Get your heart rate up for a good cause at Ned Ned Trailfest on Sept. 12. Credit: Joshua W. Strong
Flaming Foliage Relay
Sept. 11-12, Idaho Springs to Buena Vista. Registration begins at $930
Lace up your running shoes and assemble your team to take on the Flaming Foliage Relay. This 165-mile route traverses rugged and scenic terrain from Idaho Springs to Buena Vista on the banks of the Arkansas River. The grueling challenge ends with a catered lunch and beer, followed by an after party and team awards.
Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival
9 a.m. Fri.-Sun. Sept. 11-13, Estes Park Fairgrounds and Event Center, 1209 Manford Ave. $30+
Bust out your tartan and freshest Highlands gear at the 50th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival. This proud Estes Park tradition features a large-scale cultural pageant, dog-herding demos, whiskey tastings and world-class athletic competitions — along with a special guest appearance by bestselling author and BBC TV presenter Coinneach MacLeod.
Ned Ned Trailfest
Noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, TEENS, Inc. 151 East St., Nederland
The only way we’re running at altitude in the late summer heat is for charity. That’s exactly the case with this race, which benefits youth programming at Nederland’s own TEENS, Inc. Choose from 5K, 10K or half-marathon distance. Don your costumes and bring your dog. Not into running? You could always lend a hand; volunteers are needed to help run the day’s festivities.
Learning Lecture: Wild Wonderful Lichens
12:30-2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, The Old Gallery, 14863 Colorado Hwy 7, Allenspark. Free
Looking to learn a little about the hidden world around us? Drop by the Old Gallery in Allenspark for the latest installment of the local art institution’s Learning Lecture series. This month’s event focuses on lichens, the composite organisms formed by fungus and algae that serve as keystone species in many ecosystems.
Jammin’ the Bou Room
7-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Caribou Room, 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland. $25 pre-order / $28 at the door
Fight hunger with the power of rock ’n’ roll: 100% of ticket sales from this benefit concert go directly to Peak Abundance — Nederland’s food pantry, community gardens and clothing closet. Front Range faves Gasoline Lollipops headline, with support from Jamestown’s own Poorfree.
Peak to Peak Studio Tour
Sept. 19-20, Various Locations, Peak to Peak region. Free
Want to get up close and personal with local art? The Peak to Peak Studio Tour has got you covered. Launched by our sister outlet The Mountain-Ear in 2023, this fall tradition offers the chance to experience creativity at the source, as local artists open their studio doors to the public all across the Peak to Peak region.
September Artisan Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, Bohn Park, 199 2nd Ave., Lyons. Free
Looking to spend a day surrounded by art, music, food and the natural beauty of north Boulder County? The 6th annual September Artisan Market is the place to be. This local event features more than 50 local artisans and makers showcasing handcrafted goods along the banks of beautiful St. Vrain Creek.
Stories in the Sky Drone Show
7-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, Ulysses Sports Complex, 1205 Ulysses St. Golden. Free
These pretty lights in the sky won’t set the world on fire. Suspend your cynicism for one night while 500 synchronized drones celebrate America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th. Food trucks and live music complete the party. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, then lay back and watch history come to life.
Boulder Histories Film Festival
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, Chautauqua Auditorium 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder. $16
Local history hits the big screen during this homegrown film festival in the shadow of the Flatirons at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium. Featuring three short-film screening blocks, this one-day festival turns a spotlight on the people, places and preservation efforts that make Boulder the place we all know and love.
Festival del Sol
12-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Chautauqua Auditorium 198 Morning Glory Dr., Boulder. Free
Ring in National Hispanic Heritage Month during this sixth annual bilingual celebration of Latino culture, community and tradition. Festivities include live music by Chimbangle Music, 2MX2, Mariachi Las Dahlias and others — plus food and drinks, Latin dance lessons, family-friendly activities, games and more.
Mapleton Hill Porchfest
Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Mapleton Ave. between 4th and 9th Streets, Boulder. Free
Live music is the magic that turns good ol’ fashioned porch sitting into the best community gathering in The People’s Republic. Stroll Boulder’s prettiest (and priciest) neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy a dozen free concerts: Performers are on the porches, while everyone else sprawls on laws or mills about.
Filmmaker Support Group
6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 940 Pearl St., Boulder. Free
Searching for feedback on your latest film project? Bring a script, rough cut, an idea or a creative problem to this roundtable designed to support local filmmakers. Whether you’re stuck on a project or just looking for a little creative community, this cinematic gathering held on Trident’s beautiful backyard patio is for you.
