When the temperatures drop, you might be inclined to curl up on the couch and hibernate until next spring. But that’s no fun. Instead, you should be out exploring Colorado’s vibrant culinary scene by attending these food- and drink-focused festivals around the state.
Oct.10-12
Great American Beer Festival. This beloved Colorado festival and competition has been luring beer aficionados to the Mile High City for more than four decades. Organized by the Boulder-based Brewers Association, this bash is the biggest event of the entire year for the craft beer industry. New this year, the festival will host three individually ticketed sessions (instead of the usual four) and will allow breweries to serve other beverages besides beer, like ready-to-drink cocktails, hard seltzers and ciders.
Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver; greatamericanbeerfestival.com
Oct. 11-13
Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival. Spend the weekend basking in the crisp mountain air and soaking up the last of the fall foliage at the Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, also known as “Still on the Hill.” This three-day gathering is a celebration of craft spirits and cocktails, with seminars, workshops, guided hikes, multi-course tasting dinners and more. The main event is the grand tasting on Saturday night, where guests get to eat, drink and vote for their favorite distillers.
Various locations, Breckenridge; breckenridgecraftspiritsfestival.com
Oct. 13, Oct. 20
There are more than 1,000 fruit trees on eight acres at Ya Ya Farm & Orchard in northwest Longmont. (Provided by Ya Ya Farm & Orchard)
Applefest. Head to Longmont and spend the day at Ya Ya Farm & Orchard during Applefest, which takes place over two Sundays in October. Listen to live bluegrass, munch on apple cider donuts and barbecue, and enjoy the beautiful farm scenery. (Heads up, the event does not include apple-picking, but Ya Ya does offer you-pick reservations.)
6914 Ute Hwy, Longmont; yayafarmandorchard.com/applefest
Oct. 19
Golden Beer Tasting & Chili Cookoff. As the weather cools off, it’s time to break out the Crockpot and make a hearty batch of chili. Or, if you’d rather let someone else do all the cooking, head to the Golden Beer Tasting & Chili Cookoff. Here, you can indulge in unlimited beer and chili samples, then cast your vote for the best chili cook in town. This tasty fête helps raise money for the Golden Chamber of Commerce and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Parfet Park, Golden; goldenbeerchilicookoff.org
Oct. 20-21
Q BBQ Fest. Talented pitmasters from around the country will be clicking their tongs at Folsom Field for what organizers bill as the nation’s largest barbecue fest. Attendees can “feast on a mouth-watering variety of brisket, chicken pulled pork and ribs in the shadow of the Flatirons while enjoying live music, BBQ tutorials, demonstrations and activities,” according to Eximius Productions, which hosts similar fests in other stadiums.
Folsom Field, Boulder; cubuffs.evenue.net/events/QBBQ
Oct. 25-26
Wine in the Pines is an annual event in Keystone. (Provided by Ability Connection Colorado)
Wine in the Pines. Four decades ago, Mike and Margaret Smith created this event in honor of their daughter Kelly, who was born with cerebral palsy. They also wanted to “pay it forward” and help support other families raising children with severe disabilities. Today, 40 years later, Wine in the Pines has become a true Colorado fall tradition, offering two elegant nights of wine, food and entertainment in Keystone for a good cause. Proceeds benefit the Kelly Smith Employment Center at Ability Connection Colorado, which provides statewide employment services for youth and adults with disabilities in Colorado.
Keystone Conference Center, Keystone; abilityconnectioncolorado.org/special-events/wine-in-the-pines/
Oct. 26
Feria del Tamal. Organized by the Latino Chamber of Commerce, this tamale festival will be held at the Boulder County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building. “Come and try a variety of delicious tamales from different regions. In addition, you can enjoy live music, activities for the whole family, lucha libre shows, EV ride and drive, and much more,” organizers said.
Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont; eventbrite.com
Nov. 1
Colorado Uncorked. Every year, the governor tasks a group of experts with swirling, sniffing and sipping hundreds of bottles of Colorado wines (tough job, right?). In the end, the panel selects the crème de la crème from all the submissions to create the Colorado Governor’s Cup Collection. You can try all of the award-winning wines and munch on paired small bites prepared by celebrated Colorado chefs at Colorado Uncorked, which shines the spotlight on the state’s thriving wine scene.
History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway; coloradowine.com/colorado-uncorked-event
Nov. 3
The Bloody Mary Festival takes place in Nov.. (Provided by the Bloody Mary Festival)
The Bloody Mary Festival. Calling all fans of this iconic, savory brunch drink. This festival is a chance to commune with fellow Bloody Mary lovers while, of course, slugging down a few of these tasty tomato concoctions. Expect food, drinks, temporary tattoos, people’s choice awards and more. (Rumor has it, there may even be a dancing tomato mascot wandering around.)
Reelworks Denver, 1399 35th St.; thebloodymaryfest.com/denver-11-3-24
Nov. 6
The HOSPYS Gala. If you love going out to eat, then you also love the hard-working chefs, servers, bartenders, dishwashers, managers and other employees who keep restaurants running smoothly. Celebrate these food-service and hospitality professionals by attending the HOSPYS Gala, organized by the Colorado Restaurant Association. There are tons of different awards up for grabs, from back-of-house employee of the year to restaurant of the year.
Seawall Ballroom, Denver Center for Performing Arts; corestaurant.org
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Nov. 13
James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: Denver. The James Beard Awards are like the Oscars of the food world. But the foundation behind them also hosts an array of events, including its Taste America culinary series. This year’s iteration brings together chefs and changemakers in 20 cities across the country to highlight and support independent local restaurants. The Denver event will feature a multi-course menu developed by Linger’s Marissa Caruana and the Culinary Creative Group’s Carrie Baird, with beverage pairings for each course.
Linger, 2030 W. 30th Ave.; jamesbeard.org/taste-america-Denver
Nov. 30
Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival. Sure, you could switch to hot toddies once it gets cold — but wine is such a classic choice around the holidays. Now in its fifth year, the Estes Park Holiday Wine Festival will help you get into the holly, jolly spirit with unlimited tastings from 15 to 20 Colorado wineries. Plus, do a little holiday shopping and take a photo with Santa. Free kids activities are also available, so bring the whole family.
Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park; estesparkholidaywinefestival.com