Boulder’s summer soundtrack is in full swing as the Colorado Music Festival celebrates its landmark 50th-anniversary season at historic Chautauqua Auditorium.
Running from July 9 through August 9, 2026, the festival brings world-class orchestral performances, chamber music, celebrated guest artists, and contemporary premieres to one of Boulder’s most distinctive cultural settings. With the Flatirons rising behind Chautauqua, the annual festival combines exceptional classical music with a setting found almost nowhere else.
Classical Music, Boulder Style
Part of the Colorado Music Festival’s appeal is how naturally it fits into Boulder’s outdoor lifestyle.
A concert evening at Chautauqua can begin with a walk through Chautauqua Park, an early dinner in Boulder, or time spent enjoying the views beneath the Flatirons. As the temperature cools and evening settles over the foothills, audiences gather inside the historic wooden auditorium for performances by musicians from around the world.
Select festival evenings also include “Talk Under the Tent” programs or post-concert discussions, offering audiences additional insight into the composers, musicians, and works being performed.
The Colorado Music Festival’s 50th season is more than an anniversary celebration. It is a reminder that Boulder’s cultural identity extends beyond its trails, mountains, and outdoor recreation.
At Chautauqua, classical music becomes part of the landscape—powerful, welcoming, and unmistakably Boulder.