Ask a handful of Coloradans what their favorite season is, and you may be overwhelmed with fall lovers. Fall is truly a special time of year in the Pikes Peak region with the weather cooling, and the leaves turning, there is still plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the weekend before the winter sets in. Here is the Springs Homes list of Things to do for Fall in the Colorado Springs area. Hurry, fall doesn’t last very long, so pack in as much as you can in the remaining weekends.

Attend a Craft Fair

Aspens on the Avenue in Old Colorado City

Aspens on the Avenue is an annual fall art fair featuring a variety of artists including painters, glass blowers, metal workers, jewelers, wood-turners, and more with live demonstrations along West Colorado Avenue, between 23rd and 27th Streets. Hosted by OCC Arts Committee.

Location: Old Colorado City, 2324 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Date/Time: Saturday September 22, 10 AM – 4 PM

Cost: Free

More Info: Official Website

High Prairie Library Harvest Festival

The High Prairie Library in Peyton hosts this fun festival with arts, crafts, games, contest and much more.

Location: High Prairie Library, 7035 Meridian Rd, Peyton, CO 80831
Date/Time: October 6th from 10 AM-3 PM.

Cost: Free

More Info: Official Website

Sugar Plum Food and Gift Mart

Mr. and Mrs. Claus are making a stop in Colorado Springs at the Sugar Plum Food and Gift Mart. See them with your Christmas list and stay for art, crafts, jewelry, boutique clothing, photography, toys, Christmas décor, and much more!

Location: Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. (off Academy) Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Date/Time: October 20-21, 2018, 10-6, 11-4

Cost: $6, Youth 16 & under free!

More Info: Official Website

Apple Picking, Pumpkin Patches and Farms

Kick Off to Fall Family Festival

Join the 2nd Annual Fall Family Festival Kick Off Event. Hay rides, live music, food, vendors and more!

Location: Long Neck Pumpkin Farm, 595 California Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80923

Date/Time: Saturday September 22, 10 AM – 3 PM

Cost: $12-$15

More Info: Official Website

Old Colorado City Giant Pumpkin Fest

Get ready for the contest of Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers to compete for The Biggest Pumpkin in Southern Colorado title. There will be a pumpkin patch where kiddos can pick out a pumpkin for a small fee, face painters and balloon artists.

Location: Old Colorado City, 2324 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Date/Time: Saturday October 20, 10-3

Cost: Free

More Info: Official Website

Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms

Come to Chatfield Farms for some fun fall activity. Family and children’s activities, local craft and artisan booths, food trucks and food vendors, beer and wine vendors, entertainment and live music. Don’t forget to bring a wagon to transport your special pumpkin!

Location: Chatfield Farms, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128

Date/Time: October 12-14, 9 AM-5 PM daily

Cost: Non-Members: $10 Adult, $9 Student, Seniors, Military, $8 Members or Child (3-12), $6 Member Child, Under 2 are free.  Advance tickets are available at a discount online. Discounted Corn Maze tickets can be purchased for $8. Pumpkins are an additional cost.

More Info: Official Website

Wolf Ranch Fall Festival

The 2nd Annual Wolf Ranch Fall Festival is a free event for the public to attend, offering guests live entertainment from Flying W Wranglers, SofaKillers Band & Inspector Magic show. Additionally, there will be a Kids Zone with free family-friendly activities, a Beer Garden (donation based), Food Truck Alley, free pumpkin patch (first come, first served), and vendor Marketplace.

Location: Stonehaven Park, 5559 Leon Young Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80924

Date/Time: Saturday, October 13, 2018, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Cost: Free

More Info: Official Website

Enjoy Fall Food and Beverages

Taste of OCC

The best restaurants, breweries, distilleries and wine bars team up for three hours of dining and imbibing in Bancroft Park. The proceeds from the ticket sales support ongoing improvements to Old Colorado City Foundation.

Location: Bancroft Park, 2408 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Date/Time: Sunday September 23, 12-4

Cost: $35 – $50

More Info: Official Website

Harvest Fest at the Holy Cross Abbey

Live music, fresh roasted chilies, multiple vendor booths, and loads of wine tasting will complete your day in Cañon City! Bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets and soak in a lazy fall afternoon

Location: Cañon City, 3011 East Highway 50 Cañon City, CO 81212

Date/Time: September 29, 10-6, Sunday September 30, 10-5

Cost: Free admission. Wine tasting tickets available for purchase.

More Info: Official Website

Morrison Cider Fest

Take a drive up north and watch apples being pressed into cider. Bring your own apples and go home with cider! Music, car show and pony rides make this a fun family event.

Location: Morrison, 485 Summer St, Morrison, CO

Date/Time: September 29, 10-6

Cost: Free

More Info: Official Website

Haunted Brew Fest

This 21+ event will leave you speechless! With over 70 of the best breweries, wine distributers and distilleries around the region and a little scary Halloween vibe from some of the best local scare houses, this event is one not to miss. Costumes are encouraged!

Location: Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd # 3, Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Date/Time: Saturday October 20th, two sessions; 1-4 and 5-8

Cost: $25-$45 depending on session and time of purchase

More Info: Official Website

Fall Races and Sport Activities

Colorado Springs Marathon

Penrose-St. Francis sponsors this community event that features a full marathon, half marathon, and 5k. This family friendly race is a premiere endurance running event, attracting people from 26 different states.

Location: Acacia Park, 115 E Platte Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Date/Time: Saturday September 29

• 7 AM- 1:30
• 7 AM (Full & Half Marathon)
• 7:05 (5K)
• 10:45 (Kids K)

Cost: See Registration

More Info:  Website

YMCA S’mores Adventure Race

An amazing day whose proceeds help kids attend camp at Camp Shady Brook YMCA. Teams of 4 will race through challenges including orienteering/navigation, cross-country running/hiking, mountain biking, paddling and other challenges! There will be a large vendor area with interactive booths and a food truck fest.

Location: Camp Shady Brook, 8716 S Y Camp Rd, Deckers, CO 80135

Date/Time: Saturday September 29

• Competitive Wave* (4 athletes): $75 per athlete
• Non-Competitive Wave* (4 athletes): $50 per athlete
• Family Wave (minimum of 3 athletes): $40 per athlete

Cost: See above

More Info:  Website

St Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer

Ending childhood cancer is a worthy journey. Form a team, invite your friends and be a fundraiser for the kids of St. Jude.

Location: America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Date/Time: Saturday October 6

• Registration starts at 8:00AM
• Ceremony starts at 8:30AM
• 5k fun run/walk starts at 9:00AM

Cost: $10

More Info:  Website

XTerra Marathon of Trail Races

10th annual Marathon of Trail Races is being held at Cheyenne Mountain State Park. This is a challenging race with well groomed trails that both start and finish at the Day Use Trailhead.

Location: Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Colorado Springs, CO  80926

Date/Time: Sunday October 7, 8:10 start for 5K

Cost: $35-$80 depending on race

More Info:  Website
 

Cheyenne Mountain Run

This half marathon race has 3,000 feet of elevation gain and a top elevation of just over 8,800 feet. Race to the top of Cheyenne Mountain and back down in this out and back course to the south peak of Cheyenne Mountain. A 3 mile option is also available.

Location: Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Colorado Springs, CO  80926

Date/Time: Saturday October 20, 10:15 am start

Cost: $25-$65 depending on race and registration

More Info:  Website
 

Waldo Waldo – The Finale!

If you have ever wanted to do this race, now is your chance. This final Waldo Waldo will be run as the 7th annual 5K fundraiser. Family-friendly event raises money for our local community. Runners of all ages and abilities are welcome-walkers and strollers too! For more information please see the event website.

Location: Tejon street between Costilla and Cache La Poudra Street

Date/Time: Saturday October 20th, events starting at 7:30 AM

Cost: $35, day-of the event is $45, and includes a Waldo or Wenda kit that includes a shirt, hat and glasses.

More Info:  Website

Looking for some local things to do for Labor Day in Colorado Springs? The Labor Day Weekend symbolically brings a close to summer, and a bittersweet start of the school year. The Labor Day holiday is a tribute to the American Labor Movement and in 1887 Oregon was the first state in the nation to recognize it as an official public holiday. In Virginia, the amusement park industry lobbied to have public schools begin after Labor Day in order to give families one last chance to visit the amusement parks.

Whether your students have already started school, or will start school next week after the holiday, put away your seersucker and take some time to enjoy our beautiful Colorado Springs weather and take in some local holiday celebrations.

Downtown Walking Tour: Art on the Streets

For 20 years people have been taking it to the streets to view and appreciate our downtown Colorado Springs artwork. Come for a 1 hour tour to get insights and up close and personal with our local artists and their works.

Location: Meet at Wild Goose Meeting House (401 N. Tejon St)

Date/Time: Sep 1, 2018 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am (Sat). Arrive at 9:30 a.m. to enjoy a free coffee beverage (included in ticket price). Tours begins promptly at 10 a.m.

Cost: Tickets are $10 or free for 17 and under. Pre-registration recommended; purchase online or call for assistance.

More Info: (719) 886-0088 or Email: claire@downtowncs.com

Rocky Mountain Music Alliance’s First Concert of the Season

Head up north to Monument to see Dr. Zahari Metchkov on piano, Geoffrey Herd on violin, Ekaterina Dobrotvorskaia on viola, Max Geissler on cello and Aaron Purdue on flute. Pieces will include a Piano Quartet by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, two Interludes, Jacques Ibert for piano, violin and flute and a Mendelssohn Piano Trio.

Location: The Church at Woodmoor 18125 Furrow Road, Monument, CO 80132

Date/Time: Sep 1, 2018 at 07:00 pm (Sat), A reception will follow the concert.

Cost: Online in advance: $12 plus processing fee, Door: $15, Students with ID and/or children 18 and under: Free

More Info: (719) 648-3844 Email: RMMAConcerts@gmail.com, Official Website

Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off

If you have never been to this event in downtown Colorado Springs, this is the time. The event is truly memorable even at 6 am! Who can argue with a free family event to celebrate the holiday weekend and forget about school? Weekend activities include, balloon glows, beer garden and VIP tent, live entertainment and concerts, food trucks, and a weekend full of lake activities at Prospect Lake. This is one of the largest balloon festivals in the nation!

Location: Memorial Park, Colorado Springs, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO

Date/Time: Sep 3, 2018 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm (Mon)

Cost: Free

More Info: (719) 219-3333, Official Website

Labor Day Vintage Baseball

Think you know baseball? Think again, and come watch how baseball used to be played.The players will play by vintage rules where no one wears a mitt or glove (except the catcher) and the spectators are allowed to influence the umpire’s call in your team’s favor! Watch the Camp Creek Cloud Busters (the home team) and the 1882 Denver & Rio Grande Reds battle it out while enjoying some baseball cuisine: old fashioned root beer, hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream. Fun, family event!

Location: Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site 30th Street & Gateway Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Date/Time: Sep 3, 2018 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm (Mon)

Cost: Free

More Info: (719) 578-6777, Official Website

Commonwheel Labor Day Art Festival

Musicians, food, and great artwork in Manitou Springs, how can you go wrong? After your 6 am appointment with the balloons, head over to Manitou Springs to attend the Commonwheel Art Festival. With over 100 juried artists and over 30% new artists this year, you will bound to find something new to capture your attention. Tons of kid friendly events and booths and the shady Memorial Park, make this a very enjoyable festival for everyone.

Location: Memorial Park, Manitou Springs, 502 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Date/Time:

• Sep 1, 2018 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm (Sat)
• Sep 2, 2018 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm (Sun)
• Sep 3, 2018 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm (Mon)

Cost: Free

More Info: (719) 577-7700, Email: festival@commonwheel.com, Official Website

If you are still recovering from the school year and don’t realize we are well into summer, you may be shocked to hear that the 4th of July is right around the corner. Have no fear, the Springs Homes team has gotten together to give you some things to do for 4th of July in Colorado Springs.

This year the holiday falls mid-week, so no 3-day weekend, but nonetheless, get out and enjoy some Colorado summer sunshine and celebrate this festive holiday with friends and family. Most of our local residents know about the Memorial Park Celebration and the TriLakes/Monument Parade and festivities, but we choose to give you some local alternatives to your 4th of July holiday celebration.

Cripple Creek July 4th Celebration and Fireworks

This year’s 4th of July Celebration will feature live entertainment in the Brass Ass parking lot at the corner of Bennett Avenue and 3rd Street. Starting at noon, live bands will be providing your favorite hits till 4 p.m. From 6-10 p.m., another great live band will play you into the evening with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Location: City Park and in the Brass Ass Parking lot.

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 4th 12-4pm and 6-10pm.

Cost: Free

More Info: https://visitcripplecreek.com/event/cripple-creeks-4th-july-celebration/

Independence Day at Rock Ledge Ranch – Family Fourth

Come and tour the historic homes at Rock Ledge Ranch and see your favorite characters from history reenact and recite the Gettysburg Address and the Declaration of Independence. Pikes Peak Brass Band will provide festive entertainment while George Washington, General William Jackson Palmer, and Teddy Roosevelt will be on hand for a meet and greet. Carnival games and food vendors will be round out this great historical family-friendly day.

Location: Rock Ledge Ranch, 3105 Gateway Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 4th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Cost: Regular Admission

More Info: https://rockledgeranch.com/events/event/family-fourth/

Woodland Park Cemetery Crawl

Tours run every 10 minutes from 1 to 3 p.m. on the 4th of July introducing you to 12 living portrayals of Woodland Park’s founding fathers. All ages are captivated by the characters they meet!.