2 Best Performing Arts in Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado

Every year since 1980, mid-July in Steamboat has meant hot-air balloons and fine art, a combination that draws folks from miles around to watch more than 25 balloons float out over the valley from Bald Eagle Lake each morning. The rest of the weekend is devoted to the display and sale of hundreds of works of art from all over the world at West Lincoln Park.

The focus is on chamber music and chamber-orchestra music presented by more than 150 musicians, including Grammy winners and other internationally renowned talents, throughout summer, primarily in the tent on the weekends. But Strings also offers big names in jazz, country, big band, bluegrass, and world music (Pink Martini, Lyle Lovett, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band, to name a few), as well as free concerts during its "Music on the Green" lunchtime series at Yampa River Botanic Park on Thursday in summer.