The town of Telluride offers many different “incentives” for families to make it their vacation destination. From its world-class ski resort to its plethora of annual festivities, including the Telluride Mushroom Festival, there will be something that appeals to every member of your family. And because every traveler needs a place to stay, we at Accommodations in Telluride invite you to add our rental properties to your list of reasons why our town will be where you travel to next!
Browse Our Telluride Mushroom Festival Family Cabins in Colorado Below
When the Telluride Mushroom Festival Happens
Before you can start planning your Colorado vacation, however, it is important to know WHEN this mushroom festival in Telluride will occur. Held every August, sometime in the middle of the month, in 2026 the exact dates will be August 12 through August 16. And while we are still in the planning stages, the festival is one of our more popular ones, so we suggest booking your weekend vacation rental at least 6 to 9 months in advance.
Location and What the Event Is About
The Telluride Mushroom Festival had humble beginnings, starting when a few residents realized that our alpine environment was the ideal “breeding ground” for many different varieties of wild mushrooms. The first festival was held in 1981, developed as a medical and academic conference of sorts, but this is Telluride, and things rapidly changed. Today, it has evolved into a quirky, extended party featuring cooking demonstrations, a “World Famous Parade,” and a fun, costumed dance party. Held in a variety of locations throughout town, with the majority of Mushroom Festival events taking place in Town Park and the Sheridan Opera House.
Signature Festival Experiences to Plan Around
As with most festivals, the Telluride Mushroom Festival consists of many different events throughout its run. The most famous part of the festival is the World-Famous Mushroom parade, with participants marching down Main Street wearing fungi costumes, but the other events are shown below.
- Forays – Some will take you on a hunt for museum-quality mushrooms, others will be a truffle hunt, and others include a photography workshop.
- Workshops – The different workshops offered cover the gamut from eroticism to science. There will be a tent set up at both Elks Park and Oak Street Park, where you can purchase tickets for both workshops and forays if you don’t buy yours online.
- Vendor Village – What kind of festival would it be without vendors selling festival merch, art, crafts, and many other items? Vendor Village is set up at Elks Park and runs every day of the festival.
- Special Dinners – Terps and Truffles engages diners with an in-depth discussion of the different flavors of truffles with many tasteful examples.
- Live Music – Live music will be available at different venues, and in one case is accompanied by a beer launch party.
- Mushroom-related documentaries
- The Puff Ball – A costumed dance party that needs to be experienced to be believed. Both the Parade and the ball will be held on Saturday.
- Kids’ Programs
- Ecstatic Dance in Honor of Katrina Blair – The 2026 Telluride Mushroom Festival will be a bittersweet one as one of our favorite wild foods educators, Katrina Blair, passed away in June. This special dance serves as a reminder of her importance to the festival’s success, and a thank you for all she has done.
- Costume contest for the parade
- Closing Ceremony and Awards Show – Held on Sunday at 1:15
Tickets and Passes
- Full Festival Price & Festival Camping – $784
- Full Festival GA Pass – $480
- VIP Access – $1500
- Puff Ball Costume Dance Party – $55
- Forays – Between $125 and $165
- Special Dinners – Between $125 and $300
These are all 2026 prices and can be purchased online.
Book Your Telluride Vacation Rental for Mushroom Festival Weekend
Although the Telluride Mushroom Festival isn’t the only mushroom festival in the nation, we believe it is the most thorough, the most unique, and the most fun. It just makes sense to start and end each day in Telluride homes and family cabins in Colorado that are the most comfortable, the most luxurious, and the most welcoming, don’t you think? We also offer vacation condos for smaller traveling parties. Contact us to book your stay for this wonderful festival!