Red, White & Blues

Mountain Village's beloved Red, White & Blues Celebration returns July 3-4, 2026, bringing two days of FREE family activities, live music, arts and cultural programming, and community festivities to Mountain Village. 

Presented by the Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association (TMVOA), the annual Independence Day celebration invites residents and visitors alike to gather in the heart of the San Juan Mountains for a weekend filled with live entertainment, interactive activities, merchant specials, and fun for all ages. 

This year's celebration carries special significance as the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States and Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood. New programming includes a special Drone Show, a performance by '90s altrock legends Better Than Ezra, Telluride Arts' This is Colorado (In One Square Foot) Sesquicentennial exhibition, Telluride Theatre Sesquisemiquincentennial performances, and a new Family Happy Hour with Movies Under the Stars on Saturday evening. 

Festivities begin at 1 p.m. each day and are free and open to the public. With the exception of Friday’s special first showing of Telluride Theatre’s Sesquisemiquincentennial performance, written and directed by Telluride’s own Sasha Cucciniello, which will be at 11 a.m. 

Family Fun Throughout Mountain Village 

Activities will be spread throughout Sunset Plaza, Heritage Plaza, Reflection Plaza and Conference Center Plaza, creating a walkable festival atmosphere throughout Mountain Village's pedestrian core. At Sunset Plaza, families can enjoy carnival games, face painting, balloon art, an inflatable bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course, and magic shows throughout the weekend. Friday's festivities also include an Ice Cream Social and an evening of live music and special drone show. 

Heritage Plaza will feature cotton candy, roaming circus acts, an interactive bubble station, live music with Bob Hemenger from 1 to 5 p.m., a photo booth at Telluride Distillery, and special anniversary programming. Visitors can also enjoy free family entertainment from Telluride Theatre and explore Telluride Arts' This is Colorado (In One Square Foot) exhibition celebrating Colorado's sesquicentennial. 

At Conference Center Plaza, guests will find Pinhead Institute's popular Botany & Bugs program, sidewalk chalk art, lawn games, hula hoops and mini circus performances at 2 and 4 p.m. on both days. Friday will also feature a gymnastics demonstration from Telluride Gymnastics Team at 1 p.m. Saturday evening introduces a new Family Happy Hour from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., featuring bounce house, face painting, lawn games, sidewalk chalk and family-friendly activities before the community gathers for Movies Under the Stars: The Sandlot beginning at approximately 8:30 p.m. 

Families can also enjoy additional lawn games and inflatable fun at Reflection Plaza throughout Saturday's festivities. 

Celebrating Colorado's 150th Anniversary 

In recognition of Colorado's sesquicentennial, Heritage Plaza will host several special cultural experiences throughout the weekend. 

Telluride Arts will present This is Colorado (In One Square Foot), an exhibition exploring the state's landscapes, communities and stories through creative expression. On Friday, Telluride Theatre will present special Sesquisemiquincentennial performances at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., offering visitors a unique opportunity to reflect on Colorado's rich history and heritage. 

Live Music and Anniversary Drone Show 

Friday evening's live music lineup begins with acclaimed singer-songwriter and local legend Emily Scott Robinson at 5 p.m. Robinson has earned national recognition for her powerful songwriting and contemporary Americana sound, drawing praise for her heartfelt storytelling and captivating performances. At 6:00 p.m., crowd favorite Yachty Got Back takes the stage with its energetic blend of yacht rock classics, pop hits and dance favorites sure to keep audiences singing along and dancing into the evening. The night culminates with a special performance by Better Than Ezra from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. 

Immediately following the concert, guests are invited to look skyward for the debut of the Sesquisemiquincentennial Drone Show at 9:30 p.m., a spectacular aerial display celebrating both America's 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th anniversary.