Top 10 Festivals In Boulder, Colorado

festivals in boulder
Leonora
Leonora 
Updated
| 4 min read

Boulder is a city in the northern part of the state of Colorado, in the western part of the United States of America. Located on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it has been dubbed as the “city between the mountains and reality” and named the happiest city in the country. It is home to the famous University of Colorado and the Flatirons, a striking landmark with its red-brown sandstone formations on the foothills of the city. This destination is considered an active city, where people who love outdoor activities flock to. There are also local celebrations and festivities all year round. Here is a list of the top festivals in Boulder, Colorado, that can make your visit fun and memorable.

1. Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival

Who's ready for the Tulip Fairies and Elves? The event happens April 2nd. Check out the in-depth story about the...

Posted by Downtown Boulder on Thursday, 23 March 2017

Boulder City in Colorado welcomes the coming of spring with Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival. A lovely fairy along with her tiny elves and other helpers parade around Pearl Street to awaken the lovely tulips, which have made Boulder famous all over the world. During the event, around 15,000 tulips bring Pearl Mall Street back to life as they begin to bloom. The sight of small children dressed in lovely and colorful fairy or elf attire and walking on the street is quite spectacular. Parents also come to join the event and have a fun day with their kids.

Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival

Address: Pearl Street Mall, Boulder, CO

Website: Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival

Takes place: April

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2. Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Colorado Shakespeare Festival banner
Source: Photo by user Xnatedawgx used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Visit University of Colorado in Boulder during Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Held every June to August each year, this second-oldest festival dedicated to Shakespeare has attracted audiences from Boulder and beyond. The high-quality performances earned it national recognition. The event celebrates the works of William Shakespeare through theatrical performances of the playwright’s masterpieces. An open theater serves as the venue of these performances, which allows the audience to enjoy the show under the stars. Thousands of Shakespeare fans come to Colorado to witness the yearly festivities.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Address: 1301 Grandview Ave, Boulder, CO

Takes place: June - August

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3. Boulder Arts Week

Posted by Boulder Arts Week on Sunday, 7 January 2018

Boulder Arts Week is a festival that celebrates the artistic talents of many community members of Boulder, Colorado. Events to watch out for are art exhibits; dance, theater, and musical performances; as well as lectures, workshops, and discussions focusing on art. Popular bands and musicians will also perform during the festival. Several stalls selling discounted artworks are a must-visit for art collectors and patrons.

Boulder Arts Week

Address: Boulder, CO

Takes place: March to April

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4. Colorado Music Festival

Posted by Colorado Music Festival on Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Colorado Music Festival is one of the biggest gatherings of local and professional musicians in Boulder, Colorado. The main events are held at Chautauqua Auditorium. The six-week festivities will include a series of concerts by orchestras from other countries, states, and provinces—including Festival Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. Both Family Concert and Lawn Fair are attended by hundreds of families. You can listen to children making music using several instruments, as well as Beethoven’s masterpieces played by professional musicians.

Colorado Music Festival

Address: 900 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO

Website: Colorado Music Festival

Takes place: July to August

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5. Burgundy Wine Festival

Wine tasting
Source: Pixabay

From its name alone, you can expect Burgundy Wine Festival to feature Burgundy, which originates in France. Wine merchants come together to give festival-goers a taste of this famous blend. There are seminars and guided wine tasting where the merits of each variety are discussed. Restaurant owners also feature lunches and dinners that go well with Burgundy. If you are a fan of this wine, you’ll definitely enjoy the event.

Burgundy Wine Festival

Address: 2690 Broadway, Boulder, CO

Website: Burgundy Wine Festival

Takes place: October to November

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6. Boulder International Film Festival

Posted by Boulder International Film Festival on Friday, 23 February 2018

Boulder International Film Festival is considered one of the most recognized film festivals in the USA. It was founded in 2004 and promotes independent films. The event showcases local, national, and international films that have received awards and nominations. Aside from showing the best movies from all over, there are also parties, interviews with celebrities and legendary figures, and live music. Indeed there is always something to suit everyone’s taste at this festival.

Boulder International Film Festival

Address: 2338 Broadway, Boulder, CO

Website: Boulder International Film Festival

Takes place: March

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7. Taste of Pearl [Last event in 2019]

Boulder
Source: Photo by user [Unknown] used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Taste of Pearl is a festival that showcases the best restaurants, chefs, and wineries in Boulder, Colorado. It is considered as one of the most reputable culinary festivals in the state, where 15 restaurants in downtown Boulder are paired with 15 well-known distilleries and wineries in Colorado to give revelers a taste of the mouthwatering dishes and the best-tasting wines in these parts. Visitors eager to try the food and beverages may visit the boutiques and galleries where the samplings are held.

Taste of Pearl

Address: 1942 Broadway #301, Boulder, CO

Website: Taste of Pearl

Takes place: April

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8. Downtown Boulder Fall Fest

And just like that...It's Fall Fest! Join us September 13-15th in Downtown Boulder for live music, beer garden, FREE...

Posted by Downtown Boulder on Saturday, 7 September 2019

Downtown Boulder Fall Fest is one of the favorite community events in Boulder, Colorado. The three-day activity features local food, wine, margaritas, live music, craft stalls, and beer made by independent breweries. Find artistically made objects by around 100 artisans that represent Firefly Handmade Market. It is a family-friendly event, so there are lots of exciting things to see and do for children. Join the residents of Boulder in celebrating the coming of fall through fun activities for people of all ages.

Downtown Boulder Fall Fest

Address: 1942 Broadway #301, Boulder, CO

Website: Downtown Boulder Fall Fest

Takes place: September

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9. Snow Much Fun

Come downtown for Snow Much Fun happening tonight from 5 pm - 7 pm in Central Park, hosted by City of Boulder Parks and...

Posted by Downtown Boulder on Friday, 6 December 2019

Celebrate the winter season with a series of fun and exciting events during Snow Much Fun. Civic Center Park is the venue for this cool and exciting celebration. See the park adorned in 275,000 LED lights that are reflected in the white and gleaming snow. Have a guided walk around the park, where snow-covered bushes and trees come to life. There is a train ride for children as well as gifts for people that arrive first. Grab a cup of steaming chocolate to keep you warm as you enjoy holiday songs from the carolers and the entertaining performance of buskers. Bring your family and friends to experience this unique festival that makes the otherwise dark months of winter season bright.

Snow Much Fun

Address: 1236 Canyon Blvd, Boulder, CO

Website: Snow Much Fun

Takes place: November to January

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10. Boulder Craft Beer Festival [Last event in 2019]

Boulder Craft Beer Festival

For people who love craft beer, attending Boulder Craft Beer Festival is an opportunity to savor the best beer in Boulder and beyond. Being the first American producer of this beverage, it is now extending its coverage to other countries as boulder craft beer has joined the international scene. During the event, everyone present and who’s old enough can have a sip of the best beer in the area for free. Booths sell sumptuous food, and live music enhances the festive atmosphere.

Boulder Craft Beer Festival

Address: Boulder, CO

Website: Boulder Craft Beer Festival

Takes place: August

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Experience the fantastic festivals in Boulder

Boulder has earned recognition as the happiest and foodiest city in Colorado. These are evident in its festivities, which feature excellent food and drinks, as well as outstanding entertainment. Come and be a part of one of the festivals in Boulder, Colorado, and enjoy all the good things that these events offer.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Leonora Puno, a passionate writer and traveler, is drawn to destinations abundant in natural beauty. Having explored numerous parts of the Philippines that showcase the wonders of nature, she...Read more

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