2024 Guide To Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
It's time to plan ahead to have the experience of a lifetime. Of course, like any festival, there's a Main Stage, but it goes way beyond that. There are free yoga sessions, group hikes and bike rides, a 5k fundraiser race, an astonishing array of beer styles to sample, delectable food options, family activities and so much more. Use this guide to navigate the festival weekend and make lasting memories.
Weather, Packing & Travel
Historic Average Temperatures for mid-September: Low 45 High: 62
Late summer in Telluride is undeniably breathtaking. The majestic hillsides can be adorned with vibrant golden hues as nature revels in the perfect balance of warm, sun-kissed days and crisp nights. We can also get rain, snow and everything in between so it’s best to be over-prepared. The festival starts mid-morning and spans into the evening. Pack lightweight shirts, sandals and shorts for the daytime. Pack sunscreen and a water bottle to fill up at free hydration stations located throughout the venue. Bring waterproof, quick-dry and insulating layers in case of precipitation. Nothing beats a tarp when things are looking wet! Waterproof boots and wool or synthetic moisture-wicking socks are also encouraged.
Sunsets during this time of year typically happen around 7:15 pm and can be stunning but be prepared for the quick drop in temperatures. Layers, light gloves, hats and long underwear are all great items to bring in a backpack or wagon.
What to bring:
Valid photo ID
Sunscreen/hat
Backpack or wagon
Lawn chairs (no high-back lawn chairs are permitted between the sound booth and the stage)
Tarps/blankets (no bigger than 5' X 8'. Please share your tarp when you're not using it)
Sunshade tents are only permitted on the back perimeter of festival grounds) in shade alley
Coolers with unopened plastic water/soda bottles and cans, and food items are allowed (coolers will be subject to search)
Cameras - phones and and point-and-shoot cameras are allowed but any camera with a detachable lens is considered professional and not allowed
Strollers are allowed
Warm clothes (September can be chilly in Telluride), dress appropriately.
Rain gear (the festival goes on rain or shine)
What we provide what at the festival:
FREE drinking water - be an environmental steward and please bring your own water bottle
Port-a-potties (and plenty of them)
Hand sinks
Trash, recycling, and compost stations. Be green and help us keep the festival scene clean!
Lost & found (located underneath the big white tent at the festival entrance)
A wide variety of food and craft vendors
Beer, wine and cocktails for purchase
Kids area
Medical tent (East edge of the festival grounds - campground side). EMTs have basic supplies like pain relievers and sun block.
What NOT to bring:
No glass
No pets (strictly enforced)
No alcohol may be brought into the festival - beer, wine and cocktails are available for purchase
No illegal drugs
No unlicensed vending
No professional photo equipment, video cameras or recording equipment
No frisbees
No shelled nuts (seriously)
No weapons
Travel
Colorado drivers can find current road conditions by visiting the CO Department of Transportation's website, click here. For recorded phone information please call (303) 639-1111 or toll-free (877) 315-7623.
Box Office, Tickets & Wristbands
Register Your RFID Wristbands And Go Cashless
Wristbands have been shipped out! When you receive yours in the mail, register it and go cashless! Follow the instructions in the package and use your wristband to purchase food, drinks and merch with the tap of a wrist. Before you enter the festival, you must complete your mandatory wristband activation and register it with the correct attendee name and information.
Camping, Late Night Shows, and Tasting Sessions wristbands are not RFID and will be available for pick up at the Box Office. Please bring your printout ticket or your mobile device with ticket PDF to the Box Office or Late Night Show venue to redeem your wristband. If you do not have a printout ticket or PDF file, wristbands must be redeemed at the Box Office.
Box office location and hours of operation . . .
The Festival Box Office is located at 300 E Pacific Street. The Festival Box Office is open during the week of the Festival, and the hours of operation are:
- Wednesday: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Friday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Can I exchange or return my ticket? . . .
All tickets are non-refundable and non-replaceable. Please keep them in a safe place!
RFID Wristbands . . .
Each individual accessing the event must have their wristband registered and on the their wrist at all times. Every wristband will be scanned as you enter and exit the festival. Please wait until the day of the Festival to put your wristband on and leave it on throughout the entire weekend. Wristbands will only tighten, not loosen. Festival attendees are allowed to come and go freely all weekend long while wearing their wristband; however, all wristbands must be scanned upon exit at the gate in order to re-enter that same day.
The following tickets are RFID and will be shipped in advance:
- Super VIP, VIP, and GA 3-Day Passes
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Passes
The following tickets are not RFID and must be picked up from the festival box office:
- Camping passes
- After hours shows including Bal De Maison, Juke Joints, Fais Do Do
If you need help with any wristband issue, you can stop by the Festival Box Office near the main entrance.
Wristband Policy . . .
- All sales are final – no refunds and no exchanges.
- Only wristbands purchased through Front Gate Tickets are valid. If you purchased from an unauthorized source and/or the ticket is counterfeit, you will not be allowed entry.
- Wristbands must be worn securely on wrist and cannot be slipped on and off.
- 3-Day Passes must be scanned upon exit at the gate in order to re-enter that same day.
- Wristbands are non-transferable and non-exchangeable.
- Do not remove between days, stretch or tamper with your wristband in any way or you will not be allowed entry.
- Subsequent and/or multiple presentations of a counterfeited wristband are void and will be seized by Festival security staff.
- If your wristband is removed by Festival security/event staff for any reason, it will not be replaced.
- All ticketholders must pass through security and are subject to bag inspection. Prohibited items will be confiscated by event staff.
- The festival takes place rain or shine.
- There are absolutely no exceptions to this wristband policy.
Please note - there is a $25 wristband replacement fee.
Wristband FAQs
Lost or stolen wristbands? If your wristband has been lost or stolen, please contact us at info@tellurideblues.com or 970-728-8037 in advance of the festival.
To activate and register your wristbands, click here.
Do not remove your wristband between days. If wristbands are removed or tampered with whatsoever, they are void and will be confiscated. If wristbands are too loose and look like they can be slipped on and off, they will be confiscated.
Do not remove your wristband until you plan to leave the festival for the final time. Once the festival concludes and you’re ready to remove your wristband, safely cut at the end where the cloth strap is sewn onto the clasp, so it will pull through easily without damaging the strap, the clasp, or your fingers! Remember to keep your wristband on during the event days. For questions on how to care for or appropriately wear/remove your wristband, please visit the Box Office near the Main Entrance to the Festival.
Camping Guide
Festival camping at is a righteous experience. We've compiled a guide to help make the most of your stay in the campground. To ensure that you have the best experience possible, please read the load-in info, FAQs and other important details.
Festival Like A Pro
In addition to the Main Stage, the festival offers an abundance of additional programming!
Blues Stage
Located adjacent to the festival grounds and campground, the Blues Stage offers indoor music and comedy throughout the day. The Blues Stage is a great place to get out of the sun, catch some blues music and laughs. Check out the full Blues Stage schedule for more information.
Yoga Sessions
Join instructor Annika Kristiansen in Elks Park Saturday and Sunday mornings at for Festival Yoga Sessions. Enjoy a fluid yoga flow, activating breath practice, liberating movement and playful exercises to discover new realms of embodied pleasure. Guests of all skill levels are welcome to join!
Rainbow Kids Area
Kids of all ages can enjoy various activities in the Rainbow Kids Area during the festival weekend with the help from Living Folklore. Living Folklore features children’s entertainment, workshops, and two parades specifically geared for the kids (or the kid at heart) – one on Saturday and one on Sunday. So, bring your kids to the Rainbow Kids Area located in the back of the festival grounds to join the wild and wacky Living Folklore Clowns, Giggly Sprout and Gumbo Wobbly, along with activities like a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, inflatable bounce games, face painting, a talent show, and much more!
Bal De Maison
Original Bal de Maison were southern dances held as house parties - typically in the front room which was cleared of furniture. On Thursday, September 15, we’re throwing our own Bal De Maison, an opening party, with Eric Gales at the Sheridan Opera house. This show is sold out!
Juke Joint Shows
Some of the best shows you’ll see all weekend are after dark at Telluride’s intimate concert venues: Blues Stage, The Moon at O'Bannon's, Sheridan Opera House, and the Elks Lodge. For venue info, click here. At the Juke Joint shows, the bands usually like to play late and get rowdy. Friday and Saturday Juke Joint passes allow access to all venues for the night purchase but get there early as all venues are first-come, first served. Doors open each night at 9:45 pm and the VIP 3-Day Pass includes entry into all Juke Joints.
Friday, September 13 at 10 pm
Taj Farrant and Earnest "Guitar" Roy (Sheridan Opera House)
Cris Jacobs (Elks Lodge)
Samantha Fish and Zach Person (Blues Stage)
Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille (The Moon at O'Bannon's)
Comedians Elliot Woolsey, Jackie Kashan, Tom Thakkar, Langston Kerman (Telluride Arts HQ)
Saturday, September 14 at 10 pm
Hiss Golden Messenger and Pat "Mother Blues" Cohen - Sheridan Opera House
Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes - The Moon at O'Bannon's
Tab Benoit and Robert Jon & the Wreck - Blues Stage
Ron Artis II - Elks Lodge)
Comedians Elliot Woolsey, Jackie Kashan, Tom Thakkar, Langston Kerman (Telluride Arts HQ)
Blisters & Brews 5k fundraiser race
Join us on the morning of Saturday, September 14 to run, walk or roll before the Festival kicks off! Presented by the Telluride Blues Society, the 5k Race raises money for the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program in remembrance of dear festival friend Felix Snow.
Through registration fees, donations and the generous support of the Telluride community, we are honored to be able to raise over $10,000 for the Telluride Adaptive Ski Program since the start of the program. We're looking forward to another amazing year of support.
Don't want to run, but want to support? Non-athletic support donations are also available.
Group Hike
Join other festival-goers on a brisk but leisurely hike on one of Telluride’s most popular trails up to the beautiful Bear Creek Waterfall. Hosted by Festival partner Protect Our Winters, the group hike begins on Sunday, September 15 at 9:00 am from the Protect Our Winters booth inside the festival grounds. The group will access the trail from the end of South Pine Street and enjoy a steady 2-mile climb leading up to the falls. Hikers should plan for approximately 1 hour to reach the falls. For more info, make sure to stop by their booth inside the festival.
Revel Bikes
The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is thrilled to team up with Revel Bikes. Based in Carbondale, Colorado, Revel Bikes makes some of the absolute best full-suspension mountain bikes. Mountain bikers are welcome to join them for a morning mountain bike ride with their team. Stop by the Revel booth in the Main Festival grounds for a chance to check out their new lineup of bikes and sign up for a demo.
Fais Do-Do
"Fais Do-Do" roughly translates to "Cajun dance party” and will be the final show of the 30th Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. The show is sold out, but will be quite the experience for those attending as Neal Francis brings the house down at the historic Sheridan Opera House to close the weekend.
Drinks At The Festival
Beer Tasting Sessions
The Brewers Showcase will feature four tasting sessions in the Beer Garden on the festival grounds located in between the Main Stage and the Blues Stage. These sessions have a limited capacity providing attendees with the opportunity to interact with the brewers on an intimate level.
Two of the sessions will be held on Friday afternoon and two on Saturday afternoon. Three of the sessions will offer attendees a tasting experience with 28 breweries pouring over 70 styles of craft beer. The sessions will also feature a special tasting tent by the Colorado Brewers Guild serving the best in Colorado craft beer from select breweries that can’t attend the event. Each session will run for two hours in length.
The late Saturday session will feature 35 or more special, high ABV, barrel-aged, rare, wild and non-traditional craft beers. This session will also run for two hours in length.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is thrilled to team up again with long time craft beer partner Sierra Nevada Brewing Company for the Festival! Enjoy a variety of their beers at the Sierra Nevada Beer Truck, VIP bars, House of Brews, Blues Stage bars and special High Altitude Lounge. From an easy-drinking, festival exclusive Scapegoat Blonde, hoppy IPA’s and wild creations, Sierra Nevada’s styles will satisfy casual beer drinkers, aficionados and everything in between. Click here to explore the full list.
House Of Brews
Enjoy new beer styles each day and never take your eyes off the Main Stage! The HOB bar returns this year with local, regional and national breweries showcasing their best suds. Located adjacent to the merch tent and main entrance, the HOB gives attendees a chance to enjoy a wide selection of beers while catching all of the action on the Main Stage.
The HOB features a rotating list of styles from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and most Brewers Showcase attending breweries throughout the festival, with more than 10 styles available for purchase each day. With a focus on variety, each beer style will only be featured once throughout the festival and available in limited quantities.
rare and sought after Sierra Nevada Offerings
During the festival Sierra Nevada will unveil rare and sought after craft beers. Many of these beers are only available at the brewery, special events or have spent time aging deep in the breweries vaults.
Don’t miss out and listen up! One keg of each style of beer will be tapped between sets on the Main Stage and these specialty beers will only be available until they run out, so don’t miss out!
Green
Marijuana use, possession and purchase is legal in Telluride! For those interested in marijuana use, we suggest asking the experts at the Telluride Green Room about usage laws and effects. Like alcohol, marijuana can be enjoyable, but dangerous if consumed in excess. Go slow at first, especially with edible consumption.
Explore like a Local
Telluride is one of the best towns in the world for outdoor recreation! The towering peaks of the San Juan Mountain Range offer adventure for novices to pros alike.
If you’re up for adventure, there are plenty of beautiful hikes starting directly from downtown Telluride to explore: Bear Creek Trail is less than one block from Town Park (located on South Pine Street) and is a perfect beginner trail up to a waterfall. For a complete list of trails in the region, explore the hiking guide here.
If you're seeking a more challenging hike, check out the Jud Wiebe Trail (located on North Aspen Street) which takes you to a gorgeous overlook of the entire town.
Mountain Biking
Miles upon miles of single-track trails span throughout the Telluride box canyon. Beginners should start with the Valley Floor Trail.
Mountain bikers! Join festival partner Revel Bikes for exciting morning mountain bike rides around Telluride’s renowned single track! These rides will start and end right near the festival gates on Saturday and Sunday mornings before the music starts on the Main Stage. Stop by the Revel Bikes booth in the Main Festival grounds for ride details. Make sure to bring your mountain bike or stop by their booth to reserve a demo, helmet, water, snacks and any other riding gear.
4x4 Off Road Drive in Telluride, Colorado - Photo by Ryan Bonneau
Scenic Off-Road Drive
Many scenic paved and backcountry roads weave the peaks and valleys of Telluride. For those without a four-wheel drive car HWY 145 South towards Dolores offers stunning views of the Telluride Valley, Wilson Mesa and Lizard Head Pass.
Those with a four-wheel drive, high clearance car can consider a trip to Bridal Veil Falls.
Ride the Gondola - The only FREE transportation of its kind in the country, Telluride’s Gondola is a must-do while visiting during the week. If you don’t journey up to the free concert on Thursday night, make sure you take the time to check out this spectacular ride. Get out up top (San Sophia) to hike around or ride the Gondola down into Mountain Village to check out the local bars, shops and restaurants. The Gondola runs from 6:30 am to 12:00 am on Thursday, 6:30 am to 2:00 am on both Friday and Saturday, and 6:30 am to 12:00 am on Sunday of the festival.
Paddleboarding - Located 27 minutes South of Telluride Trout Lake offers stunning paddleboarding with beautiful alpine views. Paddleboards can be rented locally at Bootdoctors.
Fly Fishing - Telluride is an angler’s paradise. Alpine lakes, creeks and rivers are frequent throughout the Telluride region. For more information about fly-fishing click here.
For more information about hiking, diving, paddleboarding, fly-fishing and biking in Telluride’s visitor guide.
Sip, Taste & Shop
Historical downtown Telluride is home to an abundance of great merchant shops and art galleries. From boutique clothing shops, inviting art galleries, and unique Victorian architecture, it’s easy to spend a day exploring. Visit Telluride.com for a full shopping guide.
Food At The Festival
Festival Food - Fuel your festival cravings with delicious eats and tasty treats! Standout culinary talent and a stunning mountain backdrop ensure a spectacular experience at this year’s festival. The food lineup features some exciting new vendors along with trusty favorites. Go south of the border with spicy Tex-Mex wraps, take a trip to the Mediterranean with healthy Greek salads, or enjoy Southern fried chicken and traditional BBQ. The vendor menus will have your taste buds going all weekend long.
Special dietary needs? Our vendors have you covered! Check out the full menus here and prepare for a scrumptious weekend!
Food On The Town
Some of the country’s most celebrated chefs call Telluride home. Truth is, you sort of work up an appetite here, and whether you’re looking for a fresh pizza, foie gras, or free-range steak, we’ve got a collection of restaurants that get our mouths watering just talking about them. For a list of Telluride restaurants, visit the Dining Guide.
Getting Around
Public Transportation
Ride the Gondola - The only FREE transportation of its kind in the country, Telluride’s Gondola is the best way to get to and from, Telluride to Mountain Village. Special festival hours:
Thursday - 7:00 am - 12:00 am
Friday and Saturday - 7:00 am - 1:00 am
Sunday - 7:00 am - 12:00 am
Ride the Galloping Goose - The Galloping Goose shuttle buses run every 20 minutes and is free. Stops are located every few blocks throughout Telluride, operating during the same hours as the Gondola for the weekend.
Transportation within Mountain Village - Free shuttles run throughout Mountain Village every half hour. Dial-A-Ride is available daily to guests in Mountain Village between 7 am and 12:30 am during summer and winter. Call 970.728.8888 for information.
Telluride Express
Telluride Express - Our transportation partner, Telluride Express is Telluride's premier ground transportation service to and from all regional airports including Telluride, Montrose, Grand Junction, Durango, Cortez and Gunnison. They also offer door to door shared-ride, private and custom accommodations. To schedule a ride visit their website here or call (970) 728-6000.
Can’t Make It To The Festival? Tune Into The Livestream
Can't make this year's festival? You're in luck! Telluride Blues & Brews Festival will be airing the festival live from Town Park all weekend long with the help from our local community radio station KOTO FM. Stay tuned for more info coming soon.
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