Head out across the state for wine, harvest, bluegrass and film festivals, and plenty of other celebrations

By the Thirst Team

Welcome to our roundup of the best events across Colorado this month. Check out our September performing arts preview here, and read on for other happenings all over the state. For more, check out our events calendar.

THIS WEEK

Castle Pines golf tournament Thursday

The sixth annual Let Freedom Swing Golf Tournament is coming to The Ridge at Castle Pines North. It is a major fundraiser for the Colorado Veterans Project and other veterans’ organizations around Colorado.

WanderFest in Golden Thursday to Saturday

New Terrain Brewing hosts its 10th annual WanderFest in its giant backyard. The festival includes food trucks, a rare beer bar (plus three more bars) and live music from Drunken Hearts, Other Brothers, DeadPhish Orchestra, Banshee Tree, Sqwerv and other bluegrass and jam bands.

Film Festival in Breckenridge Thursday to Sunday

After an opening night film and party on Thursday, venues around Breckenridge host movies, panel discussions and parties through the weekend. The lineup includes juried short films made by high schoolers around the country, several environmental documentaries, and acclaimed films by and about indigenous Americans.

Snowmass Wine Festival Friday and Saturday

A celebration of local cuisine, live music and wine opens with a four-course wine pairing dinner at Viceroy Snowmass. A grand tasting follows on Saturday at Snowmass Town Park. Proceeds benefit local non-profits in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Wine festival in Winter Park Friday and Saturday

The Rocky Mountain Wine Fest includes award-winning wines from around the world, as well as live music from the Fretliners and Jeremy Short, as well as pairing dinners and a tasting seminar. The event benefits the National Sports Center for the Disabled.

Pack burros and history in Frederick Friday and Saturday

Frederick hosts Miners Day on Saturday, with a parade and pack burro race starting at 10 a.m. Saturday also brings performances, museum tours, a beer garden, vendors and other history and heritage events. Friday includes bingo, free churros and a chance to meet the burros.

Balloon rally and more in Pagosa Springs Friday to Sunday

The Colorfest Hot Air Balloon Rally starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with mass ascensions in downtown Pagosa Springs. The town also hosts a wine and food festival with live music on Friday evening; the Color Run 5K and community breakfast on Saturday morning; a beer and music festival on Saturday evening; and a sunset balloon glow at dusk Saturday.

Trinidad Art Festival and Get Lit Literary Festival Friday to Sunday

Each year, CREATE Trinidad brings together professional writers from across the country to lead hands-on workshops for writers of all levels. The festival also includes a fundraising kick-off dinner, a silent auction, open mic nights for writers and hands-on workshops designed for writers of all levels. Writers also visit area schools at no cost, and all festival workshops are free for students.

Chile and frijoles in Pueblo Friday to Sunday

Pueblo celebrates chile farms and other local agriculture at the Chile & Frijoles Festival, including a chili and salsa showdown, jalapeno eating contest, hot air balloons, pet parade, performances, farmer’s market and chile roasting.

Alzheimer’s Walk in Denver Saturday

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s returns to Denver’s City Park. So far, more than 2,300 participants have raised $830,000, and participants and volunteers can still register. The Alzheimer's Association hopes to reach a fundraising goal of $1.34 million.

Thirst Colorado has a team in the walk, and will have a booth at the event. Come say hello.

Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade Saturday

Colorado Wine Week continues this week in the Palisade area. There will be tastings, dinners, seminars and other community activities through Sunday. The cornerstone event is a reimagined Colorado Mountain Winefest, which is expected to be more upscale and intimate this year. Learn more from our festival preview.

Community art festival in Centennial Saturday

Tagawa Gardens in Centennial hosts the “Colors of Colorado” Community Art Festival on Saturday, with a youth art gallery on the theme of “What Makes Colorado Special to You?” There also will be a variety of hands-on art projects led by Children’s Art Classes, Parker Art School, Just Artin’ Around in Castle Rock, Art Dome, and Community Mud. The event also includes live music and a collaborative community art installation.

Lake City Uncorked Wine and Music Festival Saturday

The event features artisan and food vendors, seven musical acts, various wines for tasting, and a beer booth sponsored by San Luis Valley Brewing. Proceeds support community projects for Lake City DIRT, a nonprofit dedicated to historic preservation and economic revitalization.

Sugar Beet Days Saturday and Sunday in Sterling

A weekend festival includes shopping, free entertainment and regional food celebrating Colorado’s agricultural heritage. Entertainers include Jordan Suter, Northeast Dance Academy, Boots In Motion, Mud County and Back Alley.

Art in Crested Butte Saturday and Sunday

Artists in a variety of media will showcase and sell their work at the ARTumn festival on Elk Avenue in downtown Crested Butte. It should also be a great time and place to see fall colors.

Art festival in Durango Saturday and Sunday

The 32nd Durango Autumn Arts Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, showcasing artists in a wide variety of media, including a young artists space. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Durango Arts Center.

Community arts fest in Boulder Saturday and Sunday

Colorado-based people of color will present visual art, dance, food and music at the fifth annual Community Roots Art Festival at Boulder’s VisionQuest Brewery. The lineup includes 29 performers, 13 food vendors and 55 artist booths. Admission is free, but raffle tickets and a tote bag are available for suggested donations starting at $19.

PLAN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

Dead Man’s Brewfest in Colorado Springs Sept. 25

The Halloween season starts early this year 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. Tickets are available now, including VIP passes with food and an extra hour of tastings.

Fruita Fall Festival Sept. 25 and 26

This year’s free event in downtown Fruita has the theme of “Roots & Revelry,” and includes an outhouse race, beard rally, parade and pet show, as well as live music and vendors.

La Junta Tarantula Festival Sept. 25 and 26

The southeastern Colorado town of La Junta celebrates the fall migration of Oklahoma brown tarantulas with guided tours in the Comanche National Grassland, an educational pavilion, live art, food vendors, merchandise and a parade.

Mountain Harvest Festival in Paonia Sept. 25 to 27

The 25th annual Mountain Harvest Festival is a free celebration of Paonia-area growers, makers, performers, wineries and small businesses. Friday night opens with a downtown block party and art walk.

On Saturday and Sunday, Paonia Town Park hosts live music, food trucks and art vendors. There also will be a chili cook-off, heirloom pepper and tomato tasting, farmers market, art demonstrations and pie contest.

Classic cars and more in Telluride Sept 25 to 27

The 10th Telluride Autumn Classic takes place all weekend at the Mountain Village. The family-friendly festival is a showcase of exotic and vintage cars, motorcycles, aircraft and more, with art and live music.

Smalltown Gathering in Salida Sept. 25 to 27

The former Campout for the Cause returned after a hiatus as the rebranded Smalltown Gathering. This three-day yoga and music festival returns to Salida, with performances by the California Honeydrops, Fruition, Moontricks, Lindsay Lou, Magoo, Daniel Rodriguez and at least 11 other acts.

Books in Aspen Sept. 25 to 27

Aspen Words hosts the second Aspen Literary Festival, starting Sept. 25. The three-day event brings authors for lectures, panel discussions, parties and more. Prominent writers include Tayari Jones, Veronica Roth, Peter H. Reynolds, Robert Kolker and Ruth Ozeki.

Paid tickets are required for some events.

Beer festival in Manitou Springs Sept. 26

The 11th Annual Manitou Springs Heritage Brew Festival opens at 11:30 a.m. (for VIP ticket holders) at Fields Park. Tickets include unlimited beer tastings plus live music and food vendors. The festival is a fundraiser for the Heritage Museum, and will help keep the museum free.

Mountain Chile Cha Cha in Pagosa Springs Sept. 26

The 20th annual celebration of the Southwest green chile harvest includes a green chile cook-off and tasting. There also will be live music, a margarita contest, food vendors, kids’ activities and other fun at Yamaguchi Park.

Colorado Highland Games in Sedalia Sept. 26 and 27

The 62nd annual Colorado Highland Games comes to the Denver Polo Club in Sedalia. This celebration of Scotland’s traditions, music, and history includes traditional Highland sports, pipe and drum competitions, dance performances, whisky tastings, haggis, clan information, a car show, dogs and Highland cows.

Aspen Filmfest Sept. 29 to Oct. 4

Tickets are now on sale for the 47th Aspen Filmfest, showcasing thought-provoking and unique films from around the world.

The event opens Tuesday with “Cheyenne,” a documentary about women on the rodeo circuit, followed by a Q and A with director Taimi Arvidson. It closes Sunday with a Chilean animated adventure. The films in between include scripted features and documentaries about Carl Sagan, Billy Jean King, Jean-Michel Basquiat and bears.

Durango Cowboy Gathering Sept. 30 to Oct. 3

The annual celebration of the American West returns to downtown Durango for a 37th year. The festival includes music, poetry, storytelling and horse events. Featured performers include the Bar-D Wranglers, Dave Stamey and Andy Nelson.

Cider Days in Lakewood Oct. 2 and 3

A large family event celebrates Lakewood’s agricultural heritage with cider pressing and harvest treats. Entertainment throughout the Heritage Lakewood park includes a goat walkabout, wagon rides, barrel train, magicians, line dancing, tractor pull and a trick pig show.

Art, beer and music festivals in Grand Junction Oct. 2 and 3

The 11th annual Downtown Art Festival will take over the Downtown Grand Junction Creative District, starting with a First Friday gallery walk. On Saturday, an artists’ expo on Main Street includes live artist demos, performances and local artist booths, as well as the unveiling of new Art on the Corner installations.

Also, on Saturday, the Friends of the West Invitational Beer Fest is coming to Ramblebine Brewing and Base Camp Beer Works. The lager-focused festival benefits the Avalon Foundation and the Colorado Brewers Guild.

After the beer fest, Porchella brings live music to porches across downtown Grand Junction neighborhoods.

Cedaredge Applefest Oct. 2 to 4

The Western Slope farming town of Cedaredge hosts its annual commemoration of harvest season and agriculture, with live music, art, crafts and food vendors, golf tournament, antique vehicle shows and a 5K run.

Bluegrass festival near Manitou Oct. 2 to 4

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.

Performers include Big Hooray, Stillhouse Junkies and the PickPockets.

Southwest Fresh Fest Oct. 3

Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose hosts the fifth annual Southwest Fresh Fest on Sept. 20. Attendees can sample fresh hop and seasonal beers from across the region. The event also includes live music, local food trucks, farm tours and games. This year’s performers include Jesse Meade and Mojo Birds.

Fall festival in Bellvue Oct. 3

Riverside Colorado is a camping and glamping resort in the Poudre Canyon west of Fort Collins. It hosts its second annual fall festival from 2 to 8 p.m., with live music by Lid Dixon and a screening of “Beetlejuice,” as well as arts, crafts and games.

Celebrating elk in Estes Park Oct 3 and 4

Estes Park celebrates its most famous fall visitors at the Estes Park Elk Fest in Bond Park. Weekend events include bugling demonstrations, educational presentations, live music, Native American storytelling and more.

Elk will also wander through and around town, but be warned that elk can be aggressive, especially during the rut, or mating season.

Steamboat Springs Restaurant Week Oct. 3-10

Steamboat’s walkable, diverse and gourmet dining scene will be on full display. Participating restaurants will offer two specials: a curated chef’s choice signature dish or a hometown favorite or go‑to dish. One or both options will be available at most downtown restaurants.

Mural festival in Superior Oct. 4

Street Wise Arts and the Town of Superior will co-host the new Superior Mural Festival, with workshops, panel discussions and unveiling of new public art installations. Street Wise Arts has produced seven mural festivals and installed more than 170 murals in Boulder County. For more details, read our preview story.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in this events roundup, we will add them to our events calendar.