We’ve got your plans for the next few weeks

By the Thirst Team

Get Out of Town is our roundup of the best events across Colorado for the next few weeks. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

Western heritage in Durango Oct. through Saturday

The Durango Cowboy Gathering brings traditional Western American music, poetry, storytelling and horse events to downtown Durango.

This year’s performers include award-winning singer Trinity Seely, legendary Colorado artist Jon Chandler, and comedians BJ Smith and RP Smith.

Still on the Hill is in Breckenridge on Saturday. | Photo provided

Whiskey fest in Breck Friday to Sunday

The Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, also known as Still on the Hill, comes to Breckenridge, with live music, seminars, cocktail pairing dinners, mine and distillery tours, happy hours and more.

The highlight of the event, though, is the grand tasting from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, with opportunities to sample spirits, meet distillers, and vote for their favorite sips.

Local restaurants serve gourmet bites, and Local Folk will play bluegrass music.

Bluegrass festival near Manitou Friday to Sunday

The Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort is a unique lodging option between Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs that aims to foster community and excitement around cycling.

The hotel will host the Buffalo Grass festival, including live music, group bike rides, yoga, vendors, bluegrass circles and more.

The music headliners are Wirewood Station on Friday, Blue Canyon Boys on Saturday, and Magoo on Sunday.

Climbing Festival near Del Norte Friday to Sunday

The True Penitence Climbing Festival comes to Penitente Canyon, near Del Norte. The events start Friday with a sunset slideshow featuring local legend Bob D'Antonio, followed by short film screenings. Saturday brings yoga, a climbing competition, raffles and evening DJ sets. The festivities close Sunday with a yoga and sound bath with Julia Stempko.

Film festival in Rifle Saturday

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival comes to the Ute Theater, with 12 short environmental movies. Subjects include forest recovery after wildfires, hidden life in streams, and a rafting family.

Beer fest in Manitou Saturday

The 10th Heritage Brewfest in Manitou Springs moves to early fall and showcases regional Southern Colorado beer and music. The event is a fundraiser for the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum.

Creepy beer fest in Colorado Springs Saturday

The Halloween season opens with a wide variety of beer, liquor and wine at the Dead Man’s Brew Fest at Weidner Field, home of the Colorado Springs Switchbacks professional soccer team.

Belgian Brew Fest comes to Denver on Saturday | Photo provided

Belgian beers in Denver Saturday

Bruz Beers in northwest Denver will host a celebration of Belgian-stye beers from Colorado and Belgium from 1 to 4 p.m. Local breweries include Barquentine, Purpose, River North, Our Mutual Friend, Wanderment and Locavore.

In addition to unlimited samples, the festival offers live music, a food truck and a dog treat truck. Tickets sell out in advance every year for the festival.

Cars, music and ribs in Montrose Saturday

The Rides, Rhythms and Ribs Fest returns to the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater.The rides are cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATV's and more. The rhythms are live acts playing country, rock, hip hop, blues Christian rock and more. The ribs part refers to rib cooking and eating contests, with trophies. There also is a kids’ zone, vendors, food trucks, a beer garden, karaoke and more.

Cider celebration in Lakewood Saturday and Sunday

The Cider Days festival comes to Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. The historic event celebrates the area’s roots in apple farming and other agriculture. There will be apple pressing, live performances, tractor pulls, vintage displays and demonstrations, wagon and barrel train rides, and a variety of exhibitors and vendors.

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Giant beer festival in Denver Oct. 9-11

The Great American Beer Festival, the largest beer tasting event in the nation, returns to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

The festival expands into liquor for the first time this year, and there will be Halloween and sports-themed areas. There also will be live music, lip sync battles, costume contests and more.

The epic pour list is available here.

Aurora Borealis Festival Oct. 10 and 11

The second annual Aurora Borealis Festival comes to High Prairie Park. Immersive light displays and interactive installations are designed to recreate the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis.

There also will be a global gift bazaar, international food court, live music, cultural performances, family activities, and hands-on art experiences.

Wine festival in Johnstown Oct. 11

The second annual Hallowine Festival is coming to Thompson River Ranch in Johnstown on Saturday, Oct. 11. Tickets include unlimited tastings, a Halloween costume contest, live music, vendors and food trucks.

Chocolate festival in Aurora Oct. 11

The Choctoberfest chocolate and cheese tasting festival comes to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $10, plus $10 for every 12 tasting tickets. VIP packages with early entry also are available.

Fundraising gala in Grand Junction Oct. 17

Mafia Princess Wines hosts the Velvet Vine Gala, a speakeasy-themed evening of wine, live jazz and community. The event is a fundraiser to help the winery rebuild its vineyard after a devastating hail storm. Money also will be donated to Father to the Fatherless, a nonprofit school and orphanage in Uganda.

PB&J Jazz will perform, and there also will be a raffle and a silent auction, as well as Mafia Princess Wines and Underdog Cheese small bites.

Latin American festival in Breckenridge Oct. 17-18

Día de Muertos + Latin Festival is a two-day celebration celebrating Latin American culture, ancestry and diversity. The event includes a new exhibition by Denver artist Juan Fuentes, a candlelight vigil and Aztec dance with Grupo Huitzilopochtli, family crafts and activities, a Latin market, Latin dance night and more.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.