September Colorado Events

September is a special time to toast the end of summer and welcome fall, which comes on Tuesday evening, September 22nd, 2026. There’s no shortage of fun events for this. It’s a choice time in the Rockies for festivals and celebrations like the Colorado State Fair.

Many of the most popular events revolve around beer or wine, including a healthy list of Oktoberfests and brew festivals. Other events include the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival and the Colorado Mountain Winefest. By mid-month, the leaves are changing, and you should also take a scenic drive to see the best fall colors.

Here’s a look at the top annual September events in Colorado, in chronological order:

2026 Annual September Festivals in Colorado

Mind Blown Telluride

• Date: Fridays and Saturday Nights
• 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: 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.

Breckenridge Sunday Market

• Date: Sundays, June 7 – September 6, 2026
• Address: Main Street Station Plaza, Breckenridge
• About: More than 70 vendors from all over Colorado will be at this weekly farmers’ market held on Sundays from early June to early September.

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.

Colorado State Fair & Rodeo

• Date: Fri-Mon, August 28 – September 7, 2026
• Address: Pueblo
• About: This widely popular eleven-day event is in its 153rd year, with parades, live music, rodeos, carnival, livestock, horse show, and hundreds of vendors selling everything from Indian tacos to handcrafted jewelry.

Telluride Film Festival

• Date: TBD 2026 (last event: Fri-Mon, August 29-September 1, 2025)
• Address: Telluride
• About: One of the top film festivals in the U.S., now in its 52nd year, this is likely the premier event in Telluride.

Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival

• Date: TBD 2026 (last event: Sat-Mon, August 30-September 1, 2025)
• 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.

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.

Four Corners Motorcycle Rally

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 3-6, 2026
• Address: Durango
• About: The 33rd annual Four Corners Motorcycle Rally features live bands, poker runs, a Harley-Davidson Giveaway, an Indian Scout Giveaway, and other festivities.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 4-6, 2026
• Address: Snowmass Town Park, Aspen
• About: Jazz Aspen Snowmass puts together an impressive lineup of bands for its Labor Day festival.

Caveman Music Festival

• Date: Friday-Sunday, September 4-6, 2026
• Address: Monument Lake Resort, Weston
• About: Four-day concert weekend over Labor Day, featuring 20+ musical acts. Tent camp, bring the trailer, or rent a room in the lodge or rustic cabin.

Keystone Oktoberfest

• Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
• 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.

Labor Day Lift Off

• Date: Sat-Mon, September 5-7, 2026
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: A colorful event that will have you looking toward the sky, Colorado Springs’ 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.

Ouray County Fair

• Date: Monday, September 7, 2026
• Address: Ridgway
• About: Three 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.

Labor of Love Free Dental Day

• Date: Monday, September 7, 2026
• Address: Aurora, Commerce City, Denver, Wheat Ridge
• About: Risas Dental and Braces offers free dental care services for hundreds of people around the Denver Metro Area.

Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials

• Date: Wed-Sun, September 9-13, 2026
• Address: Meeker
• About: Five days of sheepdog herding competition held annually in September, celebrating its 39th year.

Steamboat OktoberWest

• Dates: Friday-Saturday, September 11-12, 2026
• Address: Steamboat Springs
• About: Over 30 brewers come to Steamboat’s mountain village for this 17th annual Octoberwest. Enjoy craft beer, live music, and a beef cook-off.

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 11-13, 2026
• Address: Estes Park
• About: Known as Scotfest, this three-day celebration, now in its 48th 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.

Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown

• Date: Friday-Sunday, September 11-13, 2026
• Address: Denver
• About: The ultimate pinball and gamer festival returns for its 22nd year. Attend one or all three days and play all the games you can; no quarters are needed.

Breckenridge Bluegrass & Beer

• Date: Friday-Sunday, September 11-13, 2026
• Address: Main Street Station, Breckenridge
• About: An early fall weekend of bluegrass music, craft beer, and local foods, held in downtown Breckenridge.

Denver Mineral, Fossil, Gem, and Jewelry Show

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 11-20, 2026
• 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.

San Luis Valley Potato Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
• 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.

Palmer Lake Wine Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
• Address: Palmer Lake
• About: A one-day festival boasting samples from 25 wineries in a gorgeous outdoor setting.

Highlands Oktoberfest

• Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
• Address: Highland Square, Denver
• About: Come out to 32nd Avenue in Denver for Bavarian food, drinks, and festivities from 10 am to 6 pm.

Castle Rock Artfest

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 12-13, 2026
• Address: Festival Park, Downtown Castle Rock
• About: More than 110 artists ascend into Castle Rock for this annual fine arts fest.

Colorado Wine Week

• Date: Monday-Sunday, September 14-20, 2026
• Address: Throughout Colorado
• About: Discover a week of wine-focused events all around the state. Many are free, and highlights include food and wine pairings, live music, and Feast in the Fields.

Breck Film Festival

• Date: Thursday-Sunday, September 17-20, 2026
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: The 46th annual festival features a variety of independent films, premieres, receptions, educational programs, and retrospectives; 70+ films, parties, and forums.

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 18-20, 2026
• Address: Town Park, Telluride
• About: In its 32nd year, this popular event features world-class blues music and great local food.

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.

Colorfest Balloon Rally

• When: Fri-Sun, September 18-20, 2026
• Address: Pagosa Springs
• What: 39th 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.

Chile & Frijoles Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 18-20, 2026
• Address: Pueblo
• About: An 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.

Colorado Mountain Winefest

• Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
• Address: Riverbend Park, Palisade
• About: Dozens of local wineries attend Colorado’s premier wine festival, now in its 34th season. There are interactive seminars, demos, live entertainment, fantastic food, unlimited wine samples, and plenty of vino for sale.

Lake City Uncorked Wine & Music Festival

• Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
• Address: Lake City
• About: Music and wine festival in one of Colorado’s most picturesque and remote towns.

Pikes Peak Regional Air Show

• Date: Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20, 2026
• 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 Autumn Arts Festival

• Date: Sat-Sun, September 19-20, 2026
• 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.

Pickin’ In The Rockies

• Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
• Address: Loma
• About: 3rd annual acoustic music festival featuring gospel, country, and bluegrass bands. This family-friendly event also features vendors and workshops.

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.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival 

• Date: TBD (last event: Sat-Sun, September 6-7, 2025)
• Address: Sloan’s Lake Park, Denver
• About: A premier event celebrating the accomplishments and culture of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities within the state.

ThirstyFest

• Date: TBD or cancelled (last event: Saturday, September 6, 2025)
• Address: Aurora
• About: Lively beer festival centered around about thirty participating breweries benefiting Water For People. It’s held outside Stanley Market, so expect plenty of top-notch food, live music, and fun festivities.

Rist Canyon Mountain Festival

• Date: TBD or cancelled (last event: Saturday, September 6, 2025)
• 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.

Arapahoe County 5K Trail Run

• Date: TBD or cancelled (last event: Thursday, September 12, 2024)
• Address: Centennial
• About: An all-age event with proceeds benefiting the Arapahoe County Open Spaces, participants will follow the Cherry Creek Regional Trail before enjoying food from Famous Dave’s and drinks from Launchpad Brewery.

Loveland Stone Age Fair

• Date: TBD (last event: Friday-Saturday, September 12-13, 2025)
• Address: Loveland
• About: Sponsored by the Loveland Archaeological Society, the fair features displays of prehistoric artifacts, skills demonstrations, and lectures by archaeologists.

Southern Ute Tribal Fair & Powwow

• Date: TBD (last event: Fri-Sun, September 12-14, 2025)
• 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.

Pawtoberfest

• Date: TBD or cancelled (last event: Saturday, September 13, 2025)
• 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.

Aspen Filmfest

• Date: TBD (last event: Tuesday-Sunday, September 16-21, 2025)
• Address: Aspen
• About: Aspen Film’s flagship event, the 47th annual Filmfest, showcases narrative and documentary features, along with international independent films.

Campout For The Cause

• Date: TBD (last event: Friday-Saturday, September 19-20, 2025)
• Address: Hutchinson Ranch, Salida
• About: A magical festival combining a couple of nights camping with yoga, music, and community.

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.

Evergreen Oktoberfest

• Date: TBD or cancelled (last event: Saturday, September 21, 2024)
• Address: Buchanan Park, Evergreen
• About: Bring the family out to this traditional Oktoberfest featuring German beer, music, and games.

Luvin Arms Gala

• Date: TBD or cancelled (last event: Saturday, September 21, 2024)
• 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.

TEDxBoulder

• Date: TBD (last event: Sunday, September 28, 2025)
• 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.

Parker Oktoberfest

• Date: TBD or cancelled
• Address: O’Brien Park, Parker
• About: Annual event with German music, dancers, Biergarten with Paulaner beers, Miss Oktoberfest contest, and an obstacle course, bungee trampoline & a slide for kids.

Rocky Mountain Rambler Fun-Fest

• Date: TBD or cancelled
• 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.

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