Colorado’s Biggest and Best Summer Fairs: Your Guide to Fun, Food and Festivities

There’s nothing like a fair to connect Colorado’s newcomers and long-timers to our state’s agricultural roots.

Colorado’s county fairs feature competition, camaraderie and Colorado culture through and through with 4-H exhibits, extension contests, livestock shows, horse-riding competitions and rodeos, all with a side of carnival fun and local music. Rodeo especially exudes Colorado; after all, our Centennial State was home to the first rodeo.

No matter the size, county fairs make for a great summer outing. If you are looking for some of the best, we’ve got you covered with this list of the best Colorado fairs to check out this summer.

Larimer County Fair and PRCA Rodeo

When: Aug. 2-6

Where: Loveland

What’s up: This is one big fair, carnival and Northern Colorado communitywide expo. There will be a pancake breakfast, a queen's barbecue evening, live music, a carnival and a parade in downtown Loveland.

Don’t miss: The fair parade runs through downtown Loveland at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 27.

• Plus: Fireworks at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• The cover band 90s Til Dawn plays at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2.
• Other don’t-miss highlights: The Canine Stars, Neutron Ninja obstacle course, Globe of Death, and Mobile Earth and Space Observatory.

Info: Larimer County Fair at The Ranch events complex

Boulder County Fair

When: Aug. 7-11

Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont

What’s up: Known as the oldest fair in Colorado, it includes live music, carnival rides, competitions, and a parade​ on Saturday, Aug. 3, on Longmont’s Main Street.

Don’t miss: Bullfighting and demo derby. Also, plan to visit the fair garden at some point as various Colorado artists take to the stage. You’ll experience everything from bluegrass to EDM and, of course, a variety of country music styles. Check the Boulder County Fair band schedule here.

Info: Boulder County Fair

El Paso County Fair

When: July 13-20

Where: Calhan (northeast of Colorado Springs)

What’s up: El Paso makes an epic gathering with all the traditional fair fun — 4-H and Future Farmers of America events, barrel racing, etc. — combined with car shows and races, and entertainment surprises galore.

Don’t miss: High diving pirates, the Paul Bunyon Lumberjack Show, Silent Goat Disco, mustang programs and Artisan and Craft Pop Up Market.

Info: El Paso County Fair

Douglas County Fair and Rodeo

When: July 26-Aug. 4

Where: Castle Rock

What’s up: Farm-to-table brunch, marketplace shop featuring boutiques aplenty.

Don’t miss: Chris Janson headlines the event on Friday, July 26, the cattle drive through downtown that same day and the top hogs.

Info: Douglas County Fair and Rodeo

Other Local Colorado Fairs of Note

Mesa County Fair: Grand Junction, July 16-20, 2024

Eagle County Fair: Eagle, July 22-27, 2024

Arapahoe County Fair: Aurora, July 25-28, 2024

Logan County Fair: Sterling, July 25 – Aug. 4, 2024

Douglas County Fair: Castle Rock, July 26 – Aug. 4, 2024

Delta County Fair: Hotchkiss, July 26 – Aug. 3, 2024​

And don’t miss the livestock and 4-H tradition-focused Weld County Fair, July 20-29.

Colorado State Fair

When: Aug. 23-Sept. 2

Where: Pueblo

What’s up: A beer and wine competition among the traditional standout state 4-H, community, horse, livestock and rodeo showcases.

Don’t miss: The Colorado State Fair always includes an impressive entertainment lineup, this year including Scotty McCreery, Trace Adkins, the Goo Goo Dolls, Shane Smith and the Saints, Lonestar and The Commodores.

Other highlights: World Slopper Eating Championship and the fair parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in downtown Pueblo.

Info: Colorado State Fair