Community Festivals in Boulder County Colorado

Also see our listings for Cultural Festivals and Food & Drink Festivals.

BOULDER COUNTY FAIR & RODEO, annually in summer

Fair organizers have responded to a popular suggestion on how to make this annual fair even better: Make it free to get in! Now there’s no admission fee to get onto the grounds, where you can visit the carnival, rodeo, and horse and livestock shows, plus special events like a demolition derby, garden tractor pull and salsa dancing contest. Some special events still have a nominal fee. At the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, annually in August. 303-772-7170.

BOULDER CREEK FESTIVAL, annually on Memorial Day Weekend

The Boulder Creek Festival’s three full days of festivities make it the quintessential Boulder tradition. There’s live performances, carnival rides, vendors of all kinds, food and beverages, information booths, arts and crafts, and the signature event: the Great Rubber Duck Race. The 22st annual Boulder Creek Festival is May 23-25, along the creek in downtown Boulder (between Ninth and 14th streets and Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue). 303-449-3137.

BOULDER CREEK HOMETOWN FAIR, annually on Labor Day Weekend

This fair closes out the summer event season with a quirky celebration of Labor Day weekend. Attractions include one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, the Chili Inferno Cook-Off, the Great Zucchini Race, a beer garden, live entertainment and more. Aug. 30-Sept. 1 on the Municipal Building lawn and at Broadway and Canyon. 303-652-4942.

BOULDER FALL FESTIVAL, annually in fall

Celebrate the beauty and bounty of autumn at this annual festival on the Pearl Street Mall’s courthouse plaza . The three-day party combines traditional Oktoberfest offerings (food, music and brew) with kids’ rides, buskers, and local arts and crafts. 303-449-3774.

BOULDER HISTORY MUSEUM'S SUMMERFEST, annually in summer

Try your hand at gold-panning, climbing a rock wall, and more at this annual festival honoring Boulder history. 1206 Euclid Ave. Call or visit the website for 2009 date. 303-449-3464.

BOULDER SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

In 2009, Boulder celebrates 150 years, and the party lasts all year long. The Boulder City Town Company first gathered on Feb. 10, 1859, and founded the government of the city of Boulder. The sesquicentennial theme appears for the first time at the Lights of December parade on Dec. 6; the official kickoff is Jan. 10. Winter/spring anniversary activities are listed below; check the website for events from May through December.

CELEBRATE LAFAYETTE, annually in fall

For more than 50 years, residents have celebrated Lafayette with an annual parade and festival with a street fair, free pancake breakfast, concerts and live entertainment. On Public Road, Lafayette. 303-926-4352.

CONOR O'NEILL'S WORLD'S SHORTEST ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL, annually the weekend before St. Patrick's Day

Take in bagpipers, Irish dancers and Irish wolfhounds on March 15 at this lively block-and-a-half-long parade that runs up 13th Street from Conor O’Neill’s to Spruce Street and back again. The festival follows the parade in the parking lot behind Conor O’Neill’s with music, games, beer and food. Call for details. 303-449-1922.

FROZEN DEAD GUY DAYS, March 6-8

This quirky festival put Nederland on the map. Frozen Dead Guy Days celebrates “Grandpa” Bredo Morstoel, who died in 1989 and remains cryogenically frozen, in a Tuff Shed, until technology can revive him. Frozen Dead Guy Days, March 6-8, includes coffin races, a frozen-salmon toss, a Grandpa look-alike contest, and an evening dance, Grandpa’s Blue Ball. 720-374-6742.

LAFAYETTE COLORADO COMMUNITY EVENTS

For complete schedule of Lafayette community events: 303-926-4352.

LONGMONT FESTIVAL ON MAIN, annually in summer

Four full blocks of downtown Longmont’s Main Street are closed off to allow festival-goers plenty of room to enjoy the fun and excitement of this annual end-of-summer celebration. Local businesses sponsor the entertainment, food vendors, children’s activities, games and displays. Call or visit the website for 2009 dates. 303-651-8484.

LOUISVILLE DOWNTOWN STREET FAIRE, summer months

Every Friday evening in the summer, Louisville’s Main Street comes alive with great music, artisans, food booths, children’s activities and lots of surprises. Thanks to plenty of big tents, the Faire happens rain or shine, 5-9pm. 303-665-3355.

LOUISVILLE FALL FESTIVAL, annually in fall

Head to Louisville for a weekend full of festive events, including a dog show, children’s pet parade, 5k run, Labor Day parade, pie-baking contest, live entertainment, and crafts and food booths. At Roosevelt and Bella Vista streets, Louisville. 303-335-4536.

LYONS COMMUNITY EVENTS

Call or visit the website for schedule of year-long communit events. 303-823-8250.

NEDERLAND MINERS' DAYS, annually in summer

Started in the 1880s, Miners’ Days celebrates the mountain town’s mining heritage with a weekend of action. Men and women compete in spike driving, hand and machine drilling, and other traditional events in this annual prize competition. There are also amateur and children’s events, craft booths, a parade and more. At the Nederland Museum, 100 E. First St., Nederland. 303-258-0567.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL ANTIQUE SHOW, May 16-17

Come for history; come for antiques; but especially, come for the strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream. Longmont’s 40th Annual Strawberry Festival Antique Show takes place May 16-17, with a wide variety of furniture, glassware, quilts, toys and jewelry. This fundraiser for the St. Vrain Historical Society is held in the Exhibit Building at Boulder County Fairgrounds, Hover and Nelson roads. 303-776-1870.

Go to top