September Colorado Events

September is the 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.

2023 Annual September Festivals in Colorado

Mind Blown Telluride

• Date: Fri-Sat, December – March & June – September 2023
• 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.
• Website: mindblowntelluride.com

Civic Center EATS

• Date: Wed & Thurs, May 17 – September 2023
• 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.
• Website: civiccentereats.com

Highlands Farmers Market

• Date: Sundays, May 21 – October 15, 2023
• Address: Highland Square, 32nd Avenue, Denver
• About: 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.
• Website: visitdenverhighlands.com/…

Phamaly Theatre Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

• Date: Thur-Sat, August 17 – September 2, 2023
• Address: Kilstrom Theatre, Denver
• About: Now in its 34th season, the Phamaly Theatre Company presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream with its disability-affirmative performance ensemble in Northglenn.
• Website: phamaly.org

Colorado State Fair & Rodeo

• Date: Fri-Mon, August 25 – September 4, 2023
• 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.
• Website: coloradostatefair.com

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.
• Website: ksutpresents.org…

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.
• Website: gourmetongore.com

Four Corners Motorcycle Rally

• Date: Thur-Mon, August 31 – September 4, 2023
• Address: Durango
• About: The annual Four Corners Motorcycle Rally features live bands, poker runs, a Harley Davidson Giveaway, an Indian Scout Giveaway, and other festivities.
• Website: fourcornersmotorcyclerally.com

Telluride Film Festival

• Date: Fri-Mon, September 1-4, 2023
• Address: Telluride
• About: One of the top film festivals in the U.S., now in its 50th year.
• Website: telluridefilmfestival.org

Keystone Oktoberfest

• Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
• Address: River Run Village, Keystone
• About: Keystone’s annual Oktoberfest with beer and brats. Activities include free face painting, a bounce house, and the Edelweiss Polka Dancers.
• Website: keystonefestivals.com…

Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival

• Date: Sat-Mon, September 2-4, 2023
• 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.
• Website: mountainartfestivals.com…

Labor Day Lift Off

• Date: Sat-Mon, September 2-4, 2023
• 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 60 hot air balloons float around the city.
• Website: coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com

Ouray County Fair & Rodeo

• Date: Thur-Sun, August 10-13 & Monday, September 4, 2023
• Address: Ridgway
• About: Two days of western heritage with a parade, fair, and BBQ, held at the Ouray County 4H Events Center & Fairgrounds. The rodeo is held a month later over Labor Day weekend.
• Website: ouraycountyrodeo.com…

Denver Food & Wine Festival

• Date: Wed-Sat, September 6-9, 2023
• Address: Denver
• About: An extravagant multi-day culinary festival celebrating everything delicious to eat and drink, for those 21+, that benefits the Colorado Restaurant Foundation.
• Website: denverfoodandwine.com

Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials

• Date: Wed-Sun, September 6-10, 2023
• Address: Meeker
• About: Five days of sheepdog herding competition held annually in September, celebrating its 35th year.
• Website: meekersheepdog.com

Southern Ute Tribal Fair & Powwow

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 8-10, 2023
• 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.
• Website: southernute-nsn.gov…

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 8-10, 2023
• Address: Estes Park
• About: Known as Scotfest, this three-day celebration, now in its 46th 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.
• Website: scotfest.com

Denver Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 8-17, 2023
• Address: National Western Complex, Denver
• About:  Spend a day strolling through 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.
• Website: denver.show

Friends of Raymer Car Show

• Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
• Address: New Raymer
• About: 7th 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.
• Website: friendsofraymer.com/car-show

High Peaks Music Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
• Address: Westcliffe
• About: 13th annual festival showcasing the Valley’s top musical acts, held at the Feed Store Park and Amphitheatre.
• Website: klzr.org/…

Lafayette Brew Fest

• Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
• Address: Lafayette
• About: Free to enter brew fest featuring a variety of local breweries within 75 miles of Lafayette.
• Website: business.lafayettecolorado.com…

Palmer Lake Wine Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
• Address: Palmer Lake
• About: A one-day festival boasting samples from 25 wineries in a gorgeous outdoor setting.
• Website: palmerlakewinefestival.com

Rist Canyon Mountain Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
• 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.
• Website: facebook.com/RCMountainFest

San Luis Valley Potato Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
• 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.
• Website: coloradopotato.org…

Steamboat OktoberWest

• Dates: Saturday, September 9, 2023
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About: Over 30 brewers come to Steamboat’s mountain village for this annual Octoberfest. Enjoy craft beer, live music, and a beef cook-off.
• Website: steamboatoktoberwest.com

Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 9-10, 2023
• Address: Castle Rock
• About: More than 110 artists ascend into Castle Rock for this annual fine arts fest.
• Website: castlerock.org…

Colorfest Balloon Rally

• When: Fri-Sun, September 15-17, 2023
• Where: Pagosa Springs
• What: 36th 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, followed by a 5k run and two mass ascensions.
• Website: pagosachamber.com/colorfest

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 15-17, 2023
• Address: Town Park, Telluride
• About: In its 29th year, this popular event features world-class blues music and great local food.
• Website: tellurideblues.com

Colorado Mountain Winefest

• Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
• Address: Riverbend Park, Palisade
• About: Dozens of local wineries attend Colorado’s premier wine festival, now in its 32nd season. There are interactive seminars, demos, live entertainment, fantastic food, unlimited wine samples, and plenty of vino for sale.
• Website: coloradowinefest.com

Lake City Uncorked Wine & Music Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
• Address: Lake City
• About: Music and wine festival in one of Colorado’s most picturesque and remote towns.
• Website: lakecityfestival.org

Pawtoberfest

• Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: Annual festival with craft beer, cocktails, food vendors, and a 2-mile dog walk that benefits the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.
• Website: secure.qgiv.com/…

Handmade In Colorado Expo: Skyline Park

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 16-17, 2023
• Address: Skyline Park, Denver
• About: 16th annual art event held over three weekends at three different venues, showcasing various creations from Colorado artists.
• Website: coloradoevents.org…

Durango Autumn Arts Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 16-17, 2023
• 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.
• Website: durangoarts.org/daaf

Rocky Mountain Rambler Fun-Fest

• Date: Saturday, September 17, 2023
• Address: Victor
• About:  An annual event where visitors can drink beer, listen to music, and check out the Ramblers and teams that will be heading through the Pikes Peak area for the RMR 500, testing their cars and picking up trash along the way.
• Website: rockymountainrambler500.com

Breckenridge Film Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 21-24, 2023
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: 42nd annual festival features a variety of independent films, premieres, receptions, educational programs, and retrospectives; 70+ films, parties, and forums.
• Website: breckfilm.org

Telluride Autumn Classic

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 21-24, 2023
• Address: Telluride
• About: A 4-day mountain event celebrating everything an automobile, motorcycle, and airplane enthusiast could ever dream of.
• Website: tellurideautumnclassic.com

Chile & Frijoles Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 22-24, 2023
• 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.
• Website: pueblochilefestival.com

Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 28 – October 1, 2023
• Address: Durango
• About: Celebrate the rich history of the American cowboy, with live performances, poets, and musicians, now in its 35th year.
• Website: durangocowboypoetrygathering.org

Handmade In Colorado Expo: Fillmore Plaza

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 30 – October 1, 2023
• Address: Fillmore Plaza, Cherry Creek, Denver
• About: 16th annual art event held over three weekends at three different venues showcasing various creations from Colorado artists.
• Website: coloradoevents.org…

All Colorado Beer Festival Bines & Brews

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Monument
• About: Annual beer festival that raised $70,000 for charities at a previous year’s event. It features Colorado brewers, distillers, and cideries.
• Website: allcoloradobeerfestival.com

ThirtyFest

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Aurora
• About: Lively beer festival centered around about thirty participating breweries benefitting Water For People. It’s held outside the Stanley Market, so expect plenty of top-notch food, live music, and fun festivities.
• Website: thirstyfestdenver.com

Steers & Beers Whiskey and Beer Festival

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: Annual beer and whiskey festival held at the 4-star Antlers Hotel in downtown COS.
• Website: steersandbeersbrewfest.com

Sundown Colorado

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Quad at Auraria Campus, Denver
• About: Denver’s first sober music festival that focuses on mindfulness, wellness, and connecting to each other through music.
• Website: sundowncolorado.com

Pikes Peak Regional Air Show

• Date: TBD 2023
• 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.
• Website: pprairshow.org

Luvin Arms Gala

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Erie
• About: An annual gala to raise donations for the Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary that features a live auction, cocktail hour, and vegan dinner.
• Website: luvinarms.org

TEDxBoulder

• Date: TBD 2023
• 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.
• Website: ted.com/tedx…

Aspen Filmfest

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Aspen
• About: Aspen Film’s flagship event, the 44th annual Filmfest, showcases narrative and documentary features, along with international independent films.
• Website: aspenfilm.org

Loveland Stone Age Fair

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: Loveland
• About: Sponsored by the Loveland Archaeological Society, the fair features displays of prehistoric artifacts, skills demonstrations, and lectures by archaeologists.
• Website: stoneagefair.com

Parker Oktoberfest

• Date: TBD 2023
• Address: O’Brien Park, Parker
• About: Annual event with German music, dancers, Biergarten with Paulaner beers, Miss Oktoberfest contest, and an obstacle course, bungee tramp & a slide for kids.
• Website: casc4u.org/oktoberfest

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.
• Website: 13thfloorhauntedhouse.com

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.
• Website: visitlajunta.net…

Go To October Events

Latest in September

View more event articles

Related Activities

Search for upcoming performing arts, rodeos, and sports that aren’t listed under events.