Telluride has enough charm, outdoor activities, and gorgeous vistas to be one of Colorado’s top summer destinations all on its own. But come May, this idyllic town takes the ultimate Colorado experience one step further, transforming into the de facto summer festival capital of the state. Diehard festivarians travel from all over the country to experience one - or many - of the nearly 20 festivals that take place in the iconic box canyon, ranging from Telluride music festivals to wellness gatherings. it's why summer is one of the best times to visit all year. Heading to Telluride in the winter? Check out our Telluride Winter Events Guide here. 

Below we’ve listed a complete Telluride events calendar for 2020, so you can start putting together the ultimate Telluride festival schedule and look for the perfect rental. Scroll down to learn more about each festival individually. If you're looking to extend your stay beyond a single festival, use our complete list of things to do in Telluride as a guide.

Not sure how to get here? With new flights into Telluride, it's easier than ever. Check out our post on How to Get to Telluride to learn where to fly into, who to fly with, the best road trips into Telluride, and more.

The Telluride Literary Arts Festival, or LitFest, uses Telluride’s dramatic background landscapes as a place for writers and readers to gather and celebrate the art of literature. But don’t expect a quiet three days of book dissection and character analysis - there’s much more to this fest than reading and writing.

From literary burlesque to poetry performances, birding outings to panel discussions, you’ll find the type of event you’re looking for. If you’re bringing your kids, there are plenty of activities aimed at keeping the whole family entertained.

The event takes place at several venues around town, all within a few blocks of each other. If you’re looking for Telluride vacation rentals nearby and want to see what LitFest has to offer, take a look through our luxury homes in Downtown Telluride.

The Telluride Film Festival may make the most headlines, but don’t write off the season’s earlier film fest, Telluride Mountainfilm. In 2017, this unique event made MovieMaker Magazine’s list of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World, and after learning a little more about it, it’s not hard to see why.

At the heart of Mountainfilm is a mission to “use the power of film, art, and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.” It features nonfiction documentaries about cultural issues, the environment, political and social justice, and even climbing, and pairs them with inspirational speakers and community events to prompt action. The theme of this year’s festival is “equity.”

Take a look at our beautiful Downtown Telluride rentals here and start planning an inspirational getaway now.

For an unforgettable spectacle and relatively smaller crowd sizes, spend the weekend of May 31-June 2 at the Telluride Balloon Festival.

Beginning at sunrise, dozens of colorful hot air balloons will lift off from Town Park and gracefully float through the valley, landing about a mile away. The actual launch and flight take place Sunday morning, but Saturday night also offers an incredibly unique sight. Telluride’ famous Main Street fills with the balloons, which are inflated by the roar of the propane jets. This creates what many have come to call the “glow,” and is a scene you won’t want to miss. 

Need any other reason to head to Telluride on May 31? This festival is completely free. Check out available homes now to find the perfect luxury vacation home close to the action.

The WOW Festival is Telluride’s top health and wellness event of the year. The Weekend of Wellness, or WOW, has become a highly anticipated event that helps attendees identify and treat health challenges through an integrated holistic approach.

This is a highly exclusive event, and will quickly sell out. A three-day pass costs $350 and gives you access to all activities, or you can purchase individual day passes for $175.

Because of the small size of the event, guests will receive customized programs and one-on-one consultations. Classes and programs are led by experts in yoga, pilates, and cycling, as well as professionals in both Eastern and Western health philosophies.

We have several vacation rentals in Telluride that are perfect for maintaining the balance you find at the WOW Festival. Look through our homes to find the perfect hot tub, sauna, soaking tub, or cozy living room that you’ll be excited to return to after the day’s events.

Ask most people what they know about Telluride, and they’ll mention the famous Bluegrass Festival. For 45 years, the best pickers and players in the world have showcased their talents with the stunning beauty of the box canyon in the background.

For four days, festival-goers escape the world and spend their days exploring town, listening to the music, hiking the nearby trails, and relaxing with family and friends. The party also serves as a true celebration of summer and takes place every year on the weekend closest to the summer solstice - the longest day of the year.

You’ll find music all over town, from the main stage to small venues during late night shows. While thousands of people enjoy camping in the nearby fields every year, we have plenty of luxury Telluride homes available for those who’d rather have a bed to return to. To learn more about ticketing packages, check out our guide here.

Another long-standing tradition, the Telluride Wine Festival is celebrating the 38th year of bringing together the country’s greatest winemakers and renowned chefs. For four days, the valley transforms from its rustic mining town roots to a highly sophisticated scene where everyone is in for a fine culinary experience.

Whether you’re a novice or a sommelier, anyone is welcome to come enjoy the weekend. There will be plenty of educational seminars, wine pairings, tastings, and other activities suited for everyone. The festival takes place downtown and in the famous Mountain Village, and we have some gorgeous Telluride rentals near both locations.

For a more quiet, relaxed experience, check out our Mountain Village home rentals, or to be a part of the bustling downtown, look through our downtown Telluride homes.

A relative newcomer to the Telluride festival scene, the RIDE music festival brings in top-name acts in rock ‘n roll and roots, with a particular focus on bands known for their live performances. Past lineups have included Widespread Panic, North Mississippi Allstars, the Wood Brothers, Beck, Pearl Jam, Cake, and countless more.

Like all festivals in Telluride, guests at RIDE can take full advantage of the free gondola that connects downtown and Mountain Village. A pass for the entire weekend comes out to $239.03 after taxes and fees. This festival has grown immensely in only eight years, and as such, RV camping passes and weekend car camping passes have already sold out.

For availability in our downtown and Mountain Village rentals, check out our beautiful Telluride homes here.

Another one of the most established music fests in the canyon, the Telluride Jazz Festival has been drawing top talent for more than 40 years. From traditional to progressive and Avant-garde, you’ll hear musicians pushing the boundaries of jazz.

In addition to the music, guests can explore art installations and exhibits, take part in yoga exercises, attend music education seminars, and more. There are several ticketing options available, including the Patron Experience, which gives you on-stage seated viewing, meals with the artists, and more top-shelf offerings, or the VIP experience, where there’s a covered lounge with stage views, front-row seating, and host service. If you’re hungry for after-hours entertainment, there’s plenty of it in town, with the inevitable late night shows that pop up in smaller venues.

Thanks to the free gondola, our homes in both downtown Telluride and Mountain Village make for the perfect place to stay for the Telluride Jazz Festival.

The Telluride Chamber Music Festival is more of a season than a weekend. Spanning over a week in August, world-class chamber musicians gather to play together between the 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juan mountains. It’s an awe-inspiring way to listen to musicianship at its highest level.

Celebrating its 45th season last summer, the 2018 Telluride Chamber Music Festival attracted some of the best talent in the country, including:

• Roy Malen, Concertmaster of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and the California Symphony 
• Susan Feier, a former member of the Rochester Philharmonic and current member of the Stanford faculty and the Ives Quartet. 
• Nancy Ellis, of the San Francisco Symphony

For more than 30 years, Telluride has been home to this eccentric gathering of mushroom maestros, who meet up to have parades, arrange expeditions, and learn about everything mushroom. Come join fellow enthusiasts for scientific talks by experts, culinary seminars from celebrated chefs, and mushroom hunts in the wilds around Telluride.

People have been enjoying the quirks and education of the Telluride Mushroom Festival for more than three decades, and it has become so popular, lodging can book up a year in advance. Typically, within six months of the event, the town of Telluride is nearly booked. Find your ideal Telluride rental and lock in your experience with InvitedHome.

A rather self-explanatory title, the Telluride Blues and Brews festival brings together roots rock, blues, gospel, funk, soul, and jazz with Colorado’s massive craft brew scene. With far more beers than you could possibly choose from and music going all day, you’ll have plenty to do as you walk the grounds and admire the unbeatable views.

The festival takes place just a few steps from Telluride’s famous downtown main street, so you can easily move from the festival to the after-hours parties that fill up the smaller local venues. Check the festival’s site often for the full artist lineup for 2020, or get a jump on your planning and secure your Telluride vacation home with InvitedHome here.

As the last festival in September, the Telluride Festival of Cars and Colors has become a great way to see the changing leaves of the surrounding mountains while enjoying a world-class automotive show. Now entering its 5th year, the festival is a gathering of the world’s finest cars.

Last year’s event included a War Bird aviation exhibit in addition to classic cars and motorcycles, as well as plenty of family-friendly activities and live music. For a truly unforgettable experience, register to take part in the Million Dollar Highway Road Rally, where you’ll join the likes of other auto collectors driving through some of southwest Colorado’s most iconic towns, all with a backdrop of the changing aspens.

For a luxury home befitting of this elegant event, take a look at our Telluride rentals here.