THIS WEEKEND, take the kids to Estes Park’s Scottish-Irish fest, Boulder Pridefest and Superior’s (very delicious) Chili Fest, as well as arts and crafts activities, and music! All happening in and around Boulder.
Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

Photo Courtesy Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival
When: Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10, 2017
Where: Stanley Park Fairgrounds, 1209 Manford Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
Time: 9AM – 5PM
Cost: $25/adult, $10/Kids 11-16 years old, $5/Kids 5-10 years old. Tickets available here.
Ages: All Ages
Celebrate your Scottish or Irish heritage by participating in the Long’s Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, Colorado! The festival features athletic games and pipe bands, as well as jousting and dance competitions. In addition, various Celtic rock, folk, and traditional musicians will be performing. 80 participating Scottish and Irish clans will be participating in the games this year. Pageantry and patriotism, spirit and spectacle, talent and teamwork all combine in this awesome display of music and might. Kids will love the games, the parade, the dog show and the amazing food!
Boulder Pridefest


When: Tuesday September 5 through Sunday, September 10, 2017
Where: Various locations, schedule here.
Time: See full schedule of events here.
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Pridefest is Boulder County’s largest LGBTQ event of the year, featuring vendor booths, music, a youth and family area, a health and wellness area, musical guests, food trucks, entertainment and more. Come early and stay late! Meet new friends and connect with ones you haven’t seen all year. Delicious food trucks include I Scream Colorado L.L.C., Em’s Ice Cream, Tayziac J’s, The Ginger Pig, Suburban Wiener and Cuban Fusion!
Superior Chili Fest


When: Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: Community Park, Community Park Dr, Superior, CO 80027, United States
Time: 2 PM – 6 PM
Cost: Chili Fest entrance is FREE, chili tasting cups are $5.
Ages: All Ages
The 2017 Chili Fest is back for its 17th year, this year’s Chili Fest features great chili samples and food, local vendors, a FREE Kids Zone area (Zip Line, Quad Trampoline, Jumpy Castles) and more! Please note that chili samples are generously provided by the cooks and are distributed first come-first served. Get there early as the samples always go fast. Chili tasting cups will be available for purchase – BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR for $5 you may purchase a reusable chili tasting cup with attached spoon – eat all the chili you want and take home the commemorative cup! The event will also feature a “People’s Choice” competition between eight of the best local restaurants! Music at the Chili fest will feature Rouge 2 and local favorite Over Soul’d.
Mindfulness for Kids
When: Saturday, September 9, 2017
Where: A Mom’s Space, 424 E. Simpson St., Lafayette, CO
Time: Ages 5-7 meets from 10-10:45am, Ages 8-12 meets from 11-11:45am, Ages 13+ meets from Noon-1pm
Cost: $15/kid (sibling discount available). Pre-registration is required, click here to register.
Ages: Ages 5 – 17
Mindfulness for Kids classes focus on giving children the tools to learn to stay connected to their inner knowing, understand their personal space and help them connect to what is true and important for them – and let go of what isn’t! Presented in an age appropriate manner, this class will use familiar everyday imagery in fun visualization and meditation exercises, play games, sing songs and create art! Kids will explore their personal space, their energy, their bodies and spirits! Facilitated by Stacia Synnestvedt. Space is limited and fills up quickly, so register early!
Art Stop Youth Program


When: September 9, 2017
Where: Boulder Museum Of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St, Boulder, CO
Time: 10AM – 1PM
Cost: FREE
Ages: All Ages
Art Stop at the Boulder Museum Of Contemporary Art provides free, hands-on art making for families during the Boulder County Farmers’ Market. Held outdoors on the front porch of the museum, creative inter-generational projects are designed to complement exhibitions within the museum, as well as the colors, shapes, and textures of the market. Don’t forget to visit the exhibitions inside the museum. Admission is always free during the market!
Mom and Me Learn to Sew Class
When: Sunday, September 10, 2017
Where: Fabricate, 2017 17th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Time: 2PM – 4PM
Cost: $40
Ages: 8 & Up
At Mom and Me Learn to Sew class at Fabricate, kids and adults ages 8 & up will learn how to sew their very own reversible tote bag. They will learn how to box corners, sew linings, and attach webbing handles. This class is perfect for beginners, no sewing experience is necessary and can also be taken as a Mom & Me class.
Crafts and Trades of Olden Days
When: Sunday, September 10, 2017
Where: Agricultural Heritage Center, 8348 Ute Hwy, Longmont
Time: 10AM – 3PM
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
At this special event at the Agricultural Heritage Center, attendees will learn about old fashioned jobs and the traditional arts and crafts that went into making what was needed for life down on the farm. Sweaters, candles, even door hinges were made by hand, using skills not widely practiced today. Crafts and Trades of Olden Days offers several games and demonstrations including blacksmithing, candle-dipping and working with a drop spindle. Other activities include soap making, Victorian hair art and storytelling. Several “make and take” activities are offered as well. This free event is fun for all ages. Please note that no pets are allowed on the farm.
See the Boulder Philharmonic String Quartet at Boulder Public Library
When: Sunday, September 10, 2017
Where: Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, Colorado 80302
Time: 2PM – 3PM
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Join Boulder Philharmonic musicians at the Boulder Public Library for this free family-friendly chamber music performance featuring a space exploration theme and many familiar favorites.