2022 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival Survive And Thrive Guide

You have your tickets, you’re coming to the 28th Annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival! Nice work! Now, what’s your plan when you get here?

Yes, like most festivals there’s a Main Stage, but at Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, there is so much more! With incredible live music from 30+ on multiple stages along with free yoga sessions, 5k fundraiser race, tons of beer styles to try, world-class restaurants, outdoor recreation and more, it can’t hurt to have a little guidance. Curated by our staff experts, we are proud to present the comprehensive Survive and Thrive Guide.

Telluride, Colorado | Photo By Ryan Bonneau

Weather

Fall is a beautiful time in Telluride! Hillsides glimmer with golden colors as plant life enjoys warm days, cool nights and prepares for the winter ahead. In the Rocky Mountains, weather can move fast and sporadically. Telluride’s weather is no exception and can be a bit of sunshine, rain, snow, overcast and everything in between during September. It’s best to be over-prepared, rather than end up under-prepared.

September 15 Historic Average Temperatures: Low 44 High: 67

Packing for the Festival

Each day, the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival starts mid-morning and spans into the evening. During the daytime, weather is usually mild and perfect for t-shirts, sandals and shorts. At an elevation of 8,750 ft, the UV rays can be intense and the air is dry, so we recommend bringing sunscreen and a water bottle to fill up at free hydration stations located throughout the venue.

In case of precipitation, we recommend bringing waterproof, quick-dry and insulating layers. Nothing beats a tarp when things are looking wet! The Telluride Town Park field can get a bit muddy with rain or snow. Wearing waterproof boots and wool or synthetic moisture-wicking socks are also encouraged.

Sunsets during this time of year typically happen around 7:15 pm and can be stunning; however, be prepared for the quick drop in temperatures. Even on a warm day, temperatures can swing more than twenty degrees in a matter of hours. We recommended bringing layers to change into during this evening shift. Light gloves, hats and long underwear are all great items to bring to the show in a backpack.

Camping at Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

Packing for Camping at the Festival

Camping at the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is something to be experienced! Year after year, many campers return to camp at the festival, creating an unmatched feeling of community comradery. It does get chilly at night so pack appropriately-rated sleeping bags and gear. In the event of rain a ground cloth or tarp does wonders.

Campground Sessions

A special perk available to campers only are the shows in the campground exclusive to campers only (camping wristband required for entrance). Artists will be playing on the Campground Stage each day of the festival.

Friday, September 16

Saturday, September 17

Sunday, September 18

Don't miss the chance to see these intimate performances in an intimate campground setting. See the full Campground Sessions schedule here.

Festival like a Pro

In addition to the Town Park Main Stage, the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival offers an abundance of festival programming!

Survive

The Blues Stage - Located adjacent to the festival grounds and campground, the Blues Stage offers indoor music and comedy throughout the day. The Blues Stage is a great place to get out of the sun, catch some blues music and laughs. Check out the full Blues Stage schedule for more information.

Campground Sessions - Exclusive to campers only, daily campground sessions feature sets performed on a wood stage in the festival campground. Here the views are aesthetic and the sessions pack in high energy. Campers don’t miss these sessions! View the full schedule here.

Sunset Blues Concert - Kick off the festival on Thursday evening with Eddie 9V and Ghalia Volt the Sunset Blues Concert at the Telluride Transfer Warehouse. The event lasts from 5 to 7 pm and is free and open to the public. Be sure to bring a blanket and a picnic!

Festival Yoga - Join instructor Dave Ziegler in Elks Park Saturday and Sunday mornings at for Festival Yoga Sessions. Enjoy a fluid yoga flow, activating breath practice, liberating movement and playful exercises to discover new realms of embodied pleasure. Guests of all skill levels are welcome to join!

  • Location: Telluride Elks Park* (FREE and open to the public)

  • Time: September 17 and 18 from 10:00 - 11:00 am

  • What to Bring: Water, Yoga Mat, Towel and Active Wear (Come with or without! These items are not mandatory to join in the class.)

Rainbow Kids Area - Kids of all ages can enjoy various activities in the Rainbow Kids Area during the festival weekend with the help from Living Folklore. Living Folklore features children’s entertainment, workshops, and two parades specifically geared for the kids (or the kid at heart) – one on Saturday and one on Sunday. So, bring your kids to the Rainbow Kids Area located in the back of the festival grounds to join the wild and wacky Living Folklore Clowns, Giggly Sprout and Gumbo Wobbly, along with activities like a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, inflatable bounce games, face painting, a talent show, and much more!

Free Yoga Sessions - Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10:00 - 11:00 am

Thrive

Bal De Maison - Original Bal de Maison were southern dances held as house parties - typically in the front room which was cleared of furniture. On Thursday, September 15, we’re throwing our own Bal De Maison, an opening party, with Oh He Dead at the Sheridan Opera house. This show is sold out!

Juke Joint Late Night Shows - Some of the best shows you’ll see all weekend are after dark at Telluride’s intimate concert venues: The Blues Stage (Hanley Pavilion), The Moon at O'Bannon's Sheridan Opera House, the Wood Ear and the Liberty Bar & Lounge. At the Juke Joint shows, the bands usually like to play late and get rowdy. Friday and Saturday Juke Joint passes allow access to all venues for the night purchase but get there early as all venues are first-come, first served. Doors open each night at 9:45 pm and the VIP 3-Day Pass includes entry into all Juke Joints. For the lineup of the Juke Joint shows click here.

Blues For Breakfast - Start your mornings off proper with a hearty breakfast, live blues music, and drinks at Blues for Breakfast! Kicking off at 9:00 am on both Saturday and Sunday of the Festival weekend, Blues for Breakfast offers a pleasant warm-up to a dynamic day and late night full of music. Join us at the Telluride's intimate Elks Lodge (located at 472 West Pacific Avenue), for a bite to eat as the first official chords of the day are struck. Saturday’s breakfast hosts The Telluride Blues Challenge Finals and Sunday’s hosts The Telluride Blues Challenge Finals Runner-Up. Elks Lodge will prepare a traditional breakfast spread featuring classics like pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, bacon and sausages. Coffee, juice and breakfast bar drinks will also be available. Breakfast is $15 for adults, kids 10 and under are $5, Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, and other breakfast bar drinks are extra.

Telluride Blues Challenge - Taking place during Blues for Breakfast, the Telluride Blues Challenge invites eight standout solo blues musicians to the finals to battle it out for a spot on the 2022 Main Stage and other prizes. This contest is a festival favorite and is not to be missed. Challenge starts at 9:00 am on Saturday morning.

Blisters & Brews 5k Race - Blisters & Brews is a 5k Fundraiser Race giving Festival patrons the opportunity to exercise before they imbibe. The 5k Race raises money for the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program in remembrance of dear festival friend Felix Snow. Beginning and ending in Telluride's Elks Park, Blisters & Brews provides runners with a safe, beautiful way to kick off their Saturday in downtown Telluride. The route and start/finish area have been planned to enhance the running experience and highlight the beauty of the heart of Telluride.

Backpacker "Get Out More" Tour - Festival partner Backpacker Magazine will be on-site at the festival to answer questions about hiking, gear and more. They’ll also be giving away free gear, swag, providing gear demos and hosting a free gear demo hike at 9:00 am on Sunday morning! Make sure to stop by their booth inside the festival for more info.

Revel Bikes

The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is thrilled to team up with Revel Bikes. Based in Carbondale, Colorado, Revel Bikes makes some of the absolute best full-suspension mountain bikes. Mountain bikers are welcome to join them for a morning mountain bike ride with their team. Stop by the Revel booth in the Main Festival grounds for a chance to check out their new lineup of bikes and sign up for a demo.

Fais Do-Do - "Fais Do-Do" roughly translates to "Cajun dance party” and will be the final show of the 26th Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. The electric blues from Samantha Fish will bring us home and deliver a set not to miss.

Tasting Sessions at Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

Party!

Survive - Drinks At The Festival

Beer Tasting Sessions - The Brewers Showcase will feature five tasting sessions in a new Beer Garden on the festival grounds located in between the Main Stage and the Blues Stage. These sessions will host fewer attendees and breweries than the traditional Grand Tasting, providing attendees with the opportunity to interact with the brewers on a more intimate level than in years past.

Two of the sessions will be held on Friday afternoon, two on Saturday afternoon and one on Sunday. Four of the sessions will offer attendees a tasting experience with 23 breweries pouring over 60 styles of craft beer. The late Saturday session will feature 30 or more special, high ABV, barrel-aged, rare, wild and non-traditional craft beers. Click here to learn more.

Sierra Nevada - The Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is thrilled to team up again with long time craft beer partner Sierra Nevada Brewing Company for the 2022 Festival! Enjoy a variety of their beers at the Sierra Nevada Beer Truck, VIP bars, House of Brews, Blues Stage bars and special High Altitude Lounge. From an easy-drinking, festival exclusive Scapegoat Blonde, hoppy IPA’s and wild creations, Sierra Nevada’s styles will satisfy casual beer drinkers, aficionados and everything in between. Click here to explore the full list.

Beyond Beer: Hard Kombucha, Cider and Seltzer - For those looking to mix it up from our extensive craft beer, wine and cocktail offerings at the 2022 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, we are pleased to offer a selection of hard kombuchas, ciders and seltzers at our festival bars. Click here to explore the options.

Cocktails - A full cocktail bar will be available inside the festival grounds! Enjoy a tasty menu with ingredients from Tito's Vodka and more.

Wine - Wine will be available at bars throughout the festival.

Green - Marijuana use, possession and purchase is legal in Telluride! For those interested in marijuana use, we suggest asking the experts at the O.PenVAPE booth or at the Telluride Green Room about usage laws and effects. Like alcohol, marijuana can be enjoyable, but dangerous if consumed in excess. Go slow at first, especially with edible consumption! Festival partner O.PenVAPE will be on-site all weekend and is ready to talk with attendees ages 21 and up about all things marijuana and vaporizer innovation, so make sure to stop by their booth! If you're in town, make sure to swing by the Telluride Green Room!

Thrive - Drinks On The Town

When it comes to drinks, we have it all; fancy cocktails, historic watering holes, incredible views, and several local breweries to explore. Click here for a full list of bars in the area.

Casual Mountain Biking on Telluride's Valley Floor

Explore like a Local

Telluride is one of the best towns in the world for outdoor recreation! The towering peaks of the San Juan Mountain Range offer adventure for novices to pros alike.

Survive

If you’re up for adventure, there are plenty of beautiful hikes starting directly from downtown Telluride to explore: Bear Creek Trail is less than one block from Town Park (located on South Pine Street) and is a perfect beginner trail up to a waterfall. For a complete list of trails in the region, explore the hiking guide here.

Thrive

If you're seeking a more challenging hike, check out the Jud Wiebe Trail (located on North Aspen Street) which takes you to a gorgeous overlook of the entire town.

Backpacker "Get Out More" Tour - Festival partner Backpacker Magazine will be at the festival to answer questions about hiking, gear and more. They’ll also be giving away free gear, swag, providing gear demos and organizing a group hike at 9am on Sunday! Make sure to stop by their booth.

Mountain Biking

Survive

Miles upon miles of single-track trails span throughout the Telluride box canyon. Beginners should start with the Valley Floor Trail.

Thrive

Mountain bikers! Join festival partner Revel Bikes for exciting morning mountain bike rides around Telluride’s renowned single track! These rides will start and end right near the festival gates on Saturday and Sunday mornings before the music starts on the Main Stage. Stop by the Revel Bikes booth in the Main Festival grounds for ride details. Make sure to bring your mountain bike (if you do not have a demo reserved), helmet, water, snacks and any other riding gear.

4x4 Off Road Drive in Telluride, Colorado - Photo by Ryan Bonneau

Scenic Off-Road Drive

Survive

Many scenic paved and backcountry roads weave the peaks and valleys of Telluride. For those without a four-wheel drive car HWY 145 South towards Delores offers stunning views of the Telluride Valley, Wilson Mesa and Lizard Head Pass.

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Those with a four-wheel drive, high clearance car can consider a trip to Bridal Veil Falls.

Ride the Gondola - The only FREE transportation of its kind in the country, Telluride’s Gondola is a must-do while visiting during the week. If you don’t journey up to the free concert on Thursday night, make sure you take the time to check out this spectacular ride. Get out up top (San Sophia) to hike around or ride the Gondola down into Mountain Village to check out the local bars, shops and restaurants. The Gondola runs from 7:00 am to 12:00 am on Thursday, 7:00 am to 2:00 am on both Friday and Saturday, and 7:00 am to 1:00 am on Sunday of the festival.

Paddleboarding - Located 27 minutes South of Telluride Trout Lake offers stunning paddleboarding with beautiful alpine views. Paddleboards can be rented locally at Bootdoctors.

Fly-Fishing - Telluride is an angler’s paradise. Alpine lakes, creeks and rivers are frequent throughout the Telluride region. For more information about fly-fishing click here.

For more information about hiking, diving, paddleboarding, fly-fishing and biking in Telluride’s visitor guide.

Shop, See & Eat

Historical downtown Telluride is home to an abundance of great merchant shops and art galleries. From boutique clothing shops, inviting art galleries, and unique Victorian architecture, it’s easy to spend a day exploring. Visit Telluride.com for a full shopping guide.

Survive - Food At The Festival

Festival Food - If you're a foodie, prepare for food heaven! The delicious food vendor menus at the 2019 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival will keep your taste buds satisfied all weekend long. Our vendors satisfy even the most particular eater. Gluten-free? They've got you covered! Vegan or vegetarian? No problem! Paleo diet? You're in luck! Get to know the 2022 vendors here.

Thrive - Food On The Town

Some of the country’s most celebrated chefs call Telluride home. Truth is, you sort of work up an appetite here, and whether you’re looking for a fresh pizza, foie gras, or free-range steak, we’ve got a collection of restaurants that get our mouths watering just talking about them. For a list of Telluride restaurants, visit the Dining Guide.

Telluride, Colorado | Photo by Ryan Bonneau

Getting Around

Survive - Public Transportation

Ride the Gondola - The only FREE transportation of its kind in the country, Telluride’s Gondola is the best way to get to and from, Telluride to Mountain Village. Special festival hours:

  • Thursday - 7:00 am - 12:00 am

  • Friday and Saturday - 7:00 am - 2:00 am

  • Sunday - 7:00 am - 1:00 am

Ride the Galloping Goose - The Galloping Goose shuttle buses run every 20 minutes and is free. Stops are located every few blocks throughout Telluride.

Transportation within Mountain Village - Free shuttles run throughout Mountain Village every half hour. Dial-A-Ride is available daily to guests in Mountain Village between 7 am and 12:30 am during summer and winter. Call 970.728.8888 for information.

Thrive - Telluride Express

Telluride Express - Our transportation partner, Telluride Express is Telluride's premier ground transportation service to and from all regional airports including Telluride, Montrose, Grand Junction, Durango, Cortez and Gunnison. They also offer door to door shared-ride, private and custom accommodations. To schedule a ride visit their website here or call (970) 728-6000.

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

Can’t Make It To The Festival? Tune Into The Livestream

Listen the festival Live - Can't make this year's festival? You're in luck! Telluride Blues & Brews Festival will be airing the festival live from Telluride Town Park all weekend long with the help from our local community radio station KOTO FM. Stay tuned for more info coming soon.

Steve Gumble2022, Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Telluride, Colorado, Music, Live Music, Festival, Music Festival, Blues, Blues Music, Outdoor Recreation, Guide