Top Summer Events in the West

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland OR, June - early Nov

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, a stunning showcase of pantaloons and farthingales, draws 400,000 visitors. The action centers on the Elizabethan stage, an eye-popping ode to the playwright’s Globe Theatre. osfashland.org

Photo courtesy of SFJazz; written by Rachel Bertone

SFJazz Summerfest, Palo Alto and San Francisco, CA, June 14 – Oct 10

Get ready for all the funky, soulful, smooth music you can handle. At SFJazz Summerfest, top local musicians from the Bay area delight crowds every Thursday for ten weeks at a time in three separate locations. In past years, greats like the Scott Amendola quartet (pictured) have played. sfjazz.org/sfjazz-summerfest

Photo by Tory Williams

Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, CO, June 20–23

Mornings at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival begin with a blast of bagpipes, as campers flood the gates in a landgrab. Roughing it does have its advantages, though: Fingerpickers like Tim O’Brien are known to sneak into the campgrounds for fireside jams. bluegrass.com/telluride

Photo courtesy of the Utah Shakespeare Festival; written by Rachel Bertone

Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City, UT, June 24–Oct 19

Dive into the world of Shakespeare with plays like Hamlet and other classics. Highlights include "The Anatomy of a Season," backstage tours, and production seminars. bard.org

Photo by Alex Irvin; written by Rachel Bertone

Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, CO, June 27 – Aug 18

Set in the imperial Colorado Rockies, this eight-week educational festival will bring out your inner Mozart. Orchestral concerts, opera, and kids’ programs are just a few of the events offered. Don't miss this year’s performances, including a Gershwin tribute. aspenmusicfestival.com

Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM, Jun 28 – Aug 24

The Santa Fe Opera will host soprano Amanda Echalaz in Tosca this season. Means nothing to you? The in-seat translation screen should come in handy. santafeopera.org

Photo courtesy of High Sierra Music Festival; written by Rachel Bertone

High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy, CA, July 4-7

It's like summer camp for adults. Celebrate this roots-focused show with more than 50 performers over 4 days. Not only can you hear awesome performances by Robert Plant, Primus, Thievery Corporation, and more with 10,000 others, but the venue also offers opportunities to swim, fish, and hike in the quaint mountain town of Quincy, so don't forget your bathing suit. highsierramusic.com

Photo courtesy of Laguna Festival of Arts; written by Rachel Bertone

Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Beach, CA, July 7 – Aug 31

Art buffs are sure to love one of the most unique artistic interpretations in the nation.The Pageant of the Masters is one of the Laguna Festival of Arts’ most famous attractions, where real people pose as counterparts in original art pieces, recreating the work in an interesting, three-dimensional way. foapom.com

Photo courtesy of visitmt.com; written by Rachel Bertone

North American Indian Days, Browning, MT, July 11-14

Take in one of the largest Blackfeet tribal events in Native American culture. From every region in the United States and Canada, Native Americans come to share their heritage and perform traditional drumming, dancing contests, and more. If you're lucky, you might even get to hide out in an authentic teepee. visitmt.com

Photo courtesy of Oregon Berry Festival; written by Rachel Bertone

Oregon Berry Festival, Portland, OR, July 12-13

Berry lovers unite! Head on over to Portland’s Ecotrust Building and sample berries galore in pies and jams, or sip on a fresh blueberry soda. The free event features live entertainment, a berry cook-off between Portland chefs, and more. oregonberryfestival.com

Photo courtesy of OC Fair & Event Center; written by Rachel Bertone

Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, CA, July 12 – Aug 11

Soak up the sun in the iconic SoCal county, with live music, rodeo shows, a decked-out carnival, wine tasting, and lots more. ocfair.com

Photo by Richard Bowditch

Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, WY, Jul 19-28

Cheyenne Frontier Days has been rippin’ and snortin’ since 1897. Days start with pancakes and end with a rock or country show. In between: all manner of bucking broncos, bull riders, historical reenactments, and carnival rides. cfdrodeo.com

Photo courtesy of US Open of Surfing; written by Rachel Bertone

US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach, CA, July 20-28

Grab your board and head to the beach for this year’s annual US Open of Surfing. You'll see some of the gnarliest tricks on the waves. For hopeful surfers trying to reach the elite World Tours through the Association of Surfing Professionals, this event is a must. usopenofsurfing.com

Photo courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair; written by Rachel Bertone

Renegade Craft Fair, Los Angeles (July 20-21) and San Francisco (July 27-28)

Get creative at the Renegade Craft Fair, with locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The best vendors of indie-craft and DIY goods from the Golden State and beyond will be selling everything from jewelry, to paper goods, to bath products. And be sure to pick up tasty bites from local L.A. food trucks. www.renegadecraft.com/losangeles; www.renegadecraft.com/sanfrancisco

Photo by Anna Hirschi; written by Rachel Bertone

Pioneer Days at This Is The Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City, UT, July 24

History buffs get a taste of the olden days when the Mormon pioneers officially arrived in Salt Lake City in the 1800’s. Go back in time and enjoy some of the same activities the pioneers had for entertainment such as foot races, games, and crafts. The day ends with a ceremonial bang from the famous Candy Cannon. thisistheplace.org

Photo by Timothy Horn; written by Rachel Bertone

Oregon Brewers Festival, Portland, OR, July 24-28

Raise a pint to one of the nation’s longest running and most popular beer festivals. With over eighty craft breweries from all over the country serving more than 70,000 attendees during the event, it's a beer-lovers' heaven. Even the little ones can join the fun and sip on a handcrafted root beer while accompanied by an adult. oregonbrewfest.com

Photo courtesy of Copper River Wild; written by Rachel Bertone

Copper River Wild! Salmon Festival, Cordova, AK, July 26-27

Join the rustic fishing community in the heart of Prince William Sound as they celebrate a beloved Alaskan staple. Highlights include live music, arts and crafts, and a tasty salmon barbecue on Saturday night. copperriverwild.org

Photo by Bill Strange; written by Rachel Bertone

Gilroy Garlic Festival, Gilroy, CA, July 26-28

Don't worry--definitely no vampires here. Take in the distinct aroma of fresh garlic in Gourmet Alley, where guests can taste extraordinary garlic-enhanced recipes from top chefs like garlic salmon, garlic almonds, and even garlic ice cream. Proceeds from this pungent (but delicious!) event go to over 160 local non-profit charities and organizations. gilroygarlicfestival.com

Photo by John Deane

Vail International Dance Festival, Vail, CO, July 28 – Aug 10

Vail International Dance Festival is where troupes like New York City Ballet come to brisé and plié under the stars. If your love of dance extends only as far as the TV, check out the session of past and present reality-dance competition stars. vaildance.org

Photo by Joshua J. Withers

Outside Lands, San Francisco, CA, Aug 9-11

At Outside Lands, the pinkie on the rock-on salute is hoisted for high culture. There’s plenty of music, but also 100 high-end eats and wineries throughout Golden Gate Park. A couple years back they repurposed a 1920s sink to pour wine. A light red with your Jack White? sfoutsidelands.com

Photo courtesy of Denver County Fair; design by Mark Penner Howell; written by Rachel Bertone

Denver County Fair, Denver, CO, Aug 9-11

Marvel at the elegant cake displays or take a chance on a Tarot reading at one of the eleven different pavilions set up on the Denver fair grounds. Kids are sure to love the carnival sideshow, and entertaining live music. As for us, we're most excited about the best moustache and beard competition. denvercountyfair.org

Photo by Sarah Gage; written by Joel Stein

Burning Man, Black Rock Desert, NV, Aug 26 – Sep 2

This is why you came West: freedom. You want to be able to get naked, do drugs, set up a booth where you can smell other people’s armpits. Or at least see other people do that stuff. At Burning Man, see what happens when 50,000 people set up a city in the remote, lifeless, cell-phone-service-free, playa of Nevada’s Black Rock Desert over Labor Day and then take it down. You want to see freaks. And if you don’t, then maybe you belong back in New England, thrilling to the surprise of discovering what people brought to your church potluck. burningman.com

Photo by Richard Bowditch

Moab Music Festival, Moab, UT, Aug 29 – Sep 9

The rocks star at the Moab Music Festival. Chamber, jazz, and folk bands all sound pitch-perfect tucked into the grottoes of Utah’s rust-colored desert. One program lets listeners raft down the Colorado River, stopping for music and fireside dining. moabmusicfest.org

Photo courtesy of Hatch Chile Festival; written by Rachel Bertone

Hatch Chile Festival, Hatch, NM, Aug 31 – Sep 1

Like it hot? Learn everything you could ever want to know about New Mexico’s spiciest crop at the annual Hatch Chile Festival. Sample famed chile recipes, toss a horseshoe in celebration, and practice your wave for the crowning of the Chile Festival Queen. hatchchilefest.com

Photo by Christopher Nelson

Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival, Seattle, WA, Aug 31 – Sep 2

Bumbershoot is the largest urban arts festival in North America. Yet it still feels like a neighborhood bazaar. Skate parks become galleries. Fire dancers work the caffeinated crowd. And nights end to the throb of a DJ. All within the shadow of the Space Needle. bumbershoot.org

Top summer events of 2013

Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland OR, June - early Nov

SFJazz Summerfest, Palo Alto and San Francisco, CA, June 14 – Oct 10

Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride, CO, June 20–23

Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City, UT, June 24–Oct 19

Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, CO, June 27 – Aug 18

Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM, Jun 28 – Aug 24

High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy, CA, July 4-7

Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Beach, CA, July 7 – Aug 31

North American Indian Days, Browning, MT, July 11-14

Oregon Berry Festival, Portland, OR, July 12-13

Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, CA, July 12 – Aug 11

Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, WY, Jul 19-28

US Open of Surfing, Huntington Beach, CA, July 20-28

Renegade Craft Fair, Los Angeles (July 20-21) and San Francisco (July 27-28)

Pioneer Days at This Is The Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City, UT, July 24

Oregon Brewers Festival, Portland, OR, July 24-28

Copper River Wild! Salmon Festival, Cordova, AK, July 26-27

Gilroy Garlic Festival, Gilroy, CA, July 26-28

Vail International Dance Festival, Vail, CO, July 28 – Aug 10

Outside Lands, San Francisco, CA, Aug 9-11

Denver County Fair, Denver, CO, Aug 9-11

Burning Man, Black Rock Desert, NV, Aug 26 – Sep 2

Moab Music Festival, Moab, UT, Aug 29 – Sep 9

Hatch Chile Festival, Hatch, NM, Aug 31 – Sep 1

Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival, Seattle, WA, Aug 31 – Sep 2