Six-packed 

April

Roots Fest

April 9

Paramount Theater, Denver, swallowhillmusic.org

A finger-picking good time, with music from the latest, greatest, and soon-to-be famous Americana roots players. This year's lineup also includes the venerable David Crosby and Graham Nash.

Celebration Metaphysical Fair

April 15-17

City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St., celebrationfair.com

A 31-year-old juried fest of professional readers, healers and vendors who support conscious living. Also held in October.

Vineyard in the Village

April 22

Mr. Biggs Event Center, 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., cheyennevillage.org/vineyardpage.php

The sixth annual fundraiser for Cheyenne Village (helping those with disabilities) promises to feature tastings and something you don't see in these parts much — a traditional grape stomp.

Rock2Rock Adventure Race

April 23

Monument, bigmountainar.com

Mountain biking, trail running, orienteering and zip-lining all in one place. This adventure race caps off at nine hours, with a post-race party and sweet raffle prizes.

May

Herb Fest

May 7

The Center for Spiritual Living, 3685 Jeannine Drive, herbassociation.com

All herbs, all day long: In its ninth year, Herb Fest features speakers, vendors and healers covering cooking, growing and healing applications.

The Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza

May 12

The Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, singlemaltextravaganza.com

Not your average brew fest — this means business attire, a dinner buffet and imported cigars. Bring your bow tie and a cleansed palate.

Ascent Cycling Mountain Bike Race

May 15

Palmer Park, 3650 Maizeland Road, sandcreeksports.com

Fat tires and fit bodies. This is part one of a three-part mountain bike series, with the other two races taking place at Bear Creek Terrace and Cheyenne Mountain State Park, respectively.

Buena Vista Bike Fest

May 21

McPhelemy Park, Buena Vista, bvbf.org

Sponsored by the Colorado Springs Bicycle Club, this 13th annual ride has "the best pit stops in the U.S.," stunning scenery, and distances between 35 and 100 miles.

Colorado State Championship Mounted Shooting Competition

May 27-28

Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo, cmsaevents.com

Picture a rider with fully loaded pistol shooting at targets while urging his (or her) horse at full speed around an arena.

MeadowGrass Music Festival

May 27-29

La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, Black Forest, meadowgrassmusicfestival.org

Three days of music in a pastoral setting. On Friday fire it up with Hot Buttered Rum, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. John Doe headlines Saturday; Sunday brings Frazey Ford and D.B. Rielly.

Downtown Denver Art Festival

May 27-30

Denver Pavilions, Denver, downtowndenverartsfestival.com

Wander through the 130-plus booths of Colorado's visual artists along with more than 160,000 other art enthusiasts. Gawk at, then buy, creations ranging from prints to mixed media, to jewelry, blown glass, ceramics, sculpture and fiber.

Territory Days

May 28-30

Old Colorado City, shopoldcoloradocity.com

An "Old West"-themed street event in its 36th year, full of exhibitions, crafts, drinks and the always-appreciated turkey legs.

June

Colorado College Summer Festival of the Arts

Early June to late July

Colorado College, coloradocollege.edu

Almost-daily music, performing arts and dance events — such as "informance" lecture-performance combos, chamber music concerts, orchestra performances, children's events and more.

Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival

June 4

Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, manitousprings.org

Featuring tastings from approximately 25 wineries, with bottles and cases of wine available for purchase.

Boats, Bands & Bar-B-Que

June 10-11

Riverwalk, Pueblo, puebloharp.com

A gastronome's delight, home to more than 50 competitors (and a slew of other food-related contests), and held on Pueblo's Riverwalk.

Colorado Renaissance Festival & Artisans Marketplace

June 11 to July 31, weekends

650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur, coloradorenaissance.com

A classic Colorado event, now in its 35th year, that includes jousts, jokers, artisans and crafters, fire-breathers, bagpipers and Twig the Fairy.

Heuberger Subaru Starlight Spectacular

June 11 (11:59 p.m.)

Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., trailsandopenspaces.org

Because really, you'll have nothing better to do on the shortest night of the year than bike a 14- or 22-mile route through the Garden, downtown and Old Colorado City, starting at midnight. Plus, this year's post-ride "breakfast" is catered by Whole Foods.

Taste of the Springs

June 12

Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2886 S. Circle Drive, careandshare.org

Stuff yourself silly at this benefit for Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, featuring food and drink tastings provided by dozens of acclaimed local restaurants and catering companies.

Springs Spree

June 18-19

Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., springsspree.org

A fun-for-the-whole-family party in the park, including arts, crafts, dancing and live music, among other stuff for the kiddies.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

June 26 (race week events begin June 21)

Pikes Peak Highway, ppihc.com

More than 35,000 folks are expected to attend this year's race (at least 14 of whom are expected to be sober), in which 11 vehicle classes and nearly 200 drivers will dangerously race to the mountain's top.

July

Ride for the Brand Ranch Rodeo

July 1

Norris-Penrose Event Center, 1045 W. Rio Grande St., championshipranchrodeo.com

What's proudly billed as "a working ranch cowboy rodeo," featuring a popular downtown longhorn cattle drive and much more.

Pikes Peak Arts Fest

July 2-4

America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, pikespeakartsfest.com

A celebration of local artists and craftspeople, PPAF means live entertainment, outdoor arts vendors and family activities, happening annually on the July 4th weekend.

U.S. Women's Open

July 4-10

The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., 2011uswomensopen.com

More than 150 professional and amateur women golfers, 125,000 fans, 72 holes, national TV coverage. One hoity-toity golf event.

Colorado's Burlesque Fest

July 7-10

The Gothic Theater, Casselman's, and Lannie's Clock Tower, Denver, coloradoburlesquefestival.com

Lola Spitfire's burlesque and "boylesque" performers (called Peaks & Pasties) often make the Pikes Peak region shimmy and shake. This summer, take in the second annual extravaganza, which stretches over three days. Acts range from Vaudeville and Circus, to Cabaret and Go-Go. GO.

Greenhorn Valley Arts & Music Festival

July 9-10

Greenhorn Meadows Park, Colorado City, greenhornvalleyproductions.com

Twenty minutes from Pueblo, Colorado City will play host to this fest with 50 fine artists and craftsmen, performances by American and world roots musicians on two stages, and more summer fun than you can shake a stick at.

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

July 13-16

Norris-Penrose Event Center, 1045 W. Rio Grande St., coloradospringsrodeo.com

This rodeo, celebrating its 70th year, sets competitors on their way to a World Championship title.

32nd annual Thin Air Nationals Car Show

July 15-16

Main Street, Fountain; Gazebo Lake Park, Green Mountain Falls, xcs.net/crac/rodandcustom.htm

Cruisers, land yachts and customs of all kinds highlight this show that starts in Fountain and migrates to higher elevations, all the way to Ute Pass.

Blues Under the Bridge

July 16

218 W. Colorado Ave. (under the Colorado Avenue bridge),bluesunderthebridge.com

This year's full roster has yet to be announced, but the Holmes Brothers, a sweet, bluesy, soul trio, are headlining this annual outdoor downtown event.

PrideFest

July 16-17

Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Ave., ppglcc.org

The second-largest annual GLBT event in Colorado, with a parade, vendors, food and drink, and kids' activities.

Rocky Mountain State Games

July 22-24, 29-31

Multiple venues, thesportscorp.org

A 34-sport festival for Colorado residents welcoming all athletic abilities and ages. Take part in or watch events ranging from billiards tournaments to judo, rock climbing, table tennis and weightlifting.

El Paso County Fair

July 23-30

Fairgrounds, Calhan, lpasocountyfair.com

The county fairgrounds come alive again, as it has for decades, with auto and truck races, a rodeo, 4-H shows and more funnel-cake-fueled goodness.

Fiddles, Vittles and Vino

July 31

Rock Ledge Ranch, 3202 Chambers Way, fiddlesvittlesandvino.com

As fun to attend as it is to say. Fiddles, Vittles and Vino features live bluegrass and food and drink tastings, in benefit of the historic ranch.

August

Lindy on the Rocks

Aug. 5-7

Various venues, Denver, lindyontherocks.com

Get your old-school dance on at this Lindy Hop and Swing gathering of dance aficionados and people who aspire to be. Workshops, social dances and competitions run all weekend long.

Pasta in the Park

Aug. 6

Myron Stratton Home Campus, 435 Gold Pass Heights, tessacs.org/events

An annual fundraiser for TESSA, featuring a pasta sauce cook-off, wine tasting, dinner and dancing. Oh, and some chefs in crazy costumes.

Colorado Faerie Festival

Aug. 6-7

Vermijo Park, 2601 Vermijo Ave., coloradofaeriefestival.com

Wings, glitter, and mystical sprites. Get your faerie on.

Everybody Welcome: A Celebration of Culture & Diversity

Aug. 7

America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, cospdiversityforum.org

This is a celebration of differences. There will be performers, artisans and community forums, all in outside in a beautiful location. Bring the family.

Craft Lager Festival

Aug. 13-14

Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, craftlagerfestival.com

Benefitting Friends of North Cheyenne Cañon, Fountain Creek Restoration, Manitou City Parks and the Colorado Brewer's Guild, the festival features more than 30 craft brewery samples.

Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon

Aug. 20 (Ascent), Aug. 21 (Marathon)

Manitou Springs, Barr Trail, pikespeakmarathon.org

Participate, volunteer or watch as the fittest Coloradans and out-of-towners tackle our 14,115-foot behemoth. With 7,815 feet of vertical gain from downtown Manitou, it's simply punishing (for them — not you).

Newhoma Music and Mountain Festival

Aug. 20

Midland Pavilion, 201 W. Hwy. 24, Woodland Park, newhoma.org

Presented by KRCC, in conjunction with Peoples National Bank, this second annual festival features live music, vendors and other activities in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Colorado State Fair

Aug. 26 to Sept. 5

State Fairgrounds, Pueblo, coloradostatefair.com

Last year, the fair brought in half a million people, with highlights including a Smokey Robinson performance. And gator wrestling. And gigantic fruit sculpture.

Mountain Music Festival

Aug. 28

Soda Springs Park, Manitou Springs, manitousprings.org

A family-friendly event featuring live bluegrass (and other mountain-y) music from local and national bands, with vendors aplenty.

Assault on the Peak

Aug. 28

Pikes Peak Highway, ridepikespeak.com

After the cars and runners take a crack at the Ascent, watch the cyclists do the same, if only for fun. Spectators can hang around in Manitou Springs that day for the fourth annual Peak Region Cyclist Bicycle Festival, a cornucopia of all things human-powered and be-wheeled.

September

Chile Chili Festival

Sept. 3

Rock Ledge Ranch, 3105 Gateway Road, thatsnatural.info

Celebrate the waning hot days with hot eats at this brand-new event, which will feature chile and chili vendors from around the region, arts and crafts, a paint-out competition and information on sustainability.

Commonwheel Artists Labor Day Arts & Crafts Festival

Sept. 3-5

Memorial Park, 500 block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, commonwheel.com/festival

This 37-year-old festival has more than 110 artists' booths, great food and live entertainment. Bring your children (inner or otherwise) to play at the Kid's Corner, which is stocked with a face-painter, balloon man and bubble station.

Colorado Balloon Classic

Sept. 3-5

Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., balloonclassic.com

Billed as "Colorado's Largest Air Show" and recognized as one of the Top 100 events in North America, the Classic features more than 100 balloons ascending, with an evening "Balloon Glo."

What IF! Festival of Innovation and Imagination

Sept. 10

Downtown, WhatIF-Festival.org

Get creative and see what others — from techies to artists to garage inventors and urban farmers — have made. Stick around for crafts, live entertainment and other hands-on activities.

Great American Beer Festival

Sept. 29 to Oct. 1

Colorado Convention Center, Denver, greatamericanbeerfestival.com

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, there is nowhere else on earth with this many beers available for your consumption. Sample from more than 2,200 brews, one ounce at a time.