Denver is a great city for fall festivals, especially for families. Here are some popular ones to check out:
Colorado State Fair
WHEN: Thru Sept. 2, 2024
WHERE: Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo
The 152nd Colorado State Fair promises all the excitement of the past: free entertainment, contests, concerts, rodeos, a demolition derby, carnival rides and great fair food! (Feautred photo)
Dollhouse & Miniatures Show and Sale
WHEN: Sept. 4–8, 2024
WHERE: Marriott Westminster
The Dollhouse & Miniatures Show and Sale features more than 50 vendors of supplies and accessories in miniature scale and an exhibit room of work created by Colorado’s most talented artisans. There is a separate shopping area for children, with allowance-friendly pricing. Pre-registered workshops will be held Wednesday through Friday, a dinner and preview shopping event on Friday evening, and a banquet/auction on Saturday evening. All proceeds benefit the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys.
51st Birthday Bash
WHEN: Sept. 6, 2024
WHERE: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
This year’s theme is inspired by backyard expeditions and starry skies, scraped knees and muddy shoes, secret clubhouses with your best friends, and all the things that fill childhood with wonder and joy. Join them for an evening of tasty bites from some of Denver’s top caterers, open bars and auctions. Then, get ready to dance the night away!
Flock Party 2024
WHEN: Sept. 7, 2024
WHERE: Denver Zoo
Now in its fifth year, this brilliant annual benefit is a movable feast with live music, unforgettable animal experiences, on-the-spot fashion illustrations, craft cocktails and artisan eats—all in the company of real party animals! Proceeds benefit the zoo’s beloved animal family and support their wildlife conservation work in Colorado and worldwide.
Made By Us Markets
WHEN: Sept. 7, 2024
WHERE: EDENS
Made By Us curated vendor and artist events will be in RiNo, in the Lot on Larimer, on the first Saturday of every month from April through October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. right next to the Denver Central Market! Events are always free to attend, and there’s always a great group of vendors, food and music.
Big Dig Colorado
WHEN: Sept. 7, 2024
WHERE: 4444 Ritchie Dr., Longmont
Big Dig Colorado, a family-friendly large equipment festival benefiting the American Cancer Society and pediatric cancer research, gives adults and children — including cancer patients and survivors — the opportunity to operate large digging equipment, boom lifts and other large stationary equipment. The perfect event for kids of any age and size!
Taste of the Middle East
WHEN: Sept. 7, 2024
WHERE: Aurora Municipal Center, Aurora
Head to Aurora for a mesmerizing celebration of food, dance, music and unforgettable entertainment. We extend a a warm invitation to the entire community to come together, unite and indulge in a feast for the senses. Savor the delicious cuisine, sway to captivating rhythms and create cherished memories. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event!
4th Annual Day with the Dogs
WHEN: Sept. 8, 2024
WHERE: Bill Goodspeed Happy Tails Dog Park, Northglenn
The 4th Annual Day with the Dogs will feature 25+ dog-related vendors, from artists and photographers to scoopers and groomers to vets, rescues and many more vendors with free doggie swag!
Larimer Square BAZAAR
WHEN: Sept. 8, 2024
WHERE: Larimer Square
This monthly market, hosted by Denver BAZAAR, pops up in Larimer Square every second Sunday from June through October. Each market will feature 40+ craft vendors and makers with a wide variety of local goods, from jewelry and clothing to home goods and art, food and drink to vintage and thrift finds. All Denver BAZAAR events are free to attend, dog-friendly and open to all ages!
Rock The Block
WHEN: Sept. 12 & 26, 2024
WHERE: Museum of Outdoor Arts, Greenwood Village
Join the Museum of Outdoor Arts to enjoy lunch in the park while watching live music from a variety of small music ensembles, Learn about MOA events and memberships and network with community partners. Bring your own lunch or purchase items from the grill bar. Access to the park is free with registration!
Denver Jazz Festival
WHEN: Sept. 13–15, 2024
WHERE: Ellie Caulkins Opera House
The Denver Jazz Festival is a one-of-a-kind vintage music festival focusing primarily on vintage jazz and blues of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. The venue features a spacious dance floor and full cash bar, and there are workshops and lectures available from internationally renowned instructors during the daytime hours through sister events Lindy on the Rocks and Hot Night Fusion Weekend. This year’s bands include Eyal Vilner & His Hot 5, The Eyal Vilner Swing Band, Jeremy Mohney & His Band and Ian Hutchison’s Colorado Band featuring Sweet B.
Boulder Fall Fest
WHEN: Sept. 13–15, 2024
WHERE: Pearl Street Mall, Boulder
This three-day autumn festival features local food, a large beer/wine/margarita garden, live music, family entertainment and activities and includes the Firefly Handmade Market all along the historic Pearl Street Mall.
Firefly Handmade Fall Market at Boulder Fall Fest
WHEN: Sept. 13–15, 2024
WHERE: Pearl Street Mall, Boulder
Set against the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountains, Firefly Handmade Fall Market is a must-visit for both locals and visitors. This free three-day autumn celebration will feature more than 100 creatively curated artisans, offering a creatively curated delectable collective of unique goods from exquisite artists, makers and designers.
Sunnyside Music Festival
WHEN: Sept. 14, 2024
WHERE: Chaffee Park
Denver’s Sunnyside Music Festival is a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that builds community through a free, family-friendly music festival. Join us for five local bands, food and drink vendors, kids activities, an artisan shopping market and more!
Agriculture Festival
WHEN: Sept. 14, 2024
WHERE: Plains Conservation Center, Aurora
Celebrate food, nature and agriculture on the high plains at the city of Aurora’s annual Agriculture Festival! Learn about where your food comes from and how you can support healthy environments with regenerative agriculture and sustainable eating. Attendees will be able to enjoy wagon rides, 1880s homestead and tipi camp tours, farm animal interactions, food vendors and more.
Lakewood Food & Wine
WHEN: Sept. 14, 2024
WHERE: The Belmar Shopping District Pavillions, Lakewood
Join us for the second annual Lakewood Food and Wine Festival! Enjoy food and wine tastings, live music and oodles of family-friendly fun.
Annual Lebanese and Middle Eastern Festival
WHEN: Sept. 14, 2024
WHERE: St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church, Lakewood
Come experience authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, cultural dance, live music and much more at the Annual Lebanese and Middle Eastern Festival!
49th Annual Woodcarving Show
WHEN: Sept. 14 & 15, 2024
WHERE: Apex Community Recreation Center, Arvada
Enjoy woodcarving exhibitions, woodcarving competitions and woodcarving art sales by members of the Colorado Carvers Club and other artists, plus purchase woodcarving supplies to craft your own creations.
Hangin’ N Slangin’ Markets
WHEN: Sept. 14, 15 & 29, 2024
WHERE: EDENS
Hangin’ N Slangin’ vintage thrift markets will be in RiNo, in the Lot on Larimer, on the second Saturday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), third Sunday (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and last Sunday (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.) of every month from March to November right next to the Denver Central Market! Events are always free to attend, and there’s always a great group of vendors, food and music.
Colorado Artisan Markets
WHEN: Sept. 14 & Oct. 12, 2024; 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
WHERE: The Shops at Northfield
Celebrate Colorado’s spirit of community, creativity and craftsmanship with a series of Artisan Markets held on the 2nd Saturday of every month from May to October. Each market will feature 50–70 local vendors offering a wide variety of treasures, including handmade jewelry, Colorado photography, soaps, clothing, abstract art, artisanal food products and more. Free and open to all, attendees can dine at food trucks and enjoy live local music while also shopping and dining at the Northfield retailers and restaurants. Dogs are welcome!
Denver Oktoberfest
WHEN: Sept. 20–29, 2024
WHERE: Downtown Denver
The Denver Oktoberfest has been a staple two-weekend festival in Downtown Denver since 1969. From keg bowling to stein hoisting, live music and more, there’s something here for Oktoberfest pros and first-timers alike! So grab your stein, throw on your lederhosen and join the fun!
Far East Center Mid-Autumn Festival
WHEN: Sept. 21, 2024
WHERE: Far East Center
Do you love food, music and entertainment? Save the date to celebrate Far East Center’s Mid-Autumn Festival! This free, family-friendly event in the Little Saigon Denver District will feature an Asian-inspired night market and street food from all over the world. Watch your kids play with light-up lanterns and enjoy music and entertainment from local performers. Other activities include a pho-eating contest, a moon cake-eating contest, cultural performances, a K-pop dance battle, traditional drum performances, a karaoke contest and more.
Miners Day
WHEN: Sept. 21, 2024
WHERE: Centennial Park, Frederick
Miners Day is Frederick’s premier community event that originated as a celebration to honor and remember the city’s mining heritage. This annual event features family-oriented fun and entertainment throughout the day including a parade, burro race, vendors, food trucks, activities, contests and live entertainment. Per tradition, Miners Day will conclude with a spectacular evening concert and fireworks display.
Denver Street Fairs – It’s Fall Y’all!
WHEN: Sept. 21 & 22, 2024
WHERE: 1005 Galapago St.
This handmade-only art festival in the heart of the Denver Art District will feature more than 90 artisans, crafters and food vendors. Discover unique clothing, gifts and food for the whole family!
Festival Del Sol
WHEN: Sept. 22, 2024
WHERE: Colorado Chautauqua, Boulder
Colorado Chautauqua is proud to present the fourth annual free and bilingual Festival Del Sol! Enjoy live music, food and beverages, guided hikes, Latin dance lessons, family activities and games. Kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the vibrancy of Latino culture in the stunning surroundings of Chautauqua!
Graveyard Markets: The Lemur and Friends Bazaar
WHEN: Sept. 22, 2024
WHERE: 2220 E Colfax Ave.
The Lemur and Friends Bazaar is a monthly artist market hosted right on our back patio. We host all kinds of artists from across Colorado, from bakers to jewelers. Pick up that perfect unique gift or something special for yourself!
Denver American Indian Festival
WHEN: Sept. 28 & 29, 2024
WHERE: Lakewood United Methodist Church, Lakewood
Since 2014, the free and family-friendly Denver American Indian Festival has brought a celebration of American Indian culture, arts and history to all Denver Metro communities. It has welcomed over 20,000 residents and over 81 tribal representatives.
Estes Park Elk Fest
WHEN: Sept. 28 & 29, 2024
WHERE: Bond Park, Estes Park
To celebrate the annual elk rut and learn about the wapiti (the Native American name for elk), Estes Park hosts the annual Estes Park Elk Fest® in Bond Park.
Storyteller’s Festival
WHEN: Sept. 30–Oct. 6, 2024
WHERE: Various venues in Boulder
Creative Nations, an all-Indigenous-led artists collective founded at The Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, is thrilled to announce the inaugural First Storyteller’s Festival. This groundbreaking event is dedicated to nurturing works for the stage by Native artists and storytellers. The festival will feature a dynamic lineup of events designed to support and showcase the diverse talents of Native playwrights, musicians, poets, dancers and other storytellers. Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of events including staged readings, panel discussions, workshop productions and educational workshops aimed at training both current and future generations of Native theater artists.
-Visit Denver
Author: Mile High Mamas
