My husband and I went to Telluride Bluegrass for three years before we had children. His family had been going for maybe three decades prior to that, so he had been there as a kid and remembered how fun it was. After we became parents, we really wanted to keep going on adventures, so even though our first was only three months old at festival time, we decided to just go. We brought our second at four months.

When they were really young, we’d go back to where we were staying during the day and recalibrate. Later, though, in addition to our shade canopy, we got a little tent we’d set up with a sound machine and a fan for naps. We invested in one of those Thule trailers we could hook up to a bike and brought everything we thought we might need. I had a printout for each day, so I could cross off my packing list; it made me feel safe and secure that I had the snacks, the sunscreen, all the forms of ear protection, the diapers. I would bring word puzzles and Legos—I wanted to watch the music, so it helped for them to have things to do.

My biggest pro tip is to bring a little inflatable pool. We had five- or 10-gallon camping jugs with sprayers that we’d fill up at the water station and bring back. It was hours of entertainment. Kids from everywhere would come over to play. In the same way that our tarp is your tarp, you know, our pool is your pool.

That helped with the midday heat, but if you live in Colorado, you know—if you want to stay all day, you literally have to have a swimsuit and a hat, mittens, and handwarmers; it can go from the 30s to 90 and back down to 30 again. And with the elevation, I always had water on me for the kids. I attached their bottles to a waist bag with carabiners. I’d think, Oh, we’re just gonna go get a smoothie. But then they decide they want to go to the kids area, and all of a sudden they haven’t had a sip of water in an hour.

Speaking of, absolutely take advantage of the kids area, which has a bathroom that is cleaner, with less lines, than the general port-a-potties. They always have things going on—face painting, yoga, even theater programming. And you can bring your adult beverage in.

Of course, the music is amazing, and I love introducing my kids to all different styles. The morning is way more relaxed, and then it kind of amps up throughout the day. Those last two acts maybe get a little rowdier. It’s not a bad vibe. That’s just when we usually decided to run around in the back, not push to the front. One time we tried to stay for an evening show, and all of a sudden the kids were like, I’m only seeing butts right now. But the people are great. There are so many families, and we all start to notice, OK, that kid goes with those parents, and watch out for one another.

We’ve made so many memories, but one stands out: Our daughter walked for the first time at Telluride. We were up front; it was getting later, after nap. We were sitting on a blanket, encouraging her to try to go back and forth between us—and she took six steps! The crowd all around us was cheering for her, Jerry Douglas was playing, and the sun was shining…it was just the coolest moment. —Carrie Horn, as told to Jessica LaRusso

9 Can’t-Miss Bluegrass Festivals in Colorado

Tico Time Bluegrass Festival. Photo by Stephen Ross Scuba, courtesy of Tico Time

Tico Time Bluegrass Festival (May 16 to 18, 2025)

Cross into New Mexico (barely!) for three days of foot-tappin’ bluegrass and outdoor adventure, including a 60-foot zipline across the Animas River, at this family-friendly fest 30 minutes south of Durango held at Tico Time River Resort. Attendees play beach volleyball between sets by Railroad Earth and Leftover Salmon.

SpringFree Bluegrass Festival (May 23 to 25, 2025)

Leave the bluebells and larkspur in the ground and let Phoffman of Greensky Bluegrass and the Nicki Bluhm Band handle the plucking. You should focus on getting your hands-raised, hips-swaying, air-mandolining groove on at one of SpringFree Bluegrass Festival’s three free stages in Vail Village.

Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival (June 6 to 8, 2025)

Float, kayak, SUP: Water-based fun abounds at the Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival, held along the Colorado River at aptly named Riverbend Park. Dry off to see the California Honeydrops croon with retro soul or the Brothers Comatose prompt some banjo-inspired boot-stompin’.

Telluride Bluegrass Festival (June 19 to 22, 2025)

Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Photo by Suchitra Baker, courtesy of Planet Bluegrass

With lineups that often represent triple-digit Grammys, 52-year-old Telluride Bluegrass Festival goes beyond its namesake genre to fill its stages with masters of many musical styles while still pulling in the biggest names in bluegrass (this year’s headliners: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Greensky Bluegrass, Toy Factory Project, and Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas) and offering kids activities galore and a campground culture that’s almost as much of a draw as the performances.

RockyGrass Festival (July 25 to 27, 2025)

With Bill Monroe, Béla Fleck, and Alison Krauss as past headliners, 53-year-old RockyGrass in Lyons caters to serious strings-lovers who appreciate a killer chord progression—and can maybe play one themselves. The pairing of this fête with RockyGrass Academy ensures late-night campground jam circles.

Snowygrass Music Festival (August 21 to 24, 2025)

Despite the name, the only flakes you’re likely to find at Estes Park’s Snowygrass Music Festival are those you tread upon during a dawn patrol ascent in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. Après-hike to the tunes of Grammy-nominated Bruce Molsky and world-renowned banjo player Tony Trishcka at this kid- and dog-friendly gathering.

Bluegrass & Beer Festival (August 2 to 3, 2025)

Come to Keystone for the four-part vocals of the Last Revel and Chain Station’s high-energy strumming; stay for craft pours from Breckenridge Brewery, Dillon Dam Brewery, and Keystone’s Steep Brewing Co. The 28-year-old event includes a kids zone with crafts, face painting, and something called the Cave of Confusion.

FreeFall Bluegrass Festival (October 10 to 12, 2025)

Gratis in moniker and price alike, Vail’s FreeFall Bluegrass Festival brings all the pumpkin spice vibes any music-loving leaf peeper could want. Attendees snuggle into their favorite flannel and sip spiked cider while headliners—often big names like mandolinist Sam Bush—share the limelight with autumn’s golden display.

WinterWonderGrass (February 26 to March 1, 2026)

For bluegrass with a side of blue runs, check out WinterWonderGrass, a four-day string-band-meets-snowglobe affair at Steamboat Ski Resort. Don your puffy and dance in a Champagne powderstorm to the musical stylings of bluegrass big shots who have, in years past, included the Infamous Stringdusters and Billy Strings.