Colorado Music Festival
2026 Season
Stars align this year as we celebrate the Festival’s 50th and the Center’s 30th anniversaries
Himari, Yuja Wang & more!
Musicians you adore return, along with many thrilling Festival debuts
Go Behind the Music
We are excited to present an array of educational programs for all ages
Free Family Day - July 12
A full day of free family activities, including a performance of Peter and the Wolf
World-Class Music,
Quintessential Boulder
July 9–August 9, 2026
Join us this summer to celebrate Colorado Music Festival’s 50th Anniversary Season, as Colorado turns 150 and America marks 250 years.
This summer’s festival, led by Music Director Peter Oundjian, features world-class artists — pianists Yuja Wang, Michelle Cann, Tony Siqi Yun and Nobuyuki Tsujii; violinists Himari and Njioma Grevious; clarinetist Ricardo Morales; guest conductors Leonard Slatkin, Jeffrey Kahane and Gemma New; the Canadian Brass; and the Danish String Quartet — beloved masterworks with the Festival Orchestra and four world premieres. Concerts are on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays, offering an unforgettable summer experience on the iconic historic stage at Chautauqua. Tickets on sale now!
Himari Plays Sibelius + Tchaikovsky 5
Himari Plays Sibelius + Tchaikovsky 5
Himari Plays Sibelius + Tchaikovsky 5
Himari Plays Sibelius + Tchaikovsky 5
Free Family Concert – SOLD OUT
Free Family Concert – SOLD OUT
Stories & News
Stay Up to Date with Festival News
When it comes to Colorado’s world-class summer classical scene, place matters – The Denver Post
Colorado’s classical music scene hits its peak in summer when local music presenters hand over the spotlight to the world-class violinists, pianists, cellists and more who come to play at some of the best music fests in the country. Aspen, Vail, Boulder and Central...
Colorado Music Festival’s 50th Season – Denver7’s Mile High Living
Colorado Music Festival celebrating 50th anniversary – CBS Colorado
As Colorado turns 150 and the United States marks its 250th, Colorado Music Festival is celebrating it's 50th year. The Festival will celebrate by doing what it does best - combining major guest artists with the Colorado Festival Orchestra to create world-class...
Colorado Music Festival hits 50-year milestone with star-studded summer lineup – Denver Post & Daily Camera
The Boulder summer festival celebrates its 50th anniversary season at Chautauqua Auditorium with Himari, Yuja Wang, Canadian Brass, Leonard Slatkin, Mahler, Mozart and new works by contemporary composers. There are two very different ways to experience live music this...
Thank You for the Music – Cover Article in Boulder Lifestyle
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Colorado Music Festival. With Music Director Peter Oundjian serving at the helm for his eighth season, the festival features a variety of talented performers such as pianist Yuja Wang, violinist Njioma Grevious, trumpeter...
Diversity at the Colorado Music Festival
by Kyle Macmillan Across the ranks of composers, conductors, singers and instrumentalists, classical music has been dominated by white men for nearly its entire history. But with the rise of movements like Black Lives Matter and more focused attention on equity and...
City of Boulder Declaration: July 9, 2026 is “Colorado Music Festival Day”
We're grateful to Mayor Aaron Brockett and Boulder's City Council for recognizing this summer season's opening day - Thursday, July 9, 2026 - as "Colorado Music Festival Day"! "The City of Boulder recognizes that the arts and creativity, and organizations like...
Gemma New Returns to Colorado Music Festival
Interview by Kyle Macmillan In recent years, as Gemma New’s profile has soared in the classical world, the genial New Zealander conductor has been on a kind of international goodwill tour, introducing herself to orchestras, opera companies and festivals. Indeed, she...
Colorado Music Festival featured in “Seen and Heard International”
"There are few places where you can glimpse the yellow belly of a meadow lark and marvel at the incredible form of a natural stone arch while hiking a trail towards a National Historic Landmark that offers high caliber summer concerts. This is Boulder, Colorado – the...
CMF named a “Top 25” Classical Music Festival by BBC Music Magazine
Colorado Music Festival was recognized by BBC Music Magazine as one of the 25 best classical music festivals in the US & Canada in 2026. "The stars are aligning, insists Colorado, as its half-century edition coincides with the Center for the Musical Arts’ 30th...
“It’s So Special to Be Together” — Meet Stella, Festival Volunteer
Volunteering as an usher means more to Stella than simply something to fill her summer nights; she feels that music — and live performances in particular — are important to share as a family.
Dover Quartet Settles into Chamber Music’s Top Tier
Interview by Kyle Macmillan After its sweep of all the prizes at the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition, critics regularly applauded the Dover Quartet as an emerging ensemble with abundant talent and huge potential. But what once was potential has...