Food is always better with friends — it’s a fact. That’s why we’re bringing you our annual roundup of can’t-miss culinary happenings all across the state. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat at the Colorado Chocolate Festival or homespun deliciousness at Taste of Pearl in Boulder, these food festivals are calling your name.
Boulder Farmers Market and Longmont Farmers Market
bcfm.org
8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays (April 5-Nov. 22), 13th Street between Canyon and Arapahoe, Boulder | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays (April 5-Nov. 15), Boulder County Fairgrounds, Longmont. Free
What can we possibly say about the Boulder and Longmont Farmers Markets that hasn’t already been said? Boulder County’s weekly summer gathering is back again, this time with new and returning farmers, ranchers, pantries and vendors galore.
Food Truck Carnival
foodtruckcarnival.com
Fri.-Sun., May 16-18, E.B. Rains JR Memorial Park, 11701 Community Center Drive, Northglenn. Free ($35 carnival pass)
How many vehicles does it take to become one of America’s premier food truck festivals? There’s no right answer to that question, but the Food Truck Carnival in Northglenn isn’t taking any chances — they’ve enlisted 60 four-wheeled eateries from Slam Sandos to Roll It Up Sushi Truck, Shake That Churro, Dead Stop Coffee and many more.
Boulder Creek Festival
bouldercreekfest.com
Fri.-Mon., May 23-26, Boulder Civic Area. Free
Summer in Boulder wouldn’t be the same without its creek. Countless residents and college students have found a Saturday or Sunday on its banks, and for one exciting weekend a year, thousands more come out to celebrate it. The Boulder Creek Festival boasts over 200 artisans, bites from 30 food joints and music all day long.
VegFest Colorado
vegfestco.com
Sunday, June 8 and Sept. 28, Auraria Campus, 1201 5th St., Denver. $10+
Let’s face it: Most summer food festivals do not cater to vegetarians and vegans. VFCO is a true, unfiltered celebration of the plant-based lifestyle, complete with a full day of speakers, entertainment and tons of amazing food and drink.
Top Taco
toptacofest.com
Thursday, June 12, Westminster City Park, 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd. $89+
It’s time to crown the top taco, my friends. This self-proclaimed “taco extravaganza” features over 60 restaurants, all heavy hitters in the field of tortilla-wrapped goodness, vying for the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all Tacos). They also have goat petting on-site, if you’re still not sold.
Reds Whites & Brews
redswhitesandbrews.net
Saturday, June 21, Downtown Steamboat Springs. $50+
Steamboat Springs’ feature beer festival showcases both brews and vino, hence the clever name. You’ll experience pours local to Steamboat, as well as Colorado favorites, and even some internationally renowned brands, like Prisoner from Mesa, California, or Finland’s Long Drink.
Aspen Food & Wine Classic
classic.foodandwine.com
Fri.-Sun., June 20-22, various locations, Aspen. $2,950+
Put on your wide-brimmed hat and tie up that ascot, we’re going to Aspen! This annual event is all-encompassing: including cooking demonstrations, grand tastings and a grab bag of seminars on culinary exploration across the world.
Strawberry Days Festival
glenwoodchamber.com/strawberry-days
Fri.-Sun., June 20-22, Two Rivers Park, 740 Devereux Road, Glenwood Springs. Free
For 128 years, Glenwood Springs has laid claim to a festival celebrating the gold standard of berries. As this marquee mountain event has grown over time, it’s come to include the many shapes and forms of the humble strawberry — including shakes, ice cream and more.
Telluride Food & Vine Festival
telluridefoodandvine.com
Fri.-Sun., June 13-15, various locations, Telluride. $1,200 (weekend pass)
Like the aforementioned Aspen Food & Wine Classic, this is another surefire example of beer, wine and the mountains being an undefeated triumvirate. Furthermore, one of their days is aptly titled “Butts, Legs and Sides,” bringing award-winning barbecue into an already jam-packed weekend.
Colorado Whiskey Fest
whiskeyfestcolorado.com
Saturday, July 19, Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock. $75 ($35 for non-drinkers)
Top tier distillers from all over the country converge on the Douglas County Fairgrounds for a day of divine sips, including local favorites like Spirit Hound, 291, Stranahan’s and 10th Mountain.
Westy Craft Brew Fest
westybrewfest.com
Saturday, July 26, Westminster City Park, 10455 N Sheridan Blvd. $40+ ($5+ for non-drinkers)
It’s all right there in the name. This festival in Westminster has a slate of craft beers from all over the place, and it’s all business: just three hours of strictly great brews.
Orpheus MeadFest
orpheuspcc.org/new-meadfest
Saturday, July 26, Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W 32nd Ave., Golden. $30
Many consider mead, a fermented honey wine, the most ancient alcoholic drink. Hard-working craftspeople have preserved this beverage to present day, and at Orpheus MeadFest, you can give it a try for yourself.
Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival
keystonefestivals.com/festivals/bluegrass-and-beer
Sat.-Sun., Aug. 2-3, River Run Village, 100 Dercum Square, Keystone. $35+
Nothing like a bit of homegrown pickin’ to pair with your beer in the mountains. Don’t believe us? Get up to Keystone and see for yourself.
Eagle Mushroom & Wild Food Festival
eaglemushroomfest.org
Fri.-Sun., Aug. 8-10, various locations, Eagle. $35+
A festival dedicated to nature’s sometimes delicious, often poisonous recyclers? Sign us up. Eagle, Colorado welcomes folks from far and wide for a weekend of guided foraging expeditions led by experts, classes on mushroom identification, live music and food vendors.
Palisade Peach Days
palisadecoc.com/events/palisadepeachfest
Fri.-Sat., Aug. 15-16, Riverbend Park, 451 Pendleton St., Palisade. $10+
Palisade’s annual homage to one of its most famous crops features two days of celebration that’ll leave attendees feeling peachy (sorry). There’s food trucks, live music, peach cuisine demos and, of course, a peach eating contest to cap off the festivities.
Fort Collins Peach Festival
fortcollinspeachfestival.com
Saturday, Aug. 16, Civic Center Park, N. Mason Street and Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins. $10
Going on 15 years of peaches and jams, this volunteer-run festival, founded originally as Pigs ‘n Pits, features plenty of family-friendly action for a full Saturday. Kids go for free!
Boulder Taco Fest
bouldertacofest.com
Saturday, Aug. 23, Boulder Civic Area and Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. $99+
Let’s get ready to rumble! Mouthwatering tacos and Lucha Libre wrestling is the perfect combo at this annual Boulder Creek event. In fact, it may be the only combo you’ll ever need.
Olathe Sweet Corn Festival
olathesweetcornfest.com
Saturday, Aug. 23, Montrose Rotary Amphitheater, Shanes Way. Free
2025 marks 35 years of the Olathe Sweet Corn Festival, taking place all across the quaint, Western Colorado town. There’s a 5k race, music all day at the Montrose Rosary Amphitheater and enough sweet corn to feed everyone in attendance, and then some.
Breckenridge Hogfest
rockymountainevents.com/breckenridge-hogfest
Fri.-Sun., Aug. 22-24, Main Street Station & The Village at Breckenridge. $87+
It’s all about the three Bs at this summer get-together: Breckenridge, bourbon and bacon. Pair this trio with live music, and you’ve got yourself quite the mountain weekend.
Central City Beer Fest
centralcitybeerfest.com
Saturday, Aug. 24, Central City, Main Street. $50+
Central City is obsessed with beer. The town has brewed it for more than a century, and every year they host a one-day festival, proudly sharing their love for lagers, ales and more.
Chili Bowl Street Party
groundworksartlab.org/chili-bowl
Sunday, Sept. 14, University Hill, Boulder. Free ($25 tasting bowl)
A free event celebrating chili, local art, and community, all on the hill, right here in Boulder? What’s not to love? Come hang out for no charge, or purchase a handmade ceramic tasting bowl as a vessel for your chili journey, with all proceeds going back to Groundworks Art Lab. Vote in the People’s Choice Award for the best chili of them all.
Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival
pueblochilefestival.com
Fri.-Sun., Sept. 19-21, Historic Downtown Pueblo. $8
Pueblo’s passion for chiles is on display at this annual gathering, where chile fanatics from all over converge on Union Avenue in historic downtown Pueblo to soak in the spice.
Cedaredge Applefest
cedaredgeapplefest.com
Fri.-Sun., Oct. 3-5, Cedaredge, West Main Street. Free
Located smack dab in Surface Creek Valley, there is perhaps no place more perfect for apple growing in our great state than Cedaredge and the surrounding areas. Since 1977, they’ve shared their harvest in the form of a weekend festival in October.
Great American Beer Festival
greatamericanbeerfestival.com
Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 9-11, Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver. $85+
We conclude our slate of Colorado food and drink festivals with the granddaddy of them all. This annual competition, held in the heart of Denver, brings together hundreds of brewers, cideries and distilleries, attracting tens of thousands of attendees. It’s truly a can’t-miss event.
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