DENVER – You may not notice it if you live in Denver, but the leaves are starting to change, announcing the beginning of fall season across Colorado and a soon drop in temperatures that will have you reaching for your scarf.
Fortunately for all of us, fall season across the state is filled incredible weather that won’t keep you inside. So if you’d like to plan a weekend getaway during fall season, here are ten fall festivals you must go to this year:
1. September Splendor in the Rockies
September 1-30, 2017
Celebrate the changing of the leaves in Gunnison and Crested Butte as the state’s largest display of aspens amazes with the changing colors of the leaves. There are self-guided tours, farmers’ markets, art walks a harvest festival, mountain-bike tours and more.
2. Downtown Boulder’s Fall Festival
September 15-17, 2017
Boulder’s fall festival has everything you could ask for: a great music line-up, a beer garden, food vendors, a kid’s carnival and more along the iconic Pearl Street Mall.
3. Oktoberfest Denver
September 22-23 and 29-30, 2017
While Oktoberfest is mainly about beer, Denver’s festivities is a family-friend event that showcases a dachshund derby, costume contests, food tastings, polka dancing and, of course, live music.
4. Mountain Harvest Festival
September 21-24, 2017
The western slope Town of Paonia celebrates fall accordingly with live music, farmers’ markets, beer, wine tasting, a chili cook-off, arts and crafts as well as farm tours.
5. Elk Fest
September 30-Oct. 1, 2017
You’ve heard of rutting season, but have you gotten close enough to experience the majestic bugle of a bull elk? Head on out to Estes Park to get a front-row seat as the elk show off their best attributes at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. At the fest, you can learn about rutting season, as well as participate in a bugling contest and see traditional performances from Native Americans in the region.
6. Chile and Frijoles Festival
September 22-24, 2017
Pueblo gets a bad rap, but that all goes away during the Chile and Frijoles Festival. Experience the taste of green chile in its many forms – smoking on a stick, chopped into a tortilla, or served as green salsa. Partake in cooking competitions, dancing, live music, arts and crafts and a farmers’ markets.
7. Applefest
Oct. 7-8, 2017
If you’ve never been to Cedaredge on Colorado’s Grand Mesa and want to discover new places, then head to the town to check out Applefest. More than 150 vendors will share the area’s wealth with locals and tourists alike. You can also check out the classic car and antique tractor show, live music and much more.
8. Telluride Horror Show
October 13-15, 2017
Telluride, already known its film festival, is back it again for its eighth annual horror, fantasy, and sci-fi film festival in the town’s historic Sheridan Open House.
9. Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival
October 20-22, 2017
Head to Breckenridge to sip on a variety of different spirits from small-batch, artisan distillers and more about the distilling process in Breckenridge.
10. Frontier Historical Museum Ghost Walk
October – TBA
The historical society at Glenwood Springs hosts tours through the town’s oldest cemetery for ghost stories and more! Bring a flashlight or lantern so you’re not left out in the dark.
RELATED HEADLINES –
45 festivals happening across Colorado in September
