If you’re anything like my mom, the start of a new year means the start of a brand-new calendar. Whether you’ve got a classic day planner or were lucky enough to snag a Colorado Firefighter Calendar (hunky), it’s time to peel off the plastic cover, grab your pens and start marking down the most exciting events of 2025.

From local festivals to unique cultural experiences, there’s plenty to fill up your year with fun, adventure and community in Boulder County.

Boulder Alley Gallery >> Check out this new twist on an exhibition — the Boulder Alley Gallery features 30 local artists who have turned the streets of Boulder into one big open-air art gallery. By repurposing alleys and back-of-building doors, this project has turned overlooked spaces into outsized works of art. Take a self-guided tour to explore the unique pieces already on display, with new works being added as the program grows. A project of Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives, the Boulder Alley Gallery is a beautiful way to experience local art while hoofing around the city. boulderdowntown.com.

Student Banner Project >> In years past, you may have noticed some works of art adorning the lamp posts on Pearl Street. Those pieces are courtesy of the Student Banner Project, which highlights budding artists from Columbine Elementary, Casey Middle and Boulder High School. This year’s theme, “Embracing our unique backgrounds makes the community stronger,” will come to life through various media, from pencil sketches to watercolor and collage. The banners will be hung on Pearl Street from mid-January to mid-April. boulderdowntown.com.

Taste of Pearl >> On April 6, Pearl Street’s annual celebration will lure even the most loyal online shoppers out of their lairs for this day of celebrating downtown Boulder’s local businesses. Hosted by the Downtown Boulder Partnership, this annual event pairs bites from some of Boulder’s best restaurants with wines and spirits from Colorado’s top producers — all served in local boutiques, galleries and shops. Whether you’re hunting for your next favorite meal or discovering a hideaway retail gem, this event is the ultimate excuse to spend the day exploring Pearl Street — and leave your laptop behind. boulderdowntown.com.

BOCO Flamenco Spring Festival >> Did you think that flamenco dance was just for people in southern Spain? You’re wrong. It’s also for people along the Front Range of Colorado. Put your palmos (hand clapping) skills to work on March 7 at this year’s BOCO Flamenco Spring Festival, where world-renowned artists José Maya and Rycardo Moreno will bring the rhythms and soul of the flamenco tradition to Colorado. Presented by BOCO Flamenco, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting flamenco culture, this festival is a must-attend if you’re looking to connect through the universal language of music and dance — or if you’re looking to escape to the Iberian peninsula without paying for airfare. bocoflamenco.org.

Boulder International Film Festival >> While we all wait to see if Boulder will win the bid to host Sundance, the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) is here to remind us why Boulder is already a film lover’s paradise. From March 13—16, BIFF will bring an exciting mix of local, national and international films to various venues in both Boulder and Longmont. The festival has showcased many films that later earned Oscar nominations and box office acclaim. Highlights include the Adventure Film Program, a revival of the beloved Boulder Adventure Film Festival, with stunning adventure films and discussions with world-class adventurers. Add in filmmaker happy hours, opening night galas, live music and culinary events, and you’ve got four unforgettable days of celebrating cinema. Past Hollywood star guests have included Javier Bardem, Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin, James Franco, Shirley MacLaine, Alan Arkin, Martin Sheen, Oliver Stone, William H. Macy, Peter Fonda, Chevy Chase and many more. biff1.com.

Speaking of which….

Sundance will announce new host of 2027 festival sometime … soon >> The Sundance Institute is set to announce the new host city for its 2027 festival sometime in “Q1” of this year, according to the festival website. While that timeline is a bit vague, we’ll be on the edge of our seats hoping Boulder makes the cut. Other finalists vying for the honor include Cincinnati and Park City, Sundance’s longtime home. festival.sundance.org.

Bluebird Music Festival >> From April 18-20, the Bluebird Music Festival is a must-attend event for fans of folk, rock and bluegrass tunes. Held in the historic Macky Auditorium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, the weekend will feature performances by renowned artists such as Bruce Hornsby, Isaac Slade (of The Fray), Hiss Golden Messenger, Watchhouse and The Tallest Man on Earth. A festival highlight is “Strings & Stories,” an intimate session where musicians perform stripped-down versions of their songs and share the stories behind them — like being around a campfire minus the billowing smoke inhalation. Ticket proceeds support the Future Arts Foundation, which brings instruments and art supplies to Colorado schools that need them most. bluebirdmusicfestival.org

Benefit Concert for Boulder Theater >> On Jan. 26, join the party at the Boulder Theater for a benefit concert featuring Face Vocal Band, the a cappella rock stars who’ve wowed audiences on NBC’s “The Sing-Off” and were the first all-vocal band to headline Red Rocks. Hosted by Historic Boulder, this event raises matching funds for a $227,237 grant to give the theater’s gorgeous Art Deco façade the facelift it deserves. VIPs can kick things off early at 5:30 PM with a pre-concert reception, because saving history deserves a little bubbly. historicboulder.org.

Music Series at Garage Sale Vintage >> Garage Sale Vintage opened up in late 2024, and many loyal vintage shoppers have come to regard it as a thrifter’s haven that also happens to sling some good food. However, did you know that Garage Sale not only doubles as a taco restaurant but triples also as … a music venue? Sip a tequila in the store’s retro space while watching some local talent play tunes on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The lineup includes Boulder favorites such as Derek Dames Ohl, The Fretliners, and Eastlin.

Longmont

Ice Climbing World Cup and Winterfest >> Longmont is about to turn up the chill as the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation’s Ice Climbing World Cup makes its fifth stop at the Longmont Climbing Collective in February. Organized by the UIAA, which has governed competitive ice climbing since the first World Cup in 2002, this event is the ice climbing equivalent of the IFSC Climbing World Cup in rock climbing. Over two days, watch as the world’s top ice climbers scale sheer, frozen walls in a dis

play of athleticism that’s sure to raise hairs. When not watching people dangle from a wall with an ice pick, dive into WinterFest complete with food trucks, craft beer, a vendor village and a kids’ zone for all-ages fun. climbingcollective.co.

Winter Walkabout Music Showcase >> On Feb. 1, the Winter Walkabout Music Showcase is the perfect excuse to trade the indoor fireside for fresh air and live tunes. Featuring more than 60 performances and 100-plus local musicians across 16 venues, this all-day event turns downtown Longmont into a music lover’s playground. This year’s headliner is “Denver’s Queen of the Blues” Erica Brown, who has been known to bring the house down and tear the roof off, so make sure your walking shoes can double as dancing shoes. downtownlongmont.com.

Longmont Museum >> The Longmont Museum is bringing a touch of art history to Boulder County with its latest exhibition, “A Graphic Journey: Prints by Pablo Picasso.” Opening Feb. 1, this showcase will house more than 60 prints by Picasso that the artist created between 1923 and 1972. This is a rare opportunity to explore the evolution of one of the most prolific and transformative artists of all time, right in our backyard. longmontcolorado.gov/museum.

Beyond

Rockygrass and Folks Fest >> Dust off your banjo and grab your sunscreen — RockyGrass returns to Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons this July for its 53rd year. While this year’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, past festivals have featured bluegrass legends and rising stars alike, with headliners such as Steve Martin, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Alison Krauss gracing the stage. The festival also features musical workshops and a good amount of late-night jam sessions. Folks Fest will return to the venue Aug.8-10, and festival fans may wnat to nab tickets when they go on sale Feb. 13 because the popular weekend party usually sells out quickly. bluegrass.com.

Subaru Winterfest >> From March 7-9, enjoy performances by Shadowgrass, Sweet Lillies, iZCALLi and Drunken Hearts at the base of Eldora Mountain Resort while soaking up breathtaking views — and maybe squeaking in a run or two in between sets. This festival promises a playground for music fans, skiers, snowboarders and dog lovers alike. Guests can also expect free snacks, drinks, giveaways and plenty of opportunities to learn about protecting the outdoors. subaru.com/winterfest.

Lafayette Music Festival >> Boulder County’s largest fall music festival returns on Oct. 4 with more than 100 musicians in tow to Lafayette. This festival, hosted by Rock for the People, showcases a diverse lineup of hyperlocal talent across multiple venues and stages. For the latest news, lineup announcements, and special offers, you can stay updated through its official website. lafayettemusicfest.com.