May 2027
What's on in Colorado: May
13 events with confirmed dates and 11 annual traditions that usually land in May.
Photo: Strings Music Festival
On the calendar
- MAY1MusicPhoto: Strings Music Festival
Sat, May 1, 7 PM · Strings Music Pavilion · Steamboat Springs
STEAMBOAT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AMERICA IN MOTION: MUSIC AND MOVEMENT CELEBRATING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
MAY1MusicPhoto: Red Rocks AmphitheatreSat, May 1, 8 PM · Morrison
Cloonee
MAY10MusicPhoto: Red Rocks AmphitheatreMon, May 10, 7:30 PM · Morrison
Josiah Queen
MAY11MusicPhoto: Wheeler Opera HouseTue, May 11, 7 PM · Wheeler Opera House · Aspen
Gravity & Other Myths: Ten Thousand Hours
MAY11MusicPhoto: Red Rocks AmphitheatreTue, May 11, 7:30 PM · Morrison
Two Door Cinema Club
MAY12MusicPhoto: Red Rocks AmphitheatreWed, May 12, 6:30 PM · Morrison
Queens of the Stone Age
MAY13MusicPhoto: Red Rocks AmphitheatreMay 13 to 14 · Morrison
Turnpike Troubadours
MAY16MusicPhoto: Red Rocks AmphitheatreSun, May 16, 7 PM · Morrison
Remi Wolf
MAY21CulturalPhoto: Colorado ChautauquaFri, May 21, 7 PM · Chautauqua Auditorium · Boulder
Rising Appalachia – Trade My Troubles Tour
- MAY22CulturalPhoto: Colorado Chautauqua
Sat, May 22, 7 PM · Chautauqua Auditorium · Boulder
Rising Appalachia with The Little Mercies – Trade My Troubles Tour
MAY22MusicPhoto: Red Rocks AmphitheatreMay 22 to 23 · Morrison
Matchbox Twenty - 30
MAY27CulturalMay 27 to 31 · Telluride
Mountainfilm
Four days of documentary film and conversation focused on adventure, environment, and culture. The crowd is heavy on dirtbags-turned-filmmakers and the kind of people who casually mention K2.
MAY31OutdoorMon, May 31 · Boulder
BolderBoulder 10K
A 50,000-runner 10K that winds through Boulder neighborhoods to a Folsom Field finish, complete with Slip 'N Slides and garage bands at every mile. A genuine civic ritual.
Every year in May
Annual events that usually fall this month. Confirm dates on the official site before you go.
Mid-May · Arvada
On Track Olde Town Arvada Beer Festival
Single-day craft beer festival on the platform of the Olde Town Arvada G Line station. About 40 breweries; G Line is included with the ticket.
Food & drink · Photo: Jens Peter Olesen on Unsplash
Memorial Day weekend · Boulder
Boulder Creek Festival
Three days along the creek and Central Park with about 500 vendors, three music stages, and a rubber-duck race down Boulder Creek that benefits Special Olympics.
Cultural
Early May · Boulder
Boulder Kinetics Festival
Human-powered sculptural contraptions race across the Boulder Reservoir, on land and through water. The judges grade on engineering, art, and total absurdity.
Cultural
Saturday closest to May 5 · Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Cinco de Mayo Festival
Two-day festival at America the Beautiful Park with mariachi sets, lowrider show, and a Saturday parade down Cascade Avenue.
Cultural · Photo: Daniel Forster on Unsplash
Late May · Colorado Springs
U.S. Air Force Academy Graduation Parade
Graduation week at USAFA including the Thunderbirds flyover at Falcon Stadium and the hat toss. Free public viewing of the parade on the Terrazzo.
Cultural · Photo: Daniel Forster on Unsplash
First weekend of May · Denver
Cinco de Mayo Festival
One of the country's largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations, held in Civic Center Park with a green-chili showdown, lowrider show, and Chihuahua races.
Cultural
Mid-May · Denver
Colfax Marathon
Marathon, half, and 10-mile relay along Colfax Avenue, starting and finishing at City Park. About 18,000 finishers across distances.
Sports
Saturday before Memorial Day · Denver
Denver Day of Rock
A free, all-day, multi-stage festival along the 16th Street Mall. A reliable way to kick the patio season into gear without spending anything.
Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash
Mid-to-late May · Denver
Five Points Jazz Festival
A free street festival honoring Five Points' history as the 'Harlem of the West,' with multiple stages along Welton Street. Among the most authentic music days on Denver's calendar.
Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash
Memorial Day weekend · Durango
Durango Celtic Festival
Highland games, pipe bands, and a strongest-man competition at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Whiskey tasting in the main pavilion Saturday night.
Cultural
Memorial Day weekend · Estes Park
Jazz Big Band Festival Estes Park
Big-band jazz festival at the Estes Park Events Complex. Saturday matinee and evening shows; admission about $30.
Music · Photo: Collin Wigger on Unsplash
The events worth circling, weekly.
One email a week. Free.