Summer Jams: Save The Dates For These 5 Western Slope Music Festivals
Country Jam — Photos courtesy of Visit Grand Junction.
Colorado’s Western Slope packs an incredible schedule of summer music festivals. From Palisade’s annual bluegrass festival and Country Jam near Grand Junction to jazz and more in and around Aspen, there’s a festival and beat for every desire.
Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival
June 9-11, 2023
Palisade, Colorado
palisademusic.com
Enjoy blazing fiddles, fiery guitars and Colorado sunshine at this outstanding bluegrass music festival. For over 10 years, this festival has brought together the country’s hottest bluegrass artists and some of Colorado’s most impressive emerging musicians for three days of fun listening. In addition to the music, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy food vendors, camping, paddle boarding, local wine and distillery tastings, painting workshops and other festival activities.
Country Jam
June 22-24, 2023
Mack, Colorado
countryjam.com
Just outside of Grand Junction is one monster country music festival going three decades strong. The biggest names and award-winning country musicians across the nation converge for the three-day festival. Jason Aldean, Blake Sheldon, Lainey Wilson, Whiskey Myers, Cody Johnson, Morgan Wade, Runaway June and nearly two dozen other country artists and groups will take to the stage.
Three-day general admission prices start at $215 and single-day at $145. Dozens of campsites are available for reserved booking. Jam Ranch is located directly off I-70 exit 11. There are over 40 hotels and RV parks in Grand Junction, including campsites nearby. Shuttles are available from Grand Junction to the festival. Check out newly-opened Camp Eddy on the Colorado River complete with Airstreams, tiny homes and full hookup RV sites.
Country Jam
Music in the Mountains
July 6-30, 2023
Durango, Colorado
musicinthemountains.com
Get classical with Durango’s Music in the Mountains Festival, a month-long celebration of all sounds classical. Violins, flutes, oboes, clarinets; it’s the summer symphony in the Four Corners region. The mobile stage delivers free, world-class performances. On July 6th, there will be three different performances in parks around the region. Since the town is near the Four Corners, Durango offers loads of camping and unique lodging experiences.
Rhythms on the Rio
August 4-6, 2023
Del Norte, Colorado
rhythmsontherio.com
Let the cooling waters of the Rio Grande River literally set the stage for this bluegrass festival. Headliners include The Motet, Kitchen Dwellers and The Infamous Stringdusters. The festival is hosted by the South Fork Music Association, a non-profit organization that provides free musical instruments and lessons to youth throughout the stunning San Luis Valley, home of the tallest sand dunes in North America.
General three-day admission prices are around $180 and include camping! If you are pulling an RV, there is an additional fee. Children 15 and under are free of charge but still require a ticket. You may check out Mellow Moon Lodge (mellowmoonlodge.com), a chic, recreated vintage motel in Del Norte.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS)
September 1-3, 2023
Snowmass, Colorado
jazzaspensnowmass.org
One of the most majestic outdoor, scenic soirees come late summer is the legendary Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience. This year, The Lumineers, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne and more will be playing in the mountain hamlet. Note, these tickets go fast. 2022’s event was the earliest sellout in their history. The JAS Labor Day Experience is three days of live music in Snowmass Town Park.