Sip, Stroll, and Celebrate the Changing Seasons
As the high country begins to shimmer with golden aspen and the air turns crisp, Western Colorado rolls out a vibrant lineup of festivals that capture the spirit of fall. From award-winning wines to small-town traditions, here are four destination-worthy events where local flavor, live music, and autumn energy take center stage.
Fruita Fall Festival – September 27–28
With more than 100 years of tradition, Fruita Fall Festival is one of Western Colorado’s quirkiest celebrations. This two-day event packs downtown Fruita with parades, live music, a pie-baking contest, artisan vendors, and family activities. But what really sets it apart? Events like the beard-growing contest, pet parade, and the famously oddball Outhouse Races.
Don’t miss the Fall Street Dance on Friday night or the Classic Car Show on Saturday. Whether you’re chasing funnel cake or catching live bluegrass in the park, this festival perfectly blends nostalgia with hometown fun..
Colorado Mountain Winefest – September 20
Set along the Colorado River in scenic Riverbend Park, Winefest is the crown jewel of Colorado’s wine scene. More than 50 local wineries pour samples of reds, whites, and rosés, while attendees stroll beneath cottonwood trees with tasting glasses in hand.
Expect grape stomping, wine seminars, food pairings, chef demonstrations, and live music throughout the park. For wine lovers, it’s a sensory paradise—and a perfect pairing of art, agriculture, and ambiance in Palisade’s postcard-worthy setting.
Tickets sell out fast for this one-day event, so plan ahead and bring a picnic blanket.
Mountain Harvest Festival – September 27–29
Paonia’s Mountain Harvest Festival is equal parts harvest celebration and cultural gathering. Nestled in the North Fork Valley—known for its organic farms, wineries, and artists—this weekend event offers wine tastings, a chili cook-off, farm tours, a Saturday street fair, and live music spanning folk, funk, and jazz.
The festival also features educational workshops and poetry readings, with local food trucks and vendors rounding out the experience. It’s a beloved tradition for locals and visitors alike, capturing the laid-back, artsy vibe that Paonia is known for.
Looking to truly unplug and connect with the land? Add the farm tours or Sunday’s farm-to-table brunch to your itinerary.
Cedaredge Applefest – October 5–6, 2025
Though it officially kicks off in October, Cedaredge AppleFest deserves mention in any roundup of September happenings—especially for those planning ahead. With deep agricultural roots and a backdrop of the Grand Mesa, this charming festival celebrates all things apple.
Expect over 200 vendors, live music on multiple stages, antique tractor and car shows, a chili cook-off hosted by the fire department, and plenty of fresh local apples, cider, and baked goods. The town comes alive with nostalgia and community spirit, as families gather to toast the harvest in true Americana fashion.
Early visitors can enjoy the warm-up events starting in late September, including orchard tours, cider tastings, and concerts in the park.
Fall in Love with the Season
Whether you’re sipping cabernet by the river, cheering on a racing outhouse, or filling your basket with just-picked apples, Western Colorado’s fall festivals offer more than entertainment—they offer connection. To the land, to the community, and to the simple pleasures of the season.