From seasonal dining and beer festivals to sporting events and Halloween thrills, the Mile High City has a full lineup of experiences to enjoy this fall

DENVER, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fall in Denver is the perfect season, complete with awe-inspiring fall colors hikes, five professional teams competing, world-class arts and culture and a calendar full of festivals and events. There is truly something for everyone. Below is a roundup of fall events and new happenings in the Mile High City. To learn more and for a continually updated list of events, check out the Visit Denver website.

Seasonal Highlights

The highly anticipated "DIVA" exhibit opens at the Denver Art Museum on Oct. 4. Running through Jan. 10, 2027, DIVA celebrates the radical power, creativity and cultural impact of nearly 100 iconic performers, from the operatic goddesses of the 19th and 20th century like Maria Callas to modern-day powerhouses like Cher, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, RuPaul, Prince and Tina Turner. Prepare for a jaw-dropping journey featuring more than 200 objects and over 50 show-stopping costumes worn by legends—including pieces from Marilyn Monroe to a stunning look from one of Rihanna's Met Gala appearances. It is a dazzling exploration of how these stars use fashion and performance to not just entertain, but to demand visibility and ignite social change.

Soccer celebrations continue this fall as Denver welcomes Premier League Mornings Live fan festival, in partnership with NBC Sports & USA Sports. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 2026 at Denver Union Station. Fans will gather to watch Premier League matches and enjoy many additional activities. The event is free to attend. However, advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

October 10–11, 2026, Denver will once again become a gathering place for craft beer enthusiasts with the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). This year, the festival debuts at the new outdoor venue at Levitt Pavilion in the Ruby Hill neighborhood. The festival will bring together hundreds of breweries, along with live music and spaces to taste and discover new offerings from across the United States. One of the standout experiences will be PAIRED, featuring beer and food pairings created by independent breweries and renowned chefs. Participating Denver culinary talents include Carrie Baird, Cody Cheetham and Gabe Wyman, while local breweries include The Post Brewing, Outer Range Brewing Company, and Westbound & Down Brewing Company.

Larimer Square will welcome fall on Saturday, Oct. 10th with Heritage Harvest, an autumnal celebration filled with pumpkins, picture-perfect fall photo opportunities, live local bluegrass, a literary gathering and more. Larimer Square's new independent bookstore Little Blue Pigeon Books is also hosting its inaugural Blue Book Festival on Oct. 10th, a celebration of books, authors and the joy of reading. This vibrant literary gathering will feature nationally bestselling authors, Colorado writers, free readings and book signings. Throughout Larimer Square, readers can browse author booths, connect with writers, and celebrate storytelling alongside fellow book lovers. The festival will also feature an exclusive ticketed Headline Author Event in Apollo Hall, offering intimate conversations with acclaimed authors.

Denver Film Festival runs Oct. 22 – Nov. 1, 2026. Founded in 1978, the Denver Film Festival was one of the first film festivals in the country. Now, in its 49th year, the Festival is an annual celebration of cinema that takes place in the vibrant city of Denver. As one of the region's premier film events, the festival showcases an exceptional lineup of thought-provoking, innovative and diverse films from around the world. Join thousands of film lovers this fall and watch the year's best films, meet filmmakers, celebrities and industry guests.

Denver Arts Week celebrates the Mile High City's arts and culture scene with hundreds of events around the city. Denver Arts Week will kick off Friday, Nov. 6 with expanded First Friday Art Walks across the city's creative neighborhoods, followed by FREE Night at the Museums on Saturday, Nov. 7, when many of Denver's top cultural institutions will be open for free. The weeklong celebration includes daily events through Nov. 15, 2026.

Throughout the season, Denver makes an ideal headquarters for favorite fall activities, with urban and rural markets and gardens that have perfected rustic fall vibes. Check out Chatfield Farms, a working farm run by Denver Botanic Gardens with an intricate corn maze featuring an original design against a backdrop of colorful cottonwood trees and foothills; Broomfield's Rock Creek Farm puts you further west and therefore closer to the foothills and mountains, with sweeping views to admire; The heavenly scent of cider donuts, the rumble of tractor-pulled wagon rides and acres of golden corn set the scene at Anderson Farms, an annual fall destination for many Mile High City families and so much more.

More Beer Festivals

On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Highlands neighborhood will celebrate the third edition of its Highlands Oktoberfest, stretching across four blocks of 32nd Avenue, between Irving Street and Perry Street. Beer tastings will feature local breweries including New Terrain Brewing Co., Cerebral Brewing, 4 Noses Brewing Co., Best Day Brewing, Cervecería Paramount, and many more.

This year marks the 56th edition of the Denver Oktoberfest, taking place over two weekends, Sept. 18–20 and Sept. 25–27, on Larimer Street, between 20th and 22nd streets in the Ballpark district. In addition to enjoying beer and German specialties, attendees can take part in activities such as Stein Hoisting, Keg Bowling, the Costume Contest, the Long Dog Derby and the traditional sausage-eating contest. What began as a neighborhood gathering in 1969 has evolved into a festival that brings together more than 350,000 attendees each year to celebrate beer.

Organized by the Bavarian Guild in collaboration with the National Western Center, The Denver Wiesn will take place Oct. 16–18 and Oct. 22–25. The celebration will recreate the spirit of an authentic German festival for the whole family, while also offering VIP experiences. Traditional dirndls and lederhosen will complete the festive atmosphere, creating an experience that transports visitors from the Rocky Mountains straight to Bavaria.

Beyond beer festivals and events, Denver is home to countless breweries with unique personalities. The Denver Beer Trail highlights Denver favorites in neighborhoods across the city. Many offer tours and tasting. Visitors can also take a guided neighborhood tour to learn from local beer experts.

Drinking and Dining in Denver

With growing international recognition, Denver's restaurant and bar scene continues to expand with new menus and concepts debuting every month.

Two Denver bars were recently nominated as "Best New Bars in U.S." selected by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation's Spirited Awards 2026 Top Ten Regional Honorees. Rougarou in Five Points and the Peach Crease Club in RiNo.

Rougarou opened summer 2025 in Denver's Five Points Neighborhood. From the creative forces behind the award-winning bar, Yacht Club, Mclain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, alongside her brother JohnDavid Wright as executive chef, Rougarou is a living, breathing tribute to the rich regions that molded them – a wine & cocktail focused restaurant highlighting the culinary traditions of the American South.

The Peach Crease Club, opened in late 2025 in Denver's RiNo neighborhood, is set to become a standout on every best-new-bar list. Founded by Denver bartenders and husband-and-wife duo Alex Jump and Stuart Jensen, the bar combines elegant cocktails with inclusive hospitality. Its menu offers carefully crafted drinks (including non-alcoholic options), beers on tap and expressive wines.

Coming to Larimer Square this fall, Romyo will be Frank Bonanno's newest Denver concept. Following a six week trip exploring Japanese cuisine, Bonanno will blend the dishes and ingredients of Japan and Italy into a delectable crossover.

From the owners of Nocturne, La Vie En Rose will open this season as a Parisian-inspired Champagne and cocktail bar, offering guests an elegant, transportive experience. The wine and cocktail program is inspired by Parisian ideals of culture and craftsmanship, with Champagne served with reverence, cocktails layered with nuance and a focused menu of delicate hors d'oeuvres and composed plates.

Known for its fresh handmade pasta, vibrant natural wine program, and unmistakably romantic atmosphere, Soda Club has become a beloved downtown NYC destination for unforgettable nights out. Now, Soda Club Denver is bringing its signature blend of indulgence, intimacy, and playful elegance to Denver this fall.

With warm days and crisp nights, fall in Denver is the perfect time to dine al fresco with sunny skies and desirable temperatures. Check out BurnDown, a South Broadway gastropub with a third-floor courtyard featuring some of the best views of the mountains and downtown Denver. Forget Me Not in Cherry Creek North has a beautiful patio perfect for sipping their unique cocktails with friends. 54 Thirty is located on the 20^th floor of the Le Méridien Denver Downtown hotel and has incredible views of the Rocky Mountains. Grab a happy hour or post-dinner cocktail and enjoy it around a cozy firepit. Ace Eat Serve, a popular Uptown hangout for all age groups, has a large sidewalk patio and Ping-Pong tables that inspire playful competition. Tamayo, a modern Mexican restaurant from celeb chef Richard Sandoval has a newly re-designed rooftop patio that is partially enclosed and perfect for Denver fall evenings. Explore more restaurants with outdoor dining options on the Visit Denver website.

Fall Foliage Trips

Thanks to five different climate zones within a two-hour drive of downtown, Denver offers one of the longest periods of fall colors. Starting in mid-September, expect to see aspens turning gold at elevations from 8,000 to 10,000 above sea level. Later in the season in October to mid-November, spectacular colors meander down in the foothills and along the plains in Denver. Below is a quick guide to finding the best colors. Learn more and plan your fall leaf peeping adventure on the Visit Denver website.

Mid-September to Early October Above 9,500 Feet: Guanella Pass, located just one hour from Denver, climbs to 11,670 feet and has many high aspen groves on both sides of the pass. Rocky Mountain National Park , about one hour and thirty minutes from Denver, has many groves of high aspens around Bear Lake.

Late September to Mid-October, from 7,000 to 9,000 Feet: Georgetown and Silver Plume, located approximately one hour from Denver (40 miles) are surrounded by aspen groves. An interesting way to see the fall colors is by riding the Georgetown Loop Railroad, where a vintage steam locomotive pulls passengers up the steep grade between the two towns.

Most of October, from 6,000 to 8,000 Feet: Several old cemeteries near Central City have groves of aspen, and many other trees can be seen on the dirt "Oh My God Road" that runs between Central City and another old mining town, Idaho Springs. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, located 20 miles west of Denver in the foothills (45-minute drive), has many aspen groves at lower elevations, as well as some of the best panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.

Early October to Mid-November, 5,280 Feet Above Sea Level: The Cherry Creek Bike Trail is a paved off-road path that follows the tree-lined creek for more than 40 miles from downtown Denver to Cherry Creek State Park, it is a wonderful place to see beautiful colors in Denver.

Arts and Culture

"Celestia" is a seated, multisensory arts experience that transforms Saint John's Cathedral into a living canvas through a visually stunning and emotionally rich narrative of light, projection and music. It has been so popular this season, the show has been extended through the holiday season to Jan 17, 2027.

Harry Potter™: The Exhibition celebrates all things Harry Potter™ with many of your favorite moments, characters, settings and creatures from the film series, as well as the extended world of Harry Potter™. Now through Jan. 3, 2027, get up close to authentic props and costumes, practice your Quidditch™ skills, pot a Mandrake and more in this unforgettable experience.

The Denver Performing Arts Complex has a complete line-up of Broadway, local theater, ballet shows and more this season. Don't miss "The Outsiders" (Sept. 8–27, 2026) This classic coming-of-age story takes the audience to Tulsa, Okla., in 1967, where Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade, and their family of Greaser "outsiders" dream about who they want to become in a world that will never accept them; "The Tempest" (Oct. 2-Nov. 1, 2026) Shakespeare's fantastical tale of shipwreck, monsters, romance and revenge; "Disney's Beauty & the Beast" (Oct. 20 – Nov. 7, 2026) Disney's first North American touring production of the beloved musical in over 25 years and many more.

"Moments That Made US" will be on display through Oct. 18, 2026, as part of America's 250 - Colorado's 150 Anniversary. It is a marquee exhibition featuring more than forty artifacts that witnessed the moments that shaped the United States. This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition assembles treasures from American history rarely seen together - especially in the US West. Visitors will see artifacts spanning eight centuries, including ceramics made by Ancestral Puebloan people long before Europeans arrived in North America, tobacco pipes used by the colonists in Jamestown, the spurs George Washington wore at Valley Forge, the inkwell used by Grant and Lee to sign the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House, Jackie Robinson's bat, moon rocks from Apollo 11 and more.

"Bright Nights at Four Mile" is Denver's original lantern festival experience. Each year unveils a brand-new theme, fresh experiences and stunning new sculptures. It is on now through Nov. 8, 2026.

MCA's exhibition "Colorado Currents" showing now through Nov. 1, 2026, brings together recent artworks by twenty-eight artists with ties to Colorado, in the spirit of exploring how Colorado is experienced today. This multigenerational group of artists draw from their personal experiences, research, concerns, and hopes for their hometowns, current homes, or homelands. Their work considers how historical legacies shape the present while imagining ideas that may influence Colorado's future.

Music

The legendary Canadian rock band, Rush, is embarking on one last career-spanning reunion, celebrating 50 years as a group. The tour follows the tragic death of lead singer Neil Peart, who passed away from brain cancer at the beginning of 2020. While the surviving members' reunion was thought to be off the table, given the death of Peart, the surviving members, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, miraculously came together to dust off and reform the group to mark the incredible occasion. The mere fact that Rush is hitting the road at all in 2026 is something worth celebrating. Catch the show at Ball Arena Oct. 5 and 7, 2026.

Denver is known for iconic music venues such as Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, which is celebrating 85 years do music this year. Don't miss Billy Strings Sept. 18-20, Jungle Sept. 27 and 28, Shaboozey, Oct. 13, Macklemore, Oct. 22 and more.

Ball Arena will also welcome notable acts this season such as Doja Cat, Oct. 8, Dan + Shay, Oct. 29, Journey, Nov. 22 and more. For a complete calendar of live music, check out the Visit Denver website.

Sports

Fall in Denver represents a sweet spot for professional sports, where all of the city's major league teams have high energy competition whether they are rounding out the season, or just getting started. There are endless opportunities to cheer on your favorite team this season.

Don't miss a Denver Summit game during their inaugural season. Their last home game is Oct. 24, 2026, at Centennial Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Rockies continue their season while the Broncos, Nuggets and Avalanche kick off their new season with high energy.

Family-Friendly Fun

Denver has a wide array of kid-friendly activities. Head to the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance to see more than 3,000 animals including elephants, orangutans, lions and a new baby orangutan. Visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to explore fossils and dinosaurs, ponder the mysteries of space at Gates Planetarium and watch larger-than-life films at the Infinity Theater. The Downtown Aquarium is a perfect spot for kids to awe at astounding marine life, feed the stingrays, pan for gold or become a marine biologist for a day. The Butterfly Pavilion is celebrating 30 years of inspiring conservation and wonder this year with many special events. Learn more about family-friendly activities on the Visit Denver website.

Halloween

Of course, with the fall comes spooky season and many fun opportunities to showcase a unique costume and celebrate the season around town. For a details list of events, check out the Visit Denver website.

Denver Botanic Gardens dares you to visit after dark for the spine-tingling stories of our haunted history, "Ghosts in the Gardens" (Oct. 9-10, 20, 28-31, 2026). Stroll through the dark paths at your own pace as the storytellers share real staff encounters, security guard accounts and the intriguing history of the place that was formerly known as "The Boneyard." If you're feeling bold, step inside the Waring House for an exclusive visit to the Beaux-Arts style mansion and the secrets it might hold. This tour is self-guided, and you may visit the storytellers in any order you like. The tour should take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. Storytellers will begin new stories every quarter-hour.

Guests are invited to gather for a spooky and spirited tea at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Oct. 11, 2026, "Witches' Tea", featuring traditional tea service, hauntingly charming desserts, themed cocktails and beverages, interactive experiences, and a spellbinding live opera performance inspired by Shakespeare's most infamous witches.

Take a trip to Elitch Gardens for Colorado's largest Halloween event, "Fright Fest" Sept. 26 through Nov. 1, 2026). From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., kiddos can enjoy free candy, participate in Halloween-themed challenges and play on their favorite theme park rides. After 6 p.m., Fright By Night begins. Guests can enjoy all their favorite theme park rides in the dark, dare to enter the haunted houses and watch their back for the nightmarish creatures lurking around every corner.

About Visit Denver, The Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Celebrating 117 years of promoting the Mile High City, Visit Denver is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Denver welcomed more than 37.1 million visitors in 2024, generating $10.3 billion in spending, while supporting tens of thousands of jobs and making Tourism one of the city's largest industries. Learn more about Denver at Visit Denver or Tourism Pays Denver. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

With press or photo inquiries, please contact:

Taylor Shields, Director of PR & Communications
Caroline Campbell, PR & Communications Manager
Natalie St. Hilaire, PR & Communications Coordinator
Press@visitdenver.com

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