Aspen Music Festival and School

The “Paris, City of Light”-themed 70th season, with more than 400 events, runs through Aug. 19. Nearly 1,000 musicians gather in Aspen each summer, along with 630 music students and 200 professional and teaching classical artists. Popular works performed include Beethoven’s Symphony Nos. 3, 5, 6, 7 (July 13, July 29, July 17, July 27), Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” (July 15), Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde,” Holst’s “The Planets” (Aug. 8), Debussy’s “La mer” (Aug. 12), Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” (Aug. 15) and Mozart’s “Requiem” (Aug. 17). Tickets: aspenmusicfestival.com or 970-925-9042.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

More than 350,000 are expected to attend this free celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts, from Friday through Sunday on the streets of Cherry Creek North in Denver. There will be 265 juried artists at the event, which has a theme of “Art Is For Everyone.” There also will be music, a beer garden, 22 food vendors, four food trucks and the opportunity to meet and talk with international juried visual artists, sample fine cuisine, enjoy live musical performances and take part in family-friendly “ARTivities.” Thursday is a special Artist Preview Event on Clayton Street from 6-10 p.m. Info: cherryarts.org or 303-355-2787.

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

Make your way to the Wildflower Capital of Colorado for the 32nd annual celebration of the mountains’ “symphony of wildflowers.” The festival runs Friday through July 15 and is packed with more than 200 offerings including hikes and walks, art workshops, photography classes, culinary and medicinal events, garden tours, and birding and butterfly information. New this year is a Membership Appreciation Party on July 12 where you can mingle with festival leaders, enter a raffle, enjoy drinks and appetizers and watch a demonstration on gourmet backcountry cooking. Info: crestedbuttewild flowerfestival.com 970-349-2571.

Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival

From noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, the mountain town will transform into a beer lover’s mecca. The 13th annual festival brings more than 40 breweries to Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center. The outdoor site offers some seating, shade and grassy areas to sit, sip and listen to music by Public Safety, Two Faces West and Frisco Fun Collective. There’s also a free karaoke stage! The first hour is reserved for those who have pre-purchased tickets. VIP ticket holders may enter at 11:45 a.m. Proceeds benefit Summit County nonprofit SOS Outreach. General admission: $35; VIP with commemorative glass mug, catered lunch and more: $75. Info and tickets: breckenridgebeerfestival.com

Cattlemen’s Days

Welcome to the “Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos,” staged by the community for Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitors and their fans. The event, which runs Friday through July 15, promises the same kind of boot-stomping fun that Gunnison’s pioneers enjoyed, but even bigger. The rodeos run July 12-14. You’ll also find lots of 4-H activities and livestock exhibits, a horse show, cowboy poetry, cowboy church, a concert by Dean Dillon and Friends ($100), more live music, a live auction, livestock sale, carnival and dance. General admission: $20; kids 12 and under, $5 with paid adult; three-day passes: $40, adults; $15, kids 12 and under with paid adult. Info and tickets: cattlemensdays.com

Michelle Karas, The Gazette,

michelle.karas@gazettedev.gazette.com