From outdoor adventures to community events, there’s something for everyone in Durango.

While enjoying these events in Durango, you’ll also enjoy a superb meal in a relaxing setting at Seasons of Durango. This inviting restaurant features an open-style exhibition kitchen, which focuses on crafting dishes with precision and care. They use locally sourced, solid oak to fuel the grill and rotisserie. 

Winter

Winter is cold in a mountain town like Durango, so it’s good to have a chance to get out of your house and have fun. Durango, Colorado events provide an opportunity to gather with friends at local events — even in winter. 

Snowdown Durango: January 24 – February 2, 2025

What started in 1979 with $2,000 and the hope for a cure to post-holiday malaise, Snowdown has grown (snowballed?) into an eight-day carnival of the weird and wonderful. This is the 46th year of this fun event.

The theme for 2025 is Snowdown, The Board Game Edition: It’s Your Move, and events include everything from kids crafts to the Snowdown Follies that kick off and end the event to the fun Fashion Dos and Don’ts. Additionally, participants can enjoy an interactive lunch as part of these workshops and community events.

The week’s highlight is the Parade of Lights down Main Street — the only night parade held in Durango — and the Snowdown Balloon Rally and Mass Ascension, but you owe it to yourself to read the whole list of events.

Durango Independent Film Festival: March 5 – 9, 2025

The Durango Independent Film Festival, now in its 20th year, is a platform for independent filmmakers. The festival showcases a diverse collection of films with particular attention paid to Native Cinema, adventure, documentaries, LGBTQ stories, and more.

The festival runs from March 5 – 9, with showings at the Durango Arts Center and Gaslight Theater, both located in downtown Durango. In addition to the films, there are also panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and, of course, parties!

After walking around town and enjoying various events, stop by Seasons of Durango for a fabulous dinner. In addition to the outstanding food, Seasons Rotisserie and Grill prides itself on delivering excellent service with a knowledgeable and friendly team. Their attentive and personal service ensures you enjoy a relaxed, unhurried dining experience.

Contact the restaurant ahead of time to reserve your table.

Spring

Spring in Durango is the time to dust off the snows of winter and enjoy some spring sunshine. It’s also a great time to support local live music and the Four Corners Music Community.  

Durango Celtic Festival: March 28 – 29, 2025

This three-day Durango Celtic Festival event celebrates Celtic music, both traditional and modern, and a blend of both. In addition to the music, there are also workshops and ceilidhs, which are traditional social gatherings that include singing, dancing, and storytelling. 

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown: April 11 – 13, 2025 with Local Bluegrass Jams

If Celtic harmonies aren’t your cup of mead, how about the music of Appalachia? Bluegrass musicians from around the country descend upon Durango from April 11 to the 13, and they’re bringing the dobros and banjos! 

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown kicks off with a free event featuring about two hours of live music from the Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble. Bluegrass jams are also a highlight, providing a welcoming environment for amateur and seasoned musicians to play and improvise together. It continues through the weekend with award-winning musicians, local bluegrass jammers, barn dances, late-night shows, and open jam sessions throughout the city.

Durango Wine Experience: April 25 and 26, 2025

This two-day event turns southwest Colorado into a wine-drinking paradise. This celebration of food and wine kicks off with the Walkabout on Friday afternoon, where ticket holders stroll through downtown Durango sampling different wines and appetizers. 

Saturday is the Grand Tasting at the Smiley Building, with hundreds of Colorado wines, spirits, and cuisines available for sampling. 

Rise and Vibes Music Festival at Tico Time River Resort: May 30 – June 1, 2025

Ever been to a music festival with a water slide?

Just down the road from Durango is Tico Time River Resort, an 82-acre Costa Rica-themed venue near Aztec, New Mexico, hosting two back-to-back music festivals.

First up is Rise and Vibes, a reggae festival featuring both roots reggae and traditional reggae bands, right on the Animas River. That means you can sit on the beach or in the water, listening to live reggae music and taking in the magnificent views and vibes as more than 25 artists perform on the main stage. The festival also features lively dance events with jazz music till closing, creating a vibrant and entertaining atmosphere.

Tico Time Bluegrass Festival: May 16 – 18, 2025

Shortly after the Rise and Vibes Music Festival, Tico Time River Resort hosts their eponymous three-day Bluegrass Festival, with over 25 amazing artists scheduled. Both events feature walk-in camping sites, car camping, RV hookups, glamping (with real beds), onsite food vendors, a general store, yoga, and other activities.

You may just want to hang around with friends and practice your beach volleyball skills for the summer events season. 

Summer

Durango, Colorado, comes alive in the summer with a variety of exciting events ranging from outdoor activities to musical performances, a county fair, and a brewfest. 

Animas River Days: May 31 – June 1, 2025

Celebrating the unofficial start of summer, Animas River Days is an exciting outdoor competitive event featuring water sports like kayaking, surf competitions, standup paddleboard races, and raft sprints. Less seriously competitive is the costumed river parade and floatie rodeo. 

True Western Roundup: June 4, 2025

The True Western Roundup, sponsored by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and other notable businesses, highlights the working ranch traditions of American cowboys and cowgirls. This event promotes and preserves Western heritage and provides a positive, family-friendly atmosphere for attendees. 

Founded in 2014, this annual event (formerly known as the True West Rodeo) held at La Plata County Fairgrounds features steer wrestling, barrel racing, steer and bull riding, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, and much more.  

Music in the Mountains: July 10 – August 3, 2025

One of the longest-running classical music festivals in Colorado, Music in the Mountains features classical music and pops orchestra concerts, chamber concerts, a family-friendly concert and picnic, world music concerts, and a signature benefit event and gala.

The festival begins with three days of free concerts on the purpose-built mobile concert hall, designed as part of their Road Show program to bring music to the people. In total, 40 events are planned for the four weeks, featuring 60 musicians from around the world. 

Rocky Mountain Ukulele Festival: August, 1, 2025

The Rocky Mountain Ukulele Festival is a weekend celebration of the popular four-stringed instrument from Hawaii. Attendees can enjoy both the ukulele festivities and local performances, encouraging community participation and engagement. The festival, which began in 2015, includes classes, jams, concerts, open mics, and a ukulele marketplace. 

La Plata County Fair: 2025 dates TBA

La Plata County Fair, held at La Plata County Fairgrounds, features a variety of attractions, including open-class exhibits, a talent contest, livestock shows and sales, and a variety of entertainment options, such as live music. 

Additionally, visitors can enjoy carnival rides, a demolition derby, various vendors, and a selection of great food. The fair is a showcase of the region’s agricultural and artistic talents, offering an opportunity for residents to display and compete in various categories. It’s a family-friendly event that not only entertains but also provides a glimpse into the rural and agricultural heritage of La Plata County.

San Juan Brewfest: August, 2025 dates TBA

You may be thinking, “This is Durango. Shouldn’t they have the best beer-tasting festival?” Have no fear! Your beer is near!

San Juan Brewfest is, of course, a beer-tasting and sampling and definitely not chugging festival that takes place at Buckley Park in downtown Durango. It features samples from 40 breweries with about 120 different beers and ciders, plus live music. This is a 21-and-over event, and please leave your pets at home. There may be some wobbly people around by the end. 

Four Corners Motorcycle Rally: August 30, 2025 

What could be better than riding on two wheels through the San Juan Mountains? How about riding with a whole bunch of other motorcycle enthusiasts?

The Four Corners Motorcycle Rally will not only include plenty of opportunities to ride through beautiful Southwest Colorado but also includes flat track racing, the Wall of Death, a poker run, vendors and exhibits, and, of course, food and music. 

Fall

The fall lineup of Durango, Colorado events includes art festivals, a gallery walk,  the thrilling Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, and a Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Vendors at some of these events provide opportunities for holiday shopping that can help you get in the holiday spirit.

Durango Autumn Arts Festival: 2025 dates TBA

This family-friendly event celebrating its 30th year features works from established and emerging artists from around the country, with over 100 booths, live entertainment, and a Creation Station for the kids to get a jump on their art careers. One-of-a-kind artworks are available at the Durango Autumn Arts Festival. This is a perfect opportunity to do some holiday shopping.

This free event hosted by the Durango Arts Center attracts more than 7,000 attendees from Southwest Colorado and the surrounding Four Corners region, with prizes awarded to the top artists.

Fall Gallery Walk: 2025 dates TBA

Held in conjunction with the Durango Autumn Arts Festival, the Fall Gallery Walk is an art stroll that provides an opportunity to meet local artists and acquire unique and beautiful art. 

Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering: October 1 – 5, 2025

The Durango Cowboy Gathering celebrates the Old West and its traditions through poetry and music. The event also features the original swing dance created in Harlem during the 1930s and 1940s. Sign up for a swing dance lesson and enjoy open dance sessions with big band swing music. You can also participate in a free poetry workshop!

Events include evening performances, Saturday daytime sessions, chuckwagon breakfast, and the non-motorized cowboy parade.

Seasonal Events in Durango

Durango First Friday: March through November with Live Music

Durango First Friday is a monthly art walk that celebrates all things local. Roam city sidewalks, interact with local artisans, or indulge your creativity with hands-on workshops. Local businesses open their doors, food and drink are plentiful, and you might see musicians performing for passersby.

The event happens on the first Friday of every month from 4 – 8 p.m., rain or shine. Be sure to check their website for pop-up details.

Durango Farmers Market: May 12 – October 25, 2025

Every Saturday morning between the second week of May and the last week in October, you can visit the Durango Farmers Market to enjoy local produce from the local community, including the counties of La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta, San Juan Colorado, and San Juan New Mexico.

Even vendors selling ready-to-eat food must use as many local ingredients as possible. Local musicians often perform at the market, adding to the fun atmosphere.

The Durango Farmers Market is held at 259 W. 9th Street in Durango.

Join the Fun

This is just an overview of the events in Durango. As you can see, there’s no shortage of things to do, especially if you’re a patron of the arts, music, Western culture, or you just enjoy the incredible views of the area. Durango, Colorado, offers a festive lineup of year-round events, including arts festivals that showcase the work of talented local and regional artists, the exhilarating Four Corners Motorcycle Rally that draws enthusiasts from across the country, and the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, where the spirit of the West comes alive through stories, music, and verse. 

These events highlight Durango’s unique charm, bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate the season’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and welcoming community spirit. Start planning your trip to Durango today and see what surprises it holds!

Some of these fun events might have drawn you to Durango, Colorado, but be sure to treat yourself to a delicious, locally-sourced meal at Seasons of Durango. It’s the perfect way to end a fun-filled day in Durango!