Colorado Official State Vacation Guide - 2025

1 Tarantula Fest

Each fall, hundreds of male tarantulas roam across Comanche National Grassland near La Junta in a mating ritual. The extraordinary phenomenon has drawn visitors from near and far for the chance to see the eight-legged critters up close. So, the Tarantula Fest was born in honor of these furry friends. This September celebration includes a costume-filled parade, an education pavilion, contests, food trucks, live entertainment, face-painting, vendors selling spidery swag and, of course, tarantula tours.

Make the most of it: As you explore the area, cruise down Hwy. 50 to stop at the numerous farm stands for fresh produce, including corn, cantaloupe and watermelon.

2 Frozen Dead Guy Days

The backstory behind this quirky fest is a fascinating tale involving a Norwegian man, cryonics and a storage shed in Colorado. After Bredo Morstoel’s death in 1989, his family brought his body to the U.S. where it was cryogenically frozen and later relocated to Nederland and the aforementioned shed. Packed in dry ice, “Grandpa” Bredo and his journey inspired the offbeat Frozen Dead Guy Days each March — held in Nederland for more than 20 years before its resurrection in Estes Park in 2023. The multiday fête has grown to include a lineup of musical acts on three different stages and a zombie bar crawl around town, in addition to spectacles like coffin races and a polar plunge.

Make the most of it: Take a tour of the International Cryonics Museum located in the Stanley Hotel’s historical Ice House. Dedicated to the science of human preservation, it’s also the new home of Morstoel’s body, preserved with liquid nitrogen in a steel chamber.

3 Colorado Mountain Winefest

Palisade is home to towering mesas, the winding Colorado River and acres of vineyards, so it’s only natural that the Colorado Mountain Winefest shines here. During the third weekend of September, more than 50 of the state’s wineries congregate on Riverbend Park’s lawn to top off your glass with vino and celebrations of their craft. Enjoy unlimited samples from dozens of producers, stop by food trucks serving delicious bites, swoop your dance partner around to live music, partake in barefoot grape stomping, and post up for educational seminars and chef demonstrations. Want to take wine home with you? Drop your purchases off at the storage tent and pick your bottles up on your way out, so you don’t have to keep track of them while you’re sipping.

Make the most of it: The festival is part of Colorado Wine Week, so look for additional events near Grand Junction like wine dinners, chocolate and wine tastings, tours and more.

4 Caveman Music Festival

Southern Colorado offers a Labor Day weekend bursting with lively entertainment and recreation at the Caveman Music Festival in Weston. Bring friends or family to Monument Lake Resort near Weston and embrace summer’s close with back-toback concerts and outdoor activities, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Jam to more than 20 bands on two stages playing a range of genres, from rock and jazz to country and bluegrass. And the weekend promises more than just stellar live tunes — you can also rent pontoons, paddleboards and canoes to get out on the lake’s rippling waters, dip your fishing line beneath the surface or set up camp and listen to singing crickets among the deep-green pines.

Make the most of it: Purchase the Caveman Pass for three-day access to all the shows and on-site parking; an upgraded version includes VIP access.

5 Monte Vista Crane Festival

What better way to immerse yourself in Colorado’s majesty than watching thousands of birds with 6-foot wingspans dot the sky in front of the snowcapped San Juan Mountains? Now in its 42nd year, March’s Monte Vista Crane Festival is an event-filled adventure. Offerings range from a craft and nature fair to movie screenings, speakers and expert-led bus tours in Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to learn about sandhill crane migrations. Keep your binoculars ready to spot other birds, too, including ducks, geese, owls, eagles and raptors. If you prefer to explore on your own, the refuge has a walking trail, interpretive autotour route and designated pull-offs to maximize your viewing opportunities.

Make the most of it: Looking for an all-encompassing San Luis Valley trip? Just 40 miles east of Monte Vista are the tallest dunes in North America — found in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

6 International Snow Sculpting Championship

Each January, visitors flock to this frosty fest in Breckenridge to watch pros from around the world gently coax intricate sculptures out of 25-ton blocks of snow. Over the course of five days, they create jaw-dropping and whimsical scenes of mythical creatures, larger-than-life natural phenomena and elaborate abstract artworks — all without the use of power tools. Food trucks, hot cocoa, music performances and a beer garden keep things lively, and those in the know go around sunset to see golden hour’s sparkling effect on the frozen masterpieces.

Make the most of it: Viewing the sculptures while they’re being carved is free, but timed-entry reservations may be required.

Stay Hydrated 

One thing’s for sure at Colorado’s high-elevation events and festivals, you’ll need more water than you do at sea level — sometimes twice what you’d normally drink. Fill up that reusable bottle to stay hydrated, and also apply sunscreen to protect your skin in our sunny altitudes!