Boulder, Colorado, is alive with exciting festivals, thrilling races, lively concerts, and plenty of fun activities for the whole family throughout the year! We’ve put together a handy 2025 Boulder events calendar for you, organized by season and month.
You’ll find everything from big annual festivals to charming local events covering music, sports, food, art, and so much more! Plus, we’ve highlighted recurring events like weekly markets and concert series, so you won’t miss out on your favorites.
Boulder Events Calendar 2025
Boulder is filled with events year round that will keep your calendar full. Here is your new go-to list of Boulder evens you won’t want to miss!
Winter (January - February 2025)
January
- Versatility Dance Festival – January 18, 2025, Dairy Arts Center – A one-night festival showcasing contemporary dance companies and dance films from around the country.
- Student Banner Project – mid-January through April 2025, Downtown – The 13th annual display of 40+ lamppost banners featuring art by local students from Boulder schools. Stroll Pearl Street to see vibrant youth artwork celebrating the theme “What makes the community’s future bright?”
- CU Buffaloes Basketball Season – Through March 2025, CU Events Center – Cheer on the University of Colorado men’s and women’s basketball teams during home games all winter. Tickets are available via the CU Athletics site (games run through mid-March).
- Holiday Light Displays – through mid-January – Don’t miss Snow Much Fun, where hundreds of thousands of LED lights illuminate the park and Pearl Street through early January – a magical stroll for all ages.
February 2025
- Winter Bike to Work Day – February 14, 2025 – Boulder’s winter cyclists take to the streets for this city-wide event. Stop by free breakfast stations, grab some merch, and celebrate Boulder’s bike culture (yes, even in winter!). (See the City of Boulder’s Winter Bike to Work Day page for details.)
- Live Music & Arts – Throughout winter, Boulder’s theaters and clubs keep busy. For example, Boulder Opera stages Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi/Il Tabarro (Feb 7–9 at Dairy Arts Center), and venues like the Boulder Theater and Fox Theatre host concerts all month. Check local venue calendars for performances, comedy shows, and more cozy indoor fun.
(Winter in Boulder is a bit quieter for major festivals, but plenty of indoor entertainment, CU sports, and ongoing art exhibits keep the community active.)
Spring (March - May 2025)
March 2025
- Subaru WinterFest at Eldora – March 7–9, 2025, Eldora Mountain Resort – A unique mountain lifestyle and music festival for skiers, snowboarders, and music fans. Enjoy live music, gear demos, and giveaways on the slopes at Eldora (just outside Boulder) during this free alpine festival presented by Subaru.
- Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) – March 13–16, 2025, multiple venues – Boulder’s biggest film event brings films and filmmakers from around the world for four days of screenings, panels, and parties. Enjoy independent films, documentaries, and shorts in downtown theaters.
- Open Wall at BMoCA – March 14, 2025, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art – A one-day community art exhibition and sale where anyone can hang their artwork on the museum’s walls. This free event is a fun chance to see and purchase art from Boulder locals of all ages and skill levels.
- Boulder Reservoir Polar Plunge – March 30, 2025 (tentative) – Support Special Olympics at the annual Polar Plunge (typically held in early spring at the Boulder Reservoir). Brave participants jump into the chilly water for charity – “freezin’ for a reason!”
April 2025
- BOCO Flamenco Festival – April 2, 2025, Dairy Arts Center – A spring celebration of flamenco music and dance featuring performances and workshops. Expect a passionate display of Spanish flamenco culture in the heart of Boulder (with local and guest artists).
- Boulder Arts Week – April 4–12, 2025, citywide – Boulder’s annual citywide arts celebration with dozens of events. Throughout the week, enjoy art exhibitions, pop-up performances, public art installations, live music, dance, and theater – all showcasing Boulder’s vibrant arts community. See the Boulder Arts Week site for the full schedule of free events.
- Taste of Pearl – April 6, 2025, Downtown (Pearl Street) – A one-day culinary stroll where 15+ of Boulder’s best restaurants pair bites with local wine and distilleries. Attendees 21+ spend an afternoon sampling food and drink inside downtown boutiques and galleries. This is a ticketed event; proceeds benefit Downtown Boulder.
- Conference on World Affairs – April 7–10, 2025, CU Boulder Campus – A renowned free public conference featuring over 70 panels and discussions on global issues. Themes for 2025 include AI, climate change, and more. Open to all – drop in on talks by experts, writers, scientists, and change-makers from around the world. Hosted at CU’s Macky Auditorium and other venues on campus.
- Modern Jazz & Soul Fest – April 11–12, 2025, Roots Music Project – A brand-new music festival showcasing contemporary jazz and soul artists. Enjoy two nights of smooth jazz, funk, and soul performances by acclaimed musicians in an intimate venue (Roots Music Project is a local nonprofit music space).
- Bluebird Music Festival – April 18–20, 2025, Macky Auditorium – An acoustic-focused music festival featuring national and local artists. 2025’s lineup includes Watchhouse, Bruce Hornsby, The Tallest Man On Earth, and more, performing stripped-down sets in the historic Macky Auditorium. (Tickets and info at Bluebird Music Fest.)
- Tulip Fairy & Elf Festival – April 27, 2025 (Sun., rain date May 4), Pearl Street Mall – Downtown Boulder’s charming spring kids’ festival where a “Tulip Fairy” leads costumed children to awaken the 15,000 tulips blooming on Pearl Street. Enjoy face painting, live music, kids’ activities, and the sight of little fairies and elves dancing among the flowers. A favorite free family tradition welcoming spring!
- Boulder Farmers Market (season opener) – Begins April 5, 2025 – Boulder’s iconic open-air farmers market kicks off in April. Shop fresh local produce, artisanal foods, flowers, and crafts every Saturday from 8 am–2 pm (Apr 5 – Nov 22) at 13th Street by Central Park. Plus, an evening market runs Wednesdays from 3:30–7:30 pm (May 7 – Oct 8). Live music, food stalls, and a creekside setting make this a must-do nearly every week from spring through fall.
May 2025
- Colorado MahlerFest – May 14–18, 2025, Macky Auditorium & venues around Boulder – A week-long classical music festival celebrating composer Gustav Mahler. The 2025 MahlerFest features lectures and chamber concerts and culminates with two orchestral performances of one of Mahler’s symphonies. (MahlerFest is a proud Boulder tradition for classical music aficionados – see mahlerfest.org for schedule and tickets.)
- Boulder Creek Festival – May 23–26, 2025 (Memorial Day Weekend), Central Park & Boulder Creek – One of Boulder’s biggest community festivals, marking the unofficial start of summer. This free four-day fest features an outdoor artisan market, live music across multiple stages, a beer fest, food courts, family carnival rides, a rubber duck race, and more – all along the Boulder Creek downtown. It’s a don’t-miss event for all ages.
- BOLDERBoulder 10K – May 26, 2025 (Memorial Day) – One of the world’s largest 10K races, the BOLDERBoulder winds through city streets and finishes in CU’s Folsom Field with a Memorial Day celebration. Runners, joggers, walkers (over 40,000 of them!) plus costumed teams and military tribute waves make this a truly Boulder spectacle. Even if you don’t run, join the cheering crowds or attend the post-race festivities and live music at the stadium.
- Boulder Startup Week – May 13–17, 2025 – A city-wide series of free events celebrating Boulder’s innovative startup community. Panels, workshops, and networking socials occur at various downtown venues.
Summer (June - August 2025)
June 2025
- Boulder County Pride Month – June 1–30, 2025, in various locations – A month of LGBTQ+ pride events across Boulder County. Family-friendly activities include art classes, trivia nights, educational panels, drag shows, dances, and the big Boulder Pridefest celebration (typically in mid-June). Out Boulder County hosts many events – check their Pride calendar for the full lineup of parades and parties celebrating diversity and community.
- Cultural Caravan Music Festival – June 5–15, 2025, various venues – Over ten days, the Cultural Caravan presents more than a dozen concerts celebrating cultural diversity through music. Enjoy performances ranging from jazz and classical to world music, held at unique venues (from parks to breweries). The festival’s mission is to connect artists and audiences in meaningful ways across Boulder.
- Boulder Plein Air Festival – May 31 – June 6, 2025, around town – Watch artists with easels set up throughout Boulder painting “en plein air” (outdoors) as part of this annual art competition. Artists capture Boulder’s landscapes in real time; the finished works are then exhibited and sold (check for the culminating art show details). A great chance to witness art being created on the spot in scenic locations.
- Arts in the Park – June 2025, dates TBA, Boulder Bandshell – A summer performing arts series at the Glen Huntington Bandshell featuring local ensembles. Past performances have included the Boulder Ballet, Boulder Symphony, and Opera. Bring a picnic to the Civic Area and enjoy live dance and music under the evening sky.
- Meadow Music – Summer 2025, Chautauqua Park – A beloved free kids’ music program held on select weekday evenings in summer. Kids and parents gather on the Chautauqua Green to sing and dance along with local duo Jeff and Paige, who blend music with nature education. Bring a blanket – this is a perfect picnic activity for young families.
- Upslope Get Down – June 2025, date TBA, Upslope Brewing (Flatiron Park) – A free, family-friendly party hosted by Boulder’s Upslope Brewing. The Get Down features live bands, food trucks, games, and of course Upslope beer on tap (for 21+). It usually happens in late spring or early summer – a fun craft beer and music festival vibe without any entry fee.
- Boulder Jewish Festival – June 8, 2025, Pearl Street Mall – A free one-day festival celebrating Jewish culture, open to all. Enjoy live music, Jewish and Israeli dancing, Judaica and art vendors, kids’ activities, and delicious Jewish foods (from falafel to rugelach). This cultural festival fills the downtown pedestrian mall with entertainment and learning for all ages.
- Bands on the Bricks – Wednesdays, June 11 – July 30, 2025, Pearl Street Mall – Boulder’s premier free summer concert series downtown. Every Wednesday evening, the Pearl Street “bricks” come alive with live bands playing genres from classic rock to funk. Beer, wine, and margaritas are sold in the outdoor beer garden, and dancing in the street is encouraged! Concerts start around 7 pm with a 5:30 pm happy hour.
- 1940’s WWII Era Ball – June 14, 2025, Boulder Municipal Airport – Step back in time at this glamorous 1940s-themed dance and history party. The event features a big band (the Glenn Miller Orchestra) in a hangar, swing dance lessons, vintage airplanes, and military vehicles on display, and attendees dressed in 1940s attire. It’s an immersive retro experience under the stars (tickets required; 18+ recommended).
- Flatirons Sounds Music Festival – June 21, 2025, Chautauqua Park – A free new one-day music festival at the base of the Flatirons. Enjoy performances by local Colorado bands on the Chautauqua Green with stunning mountain views. There’s also a beer garden, food trucks, and an artisan market featuring Colorado vendors. Perfect for an easy-going summer Saturday with friends and family.
- Boulder Comedy Festival – June 19–23, 2025, Dairy Arts Center (and other venues) – A multi-night comedy showcase bringing nationally touring stand-up comics (as seen on Netflix, Comedy Central, etc.) together with rising local comedians. Expect big laughs in indoor and outdoor venues. The festival often includes workshops and free community shows too.
- Bike to Work Day (Summer) – June 26, 2025 – Boulder goes all-out for the summer edition of Bike to Work Day. Morning breakfast stations around town reward bike commuters with free food, coffee, and swag. Even if you’re not commuting, you can join the fun rides and post-ride afternoon happy hours. It’s a true citywide bike party on two wheels. Boulder considers this day practically a holiday!
- (Recurring) Chautauqua Summer Concerts – all summer, Chautauqua Auditorium – The historic Chautauqua Auditorium hosts a summer concert series (June–August) featuring an array of performers: folk, classical, jazz, film screenings with live orchestra, and more. Many shows are family-friendly. Check the Chautauqua events calendar for the 2025 lineup and tickets.
July 2025
- Phish at Folsom Field – July 3–5, 2025, CU’s Folsom Field – Legendary jam-band Phish returns to Boulder for a three-night concert run over Fourth of July weekend. These stadium shows will draw fans from all over. Expect epic improvisational rock sets each night.
- Colorado Music Festival – July 3 – Aug 3, 2025, Chautauqua Auditorium – An acclaimed summer-long classical music festival featuring an orchestra of professional musicians from around the world. Concerts are held four nights a week in the intimate wooden Chautauqua Auditorium, often highlighting a different composer or theme each week. From symphonies to chamber music and world premieres, it’s a treat for music lovers.
- ENOFF – Environmental/Nature/Outdoors Film Festival – July 17–20, 2025, Dairy Arts Center – A four-day film festival celebrating the great outdoors. ENOFF features inspiring films about nature, environmental activism, adventure sports, and wildlife. Screenings are accompanied by art exhibits, live music, and panel discussions to engage attendees on sustainability topics.
- Tube to Work Day – Summer 2025 (TBA, likely mid-July), Boulder Creek – Perhaps Boulder’s zaniest tradition: commuters don business attire, grab inner tubes, and float down Boulder Creek to “commute” to work. Spectators line the banks to watch costumed tubers splash through downtown (some bystanders dangle free breakfast treats from the bridges!). Usually starting at Eben G. Fine Park around 8 am, this event is unofficially organized but beloved. Note: Participants must have helmets and life vests – safety first, even in silliness.
- Pearl Street Arts Fest – July 18–20, 2025, Pearl Street Mall – A juried open-air art fair featuring about 100 artists’ booths lining Pearl Street. Browse and shop fine art and crafts ranging from painting and photography to jewelry, sculpture, and more. There are also interactive art activities for kids and live performances. (Free admission; great for a weekend stroll downtown.)
- Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Festival – July 27 – August 8, 2025, Dairy Arts Center – A two-week festival dedicated to the art of aerial dance (think Cirque du Soleil-style). It includes workshops for beginners through advanced, plus performances and showcases by faculty and students. Even if you don’t take a class, attending an aerial dance performance – with dancers flying on silks, trapeze, and hoops – is unforgettable. Hosted by Boulder’s own Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance company.
August 2025
- Boulder County Fair – August 1–10, 2025, Longmont (Boulder County Fairgrounds) – (just outside Boulder) The Boulder County Fair (dating back to 1870) features 4-H exhibits, farm animal shows, rodeos, live music, carnival rides, and all the classic fair food. Great fun for families to get a taste of Colorado’s agricultural heritage. Admission is usually free, with tickets for rodeo or carnival.
- Boulder Taco Fest – August 23, 2025, TBD (central Boulder) – A foodie festival all about tacos and tequila. Sample creative tacos from local vendors, sip craft beer and margaritas, and enjoy live music and even lucha libre wrestling entertainment. This delicious festival is a hit every summer – bring your appetite (and ID if you’ll sample alcoholic drinks).
- Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema – Late Summer/early Fall 2025, TBA, Boedecker Theater (Dairy Arts Center) – An international festival of dance on film, featuring screenings of short films that combine dance and cinematography. The festival also offers workshops, installations, and live performances exploring the intersection of dance and filmmaking. A must for film and dance enthusiasts – check Sans Souci for final dates.
Fall (September - November 2025)
September 2025
- Taste of Orthodoxy Greek Festival – September 2025, TBA, Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Church – Opa! Enjoy Greek culture with homemade Greek food, pastries (baklava galore), traditional dancing, music, and crafts. Boulder’s annual Greek fest (hosted by the local Greek Orthodox community) typically takes place in early September on church grounds – come for a fun dose of Mediterranean flavor and hospitality.
- Community Roots Art Festival (CRAFt) – September 2025, TBA, VisionQuest Brewing – A one-day art festival highlighting Black, Indigenous, and brown artists from the region. Features local artwork for sale, live performances, food and drink, and community vibes in the brewery’s space. It’s a fantastic event to support diverse local creatives.
- Boulder Fall Fest – Sept 12–14, 2025 (Fri–Sun), Pearl Street & Central Park – A three-day autumn street festival downtown. Fall Fest combines live music with a beer/wine/margarita garden, local food vendors, and family-friendly activities in a carnival atmosphere. It also features the Firefly Handmade Market with dozens of indie craft vendors. (It’s one of Boulder’s longest-running festivals, 35+ years strong.) Come enjoy the cooler weather, leaf-peeping, and community fun.
- High West Oyster Fest – Fall 2025, TBA, Jax Fish House (downtown) – A lively fundraiser event centered on oysters. Hosted by Jax Fish House, it includes all-you-can-eat oysters, seafood bites, cocktails, plus an oyster shucking and eating competition. Proceeds benefit local charities. (Keep an eye on Jax’s page for the date – usually early fall – and come hungry for oysters!)
- Mapleton Hill PorchFest – Fall 2025, TBA (likely late Sept), Mapleton Hill neighborhood – An afternoon of free mini-concerts on the front porches of historic homes. Local musicians set up on porches and play acoustic sets while neighbors and visitors stroll from house to house enjoying music in a block-party-style atmosphere. A uniquely Boulder event blending community, architecture, and live music.
October 2025
- Open Studios Tour – Weekends in early October 2025 (TBA), various locations – For two weekends, local Boulder artists open their home studios to the public for free tours. Grab a map and bike or drive around town to meet artists, see works-in-progress, and perhaps buy art directly from the creator. It’s an intimate peek into Boulder’s visual arts scene and a great way to spend a fall afternoon. (Details at Open Studios Boulder.)
- Boulder Wellness Week – October 2025, TBA – A multi-day health and wellness festival open to the public. It brings together wellness experts for free yoga classes, mindfulness workshops, health talks, outdoor fitness meetups, and even wellness-focused shopping and music. A chance to rejuvenate your mind and body with the community.
- Warren Miller Ski Film Premiere – Oct/Nov 2025, TBA, Boulder Theater – Every fall, Warren Miller Entertainment debuts their annual ski & snowboard film in Boulder, kicking off winter stoke. Attend the high-energy premiere to catch jaw-dropping ski footage on the big screen – it’s a tradition that signals ski season is near. Tickets are usually available via Boulder Theater; swag and lift ticket giveaways are common at the show.
- Munchkin Masquerade – October 31, 2025 (Halloween), Downtown Boulder – On Halloween afternoon, Downtown Boulder is happily overrun by thousands of costumed children (and their parents) trick-or-treating along Pearl Street’s shops. The Munchkin Masquerade is a safe, daylight trick-or-treat event and arguably the most adorable sight of the year – tiny ghosts, superheroes, princesses, and dinosaurs galore going store-to-store for candy. Pearl Street businesses hand out treats from 3–6 pm. Don’t forget your costume!
November 2025
- Firefly Handmade Holiday Market – November 2025, TBA, Pearl Street – The holiday edition of the Firefly Handmade Market brings dozens of local artisan vendors downtown for a craft street fair. Typically held in late November (often Thanksgiving weekend), it’s the perfect place to shop for unique handmade gifts – jewelry, art, decor, toys, apothecary goods and more – in a festive outdoor setting. Free entry.
- Switch on the Holidays – Late November 2025, TBA, Pearl Street & Civic Area – A beloved annual event the Sunday after Thanksgiving that switches on the downtown holiday lights. Santa Claus himself usually helps throw the big switch around 5 pm, illuminating the Boulder County Courthouse and the canopy of lights along Pearl Street. Carolers sing, Santa visits with kids, and the whole downtown glitters. A great way to kick off the season.
- St. Nick on the Bricks – Saturdays, late Nov through Dec, Downtown Boulder Visitor Center – On weekends leading up to Christmas, kids can meet Santa Claus for free on the Pearl Street Mall. Santa (St. Nick) sets up at the downtown Visitor Center to hear wish lists and take photos (bring your camera). Check downtown’s schedule for exact dates, but it’s usually every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, 11 am–2 pm.
- Holiday Light Displays: “Snow Much Fun” – Mid-Nov 2025 – Mid-Jan 2026, Downtown – Starting in mid-November, downtown Boulder is decked out in elaborate winter light displays. Stroll through the Civic Area by the Dushanbe Teahouse to see glowing orbs in the trees and interactive light art, then continue along Pearl Street’s canopy of lights all the way to the courthouse, which is brilliantly lit. The Snow Much Fun display is free and open every night – a perfect post-dinner walk or photo op during the holidays.
December 2025
- Lights of December Parade – December 2025, TBA, Downtown Boulder – Boulder’s annual holiday parade features lit-up floats, high school marching bands, fire engines, community groups, and Santa Claus cruising through downtown. Usually held on a Saturday evening in early December, the parade draws families to Pearl Street for a dose of classic small-town holiday charm (and plenty of candy thrown to the crowd!). Bundle up and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.
- WinterFest at Chautauqua – December 2025, TBA, Chautauqua Park – A weekend winter festival at the Colorado Chautauqua with activities for all ages. Past WinterFests have included horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic cottage colony, visits with Santa in the cozy Community House, holiday crafts, a kids’ concert by Jeff & Paige, guided “caroling hikes” on the trails, and tours of the beautifully decorated Chautauqua cottages. It’s an idyllic holiday experience at the foot of the Flatirons. (Details will be on Chautauqua’s site closer to December.)
- CU Holiday Festival – December 5–7, 2025, Macky Auditorium – An enchanting annual concert by CU Boulder’s College of Music that brings together student choirs, bands, and orchestras, plus faculty performers, for a holiday music extravaganza. Expect classical pieces, carols, and seasonal favorites in Macky’s grand hall decked with twinkling lights and greenery. It’s a decades-old tradition that’s fun for all ages. Tickets ($) go on sale in the fall via CU Presents.
- Freezie Fest – December 2025, TBA, Pearl Street Mall – A downtown kids’ holiday event where the goal is to find Freezie, the tiny plush snowman mascot, hidden in shops on Pearl Street. Families pick up a map and search stores for Freezie (with chances to win prizes). During Freezie Fest there are also holiday train rides for kids (the “Snowflake Express” kiddie train), visits with Santa, craft stations, and other free activities on Pearl Street. A great way to spend a December Saturday with little ones.
- Chanukah on Pearl – December 2025, TBA (Chanukah week), Pearl Street Mall – A public celebration of Hanukkah hosted by the Boulder JCC and Chabad on Pearl Street. Enjoy live music, hot latkes and jelly donuts, kids’ crafts, and the lighting of Boulder’s large menorah. It’s usually one evening during the 8-day Hanukkah (in 2025, Hanukkah spans late Dec). All are welcome to share in the festival of lights downtown, typically near the courthouse lawn.
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