Top Summer Activities & Festivals in Boulder

Ah, summer in Boulder. Things take on a different pace as the days lengthen, a lush canopy of trees comes into full leaf, and outdoor lovers happily spend even more time outside. Here are just a few reasons to join in the fun — our list of things to do in Boulder in summer.

Splash and Play

On warm, sunny days, water is especially refreshing at the foot of the Rocky Mountains:

• Head to the Boulder Reservoir for boating, swimming, paddleboarding or beaching.
• Cool off in the Pop Jet Fountains on Pearl Street Mall.
• Go swimming at your hotel or local Boulder pool.

Summer Hiking

In the summertime, trails are sprinkled with wildflowers and the long days mean more time for hiking. On warm days, try these shady hikes:

• Much of Lion's Lair is shaded by towering (and fragrant) ponderosa pines, with a steep summit that overlooks all of Boulder Valley.
• Ranger Trail is quite lush in summer, providing shade. Connect with E.M. Greenman Trail, the lower portion of which is also shady.
• Anne U. White is also known for being in the shade of a narrow canyon in Boulder's foothills yet is a good choice for a lower-intensity hike.

Note: Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) periodically has trail closures throughout the year. We recommend checking for the most current closures here before you go.

Imbibe and Refresh

Boulder loves its summer bevies. Try these ideas:

• Boulder has a bevy of breweries, and you can explore them all!
• Boulder's wineries will have chilled white waiting for you in their tasting rooms this summer! Try Bookcliff Vineyards (with Upslope Brewery a couple of doors down, too, for beer lovers in your party). Or check out Postino WineCafe's gorgeous patio, downtown's cozy tasting room at Silver Vines Winery, or Vinnie Fera Winery in east Boulder.
• A distillery rounds out Boulder’s libations trifecta, with Boulder Spirits by Vapor Distillery for your favorite ice-cold spirit shaken or stirred.
• Also check out Redstone Meadery, which brews endlessly refreshing fermented honey wine.

Indulge in a Cool, Sweet Treat

There's nothing like a cold-and-creamy ice cream cone, frozen yogurt or popsicle to help you cool down and enjoy summer. Some of Boulder's most popular shops include Gelato Boy, Glacier Homemade Ice Cream and Sweet Cow, but we have a whole page of spots to snag some of Boulder's sweet and frozen treats.

Boulder Outdoor Performances

Music just sounds better on a Boulder breeze! And in Boulder, even the arts happen outdoors, from dance concerts to theater performances on the trails. Summer concerts are held outside in Boulder every week in gorgeous locations at the foot of the Flatirons, on beautiful Pearl Street and beyond. Read more on our Hot Summer Music page.

2025 Festivals and Events

Jump to: Ongoing Through Summer  |  June  |  July  |  August

Plan your visit around one of the dozens of summertime festivals or events. Below are a few annual events to get you started, with a complete calendar available here. 

Ongoing Through Summer

Boulder Farmers Market
Every Saturday, April 5-November 22, 2025 (8am-2pm) 
Every Wednesday, May 7-October 8, 2025 (3:30-7:30pm)
Come sample, shop, meet local farmers, smell the flowers, hear live music, sit by the creek and eat great food. 

NoBo Art District First Friday Art Walk
First Friday of every month, 2025, 6-9pm
Every First Friday is your chance to discover Boulder's art scene up close. Come nibble on snacks, stroll a cool neighborhood and discover inspiration in a city that lives, sleeps, eats and breathes creativity.

Arts in the Park at the Bandshell
June-August, 2025
Taking place at the Glenn Huntington Bandshell in Boulder’s Civic Area, this year's Arts in the Park will showcase talent from the Boulder Ballet, Boulder Symphony and Boulder Opera in four performances through June and July.

Chautauqua Concert Series
July-October, 2025
Beloved and well-known artists return for Chautauqua’s entertainment series, featuring concerts, silent movies, theater, dance, forums and family events at the foot of the Flatirons.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
June 7-July 27, 2025
Plays are performed beneath summer night skies in the historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre on CU Campus. Please note: All shows are currently being held inside the Roe Green Theatre due to ongoing construction at Mary Rippon Theater.

Bands on the Bricks
June 11-July 30, 2025
From oldies to alternative, Bands on the Bricks is Boulder's premier outdoor summer concert series taking place on the bricks of the Pearl Street Mall from 5:30-9pm.

Colorado Music Festival
July 3-August 3, 2025
This internationally acclaimed festival is held four nights per week for several weeks at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, showcasing an orchestra of professional classical musicians from all over the world.

June

Celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month
Each June, the City of Boulder celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month (IHM). IHM is an annual celebration recognizing immigrants’ experiences, contributions and achievements throughout our country’s history. More details about this developing celebration will be announced soon.

Boulder County Pride Month
June 1-30, 2025
Whether you’re looking for something the whole family can take part in or a more 21+ experience, there's something for everyone during Boulder County Pride Month. Sign up for teen art classes, adult networking events, music, trivia, dancing and more.

Boulder Plein Air Festival
May 31-June 6, 2025
Catch plein air painters — those who paint in the open air, painting all over town during this annual event.

Boulder Jewish Festival
June 8, 2025
Live entertainment, fine art and Judaica, food, community organizations and activities for all ages in downtown Boulder.

IRONMAN 70.3
June 14, 2025
This "half Ironman" takes place at the Boulder Reservoir with a spectacular Rocky Mountain backdrop. The event has been an athlete favorite for over a decade and is one of the fastest IRONMAN events to sell out each year.

1940s WWII Era Ball
June 14, 2025
Step back in time with a magical night of dancing and history at the Boulder Airport. At this 40s-era ball with the Glenn Miller Orchestra you can swing dance, take tours of WWII planes, admire classic cars, take dance lessons and more, all against a scenic backdrop with movie-set lights and props.

Boulder Comedy Festival
June 19-23, 2025
Nationally touring comics featured on Comedy Central, Netflix and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert come together with festival winners and local comedians to create a sea of hilarity outdoors at the Dairy Arts Center.

Flatiron Sounds Music Festival
June 21, 2025
This single-day festival will be held in the historic and scenic Chautauqua Park at the base of the Flatirons. Enjoy musical performances from local Colorado bands, a beer garden, a variety of food trucks and a local artisan market featuring a variety of Colorado vendors.

Summer Bike to Work Day
June 26, 2025
This is a holy day in Boulder! Folks ditch the cars, get on their bikes and ride all around town to hit the free breakfast and merch stations to enjoy giveaways and the party atmosphere.

July

Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament
July 2-6, 2025
For more than two decades, this 80-team competitive girls' softball tourney has been hosted in Boulder!

Boulder Juggling Festival
July 4-6, 2025
Take juggling workshops, play juggling games, experience a public circus show and more at the Boulder Circus Center.

Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series
TBA, 2025
Friday concerts take place at Twenty Ninth Street, an outdoor shopping mall that opens up its Central Plaza so concertgoers can sprawl out and soak up the incredible Flatirons views while they listen to local bands. 

Boulder Environmental / Nature / Outdoors Film Festival
July 17-20, 2025
Watch environmental documentary features, short films, Q&As and interviews online or at the Dairy Drive-In at the Dairy Arts Center.

Tube to Work Day
TBA, 2025
Boulderites don their best business attire and hit the creek in this yearly tubing tradition. The event starts at Eben G. Fine Park, but you can catch the view of the hilarious action (e.g. spectators dangling breakfast from atop bridges for tubers to grab) anywhere along the creek near downtown.

Pearl Street Arts Fest
July 18-20, 2025
Tents line downtown Boulder's Pearl Street for this juried celebration of visual arts — from whimsical and modern sculptures to traditional watercolors, oil paintings and more.

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival
July 27-August 8, 2025
Experience the joy of dancing in the air, for beginners through advanced aerial dancers. Participate in two weeks of classes, lectures/demonstrations, informal discussions and performances.

August

Opera in the Park
August 2-3, 2025
Experience Bella Voce, a magical open-air concert celebrating the grandeur of Italian opera and the brilliance of American operatic classics in a spectacular outdoor setting.

Boulder Taco Fest
August 23, 2025
Indulge in the tastiest tacos of Boulder, a curated list of craft breweries, eclectic tequilas, high-flying Luchadores, live bands and lots of free fun for the kiddos.

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival
July 27-August 8, 2025
Experience the joy of dancing in the air, for beginners through advanced aerial dancers. Participate in two weeks of classes, lectures/demonstrations, informal discussions and performances.

Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series
TBA, 2025
Friday concerts take place at Twenty Ninth Street, an outdoor shopping mall that opens up its Central Plaza so concertgoers can sprawl out and soak up the incredible Flatirons views while they listen to local bands. 

Want more? We have barely scratched the surface of all the amazing Boulder summer festivals. See our complete, searchable events calendar.