Convention & Visitors Bureau
2440 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302 | 303.442.2911
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See Your TripEvery fall, the cottonwoods, aspen, maples and other trees in and around Boulder put on a dazzling autumn show. Crimson and golden leaves float down to be whisked away by Boulder Creek and set the foothills aglow with brilliant color. Here’s a short guide to enjoying fall foliage — and fall events — in Boulder.
While the exact timing is different each year, the fall foliage in Boulder tends to be best Sept. 27–Oct. 25, and it’s at its very best Oct. 5–20. If you want to capture that quintessential Colorado photograph of the golden trees against a snow-capped mountain peak, nearby Long’s Peak usually gets its first snowfall around Oct. 5–20.
Here are just a few ideas on where to see the fall colors in and around Boulder.
September Events | October Events | November Events
Plan your visit around a fall festival or events. Below are a few annual events to get you started, with a complete calendar available here.
Ongoing
Warren Miller Wednesdays
September-early November
Vintage Warren Miller ski movies show at the West End Tavern every Wednesday. Drink specials and epic skiing — oh yeah! And don't miss the screening of the newest Warren Miller Film at the Boulder Theater in early November.
September
Boulder Creek Hometown Festival
Sept. 1-3, 2018
Entertainment, chili cook-off, classic car show, food and drink along the banks of Boulder Creek.
Downtown Boulder Fall Fest
Sept. 14-16, 2018
Three-day autumn festival featuring food, brews, and music with the added excitement of a Children’s Carnival.
Adventure Film Festival
Sept. 19-22, 2019
Two days of the most inspirational films of the year, shown at the historic Boulder Theater. Plus a street fair that's two blocks long, with 40 vendors.
Firefly Handmade Market
Sept. 15-16, 2018
An exceptional craft fair featuring local artisans. The fall event is happening in conjunction with the Downtown Boulder Fall Fest (see above).
Jaipur Literature Festival
Sept. 21-23, 2018
Visitors can attend talks, readings, musical performances and writing workshops as part of this free, three-day festival.
Downtown Boulder's Girls' Night Out
Sept. 20, 2018
Sip, shop and stroll downtown's Pearl Street for a night of fashion and fun — for free.
October
Open Studios Fall Artist Tour
Oct. 6-7, Oct. 13-14 and Oct. 20-21, 2018
Boulder artists open their homes and studios to the public for a unique and intimate arts event that spans two weekends.
Burgundy Wine Festival
Nov. 2-4, 2018
During a three-day extravaganza, guests will taste some of the rarest wines of Burgundy at some of Boulder's most highly acclaimed restaurants.
Chautauqua Community House Concerts
Dates TBD 2018
Live music in one of the region's most intimate listening rooms.
Munchkin Masquerade
Oct. 31, 2018
Each Halloween, Downtown Boulder is invaded by tiny ghosts and goblins, dinosaurs, dragons, fairies, princes, super heroes, and animals of every size trick-or-treating along Pearl Street.
November
First Bite: Boulder's Restaurant Week
Nov. 9-17, 2018
For one full week, more than 40 of Boulder’s top restaurants offer a special three-course, prix-fixe menu.
Switch on the Holidays
Nov. 18, 2018
Santa counts down to the grand illumination of the Boulder County Courthouse and the Pearl Street Mall. Featuring a holiday concert.
Boulder Ballet’s Nutcracker
Nov. 23-25, 2018
A seasonal favorite of classic ballet, accompanied by the Boulder Philharmonic.
Meet some furry friends, pick pumpkins and learn while you're having fun
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