Celebrate September in Colorado with festivals, culture and fall colors

From dragon boat races and Highland Games to tarantula treks and moonlit bike rides, Colorado offers plenty of fun in September.
By:
Ayer
Caber tossing is one of the athletic events that takes place at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival each year. Photo courtesy of Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival.
Caber tossing is one of the athletic events that takes place at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival each year. Photo courtesy of Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival.

September in Colorado is a spectacular time to explore the state.

The mornings are crisp, golden aspens sweep across mountain valleys and the calendar is packed with unique festivals and cultural experiences.

The weather is often perfect, so it’s a perfect time to enjoy Colorado. Whether you venture into the mountains to enjoy breathtaking scenery or make the most of urban happenings, September in Colorado will not disappoint.

Here are ideas to get you started.

September 5-7: Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival – Estes Park, Colorado

There are three days of Celtic games, music and events at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival. Photo courtesy of Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival.
There are three days of Celtic games, music and events at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival. Photo courtesy of Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival.

I bet you didn’t know that Estes Park, Colorado, is the Celtic capital of North America.

The city hosts the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival each year, which is the largest festival of its kind in the country. The event includes Scottish athletics, Celtic music, live performances and spectacular dog exhibitions including agility and herding. This event does require a festival ticket.

Sept. 6 and 7: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival – Brighton, Colorado

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place every September in Colorado. Photo courtesy of Dragon Boat Festival.
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival takes place every September in Colorado. Photo courtesy of Dragon Boat Festival.

This event highlights Colorado’s rich Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage, culture and community – and boasts the largest dragon boat festival in the United States.

Enjoy featured events, such as dragon boat races across Mann-Nyholt Lake in Riverdale Regional Park starting at 10 a.m. Then, stay for the bustling Night Market and Celebrations, starting at 4 p.m. There will be live performances, cultural demonstrations and a diverse selection of food vendors.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience unity through tradition, storytelling and celebration.

Sept. 7: Guided full moon bike ride and stargazing – Poudre River Trail Corridor, Greeley and Windsor, Colorado

Poudre River Trail rides happen monthly, but only a few months out of the year are they guided full moon tours. Image courtesy of Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc.
Poudre River Trail rides happen monthly, but only a few months out of the year are they guided full moon tours. Image courtesy of Poudre River Trail Corridor, Inc.

Riding on the Poudre River Trail during a full moon is a unique and beautiful experience.

Riders start at Rover Run Dog Park Trailhead, 5207 West F St. in Greeley, and at the Kodak Trailhead/Archery Range, 30927 CO-257 in Windsor, and ride to the Poudre Learning Center, 8313 W F St. in Greeley.

Safety is paramount for these rides. Make sure you have a bike light, wear a helmet and bring plenty of water. Review the forecast and dress for the weather. Mosquitos may also be out. This event is free.

Sept. 14: Fiesta Patrias – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ballet folklórico dancers show off their colorful outfits. The group performed at the 2024 Fiestas Patrias festival in downtown Colorado Springs. Photo by Chuck Bigger, for UCHealth.
Ballet folklórico dancers show off their colorful outfits. The group performed at the 2024 Fiestas Patrias festival in downtown Colorado Springs. Photo by Chuck Bigger, for UCHealth.

On Sept. 16, 1810, Mexico won its independence from Spain, and Fiestas Patrias (Patriotic Festival) became a national holiday in Mexico. Millions of people attend annual Fiestas Patrias events across the U.S. as homage to their cultural history.

This two-day family-friendly festival in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs brings people from diverse Hispanic origins together to create a cultural fusion. This event has live music, dancing, Mexican wrestling, vendor booths and plenty of good food. This event is free.

Sept. 19-21: Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival – Pueblo, Colorado

The locally grown Pueblo chile is the most famous chile of our region, attracting chile aficionados’ attention from around the world. Photo by Denise Chambers, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office.
The locally grown Pueblo chile is the most famous chile of our region, attracting chile aficionados’ attention from around the world. Photo by Denise Chambers, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office.

Every September, the streets of Pueblo come alive in celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage, especially its world-famous Pueblo Chile peppers.

The weekend is full of fun and flavor. As the aroma of fresh roasted chiles wafts through the air, festival-goers can enjoy live entertainment, cooking competitions and street vendors. There is also a Chili and Salsa Showdown, and you can watch as brave souls compete in the Jalapeno Eating Contest. The Pueblo celebration is a spice-lovers’ dream festival that also offers a vibrant cultural experience. This event is free.

Sept. 20: Longmont Oktoberfest – Longmont, Colorado

The Longmont Oktoberfest is the city’s largest community event and music festival of the season. Photo courtesy of Longmont Humane Society.
The Longmont Oktoberfest is the city’s largest community event and music festival of the season. Photo courtesy of Longmont Humane Society.

This event is Longmont’s largest community celebration and music festival and benefits the Longmont Humane Society and friends. It is the summer concert you do not want to miss!

This year’s headliner is Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass, and regional favorites grace the stages throughout the day and into the evening.

You can also enjoy family-friendly games throughout the day. Visit pet-centric vendors and bring your four-legged friend along to the shady Hot Dog Lounge for water and treats. A general admission ticket is required to attend.

Sept. 26 and 27: La Junta Tarantula Fest – La Junta, Colorado

Colorado has several species of tarantulas and most are found in the state’s southeast region. Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Colorado has several species of tarantulas, and most are found in the state’s southeast region. Photo: Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Timed to coincide with the annual tarantula mating ritual on the Comanche National Grasslands, the La Junta Tarantula Fest is a fascinating experience.

Researchers once thought that the clusters of tarantulas skittering across the grasslands near La Junta were migrating. But it turns out that the frenzied annual activity is actually an elaborate mating ritual. The male tarantulas journey across the 443,000-plus acres of the national grasslands to find a mate, according to the La Junta city website.

The festival in downtown La Junta offers a mixture of science, art and community fun. Visitors can enjoy guided tarantula bus tours, a parade, art shows, vendors and educational talks from experts. There is even a “hairy leg” contest.

The festival starts at 1 p.m. on Friday and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday. This event is free.

Free things to do in Colorado To do in Colorado

About the author

Kati Blocker has always been driven to learn and explore the world around her. And every day, as a writer for UCHealth, Kati meets inspiring people, learns about life-saving technology, and gets to know the amazing people who are saving lives each day. Even better, she gets to share their stories with the world.

As a journalism major at the University of Wyoming, Kati wrote for her college newspaper. She also studied abroad in Swansea, Wales, while simultaneously writing for a Colorado metaphysical newspaper.

After college, Kati was a reporter for the Montrose Daily Press and the Telluride Watch, covering education and health care in rural Colorado, as well as city news and business.

When she's not writing, Kati is creating her own stories with her husband Joel and their two young children.