2020 is here… Before I even begin, please register to vote – this is the very most important thing you can participate in this year. All set? Great! Here are 20+ things to do in Boulder this year, many of which are free, all are fun. Many wishes to you and yours for a happy, healthy year.
#1 Enjoy a Day on the Trails
Hiking in Boulder’s beautiful mountain parks
With 110 miles of walking and hiking trails, the possibilities for outdoor recreation in Boulder are endless and year-round! Featured photo by Mindy Williford, climbing Boulder’s spectacular flatirons.
#2 Sip Some Tea at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Photo Courtesy Boulder Teahouse
Relax and unwind at the gorgeous Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Amazing food, comforting drinks and delicious desserts!
#3 Sled that Snow Day Away
Snow means FUN in Boulder, with lots of sledding hill options including this classic Boulder favorite at Scott Carpenter Park.
#4 Geek Out on Films at the Boulder International Film Festival
Photo Courtesy Boulder International Film Festival
The Boulder International Film Festival brings films and filmmakers from around the world to Boulder for a four-day celebration of the art of cinema in February.
#5 Take Your Bike for a Spin at Valmont Bike Park
40 acres of awesome, North America’s most state-of-the-art public bike park, Valmont Bike Park is located right here in Boulder. Amenities include family trails, cross country trails, cyclocross courses, a slopestyle terrain park, dirt jumps, a dual slalom race course, 2 pump parks, and kids bike play areas.
#6 Get a Little (Local) Culture at Boulder Arts Week
Photo Courtesy Boulder Arts Week
Boulder Arts Week is Boulder’s only large-scale, inclusive celebration of our community’s vibrant arts and cultural offerings, promoting and celebrating our city’s thriving creativity.
#7 Feed Goats, Do Yoga with Goats… Pet All the Goats!
Photo Courtesy Mountain Flower Goat Dairy
Boulder loves goats and so do we. During the summer, Mountain Flower Goat Dairy opens its doors for bottle feeding adorable baby goats as well as the ever-popular goat yoga.
#8 Feel the Magic at Downtown Boulder’s Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival
Photo: All Things Boulder
Welcome the tulips, frolic with the fairies and celebrate spring at the Tulip Fairy and Elf Festival.
#9 Learn Something New at CU’s Conference on World Affairs
Photo Courtesy CU Boulder
The Conference on World Affairs is a festival of ideas featuring 200 panels, 100 speakers and performers, over 5 days on the CU campus. This event is free, and open to the public.
#10 Celebrate Summer at the Boulder Creek Festival
Photo Courtesy Boulder Creek Events
Say hello to summer in Boulder at the Boulder Creek Festival held every year over Memorial Day weekend featuring a live music, a kid’s carnival, hundreds of vendors and more.
#11 Get Crazy at the BolderBOULDER
Photo Courtesy BolderBOULDER
BolderBOULDER is one of the largest and most highly acclaimed 10Ks in the world. Whether you want to run or enjoy watching, BolderBOULDER is a ton of fun! Almost 1.2 million runners, joggers, walkers and spectators of all ages have gathered over the years to create a spectacle that defies description.
#12 Freeze Your Butt Off Tubing to Work
Get caught in Boulder’s weirdest traffic jam on Tube to Work Day.
#13 Get Thee to the Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Photo Courtesy Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Spend a summer evening at the critically-acclaimed Colorado Shakespeare Festival held on the CU campus.
#14 Have Some Old School Fun at Gateway
Hit the go kart track at Gateway Fun Park! Open year-round, this vintage amusement park has two mini golf courses, batting cages, arcade, full snack bar and both little-kid friendly and adult go-kart tracks.
#15 Ride the Ferris Wheel at the Boulder County Fair
Known for it’s classic carnival rides, full 4-H show and FREE admission, get the Boulder County Fair on your summertime bucket list!
#16 Learn, Create and Play at the Museum of Boulder
Photo Courtesy Museum of Boulder
Boulder history, interesting hands-on exhibits and plenty of fun for the kids, check out the Museum of Boulder.
#17 Check Out Some Boulder Street Art
Armando Silva’s mural at the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, Photo Courtesy Street Wise
Street art can be found all around Boulder on local buildings, fences and underpasses. The movement is headed up by Street Wise Boulder, who offers a map of some of the many murals around town.
#18 Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Sweet Cow
Hands-down my kids’ favorite spot in Boulder. Also, Sweet Cow‘s Ozo Coffee ice cream is to die for. (No sponsorship here, just pure admiration.)
#19 See a Show at the Chautauqua Summer Concert Series
Photo Courtesy Colorado Chautauqua Summer Concert Series
Every summer, Colorado Chautauqua presents a lineup of local and national musicians at its beautiful concert venue beneath the flatirons.
#20 Splash Time on Pearl Street
Pop Jet Fountain on Pearl Street
Pop jet fountain plus bands on the bricks equals the perfect summer evening.
#21 Sing with the World on World Singing Day
Photo Courtesy World Singing Day
Connect with the world through song on World Singing Day, October 17, 2020! Now held in countries all over the world, World Singing Day was founded right here in Boulder.
