Winter’s (almost) over. Although there’s a small chance of a stray snowstorm or two in the Colorado Rockies, now’s the perfect time to plan your summer getaway to the myriad of music festivals held throughout the summer. Denver’s City Jazz Park produces 10 free jazz concerts each summer in the City Park, Boulder hosts the annual Colorado Music Festival, and Grand Junction hosts Country Jam. Take a look at this list of over 20 music festivals in Colorado, many of which are free or low cost. From contemporary to bluegrass, find a music festival that’s right for you.
Denver Summertime Traditions
City Park Jazz Festival
Ten jazz concerts are free to the public and thousands of fans flock each year to the City Park to take in music, food trucks, and other park activities.
When: Sunday’s from first of June until August. Emma Mayes & The Hip leads off the event on June 2nd.
Where: City Park, 1600 CITY PARK ESPLANADE, DENVER, CO 80206
Spread the Word Colorado Music Festival
When: May 17-19, 2019
Where: Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
Juneteenth Music Festival
When: June 15-16, 2019
Where: 2720 Welton St, Denver, CO 80205
Westword Music Showcase
When: June 29, 2019
Where: Golden Triangle, 1080-1098 Acoma St, Denver, CO 80204
Global Dance Festival
When: July 19-20, 2019
Where: Broncos (Mile-High) Stadium, 1701 Bryant St, Denver, CO 80204
Underground Music Showcase
Last year’s lineup included over 100 national and local bands who performed at over the 20 indoor venues and four outdoor stages.
When: July 26-28, 2019
Where: Held on Broadway Street in Denver, the main stage is between W. Ellsworth Ave and W. Bayaud Ave.
A Taste of Colorado is a free, three-day outdoor festival
When: Labor Day Weekend, August 31-September 2, 2019
Where: Denver’s Civic Center Park, Colfax and, Bannock St, Denver, CO 80202
Looking for a picturesque outdoor venue in Denver? Check these out.
Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater in Greenwood Village. Address: 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Levitt Pavilion in Denver. Address: 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver, CO 80223
Jeep Summer Concert Seasons at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison. Address: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Additional 2019 Music Festivals in Colorado by Genre
Rock
RIDE Festival
Around since 2012, the festival has a variety of talent including Pearl Jam, Sheryl Crow, Grace Potter, and others.
When: July 12-14, 2019
Where: Town Park, 500 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
Electronic or Alternative Music
Sonic Bloom Festival
Colorado’s premier electronic music festival at Hummingbird Ranch
When: June 20-23, 2019
Where: Hummingbird Ranch in Spanish Peaks Country — 732 Co Rd 653, Rye, CO 81069
Bohemian Nights Music Festival
Free, three-day music festival held each August in historic downtown Fort Collins
When: August 9-11, 2019
Where: Downtown Fort Collins, 19 Old Town Square, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Celtic Music Festivals
Pikes Peak Celtic Festival
The festival has world-renowned Celtic rock groups in addition to the sound of bagpipes and Irish dancers.
When: June 14-16, 2019
Where: 250 S Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Spanish Peaks International Celtic Music Festival
Annual Celtic Music Festival and four-day retreat in Huerfano County in Colorado led by international artists and teachers.
When: 19-22, 2019
Where: 300 S Main St, La Veta, CO 81055
Bluegrass / Country / Folk Festivals
Folk N’Bluegrass Festival
When: June 7-9, 2019
Where: 320 Hot Springs Blvd, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Country Jam Music Festival
When: June 13-16, 2019
Where: 1065 Old US Hwy 6 & 50, Loma, CO 81524
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival
When: June 14-16, 2019
Where: 451 Pendleton St., Palisade, CO 81526
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
When: June 20-23, 2019
Where: Telluride, CO (check website for further details)
Colorado Prairie Music Festival
When: June 22, 2019
Where: 33747 County Rd 2W, Hugo, CO 80821
Central Rockies Old-Time Music Association
When: July 10-14, 2019
Where: 15722 Parrish Ranch Rd, Berthoud, CO 80513
Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival
When: July 19-20, 2019
Where: 101 Idaho Springs Road East, Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Rockygrass Festival
Converge under the red rock cliffs of the St. Vrain River and listen to bluegrass legends.
When: July 26-28, 2019
Where: 500 W Main St, Lyons, CO 80540
Bluegrass and Beer Festival
Keystone brings the wonders of Appalachia to the Rockies with down-home cooking, frothy flavor, and mountain music.
When: August 3-4, 2019
Where: 164 Ida Belle Dr, Keystone, CO 80435
Rocky Mountain Folk Festival
Summer weekend celebrating songs and stories from around the musical and geographic world.
When: August 16-28, 2019
Where: 500 W Main St, Lyons, CO 80540
Seven Peaks Music Festival
Labor Day Weekend of live country music
When: August 30-September 1, 2019
Where: 14822 County Road 350, Buena Vista, CO 81211
Blues / Jazz
Greeley Blues Jam
Two amazing days of non-stop Blues.
When: June 7-8, 2019
Where: 501 N 14th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
JAS has grown from a simple 3-day event in Aspen to a complex set of multi-day festivals in Aspen/Snowmass.
When: June 20-23, 2019
Where: Multiple venues in downtown Aspen, CO
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Blues & Brews is a three-day celebration of music and microbrews.
When: September 13-15, 2019
Where: 500 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, CO 81435
Classical
Bravo! Vail Music Festival
Programming consists of chamber music, classical music, jazz, and pops concerts.
When: Select dates in an outdoor venue at various times throughout the season from June 20-August 4, 2019
Where: 2271 N Frontage Rd W C, Vail, CO 81657
Colorado Music Festival
Six-week summer concert season at Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder showcasing Colorado Music Festival Orchestra
When: June 27-August 3, 2019
Where: 200 E. Baseline Road, Lafayette, CO 80026
Music In the Mountains Classical Music Festival
Annual summer classical music festival located in Durango, with additional performances in other regional towns
When: July 6-28, 2019
Where: Various locations in Durango, CO; check the website for details.
Other
Boulder’s Bands on the Bricks
Outdoor summer concert series in Downtown Boulder has performers from alternatives to classic rock
When: June 5 to August 7, 2019
Where: 1300 Block of the Pearl Street Mall, Boulder, CO 80302
Colorado BBQ Challenge
While not your traditional music festival, this event features multiple bands over 3 days in addition to a cookoff.
When: June 13-15, 2019
Where: 1 Main St Frisco, CO 80443
Crested Butte Music Festival
When: July 2-28, 2019
Where: 523 Riverland Dr, Crested Butte, CO 81224
Aspen Music Festival and School
Offers classical music training to young adult musical students and offers occasional concerts to the public.
When: June 27-August 28, 2019
Where: Varies. Check the website for details
You must be logged in to post a comment.