Rocky Mountain UkeFest returns August 7–9, 2026, bringing three days of concerts, workshops, jam sessions, and community gatherings to Durango, Colorado, built around one of music’s most approachable instruments: the ukulele.
The weekend is designed for every skill level, with first-time players learning their first chords alongside experienced musicians looking for workshops, performances, and new collaborators.
With an all-access weekend pass covering concerts, classes, and jam sessions, the festival creates a full weekend centered on music, learning, and connection.
Tickets are on sale now, and the $199 weekend pass gives attendees access to the full festival experience. Support from Hutton Broadcasting, a sponsor of Rocky Mountain UkeFest, helps connect audiences across the Four Corners to regional events that bring live music and community together.
Rocky Mountain UkeFest 2026 at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of dates, pricing, and what the weekend includes:
- Festival Dates: August 7–9, 2026
- Location: Durango, Colorado
- Weekend Pass: $199. Buy tickets.
The festival is built as a full weekend experience, so attendees can move between performances, learning sessions, and casual jam circles throughout the festival.
What Is Rocky Mountain UkeFest?
Rocky Mountain UkeFest is a three-day ukulele festival held in Durango that combines live performances with hands-on workshops and community-based music events. Rather than focusing only on concerts, the festival is designed as an interactive experience where attendees can learn, play, and meet other musicians throughout the weekend.
The event includes evening concerts from featured artists, daytime workshops led by performers and educators, open jam sessions, and informal community gatherings that make the festival feel welcoming rather than formal. It is built for players at every level, including people picking up a ukulele for the first time.
That accessibility helps create a welcoming atmosphere for new and experienced players alike. Some visitors come to improve their playing, while others come for the performances, the community, or simply the chance to spend a music-filled weekend in Durango.
Featured Artists at Rocky Mountain UkeFest 2026
Each featured artist performs concerts and leads workshops during the weekend, giving attendees the chance to learn directly from the musicians they see on stage.
Ukulele Gent
Greg, known as Ukulele Gent, brings a practical and welcoming teaching style built around the idea that anyone can learn an instrument. After choosing an aquarium over guitar lessons as a kid, he eventually found his way back to music decades later through the ukulele.
Now involved in festivals, local play-alongs, and a weekly online ukulele session with players around the world, he focuses on helping beginners feel comfortable and capable. His workshops are known for being approachable, encouraging, and built around real progress rather than intimidation.
Chavacado
Chava Wolin, performing as Chavacado, is a ukulele teacher and performer based in Oregon with more than a decade of teaching and performance experience. She also performs as a clarinetist with the Columbia River Symphony and regularly appears at festivals across the country.
Her style blends strong musicianship with a warm, community-focused approach. That combination makes her workshops especially popular for players who want both technical guidance and a welcoming atmosphere.
Dr. Mary Kleinsorge
Mary Kleinsorge brings decades of performance and teaching experience shaped by life in Kansas, Colorado, and Baja California. Her focus is on collaboration, creativity, and helping players surprise themselves with what they can accomplish.
She is known for encouraging musicians to think beyond rigid instruction and approach music with curiosity. Her sessions often center on confidence-building and the joy of learning alongside other players.
Devin and Ally
Devin Scott and Ally McNatt serve as hosts of Rocky Mountain UkeFest and help shape the weekend’s energy from start to finish. In addition to performing concerts, they step in at workshops and festival events wherever needed.
Devin’s high-energy ukulele style and Ally’s bass lines and harmonies create a sound built around fun, familiarity, and audience connection. Their performances help keep the festival feeling inclusive and easy to join, even for first-time attendees.
What the $199 Rocky Mountain UkeFest Pass Includes
The all-access weekend pass is designed to cover the full festival, not just the headline concerts.
Your $199 pass includes:
- Entry to all evening concerts
- Access to the full workshop lineup
- Open jam sessions
- Special community gatherings throughout the weekend
This format gives attendees flexibility. You can spend the day learning in workshops, join a casual jam session in the afternoon, and finish the night with live performances from featured artists.
Why Rocky Mountain UkeFest Belongs on Your Summer Calendar
Rocky Mountain UkeFest welcomes experienced players, beginners, casual musicians, and anyone who simply enjoys live music in a smaller, community-focused setting.
Unlike larger festivals built around big crowds and headliners, this weekend is centered on participation. Workshops, jam sessions, and direct access to artists create a more personal experience, while Durango adds the bonus of turning the festival into a full summer weekend worth planning around.
Tickets are on sale now! No matter where you are in the Four Corners region, this is the kind of festival you can plan an entire weekend around. Lock in your pass, bring your ukulele, and plan a long August weekend around three days of music in the mountains.
As a sponsor of Rocky Mountain UkeFest, Hutton Broadcasting helps support regional arts events that bring people together across the Four Corners.
FAQs About Rocky Mountain UkeFest 2026
What is included in the Rocky Mountain UkeFest weekend pass?
The $199 all-access weekend pass includes entry to all evening concerts, the full workshop lineup, open jam sessions, and special community gatherings throughout the weekend. It is designed to cover the full festival experience rather than requiring separate tickets for individual events.
This structure makes the festival easier to navigate and helps attendees participate more freely. Instead of choosing between events based on separate pricing, pass holders can move between concerts, workshops, and jam sessions across all three days. That flexibility is especially useful for visitors traveling from elsewhere in the Four Corners who want to make the most of the weekend.
The pass also supports the educational side of the festival. Workshops are led by featured artists and experienced instructors, giving attendees direct access to professional musicians in smaller learning environments. For many visitors, that access is one of the biggest reasons to attend.
Is Rocky Mountain UkeFest beginner-friendly?
Yes, Rocky Mountain UkeFest is designed for all skill levels, including complete beginners who may be picking up a ukulele for the first time. The festival focuses as much on learning and community as it does on performance, which makes it welcoming for newer players.
Many workshops are built around technique, confidence, and group participation rather than advanced performance. Open jam sessions also give beginners a low-pressure way to play with others without needing formal training or stage experience.
Featured artists like Ukulele Gent and Dr. Mary Kleinsorge are known for approachable teaching styles that help new players feel comfortable rather than intimidated. That balance is a major reason the festival attracts a wide mix of attendees, from hobby players to experienced performers.
Where is Rocky Mountain UkeFest held?
Rocky Mountain UkeFest takes place in Durango, Colorado, in the heart of the Four Corners region. The festival runs August 7–9, 2026, and brings together visitors from across Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah for a full weekend of music and workshops.
Durango works especially well for this kind of festival because it combines a strong local arts scene with destination appeal. Visitors can spend the day in workshops or concerts and still enjoy downtown restaurants, outdoor spaces, and nearby attractions during the same trip.
Because the event is built as a weekend experience, many attendees plan short stays rather than day trips. That makes the location part of the appeal, not just the backdrop.
Who are the featured artists at Rocky Mountain UkeFest 2026?
The 2026 featured artist lineup includes Ukulele Gent, Chavacado, Dr. Mary Kleinsorge, and festival hosts Devin and Ally. Each artist performs concerts and also leads workshops during the weekend, giving attendees both performance and learning opportunities.
The lineup reflects the festival’s focus on accessibility and community. Ukulele Gent is known for beginner-friendly teaching and weekly online play-alongs, while Chavacado brings both festival performance experience and classical training as a symphony clarinetist.
Dr. Mary focuses on collaborative learning and confidence-building, while Devin and Ally help lead the weekend with high-energy performances and workshops. Together, the lineup creates a weekend that feels varied, personal, and built for interaction rather than distance between artists and attendees.
Why is Rocky Mountain UkeFest worth attending?
Rocky Mountain UkeFest offers something many larger music festivals do not: direct participation. Instead of only watching performances, attendees can join workshops, play in jam sessions, and spend the weekend actively making music with other people.
That creates a very different experience from a standard concert weekend. Players improve their skills, meet other musicians, and build community while still enjoying professional performances from featured artists. Even visitors who do not regularly perform often leave feeling more connected to music than when they arrived.
Combined with Durango’s setting and the festival’s smaller scale, the weekend feels personal and memorable. It is less about watching from the audience and more about being part of the event itself.
