8 festivals to kick off fall this weekend in Colorado

Fall officially will start this weekend!

That means cooler weather, changing leaves and — my personal favorite — festivals.

Here’s a roundup of festivals around the Front Range this weekend, celebrating everything from chiles to brews:

Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival, Friday-Sunday

The Pueblo Chile and Frijoles Festival will be filled with cooking competitions, live entertainment and lots of fresh peppers.

The event, created to promote the town’s agriculture, will kick off Thursday evening with a concert at the Pueblo Convention Center and Expo Hall. Then the festival will commence Friday afternoon for a weekend of fresh markets, live music and chile roasting.

On Sunday, a parade of Chihuahuas and friends will hit the town on the lawn of the El Pueblo History Museum. There will also be a jalapeño eating contest in the afternoon. This year, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the festival, 30 hot air balloons will take flight at Langoni Park each morning of the festival.

The festival runs 3 p.m.-midnight Friday, 10 a.m to midnight Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday in Pueblo’s historic downtown along Union Avenue. The festival is free to the public. More information at pueblochilefestival.com.

Water Lantern Festival, Saturday

The Water Lantern Festival is returning to Colorado Springs once again for an evening of family-friendly fun.

The festival will host food vendors, live music, kids activities and, of course, a special water lantern launch. Tickets include a lantern kit, complete with a water lantern to launch, a drawstring bag, LED light, playing cards and marker, so attendees can write a message on their lantern.

The event runs from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, with the lantern launch starting at 7:30 p.m. The festival is at Prospect Lake in Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Adult tickets start at $30, and kids tickets at $13. More information can be found at waterlanternfestival.com/events/colorado-springs.

Denver Oktoberfest, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 27-29

For two consecutive weekends, Denver will be celebrating its 54th annual Oktoberfest.

A Denver tradition since 1969, the event will be filled with Bavarian festivities. On the roster: keg bowling, live music, stein hoisting, a lederhosen contest, a wiener dog derby, a talent show and, of course, lots of brews.

The Denver Oktoberfest is held at Larimer and 21st in the Ballpark District over the next two weekends. General admission to the festival is free. VIP Beer Hall tickets start at $110. More information can be found at thedenver oktoberfest.com.

High Plains Comedy Festival, Thursday-Saturday

As Denver’s largest and longest-running stand-up event, the High Plains Comedy Festival will continue for three days this weekend.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the festival. More than 100 locally and nationally recognized comics will perform on South Broadway. Featured comedians include Katherine Blanford, Laura Peek, Rory Scovel and Bob the Drag Queen, who will be headlining at Paramount Theatre.

In addition to stand-up shows, the fest will also be hosting open mic nights, live podcast recordings and a karaoke kick-off party Thursday evening.

Festival events start at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 4 p.m. Saturday, and festivities will run through the evening. Performances will take place across several venues around South Broadway. Tickets for single shows vary, festival passes start at $150. More information at highplainscomedyfestival.com.

Breck Film Fest, Thursday-Sunday

Since 1981, Breckenridge has hosted its annual film festival, recognized as a Top 20 Film Festival by USA Today.

This year’s festival will kick off Thursday with an opening night party and showing of “Casa Bonita: Mi Armor”. Then, throughout the weekend, the fest will have film screenings, special guest panels and parties, with days running from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Some highlighted films at this year’s fest include “& yet we are here…”, “109 Below” and “Ariel.”

The festival events will be held at various venues across Breckenridge. Passes start at $55. More information can be found at breckfilm.org/festival/.

Viva Southwest Mariachi Fest, Friday

Denver will be hosting Viva Southwest Mariachi Fest on Friday evening.

The free festival will feature La Santa Cecilia, an L.A.-based band that plays a blend of Latin American musical styles, including cumbia, bossa nova and boleros. This free show is part of Levitt’s Summer Concert Series, and all ages are welcome.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion. More information can be found at levittdenver.org.

Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, Saturday-Sunday

This will be Westcliffe’s fourth year hosting its Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival.

This event is the annual fundraiser for the American Legion Westcliffe Post 170, a local volunteer organization that provides support to local veterans and veteran widows. Throughout the two-day festival, there will be food vendors, artisans, craft beers and a bluesy music line-up.

The festival will run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m.. on Sunday at the Westcliffe Outpost Amphitheater and Park. Tickets start at $40 per day, and those under 12 are free. More information found at visitwetmountainvalley.com/event/9487.

WestFest, Saturday

This small, free festival in Colorado Springs has activities for all ages.

Featuring live music, yard games, a silent auction, artisan vendors and a community picnic. Attendees can bring their own picnic lunch or purchase a lunch from a west-side restaurant sponsor.

WestFest will start at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Westside Community Center in Old Colorado City. More information can be found at shopoldcoloradocity.com/events/westfest.