As Labor Day marks the unofficial start of fall, families in Pueblo and El Paso counties have a packed calendar of seasonal celebrations. Below is a guide to the most notable festivals, farm events and community gatherings that highlight local heritage, support small businesses and provide wholesome entertainment for all ages.
Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival – Sept. 18‑20
Located on Union Avenue in downtown Pueblo, the three‑day festival honors the region’s agricultural legacy and encourages residents to purchase fresh, locally grown produce. Attendees can enjoy live music, cooking competitions and a variety of street vendors offering traditional dishes. More details are available on the festival’s website.
Pumpkin Fest at Venetucci Farm – Every weekend in October
Celebrating 90 years, Venetucci Farm opens its fields each Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a family‑friendly experience. General admission is $8 for guests over three years old and includes access to the farm grounds, a spooky trail, hayrides, and food and coffee trucks. Additional activities such as pumpkin picking and farm‑fresh flower sales are offered for an extra fee. The fest features themed weekends, beginning with an Oktoberfest celebration (Oct. 3‑4), followed by a Great Pumpkin Weekend (Oct. 10‑11) with pumpkin‑flavored beer and a Charlie Brown reading nook. Subsequent weekends include Scarecrows & Flannel, Witches & Wizards, and a Pup‑kin fest for dogs on Halloween. Ticket information can be found on the Venetucci Farm website.
Cripple Creek Fall Festival – Oct. 3‑4
The Fourth Annual Fall Festival, hosted by the Two Mile High Club, offers live music, an outdoor movie, a pet parade, pumpkin decorating, family activities and wood carving. Visitors can also meet the town’s donkey ambassadors. Admission is free, and further details are posted on the Two Mile High Club’s site.
Boo at the Zoo – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – Oct. 16, 17, 23‑25, 30‑31
From 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the zoo invites families to collect candy while supporting wild orangutan conservation. All candy is produced by companies using sustainable palm oil, helping protect orangutan habitats. The Sky Ride operates for $3 per person, with the final ride each night at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are required for parking and event entry. More information and ticket sales are available on the zoo’s website.
Old Colorado City Family Fest – Oct. 24
Held at Bancroft Park and the Colorado Alley Parking Lot, this free event features a pumpkin patch, face painting, fall crafts, a pumpkin carving contest and a costume contest. Special guests from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are expected to make appearances. Details can be found online.
El Paso County Fair & Events Center Fall Fest – Halloween
The fair’s Fall Fest runs from noon to 9 p.m. on Halloween, offering a range of activities for visitors. Vendors can apply now via the Fair and Events Center website; food‑truck slots are currently full, but a waitlist is available. Indoor and outdoor merchandise booths are also accepting applications.
Pueblo Multicultural Festival – Oct. 4
Taking place at Mineral Palace Park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the seventh annual festival celebrates Indigenous heritage and Aztec traditions with cultural performances, a marketplace, culinary offerings and educational displays. Admission is free. More information is provided on the city’s website.
Miners’ Pumpkin Patch – Every Saturday in October
The historic mining site hosts hayrides, pumpkin picking, food trucks, a giant checkerboard, cornhole, a hay maze, gold‑panning demonstrations and machinery displays. New this year is a spooky story‑time at the Stamp Mill. Visit the Western Museum of Mining and Industry’s website for details.
Manitou Springs Skeleton Craze – All October
Businesses decorate storefronts with skeleton displays as part of Arts Month. The public can vote for the best display, with prizes including a Manitou Money gift card. Sign‑up information is on the city’s website.
Emma Crawford Coffin Races – Oct. 24
The beloved race returns to the 700 block of Manitou Avenue, featuring a parade at noon and races between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The city’s police chief secured funding for additional officers to ensure safety, a cost of roughly $10,000. Registration is open on the city’s site.
Flying W Fall Fest – Oct. 10
Guests can enjoy the classic Chuckwagon Dinner Show, a petting zoo, the Flying W Wranglers performance, a caramel‑apple station and a fall dessert. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tickets available through the Flying W Ranch website.
These events reflect the vibrant community spirit of Pueblo and El Paso counties, offering families opportunities to support local producers, enjoy wholesome entertainment and create lasting autumn memories.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
