Festivals & Gatherings: The Best Annual Events in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Many people ask, "Why is Steamboat Springs so popular all year round?" While this isn't a simple question to answer, a large part of its appeal comes from the calendar of events, festivals, and live music performances that bustle throughout the year in the town of Steamboat Springs.

Wondering if you should visit Steamboat Springs in summer or winter? That's another tough question. Besides the fantastic skiing, snowboarding, and the excellent summer outdoor activities. There's always something interesting and exciting happening against the backdrop of the beautiful mountains. The calendar of events provides a great opportunity for visitors to experience Steamboat's delightful Western heritage and celebrate the city's seasons and unique activities. As a rule of thumb, each event features live music, great food, and friendly locals. What more could you ask for?

To answer your questions about the best time to plan a visit to this amazing mountain town, this blog will bring you a list of the best annual events in Steamboat Springs, CO. Once you've read it all, you can mark your preferred months on the calendar! Let's dive into it!

Best Winter Festivals & Events in Steamboat Springs

Steamboat MusicFest, January

What about starting your year with over 200 hours of fantastic music set in unique venues, coupled with lots of skiing opportunities? Sounds fun, huh?

Every January, Steamboat MusicFest draws many visitors to the city, all eager to immerse themselves in a splendid array of artistic performances showcasing the finest Texas and Americana music.

Is the Steamboat MusicFest good for ski enthusiasts? You bet it is! For six days at Steamboat Ski & Resort, several concerts from legendary singers and rising stars offer a perfect backdrop for all kinds of snow sports.

Concerts happen in different stages and venues that are very unique. From stages resembling an old barn or an old saloon to tents looking like luxurious ballrooms, each set brings a different experience to the audience. For those who just want to listen to great music and relax, there are more intimate settings where you can sit comfortably and enjoy some great hits — sometimes even by a fireplace!

Just keep in mind that this is a ticketed event. Still, if you’re not able to secure tickets in time, a few free concerts always happen over the MusicFest weekend on the Steamboat Stage at Gondola Square. Just stay tuned for the festival schedule.

Steamboat Winter Carnival, February

Steamboat Winter Carnival is not only the most famous but also perhaps the largest event held in Steamboat each year. Brimming with tradition, this century-old celebration brings an abundance of fun and entertainment to both locals and tourists who gather in the mountain town to embrace winter in grand style.

Originally established as a means to distract people from the challenges of prolonged winters, the carnival has evolved into a true winter extravaganza: picture kids and adults on skis, towed by horses down the snow-covered Main Street, and skiers daringly leaping through fiery hoops. There’s no end to the array of thrilling activities during this five-day party, and the whole city of Steamboat Springs comes alive with street performances, lively parades, and an influx of winter sports enthusiasts.

Among the many highlights of the Steamboat Winter Carnival, the Night Extravaganza stands out as one of the most eagerly expected events. At Howelsen Hill, skiers and snowboarders adorned with LED lights, glowing sticks, and road flares create a mesmerizing spectacle. The highlight of the night arrives with the Night Extravaganza's iconic Lighted Man — a skier adorned in a suit lit by an impressive LED lighting system boasting over 250 colors. The skier's backpack shoots fireworks into the night sky - a truly unique display of fireworks!

Historically, the event is held every year in the second week of February, regardless of the weather conditions. This is a true celebration of winter and a great opportunity to experience the traditions of an American ski town.

Best Summer Festivals & Events in Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Marathon, June

Considered the most scenic marathon in the Rockies, the Steamboat Marathon happens every June and is recognized as one of the "Top 10 Destination Marathons in North America" by Colorado Runner magazine. This certified Boston Qualifier race blends the adrenaline and excitement of the competition with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and a homey feel that delights runners.

Participants can choose to run the full, half, or 10K marathon. Regardless of the distance they choose, the sights runners encounter along the way are nothing short of spectacular: stunning snow-capped Rocky Mountains and mesmerizing emerald-green valleys.

The fact that there are no crowds along the race allows runners to focus on what's important: the running. However, they can still admire the natural beauty as they go and may even spot wildlife along the way.

Throughout the race, participants will encounter volunteer stations. After crossing the finish line, they can stroll on the courthouse grounds in the center of town, chat with locals, or rest on the grass. Even if you're not a runner, it's a great time to visit Steamboat Springs because the city becomes lively with all the excited visitors.

Yampa River Festival, June

Locals love the Yampa River, so it comes as no surprise that there’s an event to celebrate it every year in Steamboat Springs. Organized by Friends of the Yampa and usually held every June, the Yampa River Festival not only raises awareness about the preservation of this important part of the city but also offers lots of fun-on-the-water activities. 

Everyone is invited to have fun on the water in the way they like. It doesn't matter if you have a kayak, raft, canoe, tube, SUP, or pack raft; the important thing is to enjoy the waters of the Yampa and have fun. There are also kayaking and SUP demos and paddling races happening during the festival.

Visitors can also take part in several recreational events happening in and around the Yampa River, such as parties and talks. Even if you don’t want to get wet or are not into water sports, the event still creates a really friendly environment for you to chat with locals, have a beer, grab some delicious food around the river, and just soak in the scenery.

The Yampa River Festival happens annually after Memorial Day, typically on the same weekend as the Steamboat Marathon.

MainStreet Steamboat Springs Farmers Market, June through September

From June to September, every Saturday, the Mainstreet Steamboat Farmers Market features over 150 local vendors and artists, offering unique products and filling Main Street with colors and good vibes.

From local crafts that you can buy as souvenirs to flowers and high-quality meat, veggies, bread, and much more, there's a wide variety to explore and delicious food to try.

Still, a stroll along the market is a delightful experience, even if you don’t want to buy anything. The friendly vendors and the lively atmosphere alone are worth the visit. This is an event to soak up the community atmosphere and chat with locals during your stay in Steamboat Springs, not to mention it's a great opportunity to support the local sustainable economy.

Art in the Park, July

What about a bit of art for the whole family? Art in the Park is a family-friendly and free event that brings colorful and artsy vibes to Steamboat every July at West Lincoln Park.

Besides gathering over one hundred artists from all over the country, the two-day event attracts art enthusiasts eager to explore a wide variety of handmade arts and crafts.

Attendees will also find lots of live entertainment, delicious food, and beer, as well as creative interactive stations. Kids love the event because of the interactive children’s area, and the face-painting activities are a total hit with the little ones! This is a traditional event that has been happening for over 50 years in Steamboat, offering lots of colors and fun for the entire family to enjoy.

Steamboat Pro Rodeo Series, August

 
Every Friday and Saturday from July through August, the Steamboat Pro Rodeo Series creates a buzz in Downtown Steamboat Springs. Starting from dusk, live music performances by local artists warm up the audience. With plenty of seating around the stage, people can enjoy glorious music and grab food, drinks, and ice cream to soak in the amazing atmosphere.

This is one of the best family-friendly summer events in Steamboat Springs, CO. There are also activities for kids, such as rodeo clown performances and roping games. Kids can even go down to the arena and take part in the Calf and Ram Scramble events. For example, the Calf Scramble is for kids between 6 and 12 years old. They chase a calf or a sheep to try to get the ribbon on its tail. The winner receives great prizes, like gift cards for Wrangler jeans and a belt buckle.

The rodeo includes events filled with action and adrenaline, such as bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, cowgirl barrel racing, steer wrestling, and more.

Steamboat OktoberWest, September

The end of summer in Steamboat is marked by delicious beer, food, music, and fun all over town with Steamboat OktoberWest. This mountain town takes on the traditional Oktoberfest, which, despite what the name suggests, happens over a weekend in September.

The beer bonanza usually starts with the Beer Stroll on Friday. Departing from the Commons Food Hall, you can go bar hopping to check out the taking part restaurants that offer a variety of seasonal and local beers. Visitors can taste more craft beer at the event’s pop-up beer garden featuring several breweries and enjoy live music performances happening all over Steamboat.

What better way to celebrate the arrival of autumn than enjoying a weekend packed with the best local beer you’ll ever try, great music, and friendly locals? Cheers!

Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concerts, September

Since 1993, the Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series has been bringing great music and lots of fun to people in Steamboat during the summer months. The concerts, which usually include 5 free concerts per year, take place on the lawn of the Routt County Courthouse and attract locals and tourists alike.

The shows feature nationally recognized artists and bands playing everything from pop-rock and blues to reggae and funk. The event is family-friendly and offers a lively environment for kids. At the back of the stage, there's plenty of space for kids to play, and amazing vendors offer great food and drinks for everyone.

Create Memorable Moments at Some of the Best Annual Events in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat is fun all year round, but if you plan your visit to this stunning mountain town during some of the best annual events being held there, you'll certainly create unforgettable moments with loved ones and enhance your vacation in this Colorado gem.

While in town, why not stay in style with the great backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most iconic rental properties and complexes Steamboat Springs has to offer?

Retreatia offers luxury properties, ski-in/ski-out options, and downtown lodgings, some pet-friendly. Staying in one of our properties, we guarantee you'll have nothing less than a 5-star experience, something that will definitely enhance your Steamboat Springs vacation.