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Festivals & Events
It's true! Telluride in the summer is like one big, five-month festival with every weekend an absolute blast. May, June, July, August and September have great weather for outdoor events featuring musical performances, bike races, four-wheeling rallies and air shows, just to name a few.
Festivals include MountainFilm, the famed Bluegrass, Wild West, Wine, Jazz, Blues & Brews, Chamber, the awesome Telluride Film Festival...the events go on and on! Don't miss the craziness of the Mushroom Festival and the Nothing Festival, designed to prove that nothing compares to the festivals in Telluride!
May 22
Gondola Opens for Summer Season
Free public transportation that links Telluride and Mountain Village in a scenic 13 minute ride.
May 22-25
Mountainfilm in Telluride
Filmmakers, artists, and outdoor enthusiasts celebrate mountains, culture and the environment with films, presentations, and a symposium that will focus on food as this year's theme.
May 28-30
Family Theater
Join the Sheridan Arts Foundation and Squidshow Theater for a night of family fun with a short preformed by adults for kids. Sheridan Opera House, time TBA.
May 31
Telluride Dance Academy Recital
Dancers of all ages from the Telluride Dance Academy perform at the Palm Theater, 3pm.
June 4
Jazz Festival Exhibit Opening
Free admission to the Telluride Historic Museum for those with Jazz Celebration passes. In addition to Telluride's history, the past posters of Jazz Fest as displayed.
June 4
Retrospective and Opening Gala
A dedication to the founder of the Ah Haa, Daniel Tucker, and this exhibit is a tribute to the artists and instructors who have contributed over the years to the spirit of the school. Ah Haa School, 5 to 7pm.
June 5-7
Telluride Jazz Celebration
Join Ozomatli, Bill Frisell, Jimmy Herring, Lizz Wright, Donald Harrison, Rebirth Brass Band, Christian Scott, Kenny Walker, Karl Denson's Tiny Universer and many more for music in Town Park by day and in intimate bar venues by night.
June 5-7
Telluride Balloon Rally
At sunrise, the skies above Telluride Town Park fill with colorful hot-air balloons. At sunset, Telluride's main street is the setting for the annual balloon glow (weather permitting).
June 6
Huck Finn Day
Dress the kids up as Huck Finn or Becky Thatcher for a parade followed by a fishing and costume contest at the Kids Pond in Telluride Town Park. The Elks provide fishing poles, prized and refreshments.
June 8-13
Wild West Fest
A family oriented festival that celebrates the spirit of the West. Events include celebrity cutting on horseback and performances at the Sheridan Opera House.
June 11
Western Federation of Miners Exhibit Opening
Attend the opening of an exhibit devoted entirely to the Western Federation of Miners during the years of labor strife at the turn of the century in Colorado. Telluride Historical Museum, 5 to 7pm.
June 12
Cowboy Family Night featuring T.J. Casey
Food, fun and music by a real cowboy poet, T.J. Casey often performs in schools, talking about ranches, cowboys, Indians, spirituality, old horses and old friends. Sheridan Opera House, time TBA.
June 13
Carlos Nakai Trio
Grammy Award-nominated Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai performs an intimate concert as part of the inaugural Telluride Heritage Festival. Sheridan Opera House, 8pm.
June 18-21
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Four days of bluegrass-based music in Telluride Town Park. Artists include Sam bush, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bela Fleck, Punch Brothers, and many more.
June 21-27
Bike Week
A week-long celebration to promote cycling for transportation and recreation. Events include trail maintenance, group rides, Bike to Work Day, Lizard Head Pass Climb, a film, auction and more.
June 25
Moving Mountain Theater
Telluride Academy kids create a one-of-a-kind theater performance. All ages welcome. Location and time TBA.
June 25-28
Telluride Reparatory Theater
Telluride's local theater company presents free performances of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew in Elks Park. Bring the family and a picnic.
June 25-28
Telluride Wine Festival
A weekend of wine tasting, winemakers, seminars with expert sommeliers and food pairings with accomplished chefs.
June 26-July 5
Telluride Musicfest
Chamber music the way it was meant to be performed: in living rooms, where the experience is intimate.
June 29- July 4
Telluride Plein-Air
National landscape artists paint in the great outdoors. Their work is then exhibited and auctioned as a fundraiser for the Sheridan Arts Foundation.
July 3
Red, White and Blues Concert
Enjoy the holiday weekend with a free concert by Grace Potter and the Nocturnal in Sunset Plaza in Mountain Village, 3 to 6.
July 4
Firemen's Fourth of July
Celebrate independence the old-fashioned way: a parade down Telluride's main street, a community picnic in Town Park, games for kids and spectacular fireworks!
July 4
Old-Fashioned Fourth of July
The Telluride Historical Museum offers old-fashioned root beer floats following the parade and free admission all day.
July 6-14
Telluride Playwrights Festival
Explore new plays with professional actors from around the world. Acting and writing workshops are geared toward both novice and experienced playwrights and actors. Sheridan Opera House.
July 10-11
Telluride Yoga Festival Kirtan
A free evening of Kirtan on the Sunset Stage in Mountain Village, time TBA.
July 10-12
Telluride Yoga Festival
Yoga instructors from around the world offer the opportunity to experience many yoga lineages. Meditation, kirtan and other holistic lifestyle workshops will also be offered.
July 10,11, AND/OR 12
KOTO Yankee Doodle Doo-Dah Concert
A live performance TBA in Telluride Town Park. Past concerts have included Bob Dylan, Cowboy Junkies, Los Lobos, The Radiators, and Widespread Panic.
July 11-12
Hardrock 100
In this grueling 101-mile run, participants follow an altitude-challenged course that begins in Silverton, passes through Telluride and winds up back in Silverton.
July 17-18
San Miguel Basin Rodeo
The junior rodeo beings in Norwood at 9am on Saturday. Professional rodeo follows with team roping on Sunday.
July 12-19
San Miguel Basin Fair
Norwood hosts a classic county fair with the judging of 4-H livestock and crafts, a dessert contest and more.
July 17
The Play's The Thing
A free reading of a play (TBA) presented by Squidshow and TCAH and followed by discussion with the cast at 7pm.
July 18
Hike into History
Meet at the Telluride Historical Museum by 8am for the drive to Tomboy. From there, historian Rudy Davison will guide a free hike to Smuggler Mine in Marshall Basin (3.5 hours round trip) and continue to Imogene Pass and Ft. Peabody (6 hours roundtrip). Pack a lunch and wear sturdy shoes and sunscreen.
July 18
Paws for Art
Formerly the Fur Ball, this event features a live art auction, complimentary wine, beer, hors d'oeuvres and live music. Proceeds still benefit homeless dogs and cats, but canines will not be attending this year. Telluride Conference Center in Mountain Village.
July 23-25
Telluride Americana Music Weekend
Americana: where old, country, rock and roll and the blues come together. Two of the following acts share the bill each night: Shannon Whitworth, Kevin Welch, Walk Wilkins, Slaid Cleaves, Tift Merritt, Irene Kelley and Eric Bibb. Sheridan Opera House, time TBA.
July 24
Ah Haa Art Auction
This annual fundraiser is known for selling an array of art objects, trips and services in both a silent action and a fast-paced live auction. Doors open at 5pm; live auction begins at 7:30pm.
July 24-26
Rotary 4x4 Rally
Jeeping and a BBQ on Saturday.
July 25-26
Mountainfilm's Outdoor Series
Mountainfilm and TMVOA present free films in the great outdoors (weather permitting) at the Sunset Plaza in Mountain Village, featuring festival selections and premieres of new films. The show beings at dusk.
July 31
Cajun Fest
Enjoy the sounds of New Orleans in downtown Telluride.
July 31-August 2
Telluride Tech Festival
An intimate gathering at the Sheridan Opera House, featuring distinguished honorees from around the world who come to discuss the past, present and future of technology. A Tesla coil demonstration takes place on Main Street on Friday and Saturday evenings.
August 1
TCTV Concert
TCTV brings the New Orleans boogie band Papa Grows Funk to the Sunset Stage in Mountain Village, time TBA.
August 6
Launch
The opening of an exhibition at the Ah Haa School that showcases the talents of emerging regional artists, 5 to 7pm.
August 6-16
Chamber Music Festival
The festival's artistic director Roy Malan, concertmaster with the San Francisco Ballet, brings Chamber music to Telluride, up close and personal.
August 7
KOTO Duck Race
Get your rubber ducky, near the corner of Colorado or Pine or at KOTO's offices on Pine Street, for a swim down the San Miguel River. Great prizes are awarded to ducks that navigate the river best.
August 9
Gregg Brown in Concert
This folk rocker's songs have been performed by many great musicians. He has recorded over a dozen albums and performs at the Sheridan Opera House, 8pm.
August 14
Telluride Festival of the Arts Concert
In celebration of the arts, TMVOA presents a free, open-air concert in Sunset Plaza in Mountain Village 6-8pm. Performer TBA.
August 14-16
Telluride Festival of the Arts
Culinary and visual arts collide in Mountain Village, bringing together a passion for food, art and entertainment. Highlights include chef demonstrations, food seminars, a showcase dinner and grand tasting, along with nationally juried art exhibit.
August 14-16
Mudd Butts Mystery Theater Troupe
This zany Telluride Academy children's theater troupe creates a show like no other. All ages welcome. Palm Theater, time TBA.
August 20-21
Mountainfilm's Outdoor Series
Mountainfilm and TMVOA present free films in the great outdoors (weather permitting) at the Sunset Plaza in Mountain Village, featuring festival selections and premieres of new films. The show beings at dusk.
August 22
Telluride Vaudeville
This fundraiser for TCTV features short variety acts that showcase and talents of Telluride's adults and children. Sheridan Opera House, time TBA.
August 23-30
Squidshow
Telluride's newest theater company presents an original free play written by Sasha Cucciniello. Location and time TBA.
August 27-30
Telluride Mushroom Festival
Gather to celebrate and explore all aspects of fungi in Telluride's mushroom-rich surroundings. Pick, discuss, parade and eat during an information-filled weekend.
September 3
Film Festival Exhibit Opening
Telluride Historical Museum presents an exhibit that corresponds with film (exhibit TBA).
September 3
SOLO
An opening exhibit at the Ah Haa School that features one regional artist and their body of work, 5-7pm.
September 4
KOTO Guest DJ Day
Tune in to www.koto.org to hear locals vie for the coveted Silver Tongue Award and raise money for community radio.
September 4
Ophir Hill Climb
Run or bike from Ophir to the top of the pass in this friendly competition.
September 4-7
Telluride Film Festival
A top-secret program (at least until the festival begins) featuring premieres, classics, seminars and discussions with the world's leading filmmakers and stars.
September 6-7
Ouray County Rodeo
Professional Colorado cowboys get together in Ridgway for bronc bustin', calf ropin', and barrel racin' and general festivities.
September 10
KOTO Potato Black Bean Saute
Eat the musical fruit for breakfast and benefit KOTO. Telluride's commercial-free radio station. Hongas Lotus Petal/La Cocina de Luz patios, 7am to noon.
September 10-11
Mountainfilm's Outdoor Series
Mountainfilm and TMVOA present free films in the great outdoors (weather permitting) at the Sunset Plaza in Mountain Village, featuring festival selections and premieres of new films. The show beings at dusk.
September 12
Imogene Pass Run
Beginning in Ouray and ending in Telluride, this 17-mile course gains more than 5000 vertical feet. Not for the faint of sole!
September 14-18
Black Bear Awareness Week
Throughout the week, families can learn about our furry, intelligent neighbors and ways to stay safe in black bear country.
September 17
Bob Miller Memorial Golf Classic
Telluride Adaptive Sports Program hosts a fundraiser tournament on the Telluride Golf Course.
September 18
The Play's The Thing
A free reading of a play (TBA) presented by Squidshow and TCAH and followed by discussion with the cast at 7pm. Location TBA.
September 18-20
Telluride Blues and Brews Festival
Microbrew tasting, crafts and food booths, and international blues and rock acts in Telluride Town Park by day and intimate late night blues clubs at night.
September 25-27
Artists' Studio Tours
Your backstage pass into the Telluride art scene starts with this event. Discover how artists have carved out their working spaces, many in their homes.
September 25-27
Writer's in the Sky
Spend a day with regional and national screenwriters and authors as they give presentations, read from their works and engage in dialogue with each other and audience. Wilkinson Public Library.
September 26
Mountains to the Desert
As a fundraiser for the Just for Kids Foundation, bikers spin 130 miles on the road from Telluride to Moab.
October 1
Youth Art Awards
This event honors regional students for their creativity and interest in the arts. Ah Haa School, 5 to 7pm.
October 9-10
Walking Words
Walking Words begins with a progressive dinner from 6-9pm on Friday featuring three courses, each at a different restaurant, accompanied by a reading. Saturday is devoted to workshops in fiction, poetry and nonfiction at the Ah Haa School.
October 18
Gondola Closes for Off-Season
Midnight starts the off-season closure of the Gondola until November 20.
October 31
KOTO Halloween Party
Get decked out a check out how Telluride parties. Location TBA.
November 13-15
KOTO Ski Swap
Used and new gear and clothes for all snow activates. Proceeds fun Telluride's community radio station. Wilkinson Public Library's underground garage.
November 20
Gondola Opens
The Gondola Opens for the Winter Season.
November 20
The Play's The Thing
A free reading of a play (TBA) presented by Squidshow and TCAH and followed by discussion with the cast at 7pm. Location TBA.
November 26
Telluride Ski Resort Opens
Ski the first day of the 2009/2010 lift-served season in Telluride.
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