Fall is almost here — we can feel it in the air! But don’t let the season pass you by without savoring all of its most beloved elements, like pumpkins, apples, and seasonal beers. And of course, the crisp autumn air creates the ideal conditions for 5Ks and marathons — and we have plenty of races on the horizon here in Northern Colorado.
Mark your calendars for these can’t-miss fall events happening throughout the region, from Fort Collins and Loveland over to Estes Park and Steamboat Springs!
When: September 17
Where: Various Locations
The Fall Equinox races include a marathon, half-marathon, and a 5-mile race, each immersing you in the wild and scenic beauty of the Poudre River Canyon on point-to-point downhill courses. Each race has a different starting point with each finishing at the bottom of the canyon, where you can enjoy post-race food and beverages. Learn more about each race and register
here!
Slip on your lederhosen and head to
Windsor Oktoberfest, brought to us by the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce and the Windsor DDA. This annual event honors
Windsor as we celebrate German heritage and traditions, which includes live music, delicious German fare, and of course, lots of beer! Kick off the weekend with the
Wiesn Mile, a 1-mile race (plus a brand new 5K option) in the heart of downtown.
When: September 28–October 1
Experience the profound connection woven by food and drink at the
Steamboat Food and Wine Festival. Serving as a tribute to the essence that unites us, this event delves into the intricate tales of every ingredient, tracing their journey from field to plate and vine to glass. Through this exploration, both chefs and guests embrace the subtleties that shape flavors, culminating in exquisite creations to savor. Anchored in collaboration, the festival unites esteemed chefs not only with renowned winemakers but also with each other, igniting a culinary synergy that captivates attendees. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Steamboat, the festival curates a series of thoughtfully intimate experiences, guiding guests towards personal revelations in taste, and celebrating the moments that make each dish and sip unforgettable. Learn more about the festival and purchase tickets
here!
A beloved tradition in
Greeley,
Oktobrewfest is returning to the historic Lincoln Park in Downtown Greeley this September! Over the course of two days, enjoy craft beer from Northern Colorado breweries and food from various vendors serving bratwursts, schnitzel, burgers and more. Plus, there will be an impressive lineup of live music entertainment and a children’s area with inflatables, pumpkin decorating, face painting and more. And don’t miss the VIP Tasting Tent, which includes exclusive beer tastings, a commemorative tasting glass, and the opportunity to interact with professional brewers.
Hosted by the Poudre Heritage Alliance, this annual
Windsor event combines stewardship and environmental education with a heaping side of fun. Along with presentations about the heritage of the Cache la Poudre River and the importance of the water it provides, expect delicious craft beer tastings, food trucks and live music. Plus, there will be plenty of entertainment for the kiddos, including storytelling, interactive educational exhibits, historic cabin tours, and rides on a vintage fire truck. Proceeds from your
ticket will benefit the programs curated by the Poudre Heritage Alliance.
When: September 30 + October 1
If you needed an excuse to visit
Estes Park this fall, this is it! Hosted by the Town of Estes Park,
Elk Fest celebrates all things elk with vendors, live music, food trucks, bugling contests, performances and more. The festival coincides with the famous elk rut — or elk mating season. You may even see some wild elk in town and of course, in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park! This event at Bond Park is completely free to attend.
Tour de Corgi is a must-see annual event, even if you don’t have a corgi in the family! Occurring each fall for the past eight years, this carnival and parade invites costumed pets and their sometimes costumed parents to register and participate in one of our favorite parade processions of the year. Proceeds benefit 4 Paws Pet Pantry, Colorado Corgis and Friends Rescue, Wyoming Dachshund and Corgi Rescue, and Bandit’s K9Care. You can find more information
here and get your $5 wristband online
here.
If you missed all the Oktoberfest fun at the end of September, now’s your chance to get in on the beer-drinking fun! The
4th Annual Highland Meadows Oktoberfest in
Windsor will feature scrumptious German food, beer from MashLab on tap, live polka music from Neue Polka, and more family-friendly fun. Hosted by your neighbors in Highland Meadows, this event is free but donations are encouraged and will be used to help with event costs as well as support a local charity. Be sure to bring your own lawn chair!
Applewood Festivals puts on several festivals throughout Colorado each year, including the
Applewood Fall Festival in
Loveland each fall! There will be more than 130 artisans selling fine art, handmade treasures, craft food creations, repurposed finds, clothing, vintage items, and more.
Click here for more details about the fall festival — and the holiday festival returning to the Ranch Events Complex in November! Come early on Friday for a VIP experience, or pay just $7 general admission at the door on Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Various Locations
For all you long-distance runners, look no further than the
Long View Marathon and Half Marathon! Showcasing a unique city-to-city trail connection, this course runs all the way from Fort Collins to Loveland. The full marathon starts at Edora Park and the half starts at Fossil Creek Park, and both end at the finish line at Fairgrounds Park.
Register for this much-anticipated fall race before September 13!
Organized by the Loveland Downtown District, the
Downtown Pumpkin Festival invites everyone to enjoy local artistry and revel in the spirit of fall. Visitors can explore a variety of pumpkins from farmers’ markets, alongside creative works by Loveland artists and impressive pumpkin sculptures. The event takes place at The Foundry Plaza, providing an ideal backdrop for savoring the autumn atmosphere while browsing farmers’ market stalls, vendor booths, and tasty food offerings. Adding to the excitement, a DJ sets the musical backdrop for the costume contest, open to families and groups, with attractive local prizes. Although general admission is free, don’t miss the chance to take part in pumpkin decorating, available for $12 per ticket. Each ticket includes a large pumpkin, a festival tote bag, access to an artist-led decorating kit, special sponsor giveaways, and the option to get more pumpkins and decorative gourds. Given the past years’ sold-out success, securing tickets in advance is advised!
Don’t miss the third annual
Pumpkins on Parade at the Gardens on Spring Creek! This family-friendly event is a celebration of Halloween and the harvest season, featuring hundreds of pumpkins and gourds arranged throughout the gardens in artistic displays. Costumes are encouraged! This event is candy-free as part of the
Teal Pumpkin Project. Tickets are $10 for those 12 and over, $5 for kids ages 5–11, and free for kids under 4. Garden members receive a 20% discount!
For three full days, the
Northern Colorado Home Show is taking over the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland with a variety of local and national vendors focused on all things home, outdoor living, decor, DIY, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to get inspiration, learn something new, or make a connection with a company you’d like to work with on your upcoming project. Plus, get the latest insight on what’s new in home improvement, including solar power, home automation, security, remodeling, design and more!
Discover the rugged beauty of Northern Colorado’s Front Range mountains at the
Blue Sky Marathon and Half. Spanning the trails between Horsetooth Mountain Park and Devil’s Backbone Open Space, this race offers a diverse adventure through varying terrain. Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner or a novice seeking your first trail racing experience, the course caters to all. With moderate elevation changes and a mix of trails, from smooth dirt paths to challenging rock gardens, it promises an engaging journey. The majority of the route is set on the iconic redstone hardpack of the Blue Sky Trail, accompanied by brief stints on dirt roads and gravel trails. After you cross the finish line, unwind with a BBQ feast, awards, and generous sponsor giveaways!
Enjoy a weekend of Halloween fun at The Farm at Lee Martinez Park with
Treatsylvania. This is the largest annual fundraiser for the farm, attracting more than 8,000 children and their parents each year. Children ages 10 and under will receive treat bags to pack with treats they’ll pick up from the make-believe Halloween village with dozens of storefronts. Plus, enjoy a hayride, a “not-so-spooky” barn, refreshments, photo opportunities and more. Admission is just $7 per child and adults get in for free. Treatsylvania takes place from 5–7 p.m. on Friday, 5–7 p.m. on Saturday, and 1–3 pm. and 5–7 p.m. on Sunday.
Happy Fall!
What fall events in NoCo are you most excited about?
