“The tans will fade but the memories will last forever” Author Unknown
June 20th, 2016 is officially the first day of the summer season and to officially kick-off summer, we have listed the most unique summer festivals 2016 Colorado!
Psst… this guide lists various types of festivals, if you are interested in strictly music festivals, then check out the Colorado Summer Music Festivals 2016 guide and the Free Summer Concerts in Denver 2016 guide!
The Most Unique Summer Festivals 2016 Colorado
Festivals listed in chronological order
FREDRICK IN FLIGHT
Photograph by ©Town of Frederick
When: Friday, June 24th through Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Where: Centennial Park, 630 Eighth St, Frederick, CO 80530. Psst… it’s only 40 minutes from Denver!
Cost: Free
Fredrick in Flight, hosted by the Town of Frederick, is a festival celebrating the many forms of flight in June with a hot air balloon lift, glow party, and tons of fun for the whole family! The Glow Party will take place on Saturday evening from 6pm–10pm at Centennial Park and will feature live music, food vendors, beer and wine garden, kids activities, and hot air balloons candle-sticking and glowing (weather permitting). In addition, Carbon Valley Relay for Life will host their silent auction in the beer garden.
SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
When: Friday, June 24th through Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Where: Bond Park, MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Cost: Free
The Scandinavian Midsummer Festival‘s goal is to entertain and educate the public about Scandinavian traditions and culture and provide a place for those of Scandinavian descent to gather and share their heritage. The festival will include Scandinavian Music, Dance, Crafts and Food vendors, Fjellborg Vikings, Cultural & Lefse Demonstrations, Children’s crafts – flower crowns & dala horse painting, Beer Korg, Saab & Volvo auto show, a Silent Auction and a Raffle.
DENVER TACO FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Denver Taco Festival
When: Saturday, June 25th & Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Where: Glitter Dome Event Center, 3600 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80216
Cost: General Admission $10–$12, VIP $60 Purchase tickets at: denvertacofestival.com
The Denver Taco Festival is headed into its 3rd year! The festival features Denver’s best local music, dancing, tequila and margaritas. But really, It’s all about the TACOS. The festival showcase some the best independent food trucks, taco specialists and restaurants in Colorado, all in a festive atmosphere in the heart of Downtown Denver.
Along with all that they will have great live music, Lucha Libre Wrestling, High Speed Daredevil Chihuahua Racing and more.
COORS LIGHT SOUTH PLATTE RIVERFEST
Photograph by ©The Greenway Foundation
When: Saturday, June 25th & Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Where: Confluence Park, 2250 15th St, Denver, CO 80202
Cost: Free
The Coors Light South Platte RiverFest is Denver’s premier urban River Festival, benefiting The Greenway Foundation, and includes events such as Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)/ Kayak/ Tube Races and SUP Showcases. Other activities include free stand up paddle board demos, a variety of riverside recreational activities, a kids zone, live music, beer, food vendors, and more.
SAND IN THE CITY FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Arvada Chamber of Commerce
When: Saturday, June 25th & Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Where: Ralston Park, W 64th Ave & Simms St, Arvada, CO 80004
Cost: Adults $5, Children 12 and Under are Free.
Arvada Chamber of Commerce‘s 4th Annual Sand in the City Festival is Colorado’s premier beach party, expected to attract 15,000+ visitors this year. See giant sand sculptures, enjoy local food & artisan vendors, a kid zone with buried treasure, live music, craft beer, & more. A portion of all proceeds from Sand in the City will benefit the Jeffco Schools Foundation.
DONKEY DERBY DAYS
Photograph by ©Visit Cripple Creek
When: Saturday, June 25th & Sunday, June 26th, 2016
Where: Cripple Creek City Center, Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813.
Cost: Free
Donkey Derby Days is a chance to watch a race inspired by the town’s resident donkey herd and also includes games, live entertainment, heritage competitions and other fun family activities. Donkey Derby Days is held over two days and is completely free to attend, you can even bring your furry friends with you and enroll them in dog show competitions that include prizes.
Psst… Donkey Derby Days was also featured in our article 11 Things To Do Outdoors This Summer In Colorado You Shouldn’t Miss!
GREEN BOX ARTS FESTIVAL
Art by ©Patrick Dougherty. Photograph Courtesy of ©Green Box Arts Festival
When: Saturday, June 25th through Monday, July 4th, 2016
Where: Various locations in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado.
Cost: Free
The Green Box Arts Festival provide artists and visitors with an opportunity to nurture the creative process and explore new artistic directions in the natural beauty of Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. The festival seeks to celebrate today’s innovative creators. Events include Arts, Jewelry, Photography, Music, Yoga, Quilting Dance and more.
COLORADO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Photograph Courtesy of ©Colorado Renaissance Festival
When: Weekends – June: 25th–26th, July: 2nd–3rd, 9th–10th, 16th–17th, 23rd–24th, 30th–31st, August: 6th–7th, 2016
Where: Larkspur, 650 West Perry Park Ave, Larkspur, CO 80118. Psst… Larkspur is only 30 minutes from Denver!
Cost: Adults $20.50 online/$22 at the door, Children (5–12) $9 online/$10 at the door & Children ages 5 and under are Free. Purchase online tickets at: coloradorenaissance.com/tickets.
The Colorado Renaissance Festival, Colorado’s premier summertime event, is a thematic recreation of a 16th Century village and marketplace set in the picturesque mountain venue of “Larkspurshire”, just south of Denver. Hundreds of colorfully costumed characters entertain continuously upon the village streets and on the Festivals 10 stages, performing 60 shows daily. More than 200 period artisans sell their one-of-a-kind works and demonstrate their ancient craft along the shaded streets and pathways. Tantalizing medieval delicacies and the finest ales and beverages entice the palette and satisfy the heartiest of appetites.
Psst… Check out our featured article about this festival!
HOPS & HARLEY
Photograph by ©Emily Sierra. Courtesy of ©Hops & Harley
When: Saturday, June 25th, 2016
Where: Fickel Park, N 7th St, Berthoud, CO 80513. Psst… Berthoud is only 45 min away from Denver!
Cost: Free
The 4th Annual Hops and Harley at Fickel Park in downtown Berthoud, CO, is a dog friendly community event that benefits National Mill Dog Rescue and features craft beer, live music, food trucks, the Brewery Dogs Beer Tasting, vendors, kids activities, dog agility course, and more.
JUN IN JUNE: A HONEY OF A FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, June 25th, 2016
Where: Everitt Farms, 9400 W Alameda Ave, Lakewood, CO 80226
Cost: $20 in advance ($30 at the door). Purchase tickets in advance at: JovialConcepts.org/junfestival
The JUN IN JUNE: A Honey Of A Festival, a festival collaborated between Everitt Farms & Jun Key SuperFoods Co-op, will celebrate honey, sustainable living, urban farming and gardening. Enjoy organic food, organic probiotic JUN and other organic beverages while listening to live music and sipping on an organic cocktail.
Psst… Check out our featured article about this festival!
COLORADO BURLESQUE FESTIVAL
When: Thursday, July 7th through Sunday, July 10th, 2016
Where: Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret & Paramount Theatre
Cost: Varies per event $20–60. Purchase tickets at: www.coloradoburlesquefestival.com
The Colorado Burlesque Festival is a full-length burlesque extravaganza that commemorates the American traditions of live variety shows featuring award-winning performers from all over the globe. The festival includes five action-packed shows featuring the best of the best in burlesque, after-parties, performer networking bashes, classes from burlesque experts, a “hangover” brunch and bazaar and more.
DENVER’S BIERGARTEN FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Denver’s Biergarten Festival
When: Friday, July 8th through Sunday, July 10th, 2016
Where: 17832 CO-8, Morrison, CO 80465
Cost: $5 Adults Daily Pass, $3 Children (12–5), Free for Children 5 and Under
Purchase tickets at: www.biergartenfest.com
Denver’s Biergarten Festival is family-friendly cultural event that offers traditional German food, entertainment, live music, dance groups and of course, beer. The event is open to the public and provides an atmosphere of German summer family time together, reminiscent of the times families spent in the Biergartens throughout Germany. The event will offer several games and activities for the children.
COLORADO BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Colorado Black Arts Festival
When: Friday, July 8th through Sunday, July 10th, 2016
Where: City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205
Cost: Free
Celebrate the 30th Annual Colorado Black Arts Festival showcasing the rich and creative talents of local, regional, and national African-Americans in art and culture. The three-day event will feature three performing stages filled with dance, jazz, blues, soul, reggae, gospel, traditional African drum and dance.
This is a family friendly event with programming and activities for the entire family. Festival highlights include visual artists, Watu Sakoni Marketplace, Art Garden, Children’s Pavilion, Health Highway, Food Court and Friday’s YouthFest. The Saturday morning Boogaloo Celebration Parade is a crowd favorite as it is a colorful and exciting street celebration.
COLORADO LAVENDER FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Colorado Lavender Festival
When: Friday, July 8th through Sunday, July 10th, 2016
Where: Palisade Memorial Park,
Cost: Free
The Colorado Lavender Festival will feature over 30 vendors selling assorted lavender products as well as a host of bath & body products, artisans, and jewelry, food vendors, demonstrations, seminars, workshops and guided tours.
COLORADO IRISH FESTIVAL
When: Friday, July 8th through Sunday, July 10th, 2016
Where: Clement Park, 7306 Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123
Cost: General Admission $10–$16, VIP $30–$75, Free for Children 12 and Under. Purchase tickets at: coloradoirishfestival.com/tickets
The Colorado Irish Festival celebrates all that is Green. This eclectic gathering of tens of thousands is known throughout the west for its outrageous display of kilts and bagpipes; Gaelic sports and Irish step dancing; and the best Irish rock and classic music this side of the Emerald Isle. The 2016 line up promises to be a memorable weekend of great entertainment.
CRESTED BUTTE WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL
Photograph Courtesy of ©Gunnison – Crested Butte
When: Monday, July 11th through Saturday, July 23rd, 2016
Where: Festival Headquarters is located at Crested Butte Community School, 818 Red Lady Ave, Crested Butte, CO 81224
Cost: Varies depends on event chosen. Register for events at: www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com.
The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival began in 1986 through the efforts of a few insightful Crested Butte locals who envisioned a wildflower celebration in one of the most picturesque valleys in Colorado. The Festival has grown into a summer-long season with over 300 events offered by over 60 instructors, tour guides and volunteers. Events include hikes and walks, jeep tours, garden tours, and workshops in photography, art, gardening, cooking, medicinals and botany.
ANNUAL ONE NATION POWWOW
Photograph by ©Annual One Nation Powwow
When: Saturday, July 16th, 2016
Where: Mortgage Solutions Financial EXPO Center, 3650 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Cost: Adults $4, Children 12 and Under are Free.
The 8th Annual One Nation Powwow, sponsored by One Nation Walking Together, is a family-friendly event that celebrates Native history and culture. The events features Native drums and dancers, Native art and artisans, Diné (Navajo) Code Talkers, live wolf and birds of prey exhibits, Aztec Dancers, Native vendors and Native food, such as Indian tacos and fry bread.
DENVER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, July 23rd, 2016
Where: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Cost: Free
The Mile High City is home to more than 2 million Denver locals representing hundreds of countries and cultures from around the world. The Denver International Festival is a celebration of the best traditional food, music and art from our own backyard. Come dance, eat, drink and play and in the heart of Denver at Civic Center Park.
COLORADO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
When: Saturday, July 30th & Sunday, July 31st, 2016
Where: Sloan’s Lake Park, 1700 N Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80212
Cost: Free
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF) is a free family-friendly festival highlighting Colorado’s rich Asian Pacific American heritage at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver. A window to the Pan Asian world, this diverse festival is the only one of its kind in the United States. It showcases an array of traditional and contemporary performing arts, cultural customs, cuisine and a marketplace of unique and hard-to-find arts, crafts and vendors, in addition to two days of action packed dragon boat racing.
DENVER YOGA FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Denver Yoga Festival
When: Thursday, August 4th through Sunday, August 7th, 2016
Where: Union Station Plaza, Oxford Hotel, Oxford Club Spa & Salon, Denver Beer Co. & Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Cost: Varies. Purchase tickets at: www.denveryogafestival.com/buytickets
Denver Yoga Festival‘s mission is to create a community for everyone who is interested in yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, while also acting as a springboard for the careers of incredible yoga professionals. They are hosting an inclusive event with an exclusive feel, so participants can expect to mix and mingle with their favorite teachers, enjoy intimate conversations about the big picture of yoga in our society, as well as laugh and cry on their mats with friends and family.
The festival will include Asana, lectures and mediation, authentic and unique experiences like yoga brunch, tea time and meditation, yoga on Coors Field, FREE kids camp, outdoor adventures, panel discussions on the state of yoga, yoga fashion show, vendor spotlights on health & wellness, live music & dance parties, and three pre-festival workshops including Reiki Certification, Adaptive Yoga Certification and Embody YOU: A Journey into Wholeness and more.
COLORADO SCOTTISH FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Colorado Scottish Festival
When: Friday, August 5th through Sunday, August 7th, 2016
Where: 2835 Brush Creek Rd, Snowmass Village, CO 81615
Cost: Free
The Colorado Scottish Festival, sponsored by St. Andrew Society of Colorado & Snowmass Village, will feature a Professional Piping Competition, a Hot Piping and Drumming Contest, Solo piping and drumming competitions, Pipe band competitions, Whiskey tastings, Highland Dance competitions, Colorful Clans, Celtic music and dance, Celtic food and vendors, MacKiddie games, concerts and more.
DENVER BEER OLYMPICS FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Denver Beer Olympics
When: Saturday, August 6th, 2016
Where: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Cost: $75 per person or $300 for the team. Register at: www.denverbeerolympics.org/registration
The Denver Beer Olympics Festival is a non-profit organization that raises money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The main event will host fun, but fierce beer-drinking events to test the skill and drinking ability of any who are willing to take the challenge. The teams are co-ed and participation is mandatory. Points are awarded to your team based upon how well you do in each event. There will be a bit of strategy in picking your events, some events require all four team members to participate, others are just two.
The team with the most points after all of the events will be the Champion. In the event of a tie, a surprise tie-breaker event will be used to determine a winner. There will be a prize for the first, second, and third place teams to be named later.
LOVELAND OLD FASHIONED CORN ROAST FESTIVAL
Photograph by ©Visit Loveland
When: Friday, August 19th & Saturday, August 20th, 2016
Where: Downtown Loveland, W 4th St & Railroad Ave, Loveland, CO 80537
Cost: Free
The Loveland Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival will include a parade, corn shucking contest, delicious boiled and roasted corn and live entertainment for all ages. “May the Corn Be With You” is this year’s theme that will be tied throughout event festivities including the Corn Roast Festival parade. The Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival offers family fun, adventure, entertainment and interactive activities.
HIGH PLAINS COMEDY FESTIVAL
When: Thursday, August 25th through Saturday, August 27th, 2016
Where: Paramount Theatre, Mutiny Information Cafe, The Hi-Dive & 3 Kings Tavern
Cost: Varies. Headlining Shows start from $40, VIP Passes $100–$120. Purchase tickets at: www.highplainscomedyfestival.com/tickets
The High Plains Comedy Festival is a three-day festival in Denver that features the world’s best performers both in the historic South Broadway district and in the culminating show of the 2016 festival: Garfunkel & Oates at Paramount Theatre with special guests Kyle Kinane and Cameron Esposito.
COLORADO CIDER & BEER CIRCUS
Photograph by ©Colorado Cider & Beer Circus
When: Friday, August 26th & Sunday, August 27th, 2016
Where: Copper Mountain Resort, 209 Ten Mile Cir, Frisco, CO 80443
Cost: Big Top Cheese Pairing $25, Colorado Cider & Beer Circus $35 and Up, Circus Sunset 5K $25. Purchase tickets at: cidercircus.com
The Colorado Cider & Beer Circus brings a unique element to a cider and beer tasting with amazing entertainers including jugglers, aerial arts and more. Family Entertainment can be found at the ‘Cider Circus’. They’ll have cider-making demonstrations, kids crafts and great food provided by Copper Mountain’s incredible selection of restaurants.
This festival will also include the Big Top Cheese Pairing event and a Circus Sunset 5K event.
A TASTE OF COLORADO
Photograph by ©A Taste of Colorado
When: Friday, September 2nd through Monday, September 5th, 2016
Where: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Cost: Free
A Taste of Colorado, taking place at Civic Center Park over Labor Day Weekend, will feature more than 50 of Colorado’s favorite restaurants and food establishments that will gather at the Festival, featuring small portions to full meals. Discover ethnic specialties or indulge in your traditional favorites. An elegant Fine Dining Area is showcased, highlighting gourmet cuisine from renowned chefs and offering daily cooking demonstrations.
Live music will be available on six different stages, arts, crafts, carnival rides, games, play equipment, a great variety of free, hands-on craft activities, plus plenty of music, magic, clowns and puppets on the KidzStage.
FISE WORLD DENVER – USA
Photograph by ©Fise
When: Saturday, September 3rd through Monday, September 5th, 2016
Where: Metropolitan State University & Sculpture Park
Cost: Free
FISE World Denver – USA will take place over Labor Day weekend, and will feature the disciplines of skateboarding, BMX and flatland competitions, both for amateurs and professionals. Metropolitan State University of Denver and Downtown Denver’s Sculpture Park will play host to the extreme sports competition, which is expected to be broadcast in more than 50 countries and draw thousands of spectators.
Food, Wine & Beer Festivals Summer 2016 Colorado | The Denver Ear
July 3, 2016 at 5:36 pm[…] we’ve listed the Most Unique Summer Festivals, Summer Music Festivals, Free Summer Concerts and Where to Watch Outdoor Movies. Now it’s […]