It's Colorado ... There's Always Something Going On!
JENNA KRETSCHMAN
SEPTEMBER
Telluride Film Festival
Telluride, CO
September 1
Surround yourself with beautiful mountains and passionate film enthusiasts at the 46th annual Telluride Film Festival. Watch brand new films debut, meet filmmakers and enjoy the alpine scenery all in one cinematic weekend. telluridefilmfestival.org
Rhythm & Brews Summer Concert Series & Tour De Rock
Grand Junction, CO
September 5
Enjoy local bands, bikes, beer and costumes at Tour De Rock, an event co-hosted by Downtown Grand Junction and Colorado Mesa University. Ride your bike downtown sporting your most creative costume. The night will feature music as part of the Rhythm & Brews Summer Concert Series, as well as a beer garden and food trucks. downtowngj.org/signature-events/rhythm-brews-summer-series-presented-by-rockslide
Pork N’ Hops BBQ Challenge
Grand Junction, CO
September 6-7
Spend a weekend at this BBQ competition at Las Colonias Park. Both professionals and amateurs will grill up their best BBQ for you to enjoy. Don’t miss local beer, live music and cornhole! porkandhops.com
Roice-Hurst Humane Society Wuffstock
Grand Junction, CO
September 8
Celebrate all things canine with your four-legged friends at Lincoln Park. Jam out with your pup to local live music, visit booths and food trucks, and enjoy kid activities at this dog-friendly, day-long music festival. Don’t have a dog to bring? Adopt one there! rhhumanesociety.org/wuffstock
Telluride Blues and Brews Festival
Telluride, CO
September 13-15
With more than 30 musical artists, a scenic alpine venue and more than 170 styles of craft beer and cider to sample, the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival has all the ingredients for an incredible weekend getaway. tellurideblues.com
Colorado Mountain Winefest
Palisade, CO
September 19-22
One of the Grand Valley’s most anticipated annual events, Winefest is returning to Riverbend Park in Palisade with wine tours, tastings and a variety of wine-related activities and classes. Visit more than 100 wineries and vendors throughout the festival. coloradowinefest.com
Colorfest
Pagosa Springs, CO
September 20-22
The Colorfest weekend encompasses several Pagosa events, such as Passport to Pagosa Wine and Food Festival, Bands & Brews Festival and Mass Balloon Ascension. Enjoy wine, beer and more than 40 hot air balloons all in one weekend! pagosachamber.com/colorfest
Downtown Grand Junction Car Show
Grand Junction, CO
September 21
Cruise back in time as Main Street fills with hundreds of antique cars, classic cars, muscle cars, motorcycles and car-lovers from across the country during the 18th annual Fuoco Motor Co. Downtown Car Show. downtowngj.org/signature-events/downtown-car-show
Telluride Festival of Cars and Colors
Telluride, CO
September 26-29
Celebrate all things autumn and automobile during Telluride’s Festival of Cars and Colors. Over four days, admire high-end restorations, vintage cars and exotic vehicles against the fall colors of the San Juans. visittelluride.com/play/festivals-events/telluride-festival-of-cars-colors-09-2019
Mountain Harvest Festival
Paonia, CO
September 26-29
Enjoy local music, arts and crafts and fresh food in Paonia while participating in events like a chili cookoff, farmers markets, grape stomp, painting competition, farm tours and musical performances. mountainharvestfestival.org
Fruita Fall Festival
Fruita, CO
September 27-29
Fall in love with Fruita during three days of live music, delicious food, autumn scenery, food trucks and over 100 vendors. Participate in exciting autumn events such as a cornhole tournament, baking and canning contest, a carnival and a beauty pageant. fruitachamber.org/fruita-fall-festival
Tour of the Moon
Grand Junction, CO
September 28
Tour of the Moon is one of the most well-known road cycling races in the western United States. Take in the spectacular scenery of the Colorado National Monument during the morning ride, and enjoy the Harvest Moon Celebration with beer and live music after crossing the finish line. tourofthemoon.com
OCTOBER
Downtown Art Festival
Grand Junction, CO
October 4-6
Celebrate creative minds and all forms of art during the Downtown Art Festival. Browse art exhibits, learn from local artists and jam to live music during the First Friday Art Walk. Enjoy the Grand Junction Art on the Corner exhibit and the following Artist Expo on Saturday, and end the weekend with the Grand Junction Film Fest at the Avalon Theater on Sunday. downtowngj.org/signature-events/downtown-art-festival
Grand Valley Yoga Fest
Palisade, CO
October 4-6
Attend two days of workshops in various types of yoga, dance, meditation and more at Palisade High School and enjoy vendors, live music and food trucks. To raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health, all proceeds of the festival will be donated to local suicide prevention groups and School District 51’s music and arts departments. grandvalleyyogafest.com
Cedaredge Applefest
Cedaredge, CO
October 5-6
Join local businesses, apple orchards, and over 250 vendors in Cedaredge to celebrate all things apple. There will be a pancake breakfast, 5K, car show, live music, pie eating contest and more. cedaredgechamber.com/events
Ouray Oktoberfest & Annual Jeep Raffle
Ouray, CO
October 5
Surround yourself with fall colors in the beautiful mountain town of Ouray and enjoy authentic German food, dancing, costume contests, competitions and more. Enter the Jeep raffle and you might drive home in a new Jeep! ouraycolorado.com
Telluride Horror Show Festival
Telluride, CO
October 11-13
Get spooked at Telluride’s horror film festival with both classic and newly-released horror movies at Sheridan Opera House. It’s the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit. visittelluride.com/play/festivals-events/telluride-horror-show-2019
Mesa County Libraries Comic Con
Grand Junction, CO
October 12
Cosplay as your favorite fictional character and get nerdy at Mesa County Libraries’ Comic Con at Two Rivers Convention Center! Family-friendly and free with a Mesa County Libraries card, there will be panels, fandom meetups, an expo hall, artists, creators and more, highlighting topics such as comic books and science fiction. mesacountylibraries.org/comiccon
Oktoberfest Amped
Grand Junction, CO
October 12
Kick off the fall season at Oktoberfest Amped with local music and cold beer at Las Colonias Park Amphitheater. Fill your cup with German-style Pilsners, Marzens and Hefeweizens, or enjoy a variety of other local craft brews and classic ciders. oktoberfestgj.com
Animas Valley Balloon Rally
Durango, CO
October 18-20
Spend a weekend in Durango under a sky of hot air balloons. Balloons will go up each day, and there will be opportunities for tethered rides for the kiddos. Don’t miss the meet-and-greets with the pilots and crews to learn the science behind hot air balloons. animasvalleyballoonrally.com
Truck-N-Treat
Fruita, CO
October 26
Take the kids to Downtown Fruita 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a safe, fun and free trick-or-treating experience. Fire trucks, dump trucks, police cars and other vehicles will be giving out candy. Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume and bring a bucket for candy! fruita.org/parksrec/page/truck-n-treat
Spooktacular
Grand Junction, CO
October 26
Celebrate Halloween early and bring the kids to Downtown Grand Junction for an exciting afternoon of trick-or-treating at local businesses, a costume parade and other activities. Don’t forget to wear your best costume! This event will be from 3 to 5 p.m. downtowngj.org/signature-events/spooktacular-sponsored-by-fairway-independent-mortgage
NOVEMBER
Culture Fest
Grand Junction, CO
November 1-2
Celebrate (and learn about) cultural diversity in western Colorado at Mesa County Libraries’ free Culture Fest (central branch). Enjoy an art show and live music on Friday evening, and come back Saturday to visit tables representing as many as 30 countries from around world. mesacountylibraries.org/culturefest
Moab Celtic Festival
Moab, UT
November 1-3
Embrace the heritage of Scottish and Celtic cultures at the Moab Celtic Festival, featuring Celtic food, dancing, art, contests, a bagpipe competition, silent auction, door prizes and information about clans. discovermoab.com/event/moab-celtic-festival-scots-on-the-rocks
Moab Folk Festival
Moab, UT
November 1-3
Spend a weekend in the beautiful town of Moab listening to a dozen different folk artists at various locations throughout town. Don’t miss jam sessions, workshops, vendors and performances from artists such as Judy Collins and Martin Sexton. moabfolkfestival.com
Rim Rock Run
Grand Junction, CO
November 2
Run one of the most scenic races in the world across the Colorado National Monument from Grand Junction to Fruita. Choose from a marathon, marathon relay, half marathon or 12K. After crossing the finish line, celebrate in Downtown Fruita with live music, local food and a beer garden. rimrockrun.grandjunctionsports.org
Off-Season Historic Pub Crawl
Crested Butte, CO
November 7
Start your evening at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum with appetizers and receive a commemorative pint glass. Take your glass to three participating locations for a free drink and meet a local historian at each location. crestedbuttemuseum.com
Hitched in GJ Bridal Experience
Grand Junction, CO
November 9
Getting married? Connect with more than 45 local wedding vendors at the Hitched in GJ Bridal Experience at the Double Tree Hotel, and plan your whole wedding in one day! Visit booths for dresses, beauty, cakes, catering, entertainment, floral, photography and more. hitchedingj.com
Downtown Tree Lighting
Grand Junction, CO
November 23
Get in the Christmas spirit as Downtown Grand Junction lights up for the holidays. Santa Claus himself will make an appearance and turn on all of Main Street’s tree lights simultaneously! Bring the kids to spend a magical evening with Santa. downtowngj.org/signature-events/tree-lighting
Crested Butte Turkey Trot
Crested Butte, CO
November 27
Race in the gO Initiative’s Turkey Trot in Crested Butte to raise awareness for mental health. Run a 5K course or a 1K Gobble Wobble, and celebrate crossing the finish line with a post-race party! thegoinitiative.org
Art & Chocolate Walk
Palisade, CO
November 30
Hosted by Blue Pig Art Gallery, a variety of Palisade businesses will offer free chocolate to visitors all day long. Stop at each participating business and be entered to win a drawing for a basket filled with all kinds of goodies. Get a start on your holiday shopping while enjoying free chocolate and fine art!visitpalisade.com/holiday-shopping-colorado-winery