Colorado Shakespeare Festival

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Arts & CultureBoulder
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsFew Shakespeare festivals in the country
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Colorado Shakespeare Festival in Boulder

The Colorado Shakespeare Festival has staged professional Shakespeare productions in association with the University of Colorado Boulder since 1958. Summer performances run from late May through early August in the historic outdoor Mary Rippon Theatre and the renovated indoor Roe Green Theatre, drawing audiences from across the Front Range each season.

In 1958, the University of Colorado Boulder began staging Shakespeare productions on its campus, and the resulting Colorado Shakespeare Festival has continued nearly every summer since, making it one of the longer-running Shakespeare festivals in the United States.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few Shakespeare festivals in the country combine this length of continuous history with a working university partnership: the festival has run for nearly seven decades on the CU Boulder campus, giving it institutional stability that many regional Shakespeare companies lack, while the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre lets audiences watch productions unfold beneath summer night skies in a way indoor-only venues cannot replicate

02

The mystery stays covered

Its education programs extend far beyond ticketed performances, reaching tens of thousands of school children annually through camps, classes, and outreach performances, embedding the festival in the region's arts education infrastructure rather than positioning it purely as a summer tourist draw

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's roots trace to 1958 and its long-standing home in the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre

Water and renewal

Living ritual

named for one of CU Boulder's first female faculty members

The sacred route

Living ritual

ties the production tradition directly to the university's own institutional history alongside its Shakespearean programming

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Use the event area in Boulder to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.

What to wear

Layered clothing is important for the outdoor Mary Rippon Theatre, since Boulder evenings cool quickly after sunset even in summer; a light jacket or blanket for the seats is a common...

Safety

Colorado Shakespeare Festival is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Boulder.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.01 N, 105.27 WOpen in Google Maps

Boulder, CO

Nearest airportDEN — Denver
TransportUse the event area in Boulder to set the route; normal travel times can stretch once crowds build.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Boulder.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Boulder via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Boulder, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearLayered clothing is important for the outdoor Mary Rippon Theatre, since Boulder evenings cool quickly after sunset even in summer; a light jacket or blanket for the seats is a common addition for outdoor performances.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Colorado Shakespeare Festival?

Colorado Shakespeare Festival is listed for Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Colorado Shakespeare Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Boulder, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Boulder, CO

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcupresents.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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