September Colorado Events

September is time to toast the end of summer and welcome in fall. There’s no shortage of fun events, including the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival and the Colorado Mountain Winefest. It’s a choice time in the Rockies.

Many of the most popular events revolve around drinking, including a healthy list of Oktoberfests and beer festivals. By mid-month, the leaves are changing and you should also take a scenic drive to see the best fall colors.

2022 Annual September Festivals in Colorado

Mind Blown Telluride

• Date: Fri-Sat, December – March & June-September, 2022
• Address: Telluride
• About: Taking place at The Peaks Resort & Spa, Ty Gallenbeck puts on a 75-minute magic performance that makes guests question the known.

Civic Center EATS

• Date: Thursdays, May 19 – Sep 1, 2022
• 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.

Highlands Farmers Market

• Date: Sundays, May 22 – October 16, 2022
• Address: Highland Square, 32nd Avenue, Denver
• Great farmer’s market with handcrafted goods and locally grown produce. 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.

Phamaly Theatre Company: The Rocky Horror Show

• Date: Sat-Sun, August 12-September 4, 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: Now in its 33rd season, the Phamaly Theatre Company presents The Rocky Horror Show with its disability-affirmative performance ensemble in Denver.

Colorado State Fair & Rodeo

• Date: Fri-Mon, August 26 – September 5, 2022
• Address: Pueblo
• About: Widely popular eleven-day event with parades, live music, rodeos, carnival, livestock, horse show, and hundreds of vendors selling everything from Indian Tacos to handcrafted jewelry.

TEDxBoulder

• Date: Thur, September 1, 2022
• Address: Boulder
• About: TEDx event held in Boulder at the Chautauqua Auditorium. It features more than a dozen speakers and performers giving inspirational and thought-provoking performances.

Four Corners Folk Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 2-4, 2022
• Address: Pagosa Springs
• About: Highlights for the 25th annual Folk Fest include food vendors, a beer garden, live folk music, and kids’ entertainment. Many people camp at the event on Reservoir Hill or at a satellite spot, with campsites available for tents and RVs for a fee.

Gourmet on Gore

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 2-4, 2022
• Address: Vail
• About: A 3-day open-air festival in Vail Village centered around good food, wine, beer, and music. Guests will not only be able to enjoy a range of curated meals and beverages but also participate in activities like yoga or the Trail to Table Hike.

Four Corners Motorcycle Rally

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 2-4, 2022
• Address: Durango
• About: The annual Four Corners Motorcycle Rally features live bands, poker runs, Harley Davidson Giveaway, Indian Scout Giveaway, and festivities.

Keystone Oktoberfest

• Date: Sat, September 3, 2022
• Address: River Run Village, Keystone
• About: Keystone’s 9th annual Oktoberfest with beer and brats. Activities include free face painting, a bounce house, and the Edelweiss Polka Dancers.

A Taste of Colorado

• Date: Sat-Mon, September 3-5, 2022
• Address: Downtown Denver
• About: Free fest with five stages of live music, lots of great local food, over 200 arts & crafts booths, and carnival rides, now in its 39th year.

Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival

• Date: Sat-Mon, September 3-5, 2022
• Address: Downtown Breckenridge
• About: Ranked as one of the top 200 festivals in the U.S. by Sunshine Artists, this fine arts fest offers free admission over Labor Day weekend.

Denver Chalk Art Festival

• Date: Sat-Mon, September 3-5, 2022
• Address: Larimer Square, Downtown Denver
• About: Watch over 200 artists spend the weekend painting the sidewalks with chalk.

Labor Day Lift Off

• Date: Sat-Mon, September 3-5, 2022
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: A colorful event that will have you looking toward the sky, Colorado Spring’s Labor Day Lift Off is great for the entire family. Taking place over 3 days, guests can watch as approximately 70 hot air balloons float around the city.

Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials

• Date: Wed-Sun, September 7-11, 2022
• Address: Meeker
• About: Five days of sheepdog herding competition held annually in September, celebrating its 34th year.

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 9-11, 2022
• Address: Estes Park
• About: Known as Scotfest, this three-day celebration, now in its 45th year, features large bagpipe marching bands, the Estes Tattoo, and the Longs Peak Concert. Highlights include live music, regional food, jousting tournaments, Highland dance, and local merchants.

Denver’s Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 9-18, 2022
• Address: National Western Center, Denver
• About:  Spend a day strolling through nine miles of tables and booths where 500+ dealers from all over the country come to sell their products and share the beautiful world of geo.

High Peaks Music Festival

• Date: Sat, September 10, 2022
• Address: Westcliffe
• About: 11th annual festival showcasing the Valley’s top musical acts, held at the Feed Store Park and Amphitheater.

Palmer Lake Wine Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022
• Address: Palmer Lake
• About: A one-day festival boasting samples from 25 wineries in a gorgeous outdoor setting.

Rist Canyon Mountain Festival

• Date: Sat, September 10, 2022
• Address: Bellvue
• About: Held annually on the first Saturday after Labor Day and featuring live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, and activities for kids, this festival helps to raise funds for the fire department.

San Luis Valley Potato Festival

• Date: Sat, September 10, 2022
• Address: Monte Vista
• About: Colorado’s San Luis Valley produces some of the finest potatoes around. Celebrate this starchy root vegetable at the annual SLV Potato Festival.

Steamboat OktoberWest

• Dates: Sat, September 10, 2022
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About: Over 40 brewers come to Steamboat’s mountain village for this annual Octoberfest. Enjoy craft beer, live music, and a beef cook-off.

Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 10-11, 2022
• Address: Castle Rock
• About: More than 110 artists ascend on Castle Rock for this annual fine arts fest.

Breckenridge Film Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 15-18, 2022
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: 40th annual festival features a variety of independent films, premieres, receptions, educational programs, and retrospectives; 70+ films, parties, and forums.

Colorfest Balloon Rally

• When: Fri-Sun, September 16-18, 2022
• Where: Pagosa Springs
• What: 35th anniversary of high flying fun, held annually since 1986. The Passport to Pagosa Food & Wine Fest kicks off the festivities on Friday night with international wine and food pairings.

Handmade In Colorado Expo: Skyline Park

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 16-18, 2022
• Address: Skyline Park, Denver
• About: 15th annual art event held over three weekends at three different venues, showcasing various creations from Colorado artists.

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 16-18, 2022
• Address: Town Park, Telluride
• About: 28th year, this popular event features world-class blues music and great local food.

​Colorado Mountain Winefest

• Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022
• Address: Riverbend Park, Palisade
• About: Dozens of local wineries attend Colorado’s premier wine festival, now in its 31st season. There are interactive seminars, demos, live entertainment, fantastic food, unlimited wine samples, a commemorative tasting glass, a wine tote, and plenty of vino for sale.

Lake City Uncorked Wine & Music Festival

• Date: Sat, September 17, 2022
• Address: Lake City
• About: Music and wine festival in one of Colorado’s most picturesque and remote towns.

Pawtoberfest

• Date: Sat, September 17, 2022
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: Annual festival with craft beer, cocktails, food vendors, and a 2-mile dog walk that benefs the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.

Durango Autumn Arts Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 17-18, 2022
• Address: Downtown Durango
• About: Discover a weekend of arts and crafts on Second Avenue in downtown Durango. Explore the various booths selling their handmade goods among the fall colors.

Vail Film Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 22-25, 2022
• Address: Vail
• About: An annual 4-day film festival showcasing independent movies and screenplays.

Chile & Frijoles Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 23-25, 2022
• Address: Pueblo
• About: Annual three-day pepper party held the third weekend after Labor Day. Farmers sell more than 50,000 pounds of peppers, including the Mirasol, a native to the Pueblo region.

Telluride Autumn Classic

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 23-25, 2022
• Address: Telluride
• About: A 3-day mountain event celebrating everything an automobile, motorcycle, and airplane enthusiast could ever dream of.

Pikes Peak Regional Air Show

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 24-25, 2022
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: The Pikes Peak Regional Air Show is a must-attend event for those who love military planes. Featuring live demonstrations, WWII Flying Warbirds, and a kids’ zone, this two-day event is meant for those who love air shows.

Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 29 – October 2, 2022
• Address: Durango
• About: Celebrate the rich history of the American cowboy, with live performances, poets, and musicians, now in its 34th year.

Handmade In Colorado Expo: Fillmore Plaza

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 30 – October 2, 2022
• Address: Fillmore Plaza, Cheery Creek, Denver
• About: 15th annual art event held over three weekends at three different venues showcasing various creations from Colorado artists.

Aspen Filmfest

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Aspen
• About: Aspen Film’s flagship event, the 41st annual Filmfest, showcases narrative and documentary features, along with international independent films.

Denver Auto Show

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Elitch Gardens, Denver
• About: A premier showcase of the newest and hottest models of the year, including both domestic and imported vehicles.

Friends of Raymer Car Show

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Raymer
• About: 5th annual car, truck, motorcycle, and tractor show in the small town of Raymer. Boasting music, food, and a cornhole tournament, all proceeds are used to restore the town’s historic buildings.

Lafayette Brew Fest

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Lafayette
• About: Free to enter brew fest featuring 23 local breweries within 75 miles of Lafayette.

Loveland Stone Age Fair

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Loveland
• About: Sponsored by the Loveland Archaeological Society, the fair features displays of prehistoric artifacts, skills demonstrations, and lectures by archaeologists.

Off-Grid Expo

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Golden
• About: Annual event for outdoor enthusiasts to interact with and buy the latest gear related to off-grid living and activities.

Ouray County Fair & Rodeo

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Ridgway
• About: Two days of western heritage with a rodeo, parade, fair, and BBQ, held at the Ouray County 4H Events Center & Fairgrounds.

Parker Oktoberfest

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: O’Brien Park, Parker
• About: 14th annual event with German music, dancers, Biergarten with three Paulaner beers, Miss Oktoberfest contest, and an obstacle course, bungee tramp & a slide for kids.

Telluride Film Festival

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Telluride
• About: One of the top film festivals in the U.S, now in its 48th year.

The 13th Floor Haunted House

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: Denver
• About: The 13th Floor Haunted House is Denver’s legendary and most horrifying Halloween event. If a night of fright is on your agenda, this is the place for you.

Sundown Colorado

• Date: TBD 2022
• Address: RiNo Festival Grounds, Denver
• About: Denver’s first sober music festival that focuses on mindfulness, wellness, and connecting to each other through music.

Burning Can

• Date: TBD 2021
• Address: Lyons
• About: 50+ craft breweries who CAN their beer, plus world-class competition in world-class kayaking, dirt jumping, and slacklining.

Southern Ute Tribal Fair & Powwow

• Date: Canceled for 2021 | TBD 2022
• Address: Sky Ute Fairgrounds, Ignacio
• About: A grand celebration of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Ignacio, Colorado. Held since 1920, the excitement of gathering as a tribe and sharing traditions, food, and camaraderie has always been a highlight of each September.

Hudson Gardens Summer Concert Series

• Date: Canceled for 2021 | TBD 2022
• Where: Littleton
• About: Twenty-one years and counting for this favorite summer outdoor concert series. Shows take place regularly on Sundays, some Saturdays, and July 4th.

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