The 5 Best Community Events/Festivals Around Grand County

A great festival can transform a quiet mountain town into a buzzing hub of music, food, and community spirit. According to Eventbrite, nearly 80 percent of Americans say live events create lasting memories more than material purchases. In Grand County, those memories are made under alpine skies — whether it’s music echoing off the peaks, patriotic parades, or markets that feel like a summer block party. The Best of Grand contest celebrates the gatherings that remind us why coming together matters.

Constitution Week || Town of Grand Lake

Grand Lake’s Constitution Week is more than a celebration — it’s an education wrapped in small-town charm. Hosted by the Town of Grand Lake, the event honors America’s founding document with parades, ceremonies, and a fireworks show that lights up the lake. What sets it apart is the balance of pageantry and purpose. Visitors walk away entertained, but also reminded of the freedoms and civic ideals that shape the country.

Grand Lake Skijoring || Grand Lake Retreat

Few events capture Colorado’s adventurous spirit quite like Grand Lake Skijoring. Riders on horseback pull skiers down a snow-packed course dotted with jumps and gates, creating a spectacle equal parts rodeo and extreme sport. The event, hosted by Grand Lake Retreat, has become a winter highlight, attracting both competitors and wide-eyed spectators who come to witness mountain adrenaline at its finest.

High-Note Thursdays || Winter Park & Fraser Chamber

High-Note Thursdays bring live music to the heart of Winter Park, turning summer evenings into community-wide jam sessions. Organized by the Winter Park & Fraser Chamber, the weekly series fills Hideaway Park with locals and visitors lounging on blankets, dancing, or grabbing bites from nearby eateries. It’s proof that sometimes the best way to build community is simply through a good beat and a little fresh mountain air.

Blues From the Top || Grand County Blues Society

For two decades, the Grand County Blues Society has turned Winter Park into a mecca for blues lovers. Blues From the Top delivers a powerhouse lineup of musicians each summer, drawing fans from across the country. The festival blends world-class performances with a distinctly local vibe, creating a space where legendary guitar riffs and mountain vistas meet.

Music & Market || Destination Granby

Destination Granby’s Music & Market series adds rhythm to the weekly ritual of shopping local. Held in downtown Granby, the event pairs live music with farmers market vendors, artisan goods, and the kind of neighborly connections that define small-town living. It’s where you might pick up a basket of fresh produce, sway to a local band, and catch up with friends all in the same evening.

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