Five Points Jazz Festival (credit: Zerosun Pictures)
Spring is here and that means festival season in Colorado officially kicks off. There are so many festivals and events in Colorado that you can practically attend a different one every weekend from May through August. May brings a lot of art and culture celebrations with Cinco de Mayo and the annual Tesoro Indian Market and Powwow. These festivals are great opportunities to gather the whole family to enjoy the beautiful spring weather and learn a bit about another culture at the same time.
Related: The Cutest Baby Animals
Cinco de Mayo Festival and Parade
Civic Center Park
100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway
Denver, CO 80209
(303) 534-8342
www.cincodemayodenver.com
Dates: May 4-5, 2013
Ring in the month of May with the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival and Parade. This two-day celebration is the largest of its kind in the United States and it’s a huge draw every year. Check out Mariachi bands, Aztec and Folklorico dancers, lots of great Mexican arts and crafts, plus three stages featuring Latino entertainment, both traditional and contemporary. Of course, the Mexican food is not to be missed at this event as well. With so many great culinary treats, you won’t know where to start.
Five Points Jazz Festival
28th St. and Welton St.
Denver, CO 80205
www.artsandvenues.com
Date: May 18, 2013
Five Points is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Denver, and its annual Jazz Festival is always a true highlight. This free event is designed to celebrate the rich heritage of music and culture from this amazing neighborhood. There will be multiple venues with performances from many local jazz greats as well as lots of food and art vendors along Welton Street.
Related: Top Ways to Take Advantage of the Last of Winter in Colorado
Tesoro Annual Indian Market and Powwow
The Fort
19192 Highway 8
Morrison, CO 80465
(303) 839-1671
www.tesoroculturalcenter.org
Dates: May 18-19, 2013
Join more than 50 award-winning Native American artists for a celebration of art, jewelry, pottery and more. This contest Powwow, sponsored by the Tesoro Cultural Center in Morrison, brings together multiple tribes as they gather to share their art. Don’t miss the tribal dancers and drummers as they compete in traditional, shawl, grass, fancy and jingle dance competitions. You will have plenty of chances to learn more about their rich heritage and traditions while enjoying the festival and entertainment.
Downtown Denver Arts Festival
Denver Performing Arts Complex
1101 13th St.
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 330-8237
www.downtowndenverartsfestival.com
Dates: May 24-26, 2013
Celebrate spring and the arts with the annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival. The festival, held every Memorial Day weekend, features more than 125 visual artists from around Colorado (as well as a few very specially selected national artists) exhibiting and selling their art all weekend. The festival draws about 150,000 people every year, and will be returning to its original home at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. From paintings and sculptures to jewelry and photography, this is one festival that all art lovers should be sure to attend.
Related: 2013 Denver Theater Spring Preview
16th Street Mall
1001 16th St.
Denver, CO 80265
(303) 605-2885
www.denverdayofrock.comDate: May 25, 2013What better way to celebrate springtime than with a massive outdoor rock concert? The Denver Day of Rock will feature 20 bands on four different stages for this second annual event. The headlining bands for this year’s concert are Toto, Fishbone and Toad the Wet Sprocket, as well as local favorites Wendy Woo, Something Underground, Oakhurst and many more. The performance stages will be along the 16th Street Mall, making strolling from venue to venue a breeze. In addition, this concert event benefits Concerts for Kids, a non-profit organization that raises funds for local children’s charities.
