Winter is when Boulder shines brightest. Whether you will be visiting over the holidays or want to make a 2020 bucket list, here are some of the highlights in Boulder for 2020, starting in the winter and into the springtime.
This is by no means all that’s going on. For the full list of activities and events, check out the calendar on the homepage of TravelBoulder.com. We update it constantly.
January
Jan. 1: The New Year starts off with a chilly scream, during the annual Polar Plunge. People, often in crazy costumes, jump into the frigid waters of the Boulder Reservoir. That’s how Boulder starts the new year.
February
Feb. 9: Mmm, chocolate. The annual Chocolate Lovers’ Fling, complete with chocolate tastings, pairings and other tasty desserts, is right in time for Valentine’s Day. It benefits the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence.
Feb. 26: Catch the famous Glenn Miller Orchestra live at the BDT Stage, Boulder’s dinner theater. Get tickets through March 1.
March
March 4-15: The annual Boulder Jewish Film Festival kicks off March 4. The event centers around films about the Jewish experience.
March 5-8: One of the most anticipated events in Boulder is the Boulder International Film Festival, an annual film event that draws more than 25,000 people. The event screens films, presents music and offers special events, like food and film pairings. BIFF (as we call it) has been named one of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.
March 8-10: Early March is for one of the weirdest events in Boulder County (and really, the world). Frozen Dead Guy Days, in Nederland, features live bands and odd events, like coffin races and frozen T-shirt contests. The event was inspired by a man who died and asked to be frozen in a Tuff Shed on dry ice near Nederland. He remains there today.
March 13-15: It’s time for the Local Lab New Play Festival, a three-day event of readings, theatrical workshops, production of a new play and more.
March TBD: Boulder loves beer, and every winter (often early March), the city will pay tribute to local brewers at its Winter Craft Beer Festival. This year, find it at the Balch Fieldhouse at Folsom Field on the CU campus.
Date TBD: Boulder Arts Week (usually late March through early April) is a full week filled with art. Expect art exhibitions, stage performances, music, dance and more at locations throughout the city.
April
April TBD: Early April is when the Boulder Farmers Market opens. Find markets Saturdays and Wednesdays in Boulder and Saturdays in Longmont (plus in other cities throughout Boulder County). This huge outdoor market was named the No. 1 farmers market in the nation by USA Today readers, and we agree. It’s been a Boulder staple since the ’80s and features tasty food, shopping, live music and more.
April 6-10: The weeklong Conference on World Affairs is an exciting, educational event on the CU Campus. The public is welcome to pop in on about 200 different panels, events and concerts for free, featuring world-famous thinkers, teachers, leaders and innovators. This is a special event unique to Boulder.
April 7: Boulder greets spring with its annual Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival on the Pearl Street Mall. Hundreds of kids dress up like fairies and elves, and the “tulip fairy” joins them to frolic among the 15,000 colorful tulips annually planted along the mall. It’s a magical, colorful scene.
April TBD: The Taste of Pearl takes over downtown Boulder every spring. Local restaurants, art galleries and wineries come together to bring this interactive, walking tour of Boulder’s creative and delicious side. Stroll through different shops, sample food paired with beverages and learn more about Boulder’s makers.
May
May 23-25: The Boulder Creek Festival is one of Boulder’s biggest events, along the banks of Boulder Creek. For more than three decades, the free, family-friendly fest has featured food, entertainment, vendors and more.
May 25: Finish the Creek Fest with a run (or walk) (or dance) through the BolderBoulder. This 10K is one of the biggest, most famous races in the world. It also includes a huge Memorial Day ceremony as the grand finale of the race.
