This weekend, Boulder kicks off the season with the Downtown Boulder Fall Festival. From now through the end of October, there are 10+ fall festivals and celebrations in the Boulder area, from Oktoberfests to unique local favorites like the Enchanted Forest. Bring on the season of leaf peeping, pumpkins, cool air and hot drinks!
Downtown Boulder Fall Fest
Photo Courtesy Firefly Handmade
When: September 13 – 15, 2019, for the full schedule click here.
Now in its 30th year, Downtown Boulder’s Fall Fest has been one of Boulder’s most beloved community celebrations. This 3-day autumn festival features food, brews and music with the added excitement of children’s activities. Firefly Handmade Markets will be there, featuring carefully and creatively curated to feature returning favorite and emerging artisans with home goods & décor; jewelry & accessories; adult & children’s fashion; skin care; ceramics; art; artisanal food; paper goods; and more. Free parking Saturday and Sunday in the City of Boulder Parking Garages.
Fall Fest is held on the Pearl Street Mall. The event is FREE.
Oktoberfest Boulder
Photo Courtesy Oktoberfest Boulder
When: September 20 – 22, 2019 full schedule here.
The second annual Oktoberfest Boulder presented by Paulaner Brewing Company will take place in downtown Boulder. This classic Oktoberfest celebration includes live music from 40oz to Freedom Sublime Tribute Band, Wake Up & Live (Bob Marley Tribute), as well as beer games, German games and more!
This event will be held in Boulder’s Central Park at the bandshell.
Longmont Oktoberfest
Photo Courtesy Left Hand Brewing Foundation
When: September 20 – 21, full schedule here.
The 8th Annual Longmont Oktoberfest will be a fall gathering to remember featuring JJ Grey and Mofro. 10+ breweries, local food, and games for all ages. Ranked as a “Must Visit Oktoberfest” by DRAFT magazine, Longmont Oktoberfest celebrates the summer’s transition to fall on October 5th and 6th at Roosevelt Park. Pull out your lederhosen and dirndls, grab a pretzel or brat, and don’t forget a pint from your favorite Longmont breweries while we support out Longmont charities. Kids activities by Dizzy’s Fun Center and Home Depot. Presented by the Left Hand Brewing Foundation.
Longmont Oktoberfest will be held at Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave, Longmont, CO 80501. Friday Admission $15, Saturday Admission $15, 2-Day Pass $25, tickets available here.
17th Annual Erie Biscuit Day
Photo Courtesy Erie Historical Society
When: Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 8AM – 12PM
At the 17th Annual Erie Biscuit Day, enjoy some Biscuits and Gravy, Homemade Stew, Live music, cake walk, raffle drawing, craft booths, historic photos and more! Festivities will be held in Historic Downtown Erie, all proceeds benefit Erie Historical Society.
This event is held in Downtown Erie on Briggs Street. The event is FREE.
Estes Park Autumn Gold Festival
Photo Courtesy Visit Colorado
When: September 21 – 22, 2019, 11 AM – 6:00 PM
Autumn Gold Festival is Estes Park’s fall celebration – a Festival of Bands, Brats & Beer. Entrance is free to dance, listen to music and enjoy the festival. The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary will be offering mustard-smothered bratwursts, cold brews, soft drinks and more as talented local musicians and award-winning Colorado bands play. Browse the vendor booths who will be offering corn on the cob, funnel cakes, fresh squeezed lemonade, roasted almonds and desserts. Free family activities include face painting, corn bag toss, a bounce house and a classic car show. Fall all the details, click here.
The Autumn Gold Festival is held at Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517.
Mapleton Hill Porchfest 2019
Photo Courtesy Mapleton Hill Porchfest
When: Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 1 PM – 4:30 PM
The 8th Annual Mapleton Hill PorchFest is a musical walkabout that is the envy of all the other neighborhoods. Like last year’s event which drew about 800 people, the event will include 20 different bands of many styles, playing their hearts out on local porches. Do you like bluegrass? Jazz? Classical? Blues? Folk? Of course you do, so plan on attending to hear some of our best local bands. Stroll the beautiful historic Mapleton Hill neighborhood, enjoy the entertainment, meet up with old friends and make new friends.
This event is held at the Historic Mapleton Hill Neighborhood. This event FREE.
Boulder Bee Fest
When: Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 10 AM – 1 PM
Join the City of Boulder for the 5th annual FREE family-focused festival celebrating Pollinator Appreciation Month at the Boulder Bee Fest. Bring the whole family for a fun-packed day learning about and celebrating pollinators with music (everybody’s favorite – Jeff & Paige!!), prizes and more. Presented by City of Boulder Parks and Recreation and Planning and Housing Services.
This free event will be held at Central Park West in Boulder’s Civic Area.
Estes Park Elk Fest
When: September 28 – 29, 2019, 8:30 AM – 5 PM
To celebrate the annual elk rut and learn about the “wapiti,” the Native American name for elk, Estes Park hosts the annual Elk Fest in Bond Park. The free festival features bugling contests, elk exhibits, the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, elk seminars, elk-inspired arts and crafts, Native American music, dancing and storytelling, a children’s area with elk-themed activities, and a craft beer garden. For safe & respectful elk viewing tips, please visit Estes Park’s Wildlife Watching page. Vendors will display artwork, handmade elk-ivory jewelry, and will offer distinctive elk cuisine. Mountain men from around the country will gather at the Mountain Man Rendezvous to sell their wares and demonstrate their skills. Enjoy the Educational Seminar Tent to learn more about Elk and wildlife in Estes Park from a variety of professionals including Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Mile High Note Game Calls. Live country, rock and bluegrass music will light up the park Saturday and Sunday with popular Colorado bands performing on stage.
Elk Fest is held at Boyd Park, Boyd Lane, Estes Park, CO. The event is FREE.
Enchanted Forest at Wild Bear Nature Center
Photo Courtesy of Wild Bear Nature Center
When: Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 11AM – 6PM
Wild Bear Nature Center will be hosting its 19th annual Enchanted Forest! Join us as we connect with the magic of the Fall season and the greater community. Take a tour of the forest and meet the animals who will tell their stories and how we can help them. Expect a full goody bag of special treasures from the forest animals! Enjoy loads of activities in Downtown Nederland, including professional face painting, creating your own costumes, live musical and theatrical performances, forest tours, and fairy magic. Dance with the bears! Enjoy yummy foods, hot drinks, and a community driven bake sale. People of all ages welcome and costumes are encouraged! Please note: Tours last 1 hour, and the last tour will be leaving at 5 pm. There are still lots of activities going on in the forest for latecomers to enjoy.
The Enchanted Forest will be held at Wild Bear’s new property at Mud Lake across from the Caribou Room, 2034 Co Rd 126, Nederland, CO 80466. $10/person in advance, $12/person the day of. Seniors and children under 2 years are free.
Erie Miner’s Blast
When: Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 12 PM – 4 PM
The Town of Erie‘s Miner’s Blast features activities for the children, more crafts, more “treasures”, more equipment for Touch-A-Truck! Tickets will be sold at the entrance and will allow everyone the opportunity to get scared inside the haunted house, ride the hayride, get lost in the maze and much more. Every child receives a complimentary pumpkin. In addition to fun kids activities, adults will love the seasonal food vendors and beer garden, stroll down the streets filled with spectacular vintage cars at the annual Garage Rats Car Show and visit the petting zoo! Live music from 12:00-4:00pm featuring Center for Musical Arts Jazz Trio directed by Steve Christopher and ENERJAZZ.
Erie Miner’s Blast is held at Coal Creek Park, 575 Kattell Street, Erie. Admission is $10/child 3 years+. Adults are FREE.
Thorne Fall Fest
Photo Courtesy Thorne Nature Experience
When: Friday, October 13, 2019 from 10 AM – 12 PM
Looking for something fun and FREE to do with your children on BVSD’s Fall In-service Day on Friday, October 13th? Celebrate the transition into Fall with Thorne Nature Experience at the Sombrero Marsh Environmental Education Center for the Thorne Fall Fest. We will have face-painting, nature explorations around the Sombrero Marsh with Thorne staff, pumpkin decorating, and dancing and singing in rainbow socks with our favorite nature performers Jeff & Paige! Light refreshments provided by in-kind donors, pack a picnic if desired. 10am-11am: Activities including pumpkin decorating, bird-watching, face painting, and nature explorations. 11am-Noon: Concert and dancing by Jeff & Paige. For more info, click here.
Thorne Nature Experience is located at 1466 63rd St, Boulder, Colorado 80303
Estes Park Pumpkins & Pilsners
Photo Courtesy Families for Estes
When: Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 11 AM – 6 PM
The Pumpkins and Pilsners Festival has activities and entertainment for all ages, with proceeds going to local non-profit Families for Estes. The festival is the perfect place to pick your pumpkins with live music and craft beer for the adults, as well as games, crafts and a bounce house for the little ones. Enjoy additional free children’s activities like pony rides (free from 1-4pm), face painting, kids art activity booths, bounce house, and giant lawn games. Challenge your friends in the strider mini-bike course (bikes and helmets provided). The pumpkin patch sells pumpkins for only $5 each and you can set them aside in the well-guarded ‘sold’ corral while you enjoy the fun. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each for your chance to win some fabulous prizes! Each year a hand-picked selection of seasonal, local craft beers are on hand. There will also be food vendors and food trucks, as well as live music. More information available here.
Pumpkins and Pilsners will be held in Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO. Admission is FREE.
Pumpkin Pie Days: Vintage & Antique Market
Photo Courtesy St Vrain Historical Society
When: October 12, 2019 from 10 AM -5 PM & October 13, 2019 from 11 AM -4 PM
Pumpkin Pie Days: Vintage & Antique Market will be held at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The market features high-end dealers and collectors of furniture, books, primitives, décor, toys, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, vintage clothing, plus much, much more! The show also includes glass grinder, bake sale, and art show. Admissions and café sales benefit The St. Vrain Historical Society‘s mission of historic preservation and education in the community.
Pumpkin Pie Days is held at Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80501.
Lafayette Fall Festival
When: Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
The Lafayette Fall Festival combines three community events into one! The festival includes a bounce house & pumpkin decorating contest. The Great Pumpkin Race will be held, launch your pumpkin into the rec center’s lazy river and watch it race to the finish! For more information on the event, click here.
The Lafayette Fall Festival will be held at Bob L. Burger Recreation Center, 111 Baseline Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026.
