Don’t let boredom strike you down this weekend! Northern Colorado is kicking off the fall season this weekend with annual celebrations, events, shows and of course, Oktoberfest festivities across the region.
Activities, Events, Shows, and More in Northern Colorado
You won’t be left wanting for entertainment this weekend, with a spectacular lineup of options including the monthly Foodie Walk in Downtown Fort Collins, the annual Autumn Gold Festival in Estes Park and The Great Colorado Air Show in Loveland.
Fort Collins Foodie Walk™
Where? Old Town Square
When? September 19th
It’s the third Friday in September and you know what that means! The Fort Collins Foodie Walk™ will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM around downtown FoCo. This is a monthly self-guided walking tour that celebrates the culinary culture in FoCo and the city’s thriving food and beverage scene. Participating locations for September’s walk include Happy Lucky’s Teahouse serving tea-infused chèvres, La Boutique sampling authentic French brie, The Cooking Studio sampling corn pudding and many more. If you like it spicy, The Cupboard will be sampling a spicy snack mix that’s perfect for football season and The Hot Sauce Realm will be sampling pigs in a blanket with an array of spicy mustards for dipping.
Fort Collins Artisan Fair
Where? 222 Linden Street
When? September 20th
The Fort Collins Artisan Fair will be held in Old Town this Saturday. Attendees will have the opportunity to shop unique finds from local and regional artists, as well as handcrafted vendors, artisans and small businesses. There will be delicious bites available for purchase, so enjoy a light snack or lunch! The fair will be held from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Linden Street near Hydrate IV and Linden Street Tattoo. Enjoy the welcoming ambiance of Old Town FoCo as you jam to music and support small businesses and local community members! Tickets are free and the first 50 pre-registered attendees to arrive will receive a VIP bag of goodies, samples and coupons.
Downtown Loveland Oktoberfest
Where? 118 West 4th Street
When? September 20th
The Downtown Loveland Oktoberfest will be hosted by Loveland Aleworks this Saturday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Break out your lederhosen and join in on the fun, flavor and festivities at this community gathering. There will be craft beer (of course!), as well as food, live music, games and vendors. This is a free and family-friendly celebration in the heart of downtown, so come on out and raise a pint. From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, there will also be Live Music with Jim Green, who will be performing on the beer garden stage. Grab a friend or two or bring the family out for an evening of excitement, good food and refreshing beverages.
Barbarian Night: Fall Equinox Celebration
Where? 452 North Washington Avenue
When? September 20th
MeadKrieger is excited to host Barbarian Night this Friday, which is described as a Fall Equinox Celebration. Raise your horns and join in on a night of mead, meat and “legendary merriment.” This Saturday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, kick off your weekend plans in Loveland at this 21 and up event. There will be live entertainment throughout the night, including the SCA Fighting Tournament, epic live music and dazzling fire dancers. Norse and Viking attire is encouraged and there will be hot grill food specials available, as well as free giveaways and exciting prizes. Want to try your hand at a new skill? Check out the rune carving, rope craft and calligraphy workshops onsite. This year, Barbarian Night has expanded into the Sweetheart Alley to welcome even more warriors.
Estes Park Autumn Gold 2025
Where? Bond Park
When? September 20th & 21st
The 31st Annual Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary Autumn Gold Festival is scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday in Bond Park. The festival was originally created to draw visitors to Estes Park during the slow season. Since then, this annual celebration of beer, brats and bands has grown to be one of NoCo’s largest events. Bands will be taking the stage all weekend long, including familiar names like the 6 Million Dollar Band and El Loco Fandango. Make sure to arrive hungry because your mouth will be drooling when you smell roasted corn on the cob, funnel cakes, roasted nuts and of course, the fan-favorite traditional Autumn Gold brat. The festival itself is free to enter but there will also be a Rocky Mountain Spirits Experience area, where attendees can sample fine spirits from local distilleries for $20.
Rails in the Rockies
Where? 1125 Rooftop Way
When? September 20th & 21st
The 28th Annual Rails in the Rockies is coming back to the Estes Park Events Complex this Saturday and Sunday, presented by the Estes Valley Model Railroader Club. Adult tickets are priced at $10 and children 13 and under get in free. There will be a $20 maximum entry fee per family. Hours run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday. Enjoy the sounds of clanging bells and tooting whistles as you admire the model railroad layouts at the annual exhibit. 2025 will mark the 26th annual show, which will feature fun family activities and interactive displays. There will be a variety of clinics and demonstrations on the “how to” of model railroading if you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating hobby. Parking is free and there will be a shuttle bus running from the parking lot to downtown Estes Park.
The Great NOCO Backyard Party
Where? 3693 East County Road 30
When? September 20th & 21st
The Great NOCO Backyard Party will be hosted by Scion Helicopters and Scion Aviation this Saturday and Sunday. Whether you’re coming to watch the airshow, listen to live music, or sample tasty food trucks, this event has it all! There will be a vibrant local market onsite, as well as a grassy area where you can relax on blankets and chairs. Saturday & Sunday’s daytime fun hours will be held between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, followed by an afterparty from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday and until 7:00 PM on Sunday with Shelvis and the Roustabouts. Tickets to this event must be purchased ahead of time. There will be no on-site ticket sales this weekend.
The Northern Colorado Fall Record Show
Where? 1020 East Lincoln Avenue
When? September 21st
The Vinyl Heard is excited to present The Northern Colorado Fall Record Show this Sunday. This year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever, with more space at the same great location at Breckenridge Brewery. Early bird access is priced at $10 and starts at 10:00 AM. General admission tickets are set at $3 and provide admission from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you love a treasure hunt, come on out and dig through thousands of records and grab some great food and drinks. Shop from approximately 40 unique vendors selling new and used vinyl and other music related items and don’t be surprised if you get lost in the search for that holy grail record for a couple of hours! Breckenridge Brewery will have a wide variety of craft beers and an extensive menu to order from. There will also be live DJs onsite spinning vinyl throughout the day.
Putt for the Planet
Where? 244 North College Avenue Suite 112
When? September 21st
Want to show off your putt putt skills while also supporting a great cause? This Sunday, Old Town Putt is hosting Putt for the Planet in support of Red Cloud Renewable. From 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, join in on a fun day of mini-golf challenges where every swing helps support Native communities through solar job training, sustainable housing solutions and weatherization projects. You don’t even need to participate in the tournament to enjoy the festivities! Simply swing by Old Town Golf to catch a live Lakota music drumming performance, learn more about Red Cloud Renewable and watch the Broncos game. There will also be a silent auction. Last check in will be at 5:00 PM and participants will have the option of signing up as an individual for $25 or as a team of four for $100. Unique golf challenges include blindfold putting, spin-and-putt, non-dominant hand shots and more. Use the code “Planet25” to get 25% off your registration price. Attendees can register on site on Sunday.
A Vintage Affair
Where? 4616 South Shields
When? September 21st
It’s almost time for the 23rd annual “A Vintage Affair” event, which benefits Pathway Hospice and Palliative Care’s mission of providing medical and comfort care for individuals navigating the final months of life. This is a special evening where attendees can enjoy 200+ varieties of wine, beer and whiskey from across the globe, as well as gourmet appetizers, a silent auction and more. Saturday’s event is presented by Wilbur’s Total Beverage, who has been proudly pouring for Pathways since 2002! A Vintage Affair will run from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Grays Peak Building at Front Range Community College. Tickets are priced at $75 per person and the dress code is garden attire. Proceeds from the evening will provide funds for much needed supplies for The Dream Quilters, a group of volunteers who bring comfort and compassion to patients at the Inpatient Care Center.
Family-Friendly Activities in NoCo This Weekend
Nothing beats spending quality time with the family on the weekend. This Saturday, enjoy an afternoon at the Fall Family Festival in Greeley or experience magic through your child’s eyes at the Fantasy Festival in Loveland. Have a little one that loves all things aviation? Don’t miss The Great Colorado Air Show on Saturday and Sunday!
Fall Family Festival
Where? 2901 South 27th Avenue
When? September 20th
This Saturday, Greeley is hosting the Fall Family Festival for NoCo families from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Northern Colorado Credit Union. There is no admission fee, so just come on out and enjoy a free afternoon of all things family fun. The community will enjoy food trucks, sweet treat vendors, games, prizes and even a bounce house that the kids will love! Celebrate the upcoming fall season while you enjoy local flavors, new friends and festive vibes. There will be something for everyone, whether you swing by for an hour or you stay all afternoon!.
Fantasy Festival
Where? 815 14th Street
When? September 20th
This Saturday, embrace all things fantasy with Grimm Brothers Brewhouse at the Forge Event Center in Loveland. Step into the magical realm where fairytales, quests and magic unite for an unforgettable experience. There will be immersive activities for dreamers of all ages, as well as a Fantasy Market from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM where you can peruse a diverse selection of goods from talented artisans and magic performers. Market admission is priced at $10 and ages 5 and under get in free. Food and drinks will be provided by Grimm Brothers Brewery and there will be a multitude of activities and add-ons, such as a meet and greet with the queen, quest advantages and more.
The Great Colorado Air Show
Where? 4900 Earhart Road
When? September 20th & 21st
Tickets to the 2025 Great Colorado Airshow are available now! This Saturday and Sunday at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport, experience all things aviation at this iconic annual air show, featuring a can’t-miss lineup that includes the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds as a headliner. The Thunderbirds are well known for their spectacular aerial maneuvers, as well as high-speed formations and precision. Gates will open at 9:00 AM and free parking will be available, as well as VIP parking passes for spots closer to the entrance. General admission tickets don’t include chairs, though attendees are welcome to bring their own lawn seating. Tickets will be sold online and no walk up sales will be available. This will also be a cashless event, so make sure to have a credit or debit card handy if you’re interested in purchasing from onsite vendors.
Enjoy Your Weekend in Northern Colorado
We hope you have a great weekend in NoCo! Whether you choose to catch the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds in action or you head over to Estes Park for the annual Autumn Gold celebration, this weekend features a diverse and exciting lineup of awesome performances, festivals and more. We hope you’ll visit us again next week for more can’t-miss weekend events.