Dedicating your free time to taking a trip to Durango, Colorado is a great way to refresh and reset any time of year. Durango is a scenic escape for travelers where you can pair time in the mountains with moments embracing the best of wild west culture too! Here, you’ll find amazing shops and restaurants to check out as well as gold medal waterways for fishing, incredible slopes for skiing, and thrilling historical sites to explore at your own preferred pace. Durango is loved by those with a passion for hiking and biking as well as those who spend their time endurance racing. Those looking to rest and relax will love the local spas and cozy cafes where you can settle in and sip an afternoon away. If you’re heading here in March, you’ll be right on time to be a part of the annual Durango Celtic Festival too! This highly anticipated and beloved event is one that brings locals and visitors alike together in the name of rich traditions that are bound to inspire.
A Celebration of Culture and Rich Heritage in the Heart of Durango
Mention Durango and it may invoke thoughts of cowboy culture in the minds of others, but if you travel here for the Durango Celtic Festival, you’ll quickly discover the city is also a place where you can make the most of being a part of authentic Irish and Scottish heritage too. Back in 2013, a group of local Celtic musicians began performing weekly at a pub downtown and it didn’t take long before a local hotel owner approached them with the possibility of using their performances as the springboard for an entire Celtic festival. The idea quickly took off and the first festival was hosted at the Henry Strater Theatre in town with the Irish Embassy Pub and the Stater Hotel as their sole sponsors. As the years went by, the Durango Celtic Festival only grew in popularity and these days, you can expect tickets to sell out fast! For more than 10 years, the festival has been a highlight on the annual Durango calendar and continues to be a fantastic and inspiring celebration of Scottish and Irish culture and heritage.
What to Expect When You Attend
The Durango Celtic Festival is a three-day event that’s typically hosted in March at the Community Concert Hall in town. The highlight of the festival experience for many is the lineup of musical performances showcasing songs and styles that hail from Ireland, the Hebrides, Cape Breton, and Scotland too. In addition to mesmerizing musical experiences, the Durango Celtic Festival provides attendees with opportunities to enjoy storytelling sessions, performances by Irish and Scottish dance troupes, dance workshops, Gaelic language lessons, historical reenactments, and clan gatherings as well.
When cravings come calling, attendees will find a wide variety of food vendors on-site serving up traditional favorites like haggis and scones. The beverage selections are equally appealing as local breweries provide patrons with whiskey and ale in abundance. The festival gets underway on day one with a traditional Ceilidh which is a Scottish social gathering that includes music, dance, and camaraderie. If you’re here specifically for the musical performances, you’ll be thrilled to find a robust lineup of talent that typically graces the festival’s agenda. In years past, some of the fan favorite performers have included SuperTrad, One For the Foxes, Joanna Hyde & Tradhg O Meachair, Dave Curley, Heron Valley, The Jeremiahs, Patrick Crossing, Tom Ward’s Downfall, The Bowmaneers, Truckely Howe, Kitchen Jam Band, and Ga Greine.
Plan Your Fun Durango Festivals Visit
To accommodate the large crowds that often define this exciting event, the Durango Celtic Festival is hosted at the Community Concert Hall each year which is found on the Fort Lewis College campus. You’ll want to make your way to 1000 Rim Drive in Durango to enjoy the festivities and performances ahead. Those who attend can count on the box office at the Community Concert Hall opening an hour before showtimes, during intermissions, and an hour past curtain too. It’s important to purchase your festival tickets well in advance of the event as they tend to sell out quickly. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone depending on preference. After the concert series, there are informal music sessions and Ceilidhs hosted at the venue that attendees are more than welcome to stick around for between 9:30 pm and 11:30 pm when you want to expand Durango festivals fun even further.
Book Your Durango Getaway Today
When you’re in town for the Durango Celtic Festival or enjoying a stay here another time of year for vacation, the team at Durango Colorado Vacations has the property options in place that you need to top off your getaway in luxury, comfort, and style. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our Durango vacation home rentals and to start planning your next trip.