6 things to do in June in Colorado

May 9, 2023
The Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival offers a great line-up of national and local artists. The event is organized and operated by volunteers and all proceeds from the festival go to rotating local non-profits. Photo by Michael McGrath, courtesy of Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival.
The Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival offers a great line-up of national and local artists. The event is organized and operated by volunteers and all proceeds from the festival go to rotating local non-profits. Photo by Michael McGrath, courtesy of Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival.

June in Colorado offers everything you could hope for in a summer month. It’s the perfect time to revel in the abundant outdoor activities available in the mountains, along with immersing yourself in the variety of festivals, concerts and outdoor events that take place throughout cities and towns across the state. Here are some ideas for things to do in June in Colorado:

June 2-3: Jam out at the Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival

All proceeds from Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival go to nonprofits in Greeley. Photo by Michael McGrath. June 10-11: Get inspired at the
Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival. Photo by Michael McGrath, courtesy of Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival.

Are you a Blues fan? If so, you don’t want to miss out on the Greeley Blues Jam Music Festival. The festival honors and preserves the blues with non-stop music, shopping, food and fun. You may bring your tent or RV and camp nearby so you don’t miss any of the action throughout the weekend. The festival starts with free music in the outdoor plaza in the heart of downtown Greeley on Friday night and continues on Saturday at Island Grove Park, where tickets are required.

June 10-11: Get inspired at the Denver Chalk Art Festival

The Denver Chalk Art Festival features beautiful and intricate chalk artwork as well as live music, food trucks and various vendors selling crafts and art-related items. It is a fun activity in June in Colorado.
The Denver Chalk Art Festival features beautiful and intricate chalk artwork as well as live music, food trucks and various vendors selling crafts and art-related items. Photo courtesy of Denver Chalk Art Festival.

Local and international artists showcase their talents and creativity by creating intricate chalk masterpieces on the streets of downtown Denver. The festival started in 2003 as a small community event and has grown into one of the largest chalk art festivals in the world. Visitors can enjoy more than 200 stunning pieces of artwork that are created over the two-day festival, as well as an array of food vendors and live music. The event is free and open to the public, making it a great family-friendly activity for people of all ages.

June 23-25: Celebrate the Scandinavian tradition of Midsummer in Estes Park

This June in Colorado, the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with live music, a costume contest, Viking battles and a Volvo and Saab car show. Photo by Getty Images.
This June in Colorado, the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary with live music, a costume contest, Viking battles and a Volvo and Saab car show. Photo: Getty Images.

Midsummer, or Midsommar as Swedes call it, is a summer solstice tradition like no other. The celebration typically falls on the longest day of the year and features flower crowns, traditional clothing, seasonal food and drink, music, singing and dancing around the midsommarstång, which is usually a flagpole elaboratively decorated with green garlands and flowers. Estes Park and the Scandinavian Alliance of Colorado host their own midsummer celebration where you can experience Scandinavian culture and heritage through food, crafts, performances and activities.

June 1-30: Grab lunch at Civic Center EATS in downtown Denver

Not sure what to do for lunch this week? Check out Civic Center EATS during your lunch break to experience a plethora of delicious eats. Photo by Getty Images.
Not sure what to do for lunch this week? Check out Civic Center EATS during your lunch break to experience a plethora of delicious eats. Photo by Getty Images.

This annual food truck event brings a variety of Denver’s best mobile restaurants together for lunch throughout the summer. You can enjoy your favorite food trucks on Wednesdays and Thursdays starting at 11 a.m. at Civic Center Park. Civic Center EATS also offers a pay-as-you-are-able initiative to remove cost barriers for many, so, with no questions asked, you can pay for what you can afford or give back and donate a meal to a fellow Denverite.

June 1-30: Get your Zen on at the most beautiful venue in Colorado

Yoga on the Rocks offers a season pass, a five-pack or a day pass so you can enjoy yoga classes at Red Rocks throughout the summer. All classes start at 7 a.m., and you’ll want to bring a water bottle and a yoga mat. Photo courtesy of Denver Arts and Venues.
You can enjoy yoga classes at Red Rocks throughout the summer. Photo courtesy of Denver Arts and Venues.

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre host Yoga on the Rocks on Saturday mornings throughout the summer. The event is a unique and serene yoga experience that offers yogis an opportunity to connect with nature while enjoying the breathtaking views of the surrounding red rock formations. In addition to the yoga practice, participants can also enjoy vendors offering healthy food options, wellness products and other yoga-related merchandise.

Check out these other great outdoor yoga spots as well.

June 1-30: Raft one of Colorado’s many rivers

Colorado rivers are known for their pristine rafting conditions, from lazy floats to multi-day raging whitewater adventures, there is something for everyone. Photo by Getty Images.
Colorado rivers are known for their pristine rafting conditions. From lazy floats to multi-day raging whitewater adventures, there are options for everyone. Photo: Getty Images.

Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on one of Colorado’s numerous rivers. During the spring and summer months, as the winter snows melt, the water levels rise, providing some of the best rafting conditions in the country. Regardless of your age or the level of excitement you seek, there are rafting options to suit your preferences – from serene and relaxed floats to adrenaline-fueled, multi-day trips through raging whitewater.

About the author

Megan Jansson is a Social Media Communication Strategist at UCHealth with a passion for all things health. She worked as a certified personal trainer for many years, earned her bachelor’s degree in strategic advertising at the University of Colorado Boulder and earned her master’s degree in public health at Colorado State University. Always having a big passion for writing, she’s written numerous articles and stories for Colorado State University and the Colorado School of Public Health.