Memorial Day is a great time to enjoy the beautiful late spring weather in Boulder with family and friends. The holiday weekend kicks off with live music, officially marking the beginning of the Boulder Creek Festival, then winds down after the BOLDERBoulder 10k race with one of the nation’s largest Memorial Day tributes at Folsom Field. Whether you are in it for the festival or the race, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Boulder this Memorial Day.
Boulder Creek Festival
Locals have been celebrating the start of summer with the Boulder Creek Festival for more than 30 years. Last year’s event took place in July to comply with pandemic restrictions, but this year it is returning to its traditional Memorial Day weekend, with all of the art, live music, and good food that ‘Creek Fest’ is known for. The festivities will take place along Boulder Creek from 9th to 14th Street, between Canyon Blvd and Arapahoe Ave. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Creekside Beer Fest
Tickets are on sale now for unlimited tasting sessions at the Creekside Beer Fest. Enjoy the festival atmosphere while sipping on some of the best brews from the Boulder area. Multiple 2-hour tasting sessions are available on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.
Note: This section of the festival is 21+ only and is accessible from Arapahoe Avenue and 11th Street.
Street Wise Art Battle
This is a new event for 2022! Ten artists will compete in a one-of-a-kind live painting competition on Saturday, May 28 between 10am and 7pm. Prints from participating artists will be available for purchase in the art zone.
Creekside for Kids
Your one-stop shop for all the best entertainment for the whole family, Creekside for Kids has a lineup of kids yoga, a DJ, face painting, and more on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 from 10am to 12:30 pm. The kids’ activities can be found near the food vendors on the west side of the festival.
Carousel of Happiness
Each year, Carousel of Happiness hosts an event to honor the men and women who died serving in the U.S. military. The building will be open to all, as we encircle the carousel, and visitors will be invited to remember a fallen veteran with his or her name, and perhaps a brief story.
BOLDERBoulder 2022
For the first time since 2019, the BOLDERBoulder is back to operating live and in person! The 43-year-old race is a beloved tradition for runners and spectators alike, unofficially kicking off the start of summer at the finish line. The locally owned and family operated organization boasts the longest road race in the U.S., one of the country’s largest Memorial Day tributes, and an epic post-race gear expo. Register to participate, or snag a seat at Folsom Field to watch elite pros cross the finish line. The first wave is scheduled to start at 6:50am, and the final pro race will finish inside the stadium between 11:45 and 11:55 am, followed by the Memorial Day Tribute at noon.
Although the race and festival are the main highlights of the weekend, there is plenty more to do in other parts of the city. Restaurants, retail shops, and community hubs throughout Boulder will be celebrating Memorial Day, making it a great weekend to explore the college town and enjoy warmer weather with friends and family.