KUSA — Hello, autumn!
The transition from summer to fall in Colorado will never feel more evident than this first October weekend. The cooler temperatures and changing trees will be perfect for classic Colorado events like Cedaredge's Applefest, Aurora's Punkin Chunkin and numerous pumpkin and Oktoberfest celebrations.
Colorado sports fans will love this weekend's sports calendar as the Rockies, Nuggets, Avalanche, Rapids, Eagles and nine of Colorado's ten college football programs are playing in the Centennial State.
Whether you enjoy the weekend inside or out, celebrate the season this weekend by experiencing the unique culture, food and geography that makes our state so special.
Applefest — Cedaredge
One of Western Colorado's biggest outdoor festivals returns this weekend. Applefest, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, celebrates the local apple harvest with live music, beer, wine and over 200 arts and crafts vendors. The Cedaredge Fire Department kicks off festivities on Thursday with a chili cook off. The weekend also features pancake breakfasts, a junior rodeo, a classic car and tractor show, a beer stein challenge, Applefest 5K and more. Applefest will take place at Cedaredge Town Park and Main Street and admission is free.
Punkin Chunkin — Aurora
Colorado's most unique fall festival is back! Aurora's Punkin Chunkin lets teams compete to launch pumpkins as fast and far as possible. The festival, held at Arapahoe Park Racetrack, also includes a pumpkin patch, pony rides, fall crafts, live music, performances, a Corvette car show, as well as food and beer vendors. New in 2018 there will be a chainsaw carving competition too. Tickets for Punkin Chunkin, which runs Saturday and Sunday, are $5 at AuroraGov.org.
Potato Day Parade & Celebration — Carbondale
The 109th Annual Potato Day Parade & Celebration begins Saturday at 9 a.m. with a farmers and artisan market in Carbondale's Sopris Park. The theme of this year's Potato Day Parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m., is "Taters Take Flight." Following the parade there will be a kids' bounce house, carnival games, live music, potato sack races, Mr. Potatohead pinata, BBQ lunch and more.
Apple Day — Penrose
Since 1935, residents and tourists have celebrated Apple Day in Penrose. This year's Apple Day is sure to be "Out of this World!" with a packed schedule of events on Saturday. A pancake and sausage breakfast and fun run at Penrose Elementary kick off the festivities followed by children's parade and the annual Apple Day Parade. Saturday afternoon there will be an apple slice giveaway, pie judging and auction, live concert, pet parade, kids' activities, free pony rides, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, archery, cider tasting and much more. Check out the full Apple Day schedule at PenroseChamber.org.
Hot Chocolate 15K/5K — Denver
Denver's Civic Center Park will be the location of Sunday's Hot Chocolate 15K and 5K races. Chocolate aficionados will want to stick around afterwards for, what race organizers say, is the best chocolate you'll ever have. The race even includes "sweet stations" along the course serving marshmallows, chocolate chips and M&M's. Race registration can be completed at HotChocolate15K.com.
Cider Days — Lakewood
Lakewood's signature fall festival arrives this weekend with two days of family fun! Cider Days will take place Saturday and Sunday at Lakewood Heritage Center with activities for adults and kids. Festivities include cider pressing, cider tasting, pie-eating and baking contests, trick pigs, a straw maze, face painting, train and burro rides, balloon twisting, a petting zoo, magic tricks, axe throwing demonstrations, live bluegrass and folk music, Colorado’s largest antique and vintage tractor pull and more. Admission tickets are $8 and beer/cider garden tasting passes are $30 in advance at Lakewood.org/CiderDays or $38 day of.
Oktoberfest Durango — Durango
Oktoberfest Durango celebrates the creativity and tastiness of the town's local brews. The festival also offers live entertainment, delicious food, games and is a family-friendly event. Oktoberfest Durango runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Purgatory Resort.
Longmont Oktoberfest — Longmont
Celebrate summer's transition to fall at Longmont's Roosevelt Park this Friday and Saturday. Longmont Oktoberfest features JJ Grey and Mofro and Hazel Miller Band as well as over ten breweries, local food and games for all ages. On Saturday there will be brat eating and stein holding contests, best dressed awards and the world’s longest bratwurst festivities. Oktoberfest tickets are sold at LHBFoundation.org.
Ouray Oktoberfest — Ouray
The 54th Annual Ouray Jeep Raffle and Oktoberfest Celebration takes place on Saturday at the Ouray Community Center. The Ouray Jeep Raffle is a community-oriented fundraiser that supports local student scholarships, Ouray fireworks on Independence Day and New Year's Eve, free community events and more. Jeep Raffle tickets are available at OurayColorado.com. The town's Oktoberfest celebration features polka music, authentic German food and beer, door prizes, kids' activities, costume and stein hoisting competitions and more.
La Veta Oktoberfest — La Veta
Now in its 32nd year, La Veta Oktoberfest returns Saturday and starts with a 5K Fun Run. The festivities continue with music, dancing, a beer garden, car show, giant street fair, food and more. Registration for the 5K Fun Run can be completed online.
Berthoud Oktoberfest — Berthoud
Soak in the season at Saturday's Oktoberfest in Berthoud. There will be classic German food including brats, kraut burgers, pretzels, drinks, vendors booths, kids' activities with live music from Dick Zavodny Band and John Stehle Jr.'s Rocky Mountain Dutch House Boys. Contests are scheduled in stein holding, lederhosen, drindl, preztel eating and scarecrow. The Berthoud Oktoberfest runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fickel Park.
Denver Zombie Crawl — Denver
The 13th Annual Denver Zombie Crawl runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Downtown Denver's Skyline Park. Attendees can come as a zombie or stop by the vendor and makeup area for assistance. There will be a costume contest, trivia and a "Thriller" dance. The Denver Zombie Crawl is free to attend and all ages are welcome. Following the zombie crawl on 16th Street Mall, zombies can purchase a ticket for the first-ever Haunted Happy Hour to get fast pass access to Denver's The 13th Floor Haunted House. Haunted Happy Tour tickets and info can be found here.
Castle Rock Trail Festival — Castle Rock
The Castle Rock Trail Festival on Saturday will offer six races: Ridgeline Trail 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, LiveBIG 5K and Family Adventure Run. With races starting at Miller Athletic Complex, the the festival will also showcase the amazing trails in Phillip S. Miller Park and Ridgeline Open Space. Castle Rock Trail Festival registration can be completed at ColoradoRunnerEvents.com.
Miners' Harvest Festival — Colorado Springs
It's never too early to grab a pumpkin for Halloween! The Miners' Harvest Festival will help you get into the fall spirit with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, food trucks, vendors, a blacksmith shop and stamp mill, crafts, pumpkin decorating, spooky stories and more. The Harvest Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry.
The Pumpkin Harvest Festival offers old-fashioned fall fun at Denver's Four Mile Park. Guests can build their own scarecrow, select a pumpkin from the patch, tour the grounds in a horse-drawn wagon and explore how Coloradans lived and prepared for the season in the 1800s. Admission is free, but bring a little money for delicious food trucks and the beer garden.
Rock Ledge Ranch Harvest Festival — Colorado Springs
The Harvest Festival at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site begins at 10 a.m. Saturday. There will be wagon rides, old-time music, pumpkins for pickin' and a handcrafted folk art silent auction. Kids will love the festival's straw maze, candy scramble, pony rides, rope making and photo opportunities. For tickets and information, head to RockLedgeRanch.com.
Pumpkin Fest — Silverthorne
Kids of all ages can pick out their favorite pumpkin at Rainbow Park this Sunday. The Town of Silverthorne will be giving away one pumpkin per child from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a petting zoo, kids' games, cookie decorating, touch a truck, bounce houses (weather dependent) and more!
Gummball 5K Run & Walk — Brighton
The 1st Annual Gummball 5K Run & Walk will take place Sunday morning at Riverdale Regional Park. Hosted by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Adams County Sheriff’s Foundation, the Gummball 5K will be run in honor of fallen Adams County Deputy Heath Gumm who was killed in the line of duty on January 24. Event proceeds will go to support Deputy Gumm's family and the Sheriff's Foundation. Run & Walk registration is available online.
This festival combines two fundamental food groups: grilled cheese and beer. Denver Rock Grill is the site of Saturday's Mile High Grilled Cheese and Beer Festival. Local chefs and restaurants will be preparing grilled cheese bites both big and small alongside craft and large breweries offering their best brews. Organizers say to come hungry and thirsty because you're sure to leave full and happy. Festival tickets are sold online.
Colorado Ballet's Sleeping Beauty — Denver
Colorado Ballet opens its season this Friday with the classical ballet Sleeping Beauty. The tale tells the story of princess Aurora, who falls under the spell of a wicked fairy on her 16th birthday. The Colorado Ballet production features choreography by Marius Petipa and music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Sleeping Beauty will run at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House through Sunday, October 14. Get your tickets at ColoradoBallet.org.
Mel Brooks — Denver
The groundbreaking comedy Blazing Saddles is back on the big, BIG screen on Saturday at Denver's Bellco Theatre. The Mel Brooks movie, considered to be one of the top comedy films of all time, will be shown on the big screen, followed by a live conversation and audience Q&A with Mel Brooks himself. Brooks, who's also directed Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Spaceballs and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, will offer an inside look at his storied career and the making Blazing Saddles (which is rated R). Tickets for "Mel Brooks: Back in the Saddle Again" can be found at AXS.com.
Vincon: Vintage Video Game Convention — Loveland
Vincon, an annual retro video game convention, returns this weekend at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland. Vincon brings together video game enthusiasts as well as collectors of comics, trading cards, figures and pop culture treasure. This weekend's convention runs Saturday and Sunday with over 7000 square feet of free play consoles, computers and arcades, over 30 console and arcade tournaments, a retro video game swap meet, carnival games, hobby workshops, vendors, cosplay contests and live music. You can snag your tickets at VinconColorado.com.
Corduroy — Denver
One of the most beloved children's books of all time springs to life on stage beginning Friday. Corduroy the teddy bear searches through every section of the department store for his lost button in this production tailored for Pre-K through 3rd grade audiences. The heartwarming comedy offers themes of problem-solving, resiliency, responsibility and acceptance. Corduroy plays the Conservatory Theatre, in the Robert and Judi Newman Center for Theatre Education, through December 16. Tickets are available at DenverCenter.org.
Regular season hockey is back! In Game 2 of the regular season for the Avalanche, the team will welcome the Philadelphia Flyers (and hopefully new mascot Gritty) to Pepsi Center this Saturday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Game tickets and family night ticket packages are available at AltitudeTickets.com.
Colorado Eagles vs. Chicago Wolves — Loveland
Celebrate the 2018 ECHL Kelly Cup Champions this weekend at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. The Colorado Eagles will raise a championship banner to the rafters on Friday before taking on the Chicago Wolves for Opening Night. The first 3,000 fans, 21 years or older, will receive a special Bud Light pint glass. The Eagles will have a second game with the Wolves at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. Game tickets are sold at ColoradoEagles.com.
Upslope Backcountry Tap Room — Fraser
The 4th Annual Backcountry Tap Room is this Saturday at the Top of Grand Park near Fraser. The pop-up tap room experience offers great beers in the great outdoors, but you'll have to hike up a mile or two of marked trails to earn them! The Backcountry Tap Room rewards hikers with a first taste of Upslope Brewing's brand new, limited edition winter seasonal, Spruce Tip IPA. The event is family-friendly, as non-drinkers and children can enjoy the day hike for free. Tasting tickets, which benefit Leave No Trace, are available online.
Cannibal! The Musical — Denver
Alferd Packer, the sole survivor of an ill-fated trip to the Colorado Territory - and the only person convicted of cannibalism in America - has his story told in this toe-tapping musical. Cannibal! The Musical, written by South Park and The Book of Mormon creator Trey Parker, opens Friday at The Bug Theatre and plays through October 27. Get your tickets at BugTheatre.info.
Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Expo — Denver
Snowmobilers, rejoice! The snow will be falling any day now, so this is the time to get ready before the season begins. This weekend's Rocky Mountain Snowmobile Expo features new sleds from Arctic Car, Polaris and Ski-Doo, snowmobile deals, gear, parts and accessories, seminars, workshops and a massive swap meet. The expo takes place Saturday and Sunday at the National Western Complex with tickets available at COSnowmobileExpo.com or the event ticket window.
Denver Nuggets vs. Perth Wildcats — Denver
Fresh off a victory on the road over the LeBron James-led Lakers, the Denver Nuggets return to Pepsi Center for a preseason game against the Perth Wildcats. The basketball game tips off at 7 p.m. Friday night. Nuggets tickets are sold at AltitudeTickets.com.
5K Run for the Angels — Broomfield
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport is the site of the 2nd annual 5K Run for the Angels run/walk. Two runways at the airport will be closed for the race which benefits Angel Flight West, an organization that links volunteer pilots and commercial airlines with people whose health needs require air transportation to access care at no charge to the passengers. Run for the Angels on Saturday will start at 9 a.m. for runners, with joggers, walkers and strollers following. Race registration is available online.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo — Denver
Lovers of the strange and unusual will want to check out the Oddities & Curiosities Expo on Saturday. Vendors and exhibitors will have items such as taxidermy, wet specimens, antiques, odd jewelry, unusual art, bones, oddities, curiosities and all around creepy, strange or bizarre things. The expo takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at The Denver Mart. Tickets are $10 online, kids 12 and under are free.
TheBigWonderful — Denver
Denver's Globeville neighborhood will be home to this weekend's TheBigWonderful festival, beerfest and bazaar. The event will take place at 4400 Fox St. just west of I-70 and I-25. General admission is free for the kid-friendly and pet-friendly event. There will be live bluegrass music, local makers and vendors, food trucks, a free kids zone, lawn games and unlimited beer, cider and spirits sampling from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday or Sunday. Beerfest tickets are available at the site, but are cheaper at TheBigWonderful.com.
Tale of Molly Brown — Denver
Ballet Ariel opens its 20th season this Saturday with Tale of Molly Brown, an original ballet from Artistic Director Ilena Norton in collaboration with the Molly Brown House Museum. Tale of Molly Brown features songs from the era including “Yankee Doodle” and “To a Wild Rose” with live accompaniment from Gossamer Winds Quintet. Ballet Ariel will be performing La Vivandiere, a classical ballet, as well, with performances scheduled at Cleo Parker Robinson Theater this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. and at The Schoolhouse Theatre in Paker on Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at BalletAriel.org.
Ozuna — Denver
Reggaeton singer Ozuna will headline a concert at Pepsi Center this Sunday. Ozuna, who is currently up for nine Latin American Music Awards and a Latin Grammy Award, will take the stage at 8 p.m. You can get your Ozuna tickets at AltitudeTickets.com.
Impressionable: A Visual Journal at Mirada Fine Art — Indian Hills
Mirada Fine Art's newest contemporary art exhibition opens this weekend with a reception Friday night. “Impressionable: A Visual Journey” features the work of Denver-based artist Lyudmila Agrich. Lyudmila’s lush canvases are created entirely with a palette knife, reflecting the light that entranced her as a child in Odessa, Ukraine. Friday's opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mirada Fine Art at 5490 Parmalee Gulch Rd., just minutes from Denver. "Impressionable" will run through November 4. Learn more at MiradaFineArt.com.
Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles FC — Commerce City
There are just a few weeks left in the Major League Soccer season and the Colorado Rapids are looking to end 2018 on a high note. The Rapids will face Los Angeles Football Club on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. AltitudeTickets.com is your source for Rapids tickets.
Colorado Springs Fall Home Show / Sustainability & Outdoor Living Expo — Colorado Springs
The Colorado Springs Event Center will be home to two huge shows this Saturday and Sunday. The Colorado Springs Fall Home Show wil be in Hall A and the Southern Colorado Sustainability & Outdoor Living Expo will be in Hall B. The Fall Home Show will showcase the hottest trends in kitchen and bathroom remodeling, organization ideas, fireplace updates, sun room additions and more with The Mushroom King Tom Weipert and Around the House host Ken Moon among the scheduled guests. The Sustainability & Outdoor Living Expo offers over 100 booths of sustainable living and homesteading ideas, natural healing tips and products, a livestock sale, a farmers' market, food truck tasting competition, educational seminars and more.
Boston Marriage — Aurora
Vintage Theatre's newest production opens this Friday. Boston Marriage is the story of two scheming, bantering "women of fashion" who have long lived together on the fringes of upper-class society. Starring Lorraine Scott, Kelly Uhlenhopp and Jean Schuman, the wickedly funny comedy was written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet. Boston Marriage opens Friday at Vintage Theatre (1468 Dayton St.) and runs through November 11. Tickets are available at VintageTheatre.org or by calling 303-856-7830.
Boulder Tango Festival — Boulder
Are you ready to tango? The Boulder Tango Festival opens Thursday and continues through Sunday with seven couples of teachers, 30 tango classes, tango shows every night, Argentinean folk dance shows, Argentinean wine and food specialties and more. The festival will be held at the Boulder Tango Studio & Avalon Ballroom in four different dance rooms. To register for a class, head to BoulderTangoFestival.com.
Sting & Shaggy — Denver
Sting and Shaggy are touring together. Yes, you read that correctly. The unique duo will be at Fillmore Auditorium in Denver for a concert this Friday night. Sting and Shaggy fans - and those that are simply curious - can get their tickets at LiveNation.com.
Adventure Film Festival — Boulder
The Adventure Film Festival returns for a 14th year to Boulder Theater from Friday to Sunday. The festival lineup features a hand-picked line-up of more than 30 breathtaking, independent adventure films with global adventurers, outdoor industry leaders and non-profits sharing stories during panels, workshops and parties. There will also be live music, Avery craft beers, snacks, pop-up vendors and games at the street fair. Single-day and three-day passes are available at BoulderTheater.com.
NewMex Music Fest — Pueblo
New Mexico comes to Colorado this weekend at the NewMex Music Fest in Pueblo. The fest will celebrate the culture and traditions of New Mexico Music with Darren Lee, Dynette Marie, Severo y Fuego, Daniel Cordova, Darren Cordova y Calor, Al Hurricane Jr., Tobias Rene, Cuarenta y Cinco, Carlos Medina among those scheduled to perform. The fest will be at the Southwest Motor Events Center at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Grab your NewMex Music Fest tickets at AltitudeTickets.com.
Expecto Bar Crawl — Colorado Springs
Harry Potter fans - who are adults 21 and older - will love this witch and wizard themed bar crawl on Saturday. Participating bars in downtown Colorado Springs with have themed drink specials and attendees receive an exclusive beer stein souvenir cup, magic wizard wand and other surprise gifts. Online ticket sales are available before Saturday online and day-of at Thirsty Parrot Bar and Grill.
Corn Mazes — Across Colorado
Summer is great, but anyone who loves leaves, apple cider, sweaters and some good old-fashioned fun knows that corn mazes are where it’s at. Luckily, Colorado has more than its fair of these fall treats, which also happen to come with sweet pumpkin patches and amazing corn mazes, great local food and all sorts of activities that will make you wish this season never ends. Check out our handy map of corn mazes in Colorado or see a list here.
Colorado Football vs. Arizona State — Boulder
Buffaloes Buffaloes! The 4-0 CU Buffs have returned to the top-25 after last week's victory over Chip Kelly's UCLA Bruins. The 21st-ranked Buffaloes will now host Arizona State and new Sun Devils head coach Herm Edwards on Saturday afternoon at Folsom Field. Tickets for the 2 p.m. game are going fast so get yours now at CUBuffs.com.
Northern Colorado Football vs. UC Davis — Greeley
The University of Northern Colorado Bears will be looking to get their first win of the season on Homecoming Weekend. The UNC Bears are set to clash with the Aggies of UC Davis (and head coach Dan Hawkins) at high noon on Saturday at Nottingham Field. UNC tickets are sold at UNCBears.com and the stadium ticket office.
Air Force Football vs. Navy — Colorado Springs
The Air Force Falcons football team hopes to snap a three-game losing streak this weekend. Air Force welcomes rival Navy to Falcon Stadium at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. AFA tickets are available at AFTickets.com.
The red-hot CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves are in Pueblo this weekend for a night game against the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl. You can grab your tickets at GoThunderWolves.com or the stadium box office.
The 0-5 Western State Mountaineers host the 5-0 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the Mountaineer Bowl in Gunnison. Western State football tickets are available at GoMountaineers.UniversityTickets.com.
Adams State Football vs. Chadron State — Alamosa
Now on a three-game win streak, Adams State aims to keep the momentum going when the Chadron State Eagles travel to Alamosa this Saturday. The Grizzlies and Eagles kick off at 1 p.m. at Rex Stadium.
Fort Lewis Football vs. Colorado Mesa — Durango
The Fort Lewis College Skyhawks are hoping a return home to Durango yields a victory on homecoming weekend. The Skyhawks will host the Colorado Mesa Mavericks Saturday at noon at Ray Dennison Memorial Field. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Rocktober arrives in Colorado this Sunday when the Rockies welcome the Milwaukee Brewers to Coors Field for Game 3 of the National League Division Series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:37 p.m. in LoDo. The best-of-five series continues at Coors Field with Game 4 on Monday, if necessary.
Larkspur Fire Open House & Chili Cook off — Larkspur
The Larkspur Fire Protection District is hosting an open house and chili cook off this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be demonstrations from a Search & Rescue K-9, air life helicopter, fire trucks, Douglas County SWAT, Douglas County Search & Rescue... plus delicious chili!
