley.

Sept. 27–28
La Junta Tarantula Fest
Some might not love this annual foray into hairy arachnids, but kids tend to be fascinated by the tarantula treks that are part of this fun, educational event.

Sept. 28–29
The Lumberjack Festival
Try your arm at ax throwing and saw cutting while your little ones watch a chainsaw carver, attend a lumberjack show, and dance to live bluegrass and country music in Fort Collins.