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:

• Go swimming at your hotel or local Boulder pool
• Head to the Boulder Reservoir for boating, swimming, paddleboarding or beaching

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 about 20 breweries and counting, 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 BOCO Cider and Upslope Brewery a couple of doors down, too. Or check out Boulder's newest addition, Postino WineCafe, downtown's cozy tasting room at Silver Vines Winery, or Vinnie Fera Winery in east Boulder. For a side of artisan cheese and crackers with all that wine, head downtown to Dedalus Wine Shop & Market for free wine tastings on Thursday evenings.
• Distilleries round out Boulder’s libations trifecta, with Boulder Spirits by Vapor Distillery, Hogback Distillery and DV8 Distillery for your favorite ice-cold spirit shaken or stirred.
• Also check out Redstone Meadery, which brews endlessly refreshing fermented honey wine.

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.

2024 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, TBA 2024 (8am-2pm) 
Every Wednesday, TBA 2024 (4-8pm)
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, 2024, 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.

Boulder Social Streets
TBA, 2024
Grab your loved ones and meet on the streets of downtown Boulder for a series of free and fun events happening all summer long, including Rollerpalooza, Dancing in the Streets, Melanin Funk Festival and more.

Arts in the Park at the Bandshell
TBA, 2024
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 Summer Concert Series
TBA, 2024
Chautauqua’s entertainment series, featuring concerts, silent movies, theater, dance, forums and family events at the foot of the Flatirons.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
TBA, 2024
Plays are performed beneath summer night skies in the historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre on CU Campus.

Bands on the Bricks
TBA, 2024
From oldies to alternative, Bands on the Bricks is Boulder's premier outdoor summer concert series taking place on Wednesdays on the bricks of the Pearl Street Mall from 5-9pm.

Colorado Music Festival
TBA, 2024
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 Jewish Festival
June 9, 2024
Live entertainment, fine art and Judaica, food, community organizations and activities for all ages in downtown Boulder.

IRONMAN 70.3
June 8, 2024
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.

Boulder County Pride Week
TBA, 2024
Whether you’re looking for something the whole family can take part in or a more 21+ experience, there's something for everyone at Boulder County Pride Week. Sign up for teen art classes, adult networking events, music, trivia, dancing and more.

Boulder Plein Air Paint Outs and Mixers
TBA, 2024
Open Studios will host two plein air dusk-to-dawn “paint-outs” at Chautauqua Park. Artists and the public will mingle and look at the art produced during the day at a mixer and exhibit held both days from 5-7pm.

Boulder Comedy Festival
TBA, 2024
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.

Summer Bike to Work Day
TBA, 2024
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
TBA, 2024
For more than two decades, this 80-team competitive girls' softball tourney has been hosted in Boulder!

Folsom Field’s 4th of July Spectacular: A Night Sky Drone Show
TBA, 2024
Celebrate this Fourth of July with an all-new experience for 2023 at Folsom Field — Boulder's very first Night Sky Drone Show.

July 4th Celebration with Boulder Symphony
TBA, 2024
Celebrate Independence Day with symphonic classics, from Rodeo and William Tell to the 1812 Overture at the historic Boulder Bandshell.

Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series
TBA, 2024
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 Fine Art Street Festival
TBA, 2024
This vibrant outdoor art festival returns to Twenty Ninth Street and features local and national artists' and crafters' handmade work in a lively open-air setting.

Hanuman Festival
TBA, 2024
This celebration of yoga and music features world-class yoga instructors, live music, inspirational experiences and community building.

Boulder Environmental / Nature / Outdoors Film Festival
July 11-14, 2024
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, 2024
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
TBA, 2024
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.

Avery Invitational
TBA, 2024
Celebrate Avery Brewing Company's 30th Anniversary with over 100 specialty beers, rare barrel-aged releases and live music.

Family Fun Block Party on The Hill
TBA, 2024
Gather your loved ones for a day on The Hill. There will be balloon artists, face painters, an ice cream truck, a magic show and more family fun.

Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival
TBA, 2024
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

Colorado Brazil Fest
TBA, 2024
Two rhythmic days of Brazilian music, dancing and more at Boulder's Bandshell.

Tyler Childers with Shakey Graves and Laid Back Country Picker at Folsom Field
August 17, 2024
Tyler Childers continues his global “Mule Pull ’24 Tour” to celebrate his acclaimed new album, Rustin’ In The Rain, which recently debuted at #10 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

Boulder Taco Fest
TBA, 2024
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
TBA, 2024
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, 2024
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.