2024 Summer Music Festivals in Colorado

Zachariah Stoughton • May 5, 2024

It’s no secret that summer in Colorado is a time for classical music festivals. The concentration of performances in places like Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge is at least equivalent to an entire September-to-May season anywhere else. Although the behemoth festivals with hundreds of performances and which draw audiences from around the world might be the obvious choice of many concert goers, there are a number of smaller, shorter festivals which are worth considering - especially as they tend to be in more accessible locations for regular readers of TCP. But for the locations more out of the way, a festival concert is the perfect excuse to spend a day or two in a picturesque mountain town.

Many summer festivals have a substantial if not primary focus on training young musicians. For these be sure to find time to attend not only “Faculty” or “Guest Artist” concerts but also the student performances. Master classes are usually open to the public and present the opportunity to hear fantastic musicians sharing their insights to the creative process - no need to be a musician to enjoy. These events will be often low-cost or free, and there is a good chance of hearing a young musician at the beginning of a great career in music. Student performances and master classes are frequently scheduled earlier on the day of a headliner concert in the evening, making it easy to attend two (or even three) events in one outing.

Here is our list of top summer music festivals in Colorado.

(In order of starting date)

Denver Chamber Music Festival

June 2 - 15, 2024

Denver

https://denverchambermusicfestival.org/

Colorado College Summer Music Festival

June 2 - 21, 2024

Colorado Springs

https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/summermusicfestival/

Rocky Ridge Music

June 9 - August 14, 2024