When you come to the Spanish Peaks area for the Celtic Music Festival, there are several things you should plan on attending.

The first of these is our opening festivities at the Mountain Mercantile above Cuchara. This is a wonderful new venue for us, where you can enjoy your picnic lunch (or even purchase one there), listen to some wonderful Celtic music, partake in an open session or enjoy a dance or two, or explore a new talent with a Bodhran or Whistle. We will start at 11am on Thursday with some basic dance instruction, followed by time to enjoy your lunch and the wonderful ambiance and friendship, finishing up with a rousing time for dancing and playing. Remember to bring a camp chair or blanket to sit on if you want to sit on the mountainside. Follow Highway 12 past Cuchara and watch for a sign on the right-hand side of the road. Turn right and go about 3 miles up to the old ski lodge (now the Mountain Mercantile).

And don’t forget our many other free events. Among these are several beginning instrumental classes throughout the weekend, a Hooley at Miner’s Plaza in Walsenburg on Friday afternoon, and Dance Instruction and a Ceili in the La Veta Park on Saturday afternoon. There will also be late-night sessions in La Veta and Walsenburg on Friday and Saturday nights. Be sure to check out the full schedule of events online!