Exploring a new city and everything it has to offer can feel overwhelming, but discovering the best things to do in Colorado Springs is refreshingly easy. The city hosts hundreds of annual and seasonal events that bring its neighborhoods, culture, and mountain setting to life.
To make your search simpler, we’ve curated a list of must-try events in Colorado Springs, no matter the weather, holiday, or season. Whether you’re planning a visit or settling into the Pikes Peak region, these festivals and celebrations offer something for everyone.
Colorado Springs hosts a lineup of signature annual events that bring the community together year after year. Check out some of our favorites:
Territory Days: Held every Memorial Day weekend in Old Colorado City, Territory Days is a long-standing tradition featuring live music, craft vendors, historical reenactments, and family-friendly activities. It’s one of the largest street festivals in the region and a true celebration of Colorado heritage.
Labor Day Lift Off: A 50-year tradition, Labor Day Lift Off is one of the most iconic events in Colorado Springs, filling the sky with hot air balloons at sunrise over Memorial Park. Visitors can enjoy balloon launches, live entertainment, food vendors, and evening balloon glows, making it a must-see tradition for both locals and visitors alike.
First Friday Art Walks: On the first Friday of every month, local galleries and creative spaces open their doors for an evening of art, music, and community. These self-guided walks highlight the city’s vibrant arts scene, with stops in Downtown Colorado Springs and Old Colorado City.
Colorado Springs offers something special for every season, with festivals, markets, and community celebrations that reflect the rhythm of life in the Pikes Peak region.
Winter
The Great Fruitcake Toss: A quirky, long-running Colorado tradition where participants compete to see who can launch a fruitcake the farthest, complete with costumes, games, and plenty of laughs.
Cripple Creek Ice Festival: This nine-day festival transforms Cripple Creek into an outdoor gallery of breathtaking ice sculptures, live carving demonstrations, and lots of winter fun for all ages.
Spring
Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival: A long-standing spring tradition featuring parades, live music, and community celebrations surrounded by blooming trees and mountain scenery.
Pikes Peak Birding & Nature Festival: A three-day event that brings nature lovers together to explore local wildlife through guided hikes, birdwatching tours, and educational workshops.
MeadowGrass Music Festival: Held every Memorial Day weekend, this beloved festival gathers music lovers and outdoor enthusiasts for live performances, local vendors, and a relaxed, forested setting in the Pikes Peak region.
Annual Wine Festival of Colorado Springs: Now in its 33rd year, this premier wine event brings together world-class vintners, curated tastings, seminars, and gourmet pairings for an elevated spring experience.
Summer
Battle of the Bighorn: This adrenaline-filled river challenge combines class II–III rapids with unique onshore obstacles where teams compete, solve puzzles, inflate rafts, and race through Bighorn Sheep Canyon, making it one of the most exciting events near Colorado Springs.
Old Colorado City Farmers Market: A seasonal favorite offering fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan products every weekend throughout the summer in historic Old Colorado City.
Manitou Springs Wine Festival: A long-running local tradition, this event features wineries from across Colorado, offering tastings, live music, and a lively outdoor atmosphere in Memorial Park.
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo: A Colorado Springs tradition for over 80 years, this PRCA-sanctioned rodeo brings top competitors from across the country for a week of classic rodeo events, including bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. Held each summer, it’s a high-energy celebration of Western heritage and one of the city’s most iconic events.
Fall
Blues on the Mesa: Blues on the Mesa is a high-energy outdoor blues festival featuring live bands, food trucks, and local brews set against the backdrop of Colorado’s fall colors.
The Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival: This weeklong celebration turns STEM into hands-on fun, offering live demonstrations, interactive experiments, and family-friendly events that spark curiosity for all ages.
Arts Month: Every October, Colorado Springs transforms into a citywide arts showcase, featuring performances, gallery openings, workshops, and creative events that celebrate every form of art.
From hot air balloons to art walks and seasonal celebrations, Colorado Springs offers a calendar bursting with unforgettable moments, and living here means you’re never far from the excitement. Ready to call this vibrant city home? Explore new homes and communities by Vantage Homes today.
Annual Events:
Seasonal Events: