COME TO LIFE / 2018 Calendar of Events & Festivals DEGAS: A PASSION FOR PERFECTION FEB. 11–MAY 20 Degas: A Passion for Perfection will showcase prolific French artist Edgar Degas’ work at the Denver Art Museum. Well-known masterpieces will be on view including pieces that focus on his strong interest in opera and dance. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com DENVER COMIC CON JUNE 15–17 This 3-day, family-friendly fan convention features the best in comics, popular sci-fi and fantasy TV shows, movies, Japanese animation, cosplay, toys, gaming and celebrity panels. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com DURANGO DURANGO FILM – AN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL FEB. 28–MARCH 4 Bringing a community together with independent filmmakers for the opportunity to experi-ence and discuss global, innovative and diverse films. The ideal location for fun and film. f 970-375-7779, durangofilm.org/wp PUMPKINS & PILSNERS OCT. 6 The perfect place to pick your pump-kins with live music and craft beer for the adults, as well as games, crafts and a bounce house for the little ones. f visitestespark.com/ events-calendar/special-events/ pumpkins-and-pilsners-festival PRIDEFEST JUNE 16–17 In the heart of downtown, a two-day celebration of Denver’s LGBTQ community includes a festive parade, family fun, music and entertainment. Show your pride in The Mile High City. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com DENVER RESTAURANT WEEK FEB. 23– MARCH 4 A 10-day celebration of the culinary scene in Denver. Hundreds of participating restaurants offer multi-course dinners at three different fixed prices: $25, $35 and $45 per person. f 303-892-1505, denverrestaurantweek.com ESTES PARK ELK FEST OCT. 6–7 The calls of the bull elk fill the air during crisp fall days. Celebrate the elk rut at this free event with gold leaves, music, craft beer, elk-themed activities & a variety of vendors. f 970-577-9900, 800-443-7837, visitestespark.com/elktober DURANGO WINE EXPERIENCE MAY 3–5 Celebrate food and wine in Durango! Experience three delicious days of sem-inars, wine dinners and unique tastings featuring hundreds of wineries, artisan spirits and craft beers. f 970-946-2408, durangowine.com CHERRY CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL JULY 6–8 A world-class, award-winning celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts. Meet international juried visual artists and enjoy fine cuisine, live music and demonstrations. f 303-892-1505, visit denver.com FALL BACK BEER FEST NOV. 3 Enjoy fun seminars, talk with the brewers, watch beer being made, taste end-less varieties of brews and swing to bluegrass at this celebration of beer and the people who make it! f 970-577-9900, 800-473-7837, visitestespark. com/events-calendar/special-events/ fall-back-beer-festival CREATURES OF LIGHT FEB. 23–JUNE 17 Delve into the world of living things that blink, glow, flash and flicker at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, from tiny fireflies in the backyard to strange creatures in the ocean’s depths. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL & CONSERVATORY JULY 8–29 An excep-tional summer classical music festival and conservatory with musicians of the highest caliber. See unbelievable per-formances in a variety of spectacular venues. f 970-385-6820, musicinthemountains.com SLOW FOOD NATIONS JULY 13–15 Taste and explore a world of good, clean and fair food for all, with the energy of a street-food festival, the rigor of an aca-demic conference and the inspiration of a cultural exchange. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com DEAD SEA SCROLLS MARCH 16–SEPT. 3 Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime oppor-tunity at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to see authentic Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient manuscripts that include the oldest known Biblical documents dating back more than 2,000 years. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com DURANGO COWBOY POETRY GATHERING OCT. 4–7 A celebration of the rich culture and heritage of the American Cowboy. Poets, storytellers and musicians from throughout the country grace us with classic and contemporary performances. f 970-749-2995, durangocowboypoetrygathering.org CATCH THE GLOW PARADE & CELEBRATION NOV. 23 Celebrate the holidays in festive, fun Estes Park! Enjoy visits with Santa, pony rides & carolers downtown. The parade features floats, music & thousands of twinkling lights. f 970-577-9900, 800-443-7837, visitestespark.com/ events-calendar/special-events/ catch-the-glow-holiday-parade DENVER BEER FEST SEPT. 14–22 Nearly 200 beer-related events at area breweries, restaurants, tap houses and attractions, concluding with the Great American Beer Fest, the premier US beer festival and competition. f 303-892-1505, denverbeerfest.com RED ROCKS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES APRIL 1–OCT. 31 No summer is complete without at least one trip to awe-inspiring Red Rocks, flanked by enormous sandstone formations. Check the star-studded concert schedule and get tickets early. f 303-892-1505, visitdenver.com DENVER ARTS WEEK NOV. 2–10 Discover seven vibrant art districts and more than 300 unique events across music, theater, film, dance, museums and more — including First Friday Art Walks and free Night at the Museums. f 303-892-1505, denverartsweek.com POLAR EXPRESS™ MID-NOV.–MID-JAN. Based on the award-winning book, the story of a child’s Christmas Eve journey comes alive aboard this historic steam train to the North Pole! Visit our website for specific dates. f 970-247-2733, 888-872-4607, durangotrain.com FORT MORGAN BOBSTOCK JULY TBA Come out and enjoy live bands, vendor booths, food booths and a beer garden. Strut Your Mutt, Poker Run and Zumba. Kids jump house, water obstacle course and bungee. 97.5 BOB FM. f 970-867-5674, morgancountytourism.com EL JEBEL LIFT OFF 4 LIFT-UP BALLOON FESTIVAL JUNE 23–24 This uplifting festival will FALL HARVEST CAR SHOW SEPT. 14–16 The Fall Harvest Car Show is a wonderful and fun car show held in northeastern Colorado, featuring around 275 entrants each year. Held on the third weekend in September. f 970-768-7469, fallharvestcarshow.org Do more with your vacation. F rom building a trail atop a 14er to planting gardens in the Mile High City, volunteering outside is a true Colorado experience WKDWOHWV\RXHQMR\DOORXUVWDWHKDVWRRHU�f;IURP meeting new people to exploring scenic vistas. bring hot-air balloons, live music, kids’ activities, food and more to the Aspen valley. Family, individual or VIP experi-ences available. f 970-625-4496, liftoff4liftupballoonfestival.org ESTES PARK ESTES PARK WINTER FESTIVAL & WINTER TRAILS DAY JAN. 13–14 Celebrate the winter season in Estes Park! Taste award-winning chili at the chili cook-off, dance to great music, enjoy family activities and sip a variety of Colorado beer & wine. f 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com/winter-fest FRISCO COLORADO CIDER CIRCUS AUG. 24–25 Festivities kick off on Friday night with the Big Top Cheese Pairing. Saturday ticket holders have access to more than 75 different craft ciders, beers and live entertainment. f 215-287-7046, cidercircus.com RAILS IN THE ROCKIES FEB. 17–18 Clanging bells & tooting whistles fill the air, as trains chug along a variety of model railroad scenes, kids explore with a scavenger hunt & all ages mar-vel at the massive Lego train model. f 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com/ events-calendar/special-events/ rails-in-the-rockies FRUITA FRUITA FAT TIRE FESTIVAL MAY 4–6 Ride miles of pristine mountain-bike trails and meet friends from around the world in western Colorado. VIP party, live bands and a top cycling expo in the USA. f 970-585-3663, fruitafattirefestival.com ESTES PARK DUCK RACE MAY 5 With a drop from a giant bucket, thousands of little yellow rubber ducks are cer-emoniously dropped into Fall River at Nicky’s Resort, where they begin their journey. f 970-577-9900, visitestespark. com/events-calendar/special-events/ duck-race MIKE THE HEADLESS CHICKEN FESTIVAL JUNE 1–2 Celebrate the amazing story of one chicken’s will to live in the 20th year of the event. Includes a 5k run, disc-golf tournament, live music, delicious food, booths and more! f 970-858-3663, miketheheadlesschicken.org/mike FRUITA FALL FESTIVAL SEPT. 21–23 The The Fruita Fall Festival began more than 100 years ago as a celebration of the harvest for the farming community. The event has grown to include a carnival, crafts, food, music & more. f 970-858-3894, fruitafallfestival.com SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL JUNE 23–24 Guests will enjoy traditional dances, the Maypole, handcrafted Scandinavian art & goods, children’s activities, a vintage Volvo & Saab car show, delicious foods, Vikings and more! f 719-221-9893, estesmidsummer.com RIM ROCK MARATHON NOV. 3 A 26-mile point-to-point marathon along Rim Rock Drive through the Colorado National Monument, finishing at James M. Robb Colorado River State Park. f 970-248-1469, rimrockmarathon.com Find volunteer opportunities for all ages and abilities, in every corner of Colorado, at voc.org/volunteer 20 / COLORADO.COM Be Kind to Colorado. FINE ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL SEPT. 15–16 For more than 40 years the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies has sponsored the Fine Arts & Crafts Festival, a juried show providing outstanding artists with a venue to showcase their work. f 970-699-1509, fineartsguild.org
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2018: Page 20
