Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America Grand Opening
Highlights from the opening of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America, featuring stunning exhibits, local speakers, and live musical performances.
For Puebloans and tourists looking for live music, tasty food, and a festive atmosphere, Pueblo offers several can’t-miss opportunities to celebrate in the summer months.
From a new taco festival launching this year and the NSRA Street Rod Nationals, to the annual Colorado State Fair and the longstanding Pueblo Chile & Frijoles festival, here are some of Pueblo’s top festivals and summer events taking place in 2026.
Taco Palooza
Taco Palooza, a new taco, tequila, and music festival, is set to take place on June 27.
The event, hosted by veteran organizer and business owner Ignacio Martinez, will take place at the Pueblo Convention Center.
The lineup is headlined by MC Magic, founder of Nasty Boy Records and the hip-hop group NB Ridaz.
Alongside MC Magic is a showcase of other Chicano artists from the 1980s and ’90s, includingOne Way, The Cover Girls, Tierra, and the 69 Boys.
General admission for the festival is $49. Doors are set to open at 4 p.m.
The 41st annual NSRA Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals
The 41st NSRA Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals will also be held from June 26 to June 28 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds.
The event features street rods, customs, muscle cars, and trucks, all at least 30 years old. Special events include commercial vendors, arts and crafts, an automotive swap meet, a pinup girl contest, a pinstriper panel jam, and a charity auction, among many more.
The event will also have “live entertainment” on the nights of June 26 and June 27.
Steel City Arkansas River Festival
The second installation of a unique festival celebrating Pueblo’s natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation is also set to take place on June 27.
This year’s Steel City Arkansas River Festival will feature a build-your-own-boat race, a cornhole tournament, a paddle and bike parade, and a rubber duck race.
There will be food trucks, live music, vendors, an “Adventure Alley” for kids, a beer garden for adults, and much more.
There will also be a free shuttle from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that will take attendees straight down to Waterworks Park.
Parking is available at the City Park Skate Park, City Park Pool, or the City Park Zoo Parking Lot.
Rollin’ on the Riverwalk July 4 celebration
The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo will hold Pueblo’s largest Fourth of July celebration from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and packed with festive fun — featuring delicious food vendors, live music, interactive activities, and a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky,” HARP officials said in an event description on Colorado.com, the state’s official tourism and vacation website.
In addition to celebrating America’s birthday, this year’s event will “honor the 250–150 Commission with a special proclamation read by Pueblo leadership.”
Mad Fresh Productions’ 4th annual Hip Hop festival
Mad Fresh Productions will be holding its annual hip hop festival on July 18 from 11 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. at Mineral Palace Park.
The event will include MC battles, breakdance battles, graffiti battles, live music, and beginner instruction where attendees can learn to DJ scratch, create marker street art, breakdance, and more, according to a Mad Fresh Productions Instagram post.
Cash prizes will be awarded to contest winners.
Live emcees will include EKYM1536, WideField Yeti, J. Vengeance, Sydney Porter, 3TWO, and Tarikh Mizan Brown, while live DJs will include CJ Scratch Torres, Damian Selects, DJ Panic, DJ Selko, The Blend Twins, and DJ Sintech.
The event will also include 10 food trucks and 50 vendors. Entry to the event is free.
Colorado State Fair
Music, rodeos, a monster truck show, demolition derby, and more will come to the 2026 Colorado State Fair from Aug. 28 through Monday, Sept. 7.
Highlighting the fair on Sept. 6 is the Fray with ROME from Sublime, at the Southwest Motors Event Center.
Other performances include the “I love the 90’s tour,” including Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc, Color Me Bad, and C+C Music Factory, the Beach Boys, Neal McCoy, Dylan Scott, Ian Munsick and more.
This year’s fair will also include celebrations of Colorado’s 150th anniversary as a state and America’s 250th anniversary as a country.
Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival
The Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival is Pueblo’s premier celebration of the region’s iconic agricultural staple, the Pueblo chile.
Running from Sept. 18 to Sept. 20, the festival includes a chile and salsa showdown, a farmer’s market and chile roasting, a jalapeno eating contest, a balloon fest, a chihuahua and friends parade, and more.
Tickets are $8 for general gate admissions, with free admission for children 12 and under and active military with a valid ID.
Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
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