Join Colorado’s longest-running Dia de los Muertos celebration in Longmont and enjoy local food, live music and lots of dancing. Credit: Tyler Hickman
The Boys and The Bees is one of six short films screening at Nederland’s Backdoor Theater as Sundance makes its Peak to Peak debut ahead of January’s full 2027 festival in Boulder. Courtesy: Untitled Filmmaker Org
Elk Fest. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, Bond Park and the Estes Park Events Complex. Free
It’s not officially fall until you’re stuck behind a caravan of tourons ogling a herd of Elk from Route 36. Instead of stopping traffic yourself, head to the unofficial Elk Capital of the West for a festival in honor of the antlered beasts. Held during peak mating season, it's the perfect opportunity to learn about these animals through seminars and interactive exhibits before you bump into one on your way out of town.
Pumpkins & Pilsners. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave., Estes Park. Free
Time to break out the flannel — fall is back in Estes Park. Drink your fill of autumnal craft brews and pick the perfect doorstep pumpkin at the mountain town’s annual family friendly festival. Gawk at the golden aspens while live music and pumpkin spice fills the crisp fall air to ring in the best season in Colorado.
Nederland Harvest Fest. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, Nederland Farmers Market, 80 E. 2nd St. & 85 E. 1st St. Free
The biggest party in the Peak to Peak is back. The Nederland Farmer’s Market goes all out for its annual harvest fest, with vendors, drinks and live music. This year, KC36 Orange Sunshine Band and Atomga will take the stage while visitors peruse handicrafts, produce and artisan goods from local vendors.
2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Backdoor Theatre - Nederland Community Center, 750 CO-72. $TBD
There’s much to love about the power of a short film. Packing layers of emotion and resonance into such a small package is no easy feat, and Sundance is showcasing some prime examples, right in town at Backdoor Theatre. Enjoy six short films spanning cultures and topics, and leave having gained appreciation for the art of quality film.
Halloween at Ned General. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Ned General, 112 E. 2nd St., Nederland. $TBD
Nothing is scarier than the local dive after dark. Ned General reanimates its annual Halloween blowout bash this October with a southern gothic theme: candelabras draped in spanish moss, ghastly figures in cracked mirrors, 19th century headstones. Come in costume and get ready to dance all night to bayou blues in the backcountry’s favorite bar.
Masquerade Ball FEAT Banshee Tree w/ Cycles. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, The Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peak Drive, Nederland. $30+
Deck yourself to the nines in costume and head over to The Caribou Room for a night of hypnotizing tunes and good vibes. Psych rock band Banshee Tree is featured on the night’s ticket, with help from Cycles, a fellow psychedelic trio that will surely make your Halloween one to remember.
Autumn Fest. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Golden History Museum & Park, 923 10th St. Free
Head to where the west lives and celebrate fall at Golden’s 6th annual Autumn Fest. There’s no shortage of free, fun for the whole family activities at this wholesome hoedown, with face painting, barnyard animals and live music from foothills-based roots group Alibi.
Lafayette Music Fest. 10 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 3, locations vary, Lafayette. $45 / $119 VIP
The Boulder County L-towns do fall like nobody else. Get out of the People’s Republic; make for Lafayette and the annual return of the secretly massive Lafayette Music Fest. Sprawled across eight stages throughout downtown with both free and paid shows, you’ll be dancing the night away to big brass, blues and bluegrass all night long.
Longmont Museum: Grand Reopening Celebration. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road. Free
Longmont’s cultural hub is back, and it’s better than ever. Join the Longmont Museum in celebration of their newest iteration of the space, featuring all-new galleries, festivities galore, and boundless creation inside the “DreamLab.”
Fempire Comedy Festival. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Ave., Suite A, Boulder. $30
You’ll be doubling over in laughter at Colorado’s first and only all-women comedy festival. The bill features out-of-state comics like Alyce Chan and Sam Doctor, as well as a litany of Colorado performers, like Stacy Pederson and Gutierrez Reed, among others you won’t want to miss.
Day of the Dead Family Celebration. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Downtown Longmont, 4th Ave. and Kimbark St. Free
Colorado’s longest running Dia de los Muertos festival is back in Longmont. East County’s premiere fall festival returns with a celebration of culture, heritage and life in Downtown Longmont. Join the procession of Aztec dancers and the 15-foot-tall Gigantes at the start of the festival, then stick around for sugar skull decorating, local food and live music all day long.
Rocky Horror Picture Show: Early Show Rocktober 2026. 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. $23
There is perhaps no better year to bask in Jim Sharman’s 1975 masterpiece, and with no better hosting organization. Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient puts on an absolute spectacle with their traveling shadowcast troupe, so come dressed as your favorite character, and ready to have a rip-roaring time in remembrance of the late, brilliant Tim Curry.
