The Official Telluride Blues & Brews Festival Guide
There’s more to Blues & Brews than the music on the Main Stage. From live sets and mountain trails to cold pours, late-night Juke Joints, yoga in the park, a 5K fundraiser, and plenty of good food, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your weekend in Telluride.
Whether you’re coming for the music, the mountains, the beer, or a little bit of everything, this guide will help you plan your weekend, know what to expect, and make the most of your time in Telluride.
Weather, Packing & Travel
September in Telluride is pure magic — golden aspens, sunny afternoons, and crisp evenings. But mountain weather is unpredictable. You could see sunshine, rain, or even snow in one day, so pack for it all.
Average temps mid-September: High 65°F / Low 40°F
Sunset: ~7:15 pm (expect quick temp drops after dark)
What to bring:
Valid photo ID
Reusable water bottle (free hydration stations)
Sunscreen + hat
Backpack or wagon
Low-back lawn chair (no high-backs near stage)
Want to rent a chair?
Tarp/blanket (5x8 max — please share!)
Cooler with sealed water/soda/food (subject to search)
Snacks
Warm layers (gloves, hat, long underwear)
Rain gear + waterproof boots
Camera (phones & point-and-shoots only; no detachable lenses)
Stroller (yes!)
Leave at home:
Glass, pets, outside alcohol, illegal drugs, unlicensed vending, professional camera gear, frisbees, shelled nuts (yep), weapons.
Festival provides:
Free water, plenty of restrooms and sinks, compost/recycling/trash stations, food + craft vendors, drinks for purchase, kids’ area, medical tent, and lost & found.
Tickets & Wristbands
For 2026, festival wristbands will not be mailed in advance.
Approximately one week before the festival, ticket purchasers will receive a digital ticket via email from Front Gate Tickets. Bring your digital ticket (printed or on your mobile device) and a valid photo ID to the Festival Box Office to redeem it for your festival wristband.
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:
Thursday 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM - 8:15 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Arrive Early!
Pick up their wristbands early to avoid peak arrival lines
Each ticket-holder must be present when exchanging tickets for wristbands at the Festival Box Office. An individual will not be able to receive wristbands for other ticket holders not present. Please bring a Valid Photo I.D.
Festival Like a Pro: Beyond the Main Stage
Blues Stage – Indoor music + comedy, great for a mid-day reset.
Yoga Sessions – Sat & Sun mornings in Elks Park with instructor Annika Kristiansen. All levels welcome.
Rainbow Kids Area – Parades, clowns, climbing walls, face painting, bounce games & more.
Bal De Maison – Thursday opener with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country (sold out).
Juke Joint Shows – Late-night sets at Sheridan Opera House, Elks Lodge, Blues Stage & more. Passes grant access to all venues, but space is limited — arrive early!
Blisters & Brews 5K – Saturday morning fundraiser for Telluride Adaptive Sports Program. Run, walk, or roll.
Fais Do-Do – Cajun-style closing party at Sheridan Opera House with Eddie 9V.
Drinks at the Festival
Beer Tasting Sessions
4 sessions in the Beer Garden (Fri & Sat afternoons).
25 breweries, a special Colorado Brewers Guild tent, a special Colorado Grain Chain tent, Frey Ranch Whiskey Tastings with the distiller and more.
Special Saturday evening session: high-ABV, barrel-aged, rare & wild beers.
House of Brews
Daily rotating taps from Sierra Nevada + festival breweries.
10+ styles daily, each beer offered once in limited quantities.
Sierra Nevada Special Releases
Rare, aged, and experimental beers tapped between Main Stage sets. One keg only — when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Explore Like a Local
Telluride is an outdoor playground. When you’re not at the fest, squeeze in some adventure:
Hiking – Bear Creek Trail (waterfall views, easy access) or Jud Wiebe Trail (challenging, with town overlook).
Mountain Biking – Mountain biking in Telluride, Colorado offers high-alpine singletrack, old mining roads, and scenic valley floor routes set against the San Juan Mountains
Scenic Drive – Hwy 145 toward Dolores (views of Wilson Mesa & Lizard Head Pass). With 4WD: Bridal Veil Falls.
Ride the Gondola – Free, one-of-a-kind ride between Telluride & Mountain Village. Stunning views day or night.
Paddleboarding – Trout Lake, 27 minutes south of town. Rentals available locally.
Fly Fishing – Lakes, rivers, and creeks galore.
Food: Fuel Your Festival
The Ultimate Festival Food Guide: What to Eat This Year – Tex-Mex wraps, Greek salads, BBQ, fried chicken, and more. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.
Around Town – A world-class mountain dining scene that blends casual historic saloons with high-elevation fine dining.
Getting Around
Gondola – Free Telluride ↔ Mountain Village. Festival hours:
Thu: 7 am–12 am
Fri & Sat: 7 am–12 am
Sun: 7 am–12 am
Galloping Goose Shuttle – Free, every 20 minutes around town.
Mountain Village Shuttles – Free daily service + Dial-A-Ride (970-728-8888).
Telluride Express – Ground transport to/from regional airports. Call (970) 728-6000.
Can’t Make It? Tune In
Tune in to the festival broadcast all weekend via KOTO Community Radio, featuring exclusive artist interviews between sets.
Quick Tips
Download daily schedules to your phone
Bring a water bottle & stay hydrated
Share your tarp, make new friends
Dress in layers — you’ll thank yourself at sunset
Most of all… soak it in — the music, the beer, the mountains, the memories.