The San Juans Sing in the Summer

Music has become a defining characteristic of Telluride.  Besides hitting the slopes or enjoying the multitude of outdoor activities, locals and visitors alike are drawn to Telluride year-round for the well-known music festivals.  Bluegrass in the San Juans originated back in the 1970's through the annual 4th of July celebration.  By 1974, bluegrass had earned its own weekend. That year the first Telluride Bluegrass Festival and first Telluride Film Festival joined the World AerobaticHang Gliding Festival (initiated in 1972) as the town’s key to year-round prosperity.

Music has served as a cultural conduit to year-round growth for Telluride and particularly during the summer.  There is no better way to launch the summer season than with the Telluride MusicFest in late July.  The hills do truly come alive with beautiful chamber music at these four evening concerts.  Beyond the 39th Annual Bluegrass Festival, the summer is filled with the Telluride Jazz Festival and Telluride Chamber Music Festival in August and the 19th Annual Blues and Brews Festival in September.

We can now add another one to Telluride's lively summer music festival scene.  This past week the Telluride Town Council gave unanimous approval to a request by KOTO Radio to host a two-day music festival in Town Park on August 25-26.  The festival will occupy the weekend between Telluride’s USA Pro Cycling Challenge stage and the Telluride Film Festival, both of which are expected to draw huge crowds to town.  We look forward to hearing what talent KOTO will secure.


Don't forget to stop by our neighbors and friends at the Telluride Music Company when you visit us for any one of these music festivals.  Family owned and operated since 1992, they're located 2 blocks down the street from us and serve as the regions most complete music store, offering a large selection of new released, unique and hard to find music.  You can also pick up your festival tickets there!