Colorado Pizza Festival, Unity in the Community & Music at McIntosh Lake
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Three Longmont pizzerias, Urban Field, Rosalee's, and Antonio's, started a nonprofit called Pizza With Purpose earlier this year with a simple goal: get more food to people who need it. The Colorado Pizza Festival is their biggest swing at that yet, with proceeds going toward hunger relief across the state, benefiting Slice Out Hunger, Longmont Food Rescue, Community Food Share, and Colorado FriendShip. It's also, not incidentally, going to be a very good day of pizza: more than 20 Colorado pizzerias, an amateur pizza competition, the Pizza Olympics, kids' activities, and live music all day long. General admission is $15, kids 12 and under are free, and the $50 Golden Ticket gets you unlimited samples from every pizzeria between 1 and 6pm.
coloradopizzafestival.comThis is one of our favorite downtown events, and part of the fun is you never quite know what you'll stumble into. Last year our kids got pulled into a hands-on demo on the science of electricity, our daughter's best friend held on for dear life at the Longmont Climbing Collective's booth (they're back again this year), and between the food trucks we lost count of the neighbors and friends we ran into. More than 100 local businesses and nonprofits fill downtown's streets for this one, free and family-friendly, with live music from Last Men on Earth from 6:30 to 8pm.
longmontchamber.orgClosing out the summer with a picnic and listening to a woodwind quintet, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon, feels like exactly the right way to send off the season. Flanders Park sits right on the north shore of McIntosh Lake, and this free concert series from Melodic Light wraps its run with the Five Seasons Wind Quintet. Bring a blanket, bring the picnic basket, and get there in time to watch the sun start dropping behind the Front Range as the music warms up. The evenings still hold onto their warmth this time of year, even as the light turns gold a little earlier each night.
melodiclight.orgWe missed this one in past years simply because we didn't grab tickets soon enough, so this year we're not making that mistake. It reminds me of the wine trips we've done in Sonoma. The wine's really just the excuse, the journey itself is the draw… no real agenda beyond seeing where it takes you. In this case, that's 24 downtown businesses, each with their own pour. Kuper Wine Bar is presenting again out of their beautiful new space on Main, and Julie and Doug have built something genuinely special there. Advance tickets are $38.30, $43.62 day-of, and this one sells out.
downtownlongmont.comI've had Alexa Wildish's voice on repeat lately, so I'm genuinely glad this one's landing at Juniper Goods. She and Nashville songwriter Hannah Delynn are bringing the Hum + Howl Tour 2026 through downtown, and Juniper feels like exactly the right room for it, it's grown into more than a coffee shop, into one of those true community spaces. Tickets are limited, and I'd expect this one to sell out, so grab yours early.
junipergoods.co
Longmont Criterium, Dog Swim at Kanemoto Pool & Westernaires Extravaganza
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Before we moved to Longmont, I tried to drive downtown and found the streets blocked off, both sides of the road crowded with people. Perplexed, we stopped to see what was going on… we were in awe as cyclists raced around Thompson Park with loads of spectators cheering them on. The Criterium that comes to the Longmont streets has been on our calendar every year since! This year's race is the Colorado Criterium State Championship, and Longmont's leg of the new five-city Gold Rush Criterium Omnium. Bring your lawn chair (and snacks), and keep an eye out for the neighborhood lemonade stands. Races start at the corner of 4th and Pratt… you can't miss the route and races run all day long.
bicyclecolorado.orgThis week we're bringing our newest furry family member to swim at Kanemoto. Every year, once the swim season is done, the city opens the pools to the pups. Sunset Pool is still in full swing (they even pushed back their closing date), but Kanemoto and Roosevelt have wrapped up for the season. There are two windows to bring your pup: 10am to noon and 4 to 7pm. It's $5 per dog. This probably goes without saying, but socialized, friendly dogs are invited.
longmontcolorado.govI've caught a few Westernaires shows, and they're exceptional. Picture synchronized swimming, but on horseback: around 350 young riders running precision drill formations, trick riding, and roping… most of it at speed. The skill and the connection between rider and horse is something to watch. The production was set for Evergreen, but storm damage made the arena unavailable, so rather than cancel, Westernaires moved the whole thing to the fairgrounds. The show is at 2pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for kids 5 to 14 (under 4 free).
westernaires.orgThough no tickets are needed for the event, I thought it was worth sharing as an On the Horizon pick so that you could mark your calendars! Longmont's biggest block party lands downtown at the end of the month: free, family-friendly, live music, and more than 100 local organizations out in force. I'll give it the full write-up in the next issue. For now, just get it on the calendar.
longmontchamber.orgOnce a year, the Longmont Symphony Orchestra Guild opens the doors to some of Longmont's most distinctive homes for a self-guided, ticketed tour. This year tours through the Historic West Side, with LSO musicians playing inside as you make your way around. Proceeds support the symphony. It's a September event, but tickets are worth lining up sooner rather than later.
longmontsymphony.org
Boulder County Fair Parade, Longmont Museum Concert Series & Dog Days of Summer Race
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Colorado's oldest county fair kicks off with a parade down Main Street. Make a morning of it with the Rotary Club's Chuckwagon Breakfast, 6:30 to 9:30am at Fourth and Kimbark, which benefits their scholarship fund. While the fair fully kicks off on Wednesday, there's a reining show on Saturday night, at the fairgrounds indoor arena. I'm always amazed at the athleticism of these horses and the connection between horse and rider.
twinpeaksrotary.org bouldercountyfair.orgBring a blanket, a lawn chair, or just yourself. The Museum's free Thursday concert series wraps its summer season with Road Pony, a country band known for their tight harmonies. Grab dinner from the food trucks, watch the sun drop behind the Front Range, and call it a Thursday well spent.
longmontcolorado.govThis dog-friendly 3.5-mile race loops Lake McIntosh past farmland, mountain views, and (if your pup has any say in it) plenty of good sniffing along the way. Race proceeds and an optional Wag Wave donation benefit the Longmont Humane Society, so every mile does double duty. Registration prices go up August 5th, so lock in the early rate before then.
runsignup.comSunflower Farm concludes the warm summer months with a three-course farm-to-table dinner, set at long tables among the goats, sheep, and the occasional wandering peacock. Every course leans on vegetables grown right there on the farm, paired with local musicians playing as the sun goes down. $150 per adult (beer or wine included), $30 per child, with limited kid spots. Tickets are available now, and this one doesn't come back around until next year.
sunflowerfarmacres.com
World Cup Final Watch Parties, LSO Percussion Concert & Glow Swim
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The World Cup has a way of uniting us. During the Round of 16, I streamed the Spain v. Portugal game from Ozo, and when I stood up from my seat, I found myself in a vibrant conversation with the man sitting behind me, who thanked me for streaming the game. We talked favorite teams, then favorite players, then travel. Throughout the cup, our watch parties continued at home and in restaurants around town. Now the Final is just on the horizon, this Sunday.
Whether you're cheering for Spain or Argentina, if you're looking to brush shoulders and cheer alongside fellow soccer fans, check out the watch parties across town: Ironwood, Winner's Circle (axe throwing at halftime?!), Parkway Food Hall, Wibby, Left Hand, or Pumphouse. Land your spot well before kickoff. This Final will draw a big crowd!
A morning at the library gets a little louder this month. Visit the library patio on Friday morning for a percussion concert from the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, geared toward kids and the kids at heart. It's free, family-friendly, and no registration required.
longmontsymphony.orgNeon lights, music, games, and a pool full of glow sticks after dark. Buy your tickets early. Last year our kids were crushed to learn Glow Swim sold out before we got ours, while our friends who made it called it the highlight of their summer. Worth the hype. Advance tickets are $10, $15 at the door.
longmontcolorado.govIt's a bit of a drive, but worth it. Planet Bluegrass's 36th annual songwriter festival returns to the St. Vrain River in Lyons with camping, riverside stages, and a lineup including Ani DiFranco and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Tickets are on sale now, and this one sells out every summer!
bluegrass.com/folksNow in its 40th year, this 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run kicks off the weekend before school starts, raising money for St. Vrain educator grants along the way. I used to teach, so I know exactly what those grants can do. One sent 60 of my high school students to the CU planetarium and observatory for a full day with astronomy and physics undergraduates, the kind of opportunity that couldn't have happened without a grant. Registration is open now, register by August 7th to guarantee your t-shirt.
stvrainfoundation.org
Independence Weekend, Nepali Jatra & Out of the Box Summer Fest
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The Fourth of July celebrations in Longmont are rich community events and this year the city is going all out! Longmont turns 155, Colorado turns 150, and the U.S. turns 250. Added bonus: the traditional symphony concert is coming back to shady Thompson Park.
Start the weekend on July 3rd at the First Friday Makers Market at 4th and Coffman from 4:30pm, with art vendors, face painting, food trucks, local brews, and more. Then head to Roosevelt Park at 6pm for live music and local food. On the 4th, the Longmont Symphony and Longmont Chorale perform at Thompson Park from 11:30am to 3pm with the traditional picnic contest and firing of the cannons. Then head downtown to 2nd and Emery at 5pm for live music, games, and local vendors. The night closes with an SVVSD student-powered drone show at 9:15pm and fireworks at 9:30pm.
First Friday Makers Market Independence Weekend Longmont SymphonyNow in its fifth year, this free downtown celebration brings together the rich traditions of Nepal alongside Longmont's broader multicultural community. Expect authentic Nepali food, live folk music, traditional dance performances, and cultural booths from community organizations. 4th Avenue and Kimbark, 5-8pm.
america250.orgFirehouse Art Center brings live music, local art, cider, and spirits to 4th Avenue from 3 to 9pm. The Colorado Djembe Orchestra kicks things off, followed by Tim and Jenny Ostdiek, then Rob Shea to close the night. The returning U-Haul Mobile Art Galleries are back this year, where moving trucks become immersive solo artist experiences parked right on the street. St. Vrain Cidery and Abbott and Wallace pour all evening.
firehouseart.orgThe oldest fair in Colorado returns to Longmont with five days of livestock shows, free live music, food vendors, and the kind of summer energy that's hard to find anywhere else. Gate admission and parking are free but the grandstand events like the demolition derby, CPRA Rodeo, and tractor pull require tickets and they sell out. Stay tuned to bouldercountyfair.org to buy your tickets when they go on sale.
bouldercountyfair.org/ticketsLast year we walked up to the entrance to Oktoberfest at Thompson Park, new rescue greyhound in tow, to learn that the event had been sold out for weeks. So I'm posting this one early so that you don't miss the early bird ticket sales. The Humane Society's dog-friendly fall celebration at Thompson Park will include craft brews, artisan eats, and music from Keller Williams' Grateful Grass. Every ticket supports the Longmont Humane Society. Early-bird tickets are $28 through July 19 and this event sells out every year, so don't wait.
ticketsignup.io/LongmontOktoberfest