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 20th 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.