Check out these fun family-friends events taking place in Colorado this upcoming Labor Day Weekend 2026!
1. The Colorado State Fair in Pueblo is a lively mix of classic fair fun and Colorado culture, with carnival rides, fair food, concerts, rodeo, livestock shows, demolition derby, agricultural exhibits, live music, competitions, and rodeo events spread across the 11-day celebration. What makes it a great family outing are the many free attractions included with admission. The fair is distinctive in its Colorado-focused atmosphere, showcasing the state’s agriculture, arts, and Western traditions dating back as far as 1872, while events such as the PRCA Rodeo, Ranch Rodeo, and Mexican charreada give it a cultural character that goes beyond the typical carnival-and-concert state fair.
| Dates | Friday, Aug. 28 – Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 |
| Address | Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004 |
| Fair hours | Mon–Thu: 3–11 p.m.; Fri–Sun: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Labor Day (Sept. 7): 11 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Adult admission | $15, Kids 5-12 $7 Kids 4 & under free with adult |
| Website | ColoradoStateFair.com |
| Unlimited ride band | $34 through Aug. 27; $42 starting Aug. 28 |
| 11-day Mega Pass | $162 through Aug. 27; $202 starting Aug. 28 |
Note: admission and carnival rides are separate costs. Concerts/rodeo events can also have their own ticketing
2. The Windsor Harvest Festival, in Northern Colorado is a family-friendly Labor Day weekend celebration that brings the community together. There’s so much to enjoy with hot-air balloon launches, more than 200 vendors, live music, carnival rides and games, a pie eating contest, a car show, community food events, a beer garden, and fireworks. Its got that small-town atmosphere, yet has a wide variety of activities spread throughout Windsor, including balloons flying over the parks in the morning and a large parade to finish the weekend. Many activities are free, although individual food, rides, and special events cost extra.
September 6-7, 2026
Website: Windsor Harvest Festival
300 Locust St., Windsor, CO 80550, Main park vendor & entertainment hours 9am-5pm.
Other activities have their own locations, hours, and schedules
Saturday All-Town BBQ is $8 and the Sunday pancake breakfast is $8.
3. Take a walk through the seasonal butterfly house before it closes for the year at the Chatfield Farms Botanical Garden.The seasonal butterfly house is a peaceful experience where visitors can walk among hundreds of colorful native Colorado butterflies, including monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, and mourning cloaks. butterfly house is part of a working farm and botanical garden, so visitors can combine the butterfly experience with gardens, trails, historic buildings, and beautiful open-space scenery. The butterfly house is especially popular with families because guests can see butterflies up close while learning about pollinators and their life cycles.
Open through Labor Day, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. with last entry at 3 p.m.
Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128
The butterfly house is included with regular Chatfield Farms admission.
Website:
4. The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off is a spectacular hot-air balloon festival held at Memorial Park, where around 70 colorful balloons fill the sky during early-morning mass launches. People especially enjoy arriving early to watch the balloons being inflated, seeing them rise over the city with Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, and returning in the evening for the “Balloon Glow”, when the balloons light up against the night sky. What makes the Lift Off unique is that it is free to attend, allows spectators to get remarkably close to the balloons during inflation and launch, and combines the balloon displays with concerts, food, family activities, skydivers, and other entertainment. Its setting is also a major part of its appeal: unlike many balloon festivals, the balloons rise right in the heart of Colorado Springs with the dramatic Pikes Peak landscape behind them, creating a distinctly Colorado experience. Head to Memorial Park by 6:30 am for dawn balloon ascensions. The fun continues throughout the day with food trucks, a Ninja Nation Obstacle Course at the SkyFest VIllage, live music, and skydivers, evening drone light show and 7:30 pm evening glow events. Celebrating its 50th year, this will be a fantastic event. And yes, you can purchase tickets for a hot air balloon ride!
September 5-7, 2026
Website: https://coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com/
5. Bright Nights at Four Mile Historic Park is a unique Denver event where visitors can take a magical walk through the historic park at night surrounded by colorful, oversized glowing Chinese lanterns inspired by nature, animals, and different parts of the world. In 2026, the experience takes guests through themes such as giant insects, wildflowers, animals, and underwater creatures, making it feel like an illuminated adventure rather than a traditional light display. What makes Bright Nights especially unique is that it combines modern lantern art with the historic setting of Four Mile Historic Park, Denver’s oldest standing structure, creating a mix of history, nature, and nighttime entertainment. Visitors can also enjoy food trucks and a special immersive experience while exploring the displays.
August 8–November 8, 2026
Wednesday–Sunday from 7–11 p.m.
Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest Street, Denver, CO 80246.
$28 for adults ($30 at the door), $21 for youth ($23 at the door), and $27 for seniors/military
Website: https://www.fourmilepark.org/events/bright-nights/
6. The Louisville Labor Day Parade and Fall Festival in Louisville, Colorado, is a lively community celebration that brings together families, neighbors, local organizations, and visitors for a full day of entertainment. Visitors can enjoy marching bands, dance groups, equestrians, local organizations, handmade crafts, fine art, fresh produce, baked goods, food trucks, a beer garden, and Louisville’s popular annual pie contest. This cute small town is unique is its strong community feel and its combination of a traditional Labor Day parade with a local harvest-style festival. It is also the only Labor Day parade hosted in Boulder County. Admission is free, although food, drinks, and purchases from vendors cost extra.
Monday, September 7, Labor Day
Parade starts at Lafayette and Main Street and runs from 10am – noon down Main Street
The Fall Festival follows from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Memory Square Park.
Website: City of Louisville – Labor Day Parade & Fall Festival
7. Arvada Harvest FestivalA historic community festival in Olde Town Arvada has been scaled back this year, but it still continues on. The traditional parade is replaced by a community cruise-by. Arvada has strong agricultural roots and the festival was started in 1925 to celebrate the completion of the first concrete road between Arvada and Denver.
Arvada Jaycees Hall (5640 Yukon St, Arvada, CO).
Website: September 11–13, 2026
8. The Keystone Oktoberfest is a lively mountain celebration that combines traditional German Oktoberfest fun with the scenery and atmosphere of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Held in River Run Village at Keystone Resort, the event features oompah music, polka dancing, seasonal craft beer, German-inspired food, and Kinderfest activities for kids, including crafts, dancing, and polka lessons. What makes it especially unique is the combination of Bavarian traditions and a high-altitude mountain setting, giving visitors an Oktoberfest experience that feels distinctly Colorado.
Saturday, September 5, from 12–5 p.m. a
River Run Village, 140 Ida Belle Dr., Keystone, CO 80435.
Admission requires a ticket
Website: Keystone Festivals – Oktoberfest
9. The Commonwheel Art Festival in Manitou Springs brings together more than 100 local and regional artists, live music, specialty food vendors, children’s art activities, and handmade artwork and crafts. What makes it unique is its long history—the 2026 festival is the 52nd annual event—and its focus on original art rather than the rides and carnival attractions found at many other festivals. Visitors can browse paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, glass, clothing, and other one-of-a-kind creations while enjoying the beautiful mountain-town setting of historic Manitou Springs.
September 5–7, 2026, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829.
Admission is free, making it an affordable family outing.
Artwork, food, and other purchases cost extra.
Website: Commonwheel Art Festival
10. The Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival is the longest running art festival in Summit County. It features more than 100 artists and original artwork in 13 categories, including jewelry, painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, and more. Visitors can meet artists, watch live art demonstrations, enjoy local music and food trucks, and shop for one-of-a-kind pieces while surrounded by Colorado’s beautiful high-country scenery. This nationally recognized fine-art show has a relaxed atmosphere and spectacular mountain setting of Breckenridge.
September 5–7, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday
Colorado Mountain College, 107 Denison Placer Road, Breckenridge, CO 80424.
Admission and parking are free, although artwork, food, and other purchases cost extra.
Website: Mountain Art Festivals – Great Divide Art Festival
11. Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience: While it is a massive three day open-air music festival featuring world-renowned rock and pop headliners performing against the Elk Mountain Range, its very family friendly. The festival grounds host a “JAS Village” which includes a dedicated kids’ activity corner. The 2026 lineup including Benson Boone, Trombone Shorty, Tim McGraw, Shaboozey, Bonnie Raitt, and the Red Clay Strays. The festival also has multiple stages, food and drink vendors, a kids’ area, and smaller local and regional bands performing between the main shows.
September 4–6, 2026,
Doors opening at 5 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Performances continuing until about 9:30–10 p.m. each night.
Snowmass Town Park, 2000 Brush Creek Road, Snowmass, CO 81615.
Ticket prices vary by pass and seating level, with 3-day General Admission, JAS Deck, and VIP options available; children 8 and under are free with an adult for General Admission.
Website: Jazz Aspen Snowmass – Labor Day Experience
No matter where you live or where you roam, there is a festival to celebrate summer within driving distance. So soak up some summer sun, enjoy the music, parades, crafts, and wonderful food. It’s Labor Day in Colorado!