A Colorado Classic for 129 Years
Consider adding a water break at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, another longtime local favorite
The 129th annual Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs returns June 19–21, 2026, bringing another unforgettable weekend of music, family fun, food and community celebration to the mountains of western Colorado. This year’s festival at Two Rivers Park is presented by Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and Alpine Bank in partnership with the Glenwood Springs Chamber Foundation and City of Glenwood Springs.
One of the oldest continuously held civic celebrations west of the Mississippi River, Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs began on June 18, 1898, when the Tri-County Farmer’s Union organized a community gathering to showcase some of the region’s finest strawberries, produce and dairy products. Local farmers donated strawberries and fresh cream, while area women baked cakes to feed nearly 2,000 visitors who traveled from across Colorado for the very first event. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort opened its doors a decade earlier in 1888 and is celebrating its 138th birthday on July 4.
Both Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs continue to connect generations through entertainment, local traditions and small-town charm. Best of all, admission to Strawberry Days Festival remains free thanks to sponsors Glenwood Hot Springs Resort and other dedicated community partners.
The 2026 lineup includes:
- Live music on the Main Stage
- Arts Village
- Family Fest
- Community parade
- Strawberry Shortcut Race
- Kiwanis Ball Race
- Noon Rotary’s Pie Day and Pancake Breakfast
- Food court and beer garden
- Colorado 150/America 250 laser drone show
Check Out the Booths & Family Fun
Festival-goers of all ages attending Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs are sure to enjoy exploring Arts Village, featuring booths with handcrafted goods ranging from fine art and jewelry to gourmet foods, body care products and handmade gifts.
As one of the event’s presenting sponsors, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort will host a booth where guests can learn more about the community’s oldest continually operated business and pick up a complimentary 2026 Strawberry Days Festival button inspired by a historic resort button from around 1899 and featuring the Colorado 150/America 250 celebration logo. Also make sure to stop by the booth to enter a drawing for the grand giveaway prize of a two-night stay at Hotel 1888 and daily prizes of a cabana rental with four pool passes included.
Adjacent to the resort’s booth, Glenwood Springs Historical Society will share local stories and historical displays, including a button display from the last century of Strawberry Days.
The 2026 Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs schedule also includes entertainment and activities for all ages, including live music throughout the event on the Main Stage; a Saturday morning parade; Strawberry Shortcut Race featuring 1-mile, 5K and 10K events; Kiwanis Ball Race; and Family Fest. Family Fest highlights include Salida Circus performances, interactive skits by the Defiance Community Players, Rocky Mountain Mini Train, inflatable attractions and more.
The Colorado 150/America 250 traveling laser drone, Stories in the Sky, is making a stop in Glenwood Springs on June 20 in tandem with Strawberry Days.
Indulge in Tasty Treats
No Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs is complete without the beloved tradition of free strawberries and ice cream following Saturday morning’s parade that begins at 10 a.m. Sponsored by Sundae and City Market, the Kiwanis Club serves the sweet treat at Two Rivers Park until supplies run out. Additional community culinary favorites include the Glenwood Springs Noon Rotary Club’s Pie Day on Friday morning at United Methodist Church and Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning beneath the Grand Avenue Bridge downtown.
Food lovers also will find a wide variety of options throughout the festival food court, such as tacos, Korean corn dogs, pierogi, barbecue, crepes, kettle corn, lemonade and ice cream. In the beer garden, beer, wine, cocktails, seltzers and nonalcoholic beverages are on the menu.
Swim & Stay at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
After a full day exploring Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs, a water break at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort may be exactly what you need. Home to seven natural hot springs pools, the resort offers a relaxing place to recharge during the busy festival weekend.
Open year-round, the pools feature expanded summer hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. No reservations are required, there are no time limits, and guests can come and go throughout the day with a day pass or annual pass.
Visitors looking to turn the festival into a full getaway can stay in the 16-room Hotel 1888, the luxury boutique hotel that opened in June 2025 inside the resort’s historic Stone Bath House alongside the Grand Pool, which is the world’s largest hot springs pool. Guests seeking a family-friendly stay can book The Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, which completed a refresh of all 107 guest rooms and suites in 2025.
Swimming and soaking naturally work up an appetite, making Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs the perfect excuse to enjoy berry-inspired treats at the resort. Guests can cool off with refreshing strawberry smoothies at the Grill or enjoy a strawberry-swirled soft-serve cone from the Snack Bar.
Make Plans for Strawberry Days Weekend
Whether you visit for the parade, live music, family activities or strawberry treats, Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs continues to showcase the welcoming spirit and traditions that make Glenwood Springs such a special mountain destination.
Start making plans now for Strawberry Days Festival in Glenwood Springs on June 19–21, 2026, and remember to schedule a relaxing water break at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Better yet, turn the celebration into a full vacation or staycation and experience everything the resort and the Glenwood Springs community have to offer all weekend long.
