Fall’s a fun festival time in Colorado and we’ve compiled a calendar of our favorite events, fairs, and festivals that are worth planning a trip around.
September kicks off with the Telluride Film Festival and Oktoberfest celebrated in Keystone, Vail, and Breckenridge. Then there’s Telluride’s Brews & Blues, and the Aspen Film Festival including arthouse and foreign language films. Snowmass invites you to hike up for its Balloon Festival launch while Boulder Fall Fest beckons with arts and crafts, music, and food. October serves up the Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival and horror films in Telluride.
Special Events in Colorado: Worth the Detour
Telluride Film Festival
August 31 – September 4, 2023, Telluride
50th Annual: Welcoming a faithful following of film lovers, this special festival delivers films, past, present, and future. The program is only announced once the festival starts.
Keystone Oktoberfest
September 2, 2023, Keystone
Don your lederhosen for this celebration which includes a beer garden, traditional polka music, and Bavarian dance performances.
Copper Mountain Labor Day Weekend
September 2-4, 2023, Copper
Enjoy the holiday in High Country with free live music at Eagle’s Landing from The Big Onions, The Nacho Men, Hunter Stone Men, and Crystal Visions.
Vail Oktoberfest
September 8-10, 2023, Lionhead Village | September 15-17, 2023, Vail Village
The Bavarian celebration at two locations, complete with traditional music, dancing, yodeling, alpenhorn blowing, beer, and traditional German fare.
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
September 15 – 17, 2023, Telluride
A three-day music festival set in the scenic mountains of Telluride featuring a diverse range of blues and rock artists together with a grand tasting event with numerous craft beers.
Breckenridge Oktoberfest
September 15-17, 2023, Breckenridge
Presented by Breckenridge Brewery, this is the largest Oktoberfest street party in the Rocky Mountains featuring traditional costumes, German food, and lots of beer.
Aspen Film Fest
September 19-23, 2023, Aspen
Cleverly curated to feature arthouse, documentary, comedy, foreign language, and more films that explore and highlight the human condition.
Snowmass Balloon Festival
September 22-24, 2023, Snowmass
48th Annual! Drive in, hike up, bike around to see the balloons taking off and in flight.
Boulder Fall Fest
September 22-24, 2023, Boulder
A three-day extravaganza on the historic Pearl Street Mall with arts and crafts, live music, food, and a beer, wine and margarita garden.
Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival
October 6-8, 2023, Breckenridge
Small-batch artisan distillers offer tastings, spirits seminars, and workshops. Plus: tours, restaurant small bites, Bluegrass music, and “Bloody Sunday” and “Hangover Brunch Specials.”
Telluride Horror Show: Horror Film Festival
October 13-15, 2023 Telluride
14th Annual: Tune in to terror at Colorado’s annual horror film festival screening global horror, suspense, thriller, sci-fi, dark fantasy, and dark comedy.
Full Calendars of Events
- Aspen & Snowmass
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- Boulder
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- Breckenridge, Keystone & Copper
- (Pair your travel with Breckenridge itineraries from Slow Down See More)
- Crested Butte
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- Denver
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- Rocky Mountain National Park & Estes Park
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- Telluride
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- Vail & Beaver Creek
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- (Pair your travel with Vail & Beaver Creek itineraries from Slow Down See More)
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