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VAIL FARMERS MARKET & ART SHOW The valley’s biggest (and certainly most crowded) farmers market floods Vail Village’s East Meadow Drive with a sea of humanity mobbing more than 100 tented stalls selling everything from doughnuts hot out of the fryer to doodles (caricatures, not dogs) to elk antlers for your Bernedoodle. Don’t miss: The market’s family-style farm-to-table dinner series (dates/times were TBD at press time). Sundays, June 18–Oct 8, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

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BRAVO! VAIL The valley’s signature summertime classical music festival revolves around orchestral performances—in the outdoor splendor of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater—by some of the finest symphonies in the world, including Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (June 22–25); Dallas Symphony Orchestra (June 30–July 5); Philadelphia Orchestra (July 7–14); and the New York Symphony Orchestra (July 19–26). Best seat in the house: a $29 general admission ticket granting access to the venue’s luxurious BYOP (bring-your-own-picnic) green lawn.

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VAIL INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL After the classical music ends in Ford Park, the dancing begins with a two-week celebration (July 28–Aug 7) of swivel-hip artistry. The most anticipated performance? Now: Premieres (Aug 7), a closing-night unveiling of new works by some of the nation’s best choreographers, including Kyle Abraham, Adji Cissoko, Matthew Neenan, Justin Peck, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, and Melissa Toogood. On August 1, guest artists will attract bargain hunters with Dance for $20.23, wherein tickets for reserved seats can be had for just $20.23 (lawn tickets go for half that). Performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (Vail Village) and Vilar Performing Arts Center (Beaver Creek).  

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FOURTH OF JULY Avon: The town’s annual Salute to the USA celebration woos thousands of revelers to Nottingham Park on July 3 with a festival featuring Uncle Sam stilt walkers, Lady Liberty human statues, bouncy houses, vendors serving funnel cakes and fresh-squeezed lemonade, an evening of Grammy-winning talent (headlined by Los Lonely Boys) performing on the lakeside stage, and one of the most impressive pyrotechnic displays in Colorado. avon.org. Vail: The highlight of Vail America Days is the region’s largest Fourth of July parade, which snakes its way through Vail Village before arriving at noon in Lionshead. After the sun sinks behind Castle Peak, fireworks (conditions permitting) cascade high over Vail Mountain, choreographed to your favorite Fourth patriotic tunes.

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OKTOBERFEST Toast the arrival of autumn in Lionshead (Sept 8–10) and Vail Village (Sept 16–18) by hurling (kegs of imported beer), hoisting (steins of the same), chowing (on bratwurst), and dancing (the polka) at one of the top 10 Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States, according to USA Today.