It’s official — fall is finally here. While that usually means massive fall festivals, weekends spent perusing pumpkin patches, and evenings full of trick-or-treating—2020 had other plans. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown quite a wrench into our fall calendar, but not to worry! Our community of resourceful Denverites has reimagined all of our favorite events to allow for social distancing, smaller crowds and mask-wearing, some even going completely virtual.
So if you’re looking to attend a fun fall event this season, we’ve got you covered! We rounded up some of our most anticipated autumn festivals and events that are still planned for this season. Enjoy!
Harvest Week
When: September 23-October 4
Where: Various Denver Restaurants
This culinary collaboration presented by EatDenver and The GrowHaus is returning for 2020 with a slightly different look! This year, they have more than 20 participating restaurants that will offer special Harvest Week menu items and cocktails celebrating Colorado producers and ingredients. Make a reservation at any of the Harvest Week restaurants between September 23 and October 4 or mark your calendar for takeout or delivery on those days to take advantage of the unique menus! Proceeds will go directly to support EatDenver’s independent restaurants and the GrowHaus’s work in north Denver. Social distancing is encouraged and masks are required at all participating restaurants. Click here for a full list of 2020 participants.
Fall Plant & Bulb Sale
When: September 25-26
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens
Get a jump start on your spring garden at the annual Fall Plant and Bulb Sale at the Denver Botanic Gardens this month! This year, they’ve changed the event to be entirely online with in-person pick up at the Garden’s York Street location. The sale will go live online on September 25th and you’ll be able to choose your order from a large selection of bulbs and plants, custom seed mixes and more. Then, just head to the Gardens October 1-3 to pick up your order. Members receive 10% off all purchases.
Autumn BAZAAR
When: September 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Belleview Station
Everyone’s favorite autumn market is here and we couldn’t be more excited! The Autumn Bazaar at Belleview Station is an outdoor makers marketplace that will feature fashion trucks, food trucks, local vendors, a beer garden, and a ton of fall fun for the entire family. Masks or face coverings are required for entry and hand sanitizing stations are available at all entrances and vendor booths. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Fall Vendor & Craft Fair
When: September 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: 9126 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton
Shop for fall and autumn decor at this special craft market in Littleton! This event will feature more than 90 local artisans indoors and outdoors with plenty of social distancing space in place. While you’re there, make sure to sign up with a ticket for their Grand Prize Drawing—which could include up to $600 in local items. Click here to learn more and to purchase your tickets.
Doors Open Denver
When: September 28-October 15
Where: All Over Denver
Doors Open Denver, one of Denver’s most exciting annual fall events, has decided to move forward with a virtual event this year! Their 2020 event will highlight 12 of Denver’s unique spaces—cultural, commercial, private, civic and more—through online insider tours. They will feature one tour a day, four days a week, for three consecutive weeks. Each tour will allow time for a question and answer period. This special lineup of tours and events has so much in store, from audio tours to photo competitions. Click here to learn more!
Grand Exbeeriment
When: October 1-18
Where: Online
The Great American Beer Festival is the largest beer festival in the country, drawing thousands of people to Denver every year. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we won’t be able to celebrate at this festival like we usually do. But—never fear—the masterminds behind GABF have come up with a virtual solution that you’ll love. The Grand “Exbeeriment” will feature passports for purchase that include special participating brewery deals that you can take advantage of as well as fun virtual events that are exclusive to passport holders. Click here for the most updated information and to purchase your passport!
Pumpkin Harvest Festival
When: October 2-4
Where: Four Mile Historic Park
Fall into some old-fashioned fun during Four Mile Historic Park’s annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival! Tickets to this fun event require advanced purchase. Each ticket is timed, allowing you and your family a 90-minute curated experience that includes pioneer games, live music, a photo booth, a pumpkin walk, craft kits and so much more. This is to help keep you safe during the pandemic, allowing for smaller crowds and social distancing. There will also be some fun add-on activities like a pumpkin patch, food trucks, fall-inspired beverages and more for purchase. Click here to learn more and to purchase your tickets!
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Virtual Experience
When: October 3, 9 a.m.
Where: Online
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is one of our favorite events of the year. But, due to the pandemic, we can’t visit the festival in person this year. Luckily, they have reimagined this event as a virtual experience and fundraiser. This year, they are hoping to raise $20,000 to support their mission of “building bridges of awareness, knowledge and understanding between the diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities and the general public through education, leadership development and athletic competition.” Click here to learn more about Colorado Dragon Boat’s cause and to purchase your tickets in advance.
Harvest Fest
When: October 3, 12-10 p.m.
Where: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse
Ironton Distillery and Crafthouse’s annual fall festival might look a little different this year, but they’ll still be celebrating with great food and drinks, a pumpkin patch, live music and more! Release some 2020 frustration with axe throwing; book a family photo session with their photographer; decorate your new pumpkin with stencils and stickers—the family fun is endless at this exciting autumn event. Oh, and did we mention it’s free?
Denver Beer Week
When: October 9-17
Where: All Over Denver
It just wouldn’t be fall in Denver without Denver Beer Week! The twelfth annual beer-centric celebration is here and will be held October 9-17th. There will be beer-related events all throughout Denver, including tap takeovers, rare beer tappings, firkin nights, meet the brewers events, beer and food pairings, and so much more.
The Big Wonderful Beer Fest
When: October 10, 1-9 p.m.
Where: Belleview Station
Social distance and sip on local brews at Belleview Station on Saturday, October 10th! Tickets to this fun event cost between $30-$35 and include unlimited 6-ounce tasters and 12-ounce pours of local craft beer and cider during the session of your choice. Tickets also include fall-themed craft cocktails and access to live music. Click here to purchase yours and get excited for one of Denver’s favorite beer events of the season!
Fall Flannel Festival
When: October 18
Where: Dairy Block & Denver Milk Market
Held in the Dairy Block Alley, this year’s Fall Flannel Festival will feature a festive line-up of events for all ages, including live music, a balloon artist, an urban pumpkin patch, kits for kids to decorate their own pumpkin in a theme of their choice, a touchless photo booth and scarecrow art installations. The event is free, but due to COVID-19 capacity restriction, advanced registration is required
Glow at the Gardens
When: October 19-23
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens
Definitely don’t miss Glow at the Gardens at the Denver Botanic Gardens! This spooky festival will run from October 19-25 and will give you the chance to wander a one-way path through a spooky, illuminated landscape as the gardens dress up for Halloween. Click here to purchase your tickets and to read their updated COVID-19 policies.
Carving + Cocktails at Terminal Bar
When: October 24
Where: Denver Union Station
This Halloween-season, Union Station will once again be hosting their popular Carving + Cocktails event on the patio! Enjoy pumpkin carving and one seasonal cocktail for $30.
Día de Los Muertos Celebration
When: October 28-November 2
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens
This year, The Denver Botanic Gardens is putting a virtual spin on their popular annual Día de Los Muertos Celebration! This traditional Mexican Day of the Dead celebration offers at-home fun for the whole family with coloring pages, online classes and a virtual Mercado where you can shop for goodies. Before attending, we encourage you to read up on the history of the Day of the Dead so that you and your family can truly appreciate its importance in Mexican culture!
Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade + Yappy Hour
When: October 31
Where: Denver Union Station
Bust out your favorite superhero, ladybug, policeman or princess costume for your four-legged friend and head to the first-ever Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade and Yappy Hour. This outdoor event will be held on Denver Union Station Plaza and will feature Tito’s Handmade Vodka specials for all the humans.
Cooper Lounge MASKerade Party
When: October 31
Where: Denver Union Station
Don your favorite face mask and head to Union Station for a socially-distanced Halloween party to end all parties. This adults-only event is limited to 75 people total and tickets start at $80 per person.
Denver Arts Week(end)
When: November 6-8
Where: All Over Denver
Denver Arts Week has transformed into Denver Arts Weekend this year due to COVID-19, but don’t worry! They still plan on offering an incredible celebration of Denver’s vibrant arts and cultural scene, complete with events at art galleries, museums, theaters and concert halls. Click here for a full list of programs, events and other festivities going on that weekend.
Denver International Wine Festival
When: November 11-13
Where: Denver Marriott Westminster
The Denver International Wine Festival is one of the most exciting celebrations of wine and cuisine in the United States, drawing thousands of people to the area every year. While this year’s event is bound to look different, one thing will remain the same—the great food and wine! Click here to get your tickets, to read the full weekend schedule, and to learn more about this year’s sponsors.
Have an Unbe-leaf-able fall!
What events are you planning to attend this season? Let us know in the comments!