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Top Spring Festivals In Denver

Denver Chalk Art Festival In Larimer Square in 2014Denver Chalk Art Festival In Larimer Square (credit: CBS)

Now that spring is here, that means festival season has begun. Colorado is known for having a different festival to attend every weekend throughout most of the warmer months, so now is the time to start. There are so many different ways to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful Colorado sun and check out the work of truly creative and talented artists from all over Colorado and the rest of the world. If you aren't sure where or when to start, here are five upcoming festivals that you'll want to put on your calendar this season.

Cinco De Mayo Celebrate Culture Festival
Civic Center Park
100 W. 14th Ave Pkwy
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 534-8342
www.cincodemayodenver.com

May 2 to 3, 2015
Price: Free to attend

Cinco de Mayo is always a fun holiday in Colorado, and the 28th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival is a don't-miss event in Denver. There will be many different activities to enjoy during the two-day festival including live entertainment on three different stages and hundreds of different exhibitors all showing off their handmade crafts and artwork. Of course there will also be plenty of food and drink, games and activities just for the kids, the annual parade and the always popular green chili cook off. This is the best way in town to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. To learn more about other cultures and to welcome in the Spring season to the Mile High City.

Five Points Jazz Festival
27th Avenue and Welton St
Denver, CO 80205
www.artsandvenuesdenver.com

May 16, 2015
Price: Free to attend

Five Points is an historic neighborhood in Denver and it's the perfect place for a day-long celebration of jazz music. This neighborhood was once known as "The Harlem of the West" with several jazz clubs who welcomed musicians like Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and many others. More than 30 bands are expected to perform and more than 26,000 people are expected to attend the event, which takes place over four blocks and eight stages. There will also be plenty of places to enjoy a drink and grab a bite to eat while you check out the live music from many of the areas most talented jazz musicians.

Related: Top Spring 2015 Art Events In Denver

Downtown Denver Arts Festival
Denver Center Performing Arts Complex
1345 Champa St
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 330-8237
www.downtowndenverartsfestival.com

May 22 to 24, 2015
Price: Admission is free

The 17th annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival will take place over one weekend in late May. This festival, which is now ranked as number 22 in the country by the Artfair Sourcebook, is always a huge and wonderful event to discover new artists, celebrate nationally-known talents and to find many great pieces for your own home. You'll enjoy the day perusing all the different booths and artists, as you get to chat with other art lovers and even get to meet the artists themselves. More than 125,000 people are expected to attend this festival, which also features lots of great local crafts and other artisans displaying their impressive works.

Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 492-8008
www.coloradoshakes.org

June 5 to August 5, 2015
Price: Admission varies depending on performance

The largest and best Shakespeare Festival in the region kicks off for another amazing season. Enjoy live performances, both indoors and outdoors, as they take place all over the Boulder area. There are places to sit and enjoy the sunshine while you get a bite to eat before the show. This year's festival includes "Much Ado About Nothing," "Othello," "Henry V," "Henry VI Part 1" and "Wittenberg" by David Davalos. The Colorado Shakespeare Festival, which has been bringing the Bard's works to Boulder since 1958, is always a highlight of the season as there is no other festival quite like it in town. Make sure to check out this wonderful annual event.

Related: Top Spring Break Activities For Kids In Denver

Denver Chalk Art Festival
1430 Larimer Square
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 534-2367
www.larimerarts.org

June 6 and 7, 2015
Price: Free to attend

In one of the most unusual festivals every year, the Denver Chalk Art Festival is always a truly fun experience. This two-day festival features more than 200 different artists as they transform the streets of Larimer Square into a massive museum filled with incredible chalk art. You have a chance to check out these impressive works of art before the water comes and washes these works away for good. There will also be live music and five professional, award-winning street painters to fill out the list of entertainers and artist at this annual event. You can even check out the Kids Corner where your children can try their own hand at creating a mini masterpiece.

Deborah Flomberg is a theater professional, freelance writer and Denver native. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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