Photo courtesy of Jay Strausser, Telluride Bluegrass Festival

This June, as folk fans and bluegrass pickers gather for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, there’s something unmistakable in the sound. It’s not just the music, it’s the feeling of legacy — a rhythm passed down like heirlooms, something more lived-in than performed. But while some festivals in Colorado are holding fast to their identities, others have slipped quietly off the calendar. As the state’s cultural map keeps shifting, its music festivals offer a window into how Colorado holds on to its soul — and where it’s letting go.

In a state known for hosting everything from intimate songwriter circles to multi-day, laser-lit electronic blowouts, the idea of a “Colorado music festival” is hard to pin down. But if you ask the people who build their summers around these events — or the artists trying to break into their lineups — you’ll start to see a story of community, tradition, and connection no matter the genre.

What makes these festivals more than just lineups and stages is their roots in people’s lives. They’re traditions, destinations, escapes, and in many cases, the emotional cornerstones of Colorado summers.

Decades ago, Telluride was a sleepy mining town with a population barely scraping a thousand. Then, in 1974, a group of dreamers brought fiddles, banjos, and guitars to its Town Park, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival was born. Today, under the careful curation of Planet Bluegrass, Telluride remains a pilgrimage site for “Festivarians” who time their lives around the summer solstice to sit in the sun, dance barefoot in the grass, and welcome another season with music.

Photo Courtesy of Anthony G Verkuilen, Telluride Bluegrass Festival

“Our overarching goal is to always be improving the festival, as many things have changed in the world since its inception,” Grace Barret, a Planet Bluegrass marketing director, shared. “We do everything we can to embrace long-held Festivarian traditions while being open to feedback. Many of our attendees have had this tradition since before I was alive.”

But the landscape isn’t what it was in the ’70s. “When Telluride Bluegrass started, there were very few other music festivals in the country,” Barret added. “Now, people have more options than ever. The influx has changed everything.”

That explosion of options has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s allowed boutique festivals like the Bluebird Music Festival in Boulder to find loyal audiences, with its intimate singer-songwriter showcases feeling almost like private performances. On the other, not every festival could survive the swelling tide.

Photo Courtesy of Lauren Hartmann, Bluebird Music Festival

Take Sonic Bloom, once a fixture for electronic and experimental music in Colorado. After years of unpredictable weather, shifting locations, and a fiercely competitive festival market, Sonic Bloom has all but disappeared, joining the fate of Vertex, an ambitious multi-genre festival launched in 2016 that collapsed after just one year. Organizers blamed logistical challenges and low ticket sales, but festival insiders pointed to a larger truth: in a state packed with summer distractions, even the best ideas can get lost.

But for those who went, Sonic Bloom wasn’t just a festival — it was a revelation. “My wife and I went to Sonic Bloom on its tenth anniversary,” said Colorado resident Casey Kirkpatrick. “Ever since, we say: ‘I wish every Saturday was a Sonic Bloom Saturday.’ We met some of the most giving and nice people in that desert.”

Every year, the Sonic Bloom Orchestra took the stage — a one-time-only ensemble of improvisational musicians who blurred every line between genre and tradition. “Its whole point was to continually break the barriers of what defined ‘electronic music,'” Kirkpatrick said. “I hope to whatever heaven is there that I can go back one more time, and even if I do, I will still feel like that.”

Photo by Bradford Watkins via Facebook

Held near the Spanish Peaks, where the mountains rise like a myth from the high desert floor, Sonic Bloom thrived on contrast — between landscape and sound, solitude and community. “Its specialty was showing how electronic music could be a fully breathing live experience,” Kirkpatrick said. “Sure, you had DJs, but you also had people that worked with live loopers, instrumentalists, full bands.”

While Sonic Bloom may be gone for now, it left behind something real. It proved that festivals don’t have to fit inside a box — that electronic music could feel raw, intimate, or even spiritual under the Colorado sky. It’s the kind of memory that sticks with people, not just because of the music, but because of how it made them feel. And while some festivals like Bloom have faded, others have found their footing by going in a different direction entirely — leaning into tradition, precision, and a different kind of awe.

Still, the success stories are worth savoring. Bravo! Vail, launched in 1987, has carved out an entirely different niche, presenting world-class orchestral music under the soft hush of Vail Valley evenings. Where Telluride echoes with mandolins and harmonies, Bravo! Vail lets strings swell and timpani rumble, drawing a different kind of audience.

Meanwhile, Planet Bluegrass has expanded its empire with events like RockyGrass and the Folks Festival, keeping the spirit of collaboration alive. RockyGrass, in particular, remains a crown jewel — and this year, the appearance of bluegrass giants such as The Infamous Stringdusters promises to anchor the festival’s roots even deeper. For Jeremy Garrett, a founding member of the Grammy-winning band, it’s more than just another gig.

“RockyGrass is one of the coolest festivals in the country,” Garrett said. “I personally have been playing this festival since I was a teenager, and the Stringdusters have done this show several times. It’s held at an amazing festival grounds in Lyons, Colorado, along the St. Vrain River. The camping is excellent, and there’s even a school of music the week prior to the festival so that people can study almost any bluegrass instrument that they want along with even learning how to build an instrument. […] The lineup is always stellar and closer to something that you would see at a huge festival, but Rocky Grass keeps it down home, close-knit, and has a small festival feel.”

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass, RockyGrass Festival

It’s that balance between legacy and intimacy that seems to secure RockyGrass’ place in the future of live music.

“Bluegrass audiences have grown a lot over the years,” Garrett shared. “There’s something special about the roots music vibe of bluegrass in particular that draws people in. With a little practice, anyone can join a bluegrass jam circle, and that can be around a campfire or next to the river and there’s no need for electricity. People are captivated by the song and the history in the music.”

From legends like Tony Rice and Hot Rize to new-school innovators, RockyGrass has remained grounded in community. “It’s like playing for your friends,” Garrett said. “In fact, I probably know most of the crowd personally. A lot of people have been coming to the event for many years in a row, and it is a sought-after hot ticket. All of that, yet the energy feels fresh and intense.”

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass, Telluride Bluegrass Festival

“We put a lot of effort into our family area and activities for kids,” Planet Bluegrass added in regards to their festivals. “It’s not just an oasis for adults. Those wild festival babies grow up and do the same with their children.”

If there’s a secret to longevity, it might be exactly that: not clinging to nostalgia, but weaving it into something sturdy enough for the next generation to climb.

Of course, not every young Coloradan is packing a mandolin. Denver’s rise as the “Bass Capital” has shifted the energy dramatically, especially among younger crowds. EDM shows now flood the city, filling spaces from underground warehouses to legendary venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

“The rave community in Colorado is way more inclusive and accessible than the traditional festival scene,” said Ava Candelaria, a CU student who regularly attends EDM shows. “There’s this really respectful, established culture here that draws people in. It feels more about freedom and self-expression.”

Compared to something like the Outside Festival or even Bluebird, she says, “The atmosphere is totally different. Festivals like Outside tend to attract a laid-back, maybe older crowd. Raves are more intense, expressive — it’s about the whole experience, not just the artist.”

But not all EDM festivals have found firm footing. Some, like Global Dance Festival, have faced critiques of poor planning and underwhelming lineups. “It makes me want to explore more festivals around the country,” Candelaria admitted.

This growing divide between the grassroots, often acoustic-centered festival traditions and the newer, high-energy electronic scene reflects deeper shifts in how Colorado’s younger residents view community, accessibility, and artistry. Still, both worlds continue to coexist, if sometimes uneasily, painting a fuller picture of Colorado’s musical identity.

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass

Despite the challenges, optimism threads through the state’s festival organizers. Planet Bluegrass, for instance, is venturing into new territory this year with “Camp Alderwild,” a two-night electronic show set in Telluride Town Park — a surprising, but perhaps strategic, move.

“Planet Bluegrass has made a commitment to doing things right, both for our attendees and for everyone living in Telluride,” they said. “Even if it takes longer or is harder, we will do everything in our power to provide the best possible experience. Our relationship with the local community is integral to our long-term success.”

That relationship, built over decades of trust, may be exactly why Planet Bluegrass survives while others fold. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the land, the people, and the messy, complicated dance between tradition and change.

“It’s such a joy to play in the state of Colorado,” Garrett said. “Backstage, the vibes are always good and everyone is there to make you feel comfortable and at home and wish you the best performance you could possibly have.”

For now, Colorado’s music festivals remain what they’ve quietly become: a meeting place for restless spirits, from the bass-heads dancing until sunrise in Denver warehouses to the folk lovers chasing the last light in mountain valleys. Their form keeps shifting, but the pull stays the same. As long as there are songs worth sharing and ears willing to listen, Colorado festivals will keep finding new ways to belong.

Photo Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass, Folks Festival

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The post The Past, Present, and Future of Colorado’s Music Festivals appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Attending a film festival is really fun for me as a big film nerd. Sure, the big ones are a blast because you could be watching next year’s biggest films before any of your friends, but sometimes a small festival can be fun too — You can see films that you might otherwise never have  a chance to see. And, obviously, Colorado is becoming a hotbed for film festivals, as evidenced by the recent announcement that the Sundance Film Festival, arguably the most prestigious film fest in the country, will be moving to Boulder, Colorado.

“Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town,” said the Sundance Institute’s acting CEO, Amanda Kelso, in a press release about the festival’s decision to relocate to Boulder. “It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish.”

Colorado governor Jared Polis echoed those sentiments in boasting about the city — and, by extension, Colorado as a whole — being a perfect fit for the festival, saying, “Here in our state we celebrate the arts and film industry as a key economic driver, job creator, and important contributor to our thriving culture.”

Still, it won’t be until 2027 that we’ll see Sundance take root in its new Colorado home. But there are still other great festivals that see Colorado and its surrounding states as the perfect home for a film fest. In that spirit, we put together a chronological guide of all the great film festivals taking place throughout the coming summer in Colorado and surrounding states. However, since we all know Colorado gets warm weather from late May through mid-October, we extended our definition of what constitutes a “summer” festival a little beyond the official start and end of the season. Below is our collection of 25 film festivals in Colorado and beyond, with a little bit about what makes each one special. Take a road trip to experience one of them for yourself, or pop in to one of the festivals that just happens to take place in your own backyard.

Mountainfilm, Telluride, CO, May 22-26

While it may not be the festival that Telluride is renowned for, the Mountainfilm documentary film festival has been highlighting outstanding documentaries since 1979. Plus, as of this year, Mountainfilm is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards’ short film category, making it an important destination if you really value the brilliance of the documentary art form.

Women+Film Festival, Denver, CO, May 30 – June 1

Put on by Denver Film — the same organization behind the Denver Film Festival — the Women+Film Festival is one of their smaller, themed, offshoot festivals focusing on films by and about women. This year they’ll be giving the Barbara Bridges Inspiration Award to Julia Stiles for her directorial debut, “Wish You Were Here.”

deadCenter Film Festival, Oklahoma City, OK, June 11-15

Boasting the title of being the largest and only Oscar-qualifying festival in Oklahoma, deadCenter is one the best festivals to see if you’re looking to take a road trip to neighboring Oklahoma. Of particular interest is the fact that, in addition to the typical prize categories like Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Short, they have special awards like Best Pride Feature, Best Indigenous Feature, and Best High School Short.

Arizona Short Film Festival, Tucson, AZ, June TBA

If you happen to be traveling to Tucson, Arizona in June, you might just be able to catch the Arizona Short Film Festival which prides itself on screening the best shorts from around the world one night at The Screening Room. This year’s date hasn’t been announced, but having taken place on June 18 last year, it seems safe to expect an announcement soon.

Ouray International Film Festival, Ouray, CO, June 19-22

Though it often feels like summer starts sometime in May, the first official day of summer is June 20th, and what better way to celebrate the official start of the season than watching movies in the beautiful mountain community of Ouray, Colorado which is known for its pristine mountain views?

ABQ Indie Film Festival, Albuquerque, NM, June 19th

What makes an indie film “indie” enough for the ABQ Indie Film Festival? Apparently, the festival defines indie as “a state of mind,” and one that seems almost endangered today. The festival seeks to “re-create a nostalgic space for that state of mind.” Its Instagram says that the 2025 edition of the festival is in the works, so expect it to take place somewhere around June 20, which is when it was held last year.

Doc Sunback Film Festival, Mulvane, KS, June 27-28

This smaller festival in the unassuming town of Mulvane, Kansas is named after a beloved veterinarian born in that town in 1879 who, over a century later, is still warmly remembered by the locals. Priding itself on covering all genres of independent film, this is a small festival with a big heart.

Fear No Film Festival (Part of Utah Arts Festival), Salt Lake City, UT, June 28-30

Fear No Film is part of the larger Utah Arts Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. So, while it’s a small, short-film festival, there’s still plenty more to do if you decide to make the trek out to SLC. Fear No Film is one of the festival’s no-ticket-required events too, so tie it into a larger experience at the arts festival.

Wyoming International Film Festival, Cheyenne, WY, July 9-13

Not only is the Wyoming International Film Festival one of the biggest and best festivals in the region featuring films from all over the world, it also features the added bonus of a 48 Hour Film Festival in which filmmakers have to shoot, edit, and turn in a completed film within 48 hours, with the films being screened on the last day of the festival. It’s always a fun experience to see what creatives can pull off in such a short amount of time.

Circle Cinema Film Festival, Tulsa, OK, July 11-14

This Oklahoma film festival stands out from the crowd in that they show a unique commitment to local filmmaking by only allowing films made in Oklahoma. It makes the festival a great platform for filmmakers who eschew the traditional Hollywood route to stardom in favor of building a local film industry.

Prescott Film Festival, Prescott, Arizona, July 16-20

The Prescott Film Festival in Prescott, Arizona is a small but quirky little festival on and around the Prescott campus of Yavapai College. There are five days of films and workshops and even a sing-along to “The Wizard of Oz,” which is a favorite of festival-goers.

CinemaQ Film Festival, Denver, CO, August 8-10

A personal favorite, this small festival, also from Denver Film, focuses on films by and about the LGBTQ+ community. In recent years, opening night films have given festival-goers early opportunities to see movies like “Bottoms” and “My Old Ass,” which went on to become big, queer cult flicks.

Mesa International Film Festival, Mesa, AZ, August 20-24

Billing itself as Arizona’s premiere film festival, the Mesa International Film Festival not only offers an opportunity to watch great films every year, but it also offers great opportunities to learn from filmmakers through workshops and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

Telluride Film Festival, Telluride, CO, August 28-September 1

Easily the biggest festival on our list, Jeffrey Ruoff of HuffPost wrote in 2015, “Early buzz at Telluride opens the fall season of North American award speculation that climaxes with the Oscars.” The 2024 lineup included several films that were nominated for Oscars, including the brilliant comedy and Best Picture winner “Anora.”

307 International Film Festival, Laramie, WY, August 30-31

The 307 International Film Festival, as its name suggests, has films from all over the world, but the festival gives back to its local filmmaking community by having specific categories amongst its Jackalope Awards for Best Wyoming Film and Best Wyoming Documentary for films by Wyoming filmmakers that capture the spirit of the state.

Arizona Underground Film Festival, Tucson, AZ, September TBA

Focusing on filmmakers with “defiantly independent visions,” the Arizona Underground Film Festival prides itself on bringing the best of genre cult films to the state. With award categories including Horror, Experimental, and even Exploitation, it really honors genres that are not always highlighted in bigger festivals.

Breck Film Festival, Breckenridge, CO, September TBA

Started in 1981 as the Breckenridge Festival of Film, the festival morphed in 2020 into a year-round nonprofit that even purchased the local art house, The Eclipse Theater. Still, the Breck Film Festival remains the focal point as it approaches its 45th anniversary in 2026.

Aspen Filmfest, Aspen, CO, September TBA

Back in 1979, founder Ellen Kohner Hunt passed a note to a friend at an Aspen Arts Council meeting saying, “How about having a film festival?” Since then, Aspen Filmfest has become one of Colorado’s biggest festivals, celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2024. Last year’s lineup included Oscar-nominated films like “A Real Pain,” “Memoirs of a Snail,” and “The Wild Robot.

918 Film Fest Tulsa Shorts, Tulsa, OK, September 18

Moving from the big name festivals to one of the smaller, more local festivals on the list, the 918 Film Fest in Tulsa offers up eight of the best short films from Oklahoma filmmakers in one night. If you happen to be in Tulsa, this is a great way to celebrate the end of summer.

Crested Butte Film Festival, Crested Butte, CO, September 24-28

At this point in our list, we’re technically getting into the first few days of fall. But it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the passing of the seasons with a festival in beautiful Crested Butte, Colorado. Not only is the festival full of great films, but there’s the added bonus of the amazing scenery and fall foliage.

Albuquerque Film + Music Experience, Albuquerque, NM, September 24-28

The Albuquerque Film + Music Experience festival is another great way to celebrate the passage from summer into fall with its celebration of the dual art forms of film and music. In addition to showcasing great films, the festival also gives a platform to independent music artists with a particular focus on local musicians.

Flatwater Film Festival, Seward, NE, September 26-28

The Flatwater Film Festival in Seward, Nebraska prides itself on creating a non-competitive space specifically for Nebraska filmmakers to showcase their work. Plus, this film festival has its own 48-Hour Film Challenge (last year’s challenge included a required prop — a slice of toast — and required dialogue — “Why is that wet”), which is always a good time.

Peoria Film Fest, Peoria, AZ, October TBA

The Peoria Film Fest in Peoria, Arizona is put together by the same people who put together the Phoenix Film Festival. In 2024, the Peoria Film Fest took on a new focus: family-friendly films. The schedule hasn’t been announced yet for 2025, but assuming it keeps the same family-friendly focus for this year, it would make for a great family road trip.

Telluride Horror Show, Telluride, CO, October 10-12

Who doesn’t love a good scary movie? Featuring films that range from smart, psychological thrillers to campy horror romps, the Telluride Horror Show is known for being one of the best specialized festivals around.

Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, Colorado Springs, CO, October 17-19

Closing out our list is a great specialized festival that, like Denver’s Women+Film Festival, focuses on the importance of women in film. Held on the campus of Colorado College in Colorado Springs, the festival was sparked by an idea from founders Donna Guthrie and Jere Martin on a car ride back from the Telluride Film Festival in 1987.

If one were to make it to every festival on our list over the coming months, well that would make for an epic summer adventure. But more realistically, maybe you’ll want to take a day trip to one of these festivals and catch some films you wouldn’t otherwise find at your local Cineplex. If you do, I hope it makes your summer months a little sweeter and gives you an experience you’ll never forget.

Like journalism like this? Support the local press that’s been telling the truth for 25 years. Become a sustaining member and get our monthly print edition at home. We’ve weathered 9/11, floods, fires, economic crashes—and some deeply chaotic years. With your support, we’ll keep going. Because democracy still depends on journalism.

The post 25 Summer Film Festivals in Colorado and Beyond appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.