May Colorado Events

Experience the vibrant pulse of Colorado’s springtime festivities! As May unfolds, the Centennial State blossoms into a playground of excitement, marking the unofficial inauguration of summer. Revel in a plethora of captivating events ranging from dynamic concerts to charming fairs, exhilarating rodeos, indulgent food festivals, and tantalizing craft beer showcases.

As the sun’s warmth melts away the last vestiges of snow, May heralds the arrival of balmy days and boundless opportunities for adventure. Memorial Day weekend signals the official commencement of the summer season, igniting celebrations throughout the state. Dive into the cultural tapestry with highlights like the illustrious Downtown Denver Arts Festival and the captivating Mountain Film in Telluride.

In Colorado, springtime isn’t just a season—it’s a symphony of unforgettable experiences waiting to be savored.

2024 Annual May Festivals in Colorado

Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival

• Date: Wed-Sun, May 1-5, 2024
• Address: Cañon City
• About: Long-running music festival featuring a parade, rodeo, and carnival. High school, middle school, and junior high school bands from across the country compete in Concert Band, Jazz Band, Parade, and Orchestra categories.

Fruita Fat Tire Festival

• Date: Friday-Sunday, May 3-5, 2024
• Where: Fruita
• About: Four-day celebration of mountain biking featuring seminars, competitions, and a giant expo, now in its 28th year.

Royal Gorge Rodeo

• Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
• Address: Cañon City
• About: Founded in 1872, this is Colorado’s longest continuously running rodeo, held as part of the aforementioned Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival.

Estes Park Duck Race Festival

• Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
• Address: Estes Park
• About: “Adopt” a little rubber duck and race it down the Fall River in support of over 60 Estes Valley charities. Bond Park comes alive with family games and live music. In addition to the duck race, vendors in downtown Estes Park will be having a sidewalk sale Saturday and Sunday.

TheBigWonderful

• Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
• Address: Denver
• About: Celebrating the Kentucky Derby and Cinco De Mayo, TheBigWonderful features over 100 local makers, live music on two stages, a VIP program, and a lot of Colorado craft food and beverage.

Cinco de Mayo Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, May 4-5, 2024
• Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
• About: 35th Cinco de Mayo celebration with music, dancing, food, and festivities.

Mile High International Pastel Exhibition

• Date: TBD 2024
• Address: Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village
• About: Taking place at Greenwood Village’s Curtis Center for the Arts and showcasing nearly 100 pastel paintings, the Mile High International Pastel Exhibition is for those who love art.

Monte Vista 3rd Friday Art Walk

• Date: Friday, May 17, June 21, July 19, & August 16, September 20, 2024
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: Those who love art and music should head to downtown Monte Vista this summer for the 3rd Friday Art Walk. Taking place in different forms year-round, during the warmer months a portion of Adams St. will be blocked off for artists, musicians, and vendors.

Chalk Vines & Lines

• Date: Sat-Sun, May 18-19, 2024
• Address: Aurora
• About: Chalk Lines & Vines is an annual 21+ event that takes place in Aurora’s Arapahoe County Fairgrounds where guests can sample over a dozen wineries, live entertainment, and chalk art.

A Taste of Colorado

• Date: Sundays, TBD 2024
• Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
• About: Four free Sunday festivals held throughout the summer in collaboration with Viva Streets Denver featuring lots of great local food, arts & crafts booths, and live music, now in its 41st year.

Civic Center EATS

• Date: Wednesday and Thursday, early May to mid October, 2024
• Address: Denver
• About: Civic Center EATS is a one-stop shop for some of the best food on wheels you can find in the Mile High City. Located in Denver’s Civic Center Park, there will be about 10 to 15 food trucks selling a myriad of delicious meals.

Rifle Rendevous Festival

• Date:  Thursday-Sunday, May 16-19, 2024
• Address: Rifle
• About: 27th year of Western fun, complete with a carnival, car show, live music, and vendors.

Highlands Farmers Market

• Date: Sundays, May 19 – October 13, 2024
• Address: Highland Square, 32nd Avenue, Denver
• About: Great farmer’s market with handcrafted goods and locally grown produce. Go hungry because there is plenty of homemade food for sale, fresh and ready to eat.

Mountainfilm In Telluride

• Date: Thur-Mon, May 23-27, 2024
• Address: Telluride
• About: Film festival held since 1979 in downtown Telluride, making it one of the longest-running in America.

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

• Date: Fri-Sun, May 24-26, 2024
• Address: Durango-Silverton
• About: Historic bike race against the Durango and Silverton train, now in its 52nd year.

Grand Old West Days

• Date: Fri-Mon, May 24-27, 2024
• Address: Craig
• About: Old West cultural festival that takes place over the Memorial Day Weekend at several locations: Fairgrounds, Downtown, and Cedar Mountain. Activities include a horse show, parade, carnival, live music, food, and games.

Denver Arts Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, May 25-26, 2024
• Address: Denver
• About: 25th annual arts fest showcasing fine art from Colorado and national artists.

Mike the Headless Chicken Festival

• Date: Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, 2024
• Address: Fruita
• About: Two days of honoring the late headless chicken named Mike. Events include a 5k race, poultry show, disc golf tourney, and car show.

Greeley Blues Jam

• Date: Fri-Sat, May 31-June 1, 2024
• Address: Greeley
• About: Blues music festival with a variety of events for the whole family. Camping is available at the festival location in Island Grove Park.

Telluride Balloon Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, May 31-June 2, 2024
• Address: Telluride
• About: 41st year, festivities include two sunrise balloon ascensions from Town Park, a sunset glow on Main Street, and a balloon workshop.