May Colorado Events

May brings warm weather and an end to the snow. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer with festivities across the start. Fun events include the Downtown Denver Arts Festival and the Mountain Film In Telluride.

2023 Annual May Festivals in Colorado

Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival

• Date: Wed-Sun, May 3-7, 2023
• 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.

Royal Gorge Rodeo

• Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
• 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 6, 2023
• 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.

Cinco de Mayo Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, May 6-7, 2023
• Address: Civic Center Park, Denver
• About: 34th Cinco de Mayo celebration with music, dancing, food, and festivities.

Fruita Fat Tire Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, May 12-14, 2023
• Where: Fruita
• About: Four-day celebration of mountain biking featuring seminars, competitions, and a giant expo, now in its 26th year.

Chalk Vines & Lines

• Date: Sat-Sun, May 13-14, 2023
• 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.

Monte Vista 3rd Friday Art Walk

• Date: Friday, May 19, June 16, July 21, and August 18, 2023
• 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.

Highlands Farmers Market

• Date: Sundays, May 21 – October 15, 2023
• 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 25-29, 2023
• Address: Telluride
• About: Film festival held since 1979 in downtown Telluride, making it one of the longest-running in America.

Grand Old West Days

• Date: Fri-Mon, May 26-29, 2023
• 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 27-28, 2023
• Address: Denver
• About: 24th annual arts fest showcasing fine art from Colorado and national artists.

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic

• Date: Sat-Mon, May 27-28, 2023
• Address: Durango-Silverton
• About: Historic bike race against the Durango and Silverton train, now in its 51st year.

Civic Center EATS

• Date: Thursdays, May – September 2023
• 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.

Film on the Rocks

• Date: TBD May – August 2023
• Address: Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison
• About: Annual summer movie series held at Red Rocks Amphitheater showcasing a range of films. A great event for families, this event takes place on multiple days throughout the summer.

Mile High International Pastel Exhibition

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Washington Hall Gallery, Central City
• About: Taking place at Central City’s Washington Hall Gallery and showcasing nearly 100 pastel paintings, the Mile High International Pastel Exhibition is for those who love art.

TheBigWonderful

• Date: TBD 2023
• 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.

Rifle Rendevous Festival

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Rifle
• About: 26th year of western fun, complete with a carnival, car show, live music, and vendors.

Wüffstock Music Festival

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park, Grand Junction
• About: Back for its 7th year, the annual Wüffstock Music Festival, hosted by the Roice-Hurts Human Society, is a celebration of food, drinks, live music, and of course, canines.

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