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If you’re the kind of Coloradan who spends all summer waiting for leaf peeping, pumpkin patches, and colder weather, you’re in luck. Fall officially starts this month. And our state’s mountain towns aren’t wasting any time ushering in the season.
Visit Estes’ Park’s Autumn Gold Festival, which kickstarts fall with live music, beer, and brats; warm up with a bowl of chili at Crested Butte’s Chili and Beer Festival; or enjoy the cooler temps during a jog in the Vail Trail Running Series.
Jump Ahead:
- Aspen and Snowmass
- Crested Butte and Gunnison
- Estes Park
- Summit County
- Vail and Beaver Creek
- Winter Park
Aspen and Snowmass
Snowmass Boucherie & Oyster Fest
The Centennial State might be better known for its Rocky Mountain oysters than the salty sea variety, but this brand-new fest could change its reputation. Five local chefs will collaborate on an indulgent menu, including a raw bar with fresh-shucked Maine oysters, a whole pig roast, Colorado Wagyu steak, and fall harvest-inspired vegetables, all served on the Viceroy Snowmass pool deck at sunset. All proceeds benefit the Wildfire Collaborative Roaring Fork Valley. Sept. 13; 5–8 p.m.; $99–$156
Snowmass Balloon Festival
Turkey’s Cappadocia might get most of the hot-air balloon publicity, but this closer-to-home fest is similarly stunning. Set against the backdrop of the Rockies, more than a dozen balloons will fill the sky above Snowmass Village. On Friday, don’t miss the Night Glow, where the balloons will be tethered and illuminated after the sun sets. Visitors can also talk with pilots and learn more about the obscure mode of transportation. Sept. 25–27; Friday 6–9 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 7–9 a.m.; free admission
Aspen Literary Festival
If you were too busy backpacking and playing pickleball this past summer to meet your reading goals, this two-year-old literary fest can get you back on track. More than 20 authors—from Robert Kolker (Hidden Valley Road) to Jennette McCurdy (I’m Glad My Mom Died)—will give talks at venues across Aspen. Take a look at the schedule to plan your itinerary around your favorite writers and genres. Fantasy fans won’t want to miss Veronica Roth and Fonda Lee’s panel, while historical fiction lovers will enjoy the moderated discussion with Ariel Lawhon, Shannon Sanders and Lisa See. Sept. 25–27; times vary; free general admission with registration, some events ticketed
Crested Butte and Gunnison
Mt. Crested Butte Chili & Beer Festival
For some folks, fall means pumpkin spice. For others, it means a Thanksgiving roast turkey and mashed potatoes. For the rest of us, it means beer and chili. Those in the latter camp will get their fill at this culinary showdown. Both home chefs and local restaurants will compete in 12 chili categories, including vegetarian, red chili, and green chili, plus several brewer categories such as best IPA and best cider. Sign up to share your family recipe or just show up to enjoy the eats. Sept. 12; 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; $13–$94
Estes Park
Estes Park Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show
You can expect far more than glitter-and-popsicle-stick creations at this curated marketplace. From Waneka Pottery’s small-batch ceramics made in Fort Collins to hand-drawn stationery from Centennial’s Whimsicals Paperie, more than 90 artists will showcase their work in a variety of different mediums. After you purchase your favorite pieces, stick around for live music and a silent auction. Sept. 5–7; Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; free admission
Estes Park Autumn Gold
Fall foliage typically peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park the last two weeks of September, which means the mountains should provide an excellent backdrop for the Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual fundraising event. Swing by Bond Park after a day of leaf peeping for brats, beer, and live bands (The Long Run and the Last Men on Earth). Sept. 26–27; Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; $10, free admission for kids 12 and under
Summit County
Breckenridge Bluegrass and Beer
Think of this fall festival as the Colorado version of Oktoberfest: Trade the polka music for bluegrass, the lederhosen for flannels, and the hefeweizen for local IPAs. Get the all-access pass for a beer-pairing dinner on Friday, VIP treatment at the grand tasting soundtracked by Grass it Up on Saturday, and an invite to Sunday brunch—or opt for à la carte tickets for individual events. Sept. 11–13; times vary; starting at $59
Fall Fest
The town of Frisco isn’t waiting until fall’s official start date (September 22) to begin celebrating the season. At this annual affair, clink pint glasses of German beer, enjoy pretzels and brats, and sway to live music on Main Street. Stop by the Arts at Altitude Show on Friday and Saturday to browse the works of dozens of painters, photographers, jewelers, and more. Sept. 12; noon–5 p.m.; free admission
Breck Film Festival
Cooler weather makes for the perfect movie-watching conditions—and this film festival offers plenty of reasons to slip away to the theater. This year, you’ll be able to preview Nuisance Bear, a documentary about a polar bear forced to contend with tourists, hunters, and wildlife officers, and Sender, about a recently sober woman who starts receiving strange packages in the mail. Sept. 17–20; times vary; passes start at $65, individual films start at $18
Vail and Beaver Creek
Vail Trail Running Series
This is your last opportunity to get your sweat on in the great outdoors before winter returns. To close out the summer, register for the MeadowGold 5K or 11K in Minturn—and reward yourself for a race well run with Northside Kitchen donuts at the finish line. Through Sept. 26; times vary; starting at $43 per race
Vail Concours
You don’t need to know the ins and outs of a Ford Galaxie 500 or a Pontiac GTO in order to appreciate a beautiful car. More than 100 impressive automobiles—from American classics to European sport cars—will turn heads in Vail later this month. On Friday, car owners will caravan from Vail to Steamboat, then enjoy a cocktail party. The public can see the vehicles on Saturday and Sunday at Vail Mountain’s Gondola 1 and Lionshead Village. Sept. 18–20; times vary; $215 to register a car; free admission
Winter Park
Winter Park Film Festival
There are tons of film festivals in Colorado (see: Crested Butte Film Festival; Breck Film Festival). But Winter Park’s take on the format includes all outdoor-recreation-focused films. Catch Emil & Karl, a 22-minute movie about two fathers who bring their toddlers on a hiking expedition, and Inaccessible, a documentary about pro skier Griffin Post, who uncovers a problem in Montana’s backcountry: Millions of acres of public land remain inaccessible to the public. Don’t miss the early morning hikes, after-hours parties, and keynote talks. Sept. 10–13; times vary; $150 for three-day pass
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