Upcoming Fall Festivals in Colorado

With the leaves already changing, another fun Colorado fall kicks off in the Rocky Mountains. The season runs from the Autumn Equinox on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, to Monday, December 21, 2026, at the Winter Solstice.

Autumn is full of exciting fall festivals in Colorado, toasting an end to summer and welcoming the cooler fall weather. Aspens transition to shades of red, and the beer gets darker. Rafts are traded for snow tubes and hiking boots for ski boots. It’s an exciting time in the Centennial State!

2026 Annual Colorado Fall Events

A slew of Colorado Oktoberfests kicked off at the end of August and run through mid-October. There’s also the Great American Beer Fest, Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, and Denver International Wine Festival. These are just a few of the libation-filled festivals to warm you up.

Here are some of the top annual fall festivals in Colorado, in chronological order:

Fall Events in September

Civic Center EATS

• Date: Wednesdays and Thursdays | May 13-October 15, 2026
• Address: Denver
• About: Civic Center EATS is a one-stop shop for some of the best food on wheels you can find in the Mile High City. Located in Denver’s Civic Center Park, there will be about 10 to 15 food trucks selling a myriad of delicious meals.

South Pearl Farmers’ Market

• Date: Sundays | May 3 – November 8, 2026
• Address: Pearl Street & East Arkansas Avenue, Denver
• About: This is one of the top Denver area farmers’ markets that has been happening since 2001. They keep the produce and fare as local and fresh as possible.

Highlands Farmers Market

• Date: Sundays | May 10 – October 25, 2026
• Address: Highland Square, 32nd Avenue, Denver
• About: Great farmer’s market with handcrafted goods and locally grown produce. Don’t go hungry because there is plenty of homemade food for sale, fresh and ready to eat.

La Junta Tarantula Migration

• Date: September–early October
• Address: La Junta
• About: Each year, from September through early October, the Oklahoma brown tarantula comes out with a procession of male counterparts on a mission to find a mate. La Junta also hosts a festival in October to celebrate this unique occasion.

The 13th Floor Haunted House

• Date: Select days, mid-September to early November 2026
• Address: Denver
• About: The 13th Floor Haunted House is Denver’s scariest Halloween event. If a night of fright is on your agenda, this is the place for you.

Colorado Scottish Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 26-27, 2026
• Address: Denver Polo Club, Sedalia
• About: An annual two-day family-friendly event that showcases Scottish traditions, culture, and history through athletic competitions, re-enactments, blacksmithing, folk music, dancing, and traditional food.

Telluride Autumn Classic

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 24-27, 2026
• Address: Telluride
• About: A 4-day mountain event celebrating everything an automobile, motorcycle, and airplane enthusiast could ever dream of.

Tough Mudder

• Date: Sat, September 26, 2026
• Address: Fort Carson
• About: 5k, 10k, 15k, and Infinity 8-hour course options of endurance and obstacle challenges around the hills of Fort Carson. It’s designed with 30 obstacles by the British Special Forces. Prices increase the later you sign up.

Elitch Gardens Fright Fest

• Date: Weekends, September 26-November 1, 2026
• Address: Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Denver
• About: A “fun by day, fright by night” festival with a lot of Halloween-themed events for all ages to enjoy.

Durango Cowboy Gathering

• Date: Wed-Sun, September 30-October 3, 2026
• Address: Durango
• About: Celebrate the rich history of the American cowboy with live performances, poets, and musicians, now in its 38th year.

Fall Events in October

Diana’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

• Date: TBD (last event: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays | September 20 – October 31, 2025)
• Address: Cañon City
• About: Explore a large corn maze, pick pumpkins, and go on a wagon ride at one of Southern Colorado’s favorite fall attractions.

Elitch Gardens Fright Fest

• Date: Weekends, September 26-November 1, 2026
• Address: Elitch Gardens Theme Park, Denver
• About: A “fun by day, fright by night” festival with a lot of Halloween-themed events for all ages to enjoy.

Durango Cowboy Gathering

• Date: Wed-Sun, September 30-October 3, 2026
• Address: Durango
• About: Celebrate the rich history of the American cowboy with live performances, poets, and musicians, now in its 38th year.

Cedaredge Applefest

• Date: Fri-Sun, October 2-4, 2026
• Address: Cedaredge
• About: Celebrate Cedaredge’s rich farming history at this annual autumn celebration happening the first full weekend in October.  Some highlights include a chili cook-off, golf tournament, 5K run, classic car show, live concerts, and apple pie sales.

Southwest Fresh Fest

• Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
• Address: Billy Goat Hop Farm, Montrose
• About: More than a dozen craft breweries share their fresh-hopped beers at Billy Goat Hop Farm.

Elk Fest

• Date: Sat-Sun, October 3-4, 2026
• Address: Bond Park, Estes Park
• About: Fall festival celebrating the annual elk “rut”. Events include a Mountain Man Rendezvous, Native American music and dancing, a bugling contest, elk seminars, and exhibits, as well as food and craft vendors. There’s also an elk-viewing bus.

Boo at the Zoo

• Dates: TBD (last event: October 3-4, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26, 2025)
• Address: Denver Zoo
• About: Boo at the Zoo hosts a dozen evenings of trick-or-treating inside the Denver Zoo.

Handmade In Colorado Expo: Vail Village

• Date: Saturday-Sunday, October 3-4, 2026
• Address: Lionshead Village, CO
• About: The 19th annual art event is held over four weekends at four different venues around the state, showcasing various creations from Colorado artists.

Phamaly Theatre Company: Tiny Beautiful Things

• Date: October 8 – 18, 2026 —Dance Nation by Clare Barron
• Address: The People’s Building, Aurora
• About: Now in its 376th season, the Phamaly Theatre Company presents two shows at The People’s Building in Aurora.

​Great American Beer Festival

• Date: Thur-Sat, October 8-10, 2026
• Address: Convention Center, Denver
• About: Heading into its 44th year, GABF is one of the largest beer festivals in the US, with four sessions to choose from, and over 3500 beers.

Handmade In Colorado Expo: Glenwood Springs

• Date: Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11, 2026
• Address: 7th St. & Bethel Plaza, Glenwood Springs
• About: The 19th annual art event is held over four weekends at four different venues around the state, showcasing various creations from Colorado artists.

Aurora Borealis Festival

• Date: TBD (last event: Friday-Saturday, October 10-11, 2025)
• Address: High Prairie Park, Aurora
• About: Visit Aurora puts on a world-class festival showcasing a recreation of the northern lights, stunning light installations, food, concerts, and a global bazaar.

Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms

• Date: Fri-Sun, October 9-11, 2026
• Address: Chatfield Farms, Littleton
• About: The 10-acre pumpkin patch at Chatfield Farms, operated by the Denver Botanic Gardens, operates for only one weekend. Head on out to pick out your favorite pumpkin, and then stroll through the other wonderful plants on display.

Telluride Horror Show

• Date: Fri-Sun, October 16-18, 2026
• Address: Nugget Theatre, Telluride
• About: The 17th annual 3-day Telluride Horror Show is the state’s spookiest and largest horror film festival, boasting plenty of films to scare your pants off.

Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, October 16-18, 2026
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: With the purpose of cultivating awareness, empathy, and a deeply connected community, the 39th Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival is a 3-day celebration of women and others who are often unseen, unheard, and misunderstood.

Boo at the Zoo

• Dates: October 16, 17, 23-25, 30 & 31, 2026 | 4-8:30 pm
• Address: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs
• About: Experience the wildlife at America’s only mountain zoo while you trick-or-treat at more than 20 stations.

Treat Street

• Date: TBD (last event: Sat-Sun, October 18-19, 2025)
• Address: Aurora
• About: A Halloween trick-or-treating family fun event hosted at the Arapahoe County “Scaregrounds” full of costumes, games, and delicious treats.

Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame

• Date: Tues, October 20, 2026
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: The Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony is a yearly celebration of the athletes, teams, coaches, and contributors who have left their mark on the community. Taking place at the Broadmoor World Arena, there will be a reception, silent auction, and dinner.

Denver Film Festival

• Date: Thursday, October 22 – Sunday, November 1, 2026
• Address: Denver
• About: Back for its 49th year, the Denver Film Festival showcases hundreds of full-length films, music videos, and shorts at multiple locations across the city.

ZooBoo

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026 (Members-only BooBonus night on Friday, October 23, 2026)
• Address: Pueblo Zoo
• About: Take your family trick-or-treating at the Pueblo Zoo, set up with candy stations.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Parade

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
• Address: Manitou Springs
• About: Starting with a parade through town, the annual coffin races are formed of teams of four pallbearers and one “Emma”. The races have been covered nationally by the Travel Channel and are usually held on the last Saturday in October.

Fall Events in November

Denver Arts Week

• Date: Fri-Sun, November 6-15, 2026
• Address: Denver
• About: All of Denver comes alive with creativity each November for over eight days as it collectively celebrates the city’s creative neighborhoods, museums, galleries, and all-around artistic vibe.

Denver Veterans Day Run

• Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
• Address: City Park, Denver
• About: Back for its 17th year, the Denver Veterans Day Run is both an in-person and virtual 5k and 10k event that directly benefits Colorado Vets.

Bloody Mary Festival

• Date: Sun, November 8, 2026
• Address: EXDO Event Center, Denver
• About: The 10th Annual Bloody Mary Festival is the largest event of its kind, boasting a range of unique and tantalizing Bloody Marys as well as plenty of food and beverages.

Warren Miller Film Tour

• Date: late October through December 2026
• Address: Multiple showings across Colorado
• About: An annual film tour following skiers and snowboarders as they take on the snow. From backyard hills to mega mountains, this tour kicks off the winter season with a bang.

Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light

• Date: TBD 2026/27 (last event: Friday, November 21, 2025 – Sunday, January 11, 2026); closed Nov 27 and Dec 25
• Address: Denver
• About: A stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. The Blossoms of Light extravaganza is a twinkling and breathtaking way to spend a winter evening.

Denver Christmas Show

• Date: Fri-Sun, November 6-8, 2026
• Address: Denver
• About: This Christmas-themed event is held at the Colorado Convention Center. Explore the more than 450 and 300 booths, respectively, of arts, crafts, and gifts from local vendors. Santa will be on-site at both locations, so bring the kids.

Denver Christkindlmarket

• Date: Friday, November 20 – Wednesday, December 3, 2026
• Address: Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave, Denver
• About: The 26th year for the month-long Christkindl Market in downtown Denver. Experience old German traditions with authentic cuisine, live music, holiday drinks, and an artisan marketplace.

Polar Express Train Ride

• Date: Friday, November 20, 2026 – Saturday, January 2, 2027
• Address: Durango
• About: Aboard the Polar Express Train Ride, you and your family will be swept away into an elaborate holiday fantasy complete with hot chocolate, a light show, holiday music, and, of course, Santa.

Castle Rock Starlighting

• Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
• Address: Wilcox Square, Downtown Castle Rock
• About: This unique celebration showcases the lighting of the star atop Castle Rock. It has been held every year since 1962 and features food, drinks, caroling, dancing, and Santa Claus.

Winter on the Mountain

• Dates: Saturday, November 22, 2025, – Sunday, January 4, 2026
• Address: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs
• About: Holiday festivities at over 7,000 feet on Iron Mountain. See more than 500,000 lights, meet Santa, and listen to live music at Winter on the Mountain.

Fall Events in December

Vail Film Festival

• Date: Thursday-Sunday, December 3-6, 2026
• Address: Vail
• About: An annual 4-day film festival showcasing independent movies and screenplays.

Festival of Lights Parade

• Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
• Address: Tejon Street, Colorado Springs
• About: Colorado Springs starts its holiday season off by illuminating the town with the 42nd Festival of Lights Parade. Bring the family and enjoy the festivities as Santa and a myriad of floats wander down the road.

Evergreen Winterfest

• Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
• Address: Evergreen
• About: Community arts festival showcasing handmade gifts at the Center for the Arts Evergreen.

Georgetown Christmas Market

• Date: Sat-Sun, December 5-6 and 12-13, 2026
• Address: 6th Street, Georgetown
• About: The 66th annual Christmas Market is held on the first two Saturdays and Sundays in December. Celebrations include a European outdoor marketplace, holiday entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, Saint Nicholas, Christmas museum tours, high tea at Grace Hall, wassail crawl, hot roasted chestnuts, and Santa Lucia Children’s Procession.

Ullr Fest

• Date: TBD 2026 (last event: Thurs-Sat, December 18-20, 2025)
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: This festival celebrates the winter god of Norse mythology, now in its 63rd year. Shenanigans include frying pans, Viking hats, “Ullympic” competitions, and a float parade.

Thanks for checking out some of the great fall festivals in Colorado! Enjoy the good times and the changing of seasons. We hope you make it out to a few of these September, October, November, and December events.

If the leaves are still there and summer is in the air, browse this roundup of upcoming summer events or plan for the winter events that are heading your way.