September is one of the most beautiful times of year in Summit County! As summer begins to wind down, the mountains come alive with golden aspens, crisp mornings, cooler evenings, and a packed calendar of festivals, concerts, arts, and community events.
Whether you’re visiting Summit County for a weekend or you’re lucky enough to call the mountains home, there are plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy everything Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, Keystone, Copper Mountain, and the surrounding area have to offer this September.
From Labor Day celebrations and live music to film festivals, Oktoberfests, and one of the area’s most anticipated opportunities to tour beautiful mountain homes, here’s what’s happening in Summit County this September!
Labor Day Weekend Events
Beaver Run Labor Day Music Festival
September 4–5 | Breckenridge
Kick off September with two days of live music and Labor Day Weekend festivities at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy live entertainment and celebrate the final stretch of summer surrounded by the mountains.
Silverthorne First Friday Concert featuring Zepparella
September 4 | 5:30–8:30 PM | Silverthorne
Silverthorne’s monthly First Friday celebration continues with a free outdoor concert featuring Zepparella, an all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band. Gather your friends and family and enjoy an evening of live music in Silverthorne!
Keystone Oktoberfest
September 5 | Keystone
Oktoberfest season starts early in Summit County! Keystone’s Oktoberfest celebration brings Bavarian-inspired fun to Labor Day Weekend with German food, music, dancing, craft beer, and family-friendly activities including Kinderfest.
Great Divide Art Festival
September 5–7 | Breckenridge
Celebrate creativity in the mountains during the annual Great Divide Art Festival at Colorado Mountain College Breckenridge. This long-running Summit County tradition features artists from around the country and is a wonderful opportunity to browse and purchase original artwork while enjoying Labor Day Weekend in Breckenridge.
John Denver Tribute Concert
September 5 | Breckenridge Riverwalk Center
There’s something especially fitting about listening to the music of John Denver surrounded by the Colorado mountains! Head to the Riverwalk Center at Breckenridge for a tribute concert celebrating the music of one of Colorado’s most beloved musical icons.
Dillon Fall Fest
September 5–6 | Dillon
Dillon’s annual Fall Fest returns for its ninth year, bringing art, community, and fall fun to town. Browse artwork and enjoy a beautiful weekend along Lake Dillon as the community celebrates the changing seasons.
Bluegrass, Art & Fall Festivals
Breckenridge Bluegrass & Beer Festival
September 11–13 | Main Street Station, Breckenridge
One of September’s signature events returns to Breckenridge with live bluegrass music, craft beer, food, and incredible mountain scenery. The Breckenridge Bluegrass & Beer Festival is always a fun way to spend a fall weekend in the high country!
Frisco Fall Fest & Arts at Altitude
September 11–12 | Frisco Historic Park & Main Street
Celebrate the arrival of fall in Frisco! Arts at Altitude kicks off the weekend with local and regional artists, while Saturday’s Fall Fest adds live music, food, family activities, make-and-take art projects, and a German beer garden to the celebration.
Hazel Miller Concert & Clam Bake at Arapahoe Basin
September 12–13 | Arapahoe Basin
A-Basin has a fun lineup of late-summer mountain events, including a Hazel Miller concert and its annual Clam Bake. These events are a great excuse to spend a September weekend enjoying the high alpine scenery before the ski season returns!
Breckenridge Film Festival
Breckenridge Film Festival
September 17–20 | Breckenridge
Film lovers won’t want to miss the 46th annual Breckenridge Film Festival! The festival brings films, forums, parties, and family-friendly programming to downtown Breckenridge, with events taking place at venues including the Eclipse Theater, Riverwalk Center, and Breck Backstage Theater.
Summit County Parade of Homes
Summit County Parade of Homes
September 19–20 & September 26–27 | Throughout Summit County
If you love architecture, interior design, or simply touring beautiful mountain homes, the Summit County Parade of Homes is a September highlight!
This year’s event features 11 homes and properties throughout Summit County, showcasing everything from custom mountain residences to new developments and innovative design. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the craftsmanship and creativity that make Summit County homes so unique.
Oktoberfest Season in Summit County
September wouldn’t be complete without Oktoberfest celebrations! Summit County has several opportunities to break out your lederhosen, enjoy German-inspired food and music, and celebrate fall.
Arapahoe Basin Oktoberfest
September 19–20 | Arapahoe Basin
Celebrate Oktoberfest at high elevation! A-Basin’s celebration features Austrian folk music, German-inspired food, festive drinks, and free chairlift rides. Bring your friends, family, and even your pups for a unique mountain Oktoberfest experience.
Breckenridge Oktoberfest
September 25–27 | Historic Main Street, Breckenridge
One of Colorado’s most iconic fall celebrations returns for its 30th year! Breckenridge Oktoberfest takes over historic Main Street for three days of German food, live music, dancing, competitions, and plenty of festive fun.
Highlights include the traditional keg tapping ceremony, stein-hoisting competitions, the Oktoberfest 5K, and an expanded Kid Zone for families.
🍂 Don’t Miss Peak Fall Colors in Summit County
Of course, one of the best reasons to visit Summit County in September doesn’t require a ticket!
Fall leaf peeping season is here.
Aspen trees begin changing at the higher elevations first, with the color gradually making its way down through the county as September progresses. Traditionally, mid-to-late September is one of the best times to catch peak fall color in Summit County, although the exact timing depends on weather, temperatures, and moisture throughout the season.
This year, Colorado experts are watching drought conditions closely, which could cause some areas to see colors earlier than usual. That means it’s worth keeping an eye on local conditions throughout September if fall foliage is at the top of your must-see list!
Some of our favorite ways to enjoy the changing colors include:
- Taking a scenic drive over Boreas Pass
- Exploring Kenosha Pass and its famous aspen groves
- Hiking or biking around Frisco and the Dillon Reservoir
- Exploring the trails around Breckenridge
- Taking in the views around Keystone and Arapahoe Basin
- Enjoying a scenic drive through Summit County and neighboring mountain communities
Just remember that peak color can be short-lived, especially at higher elevations, so don’t wait too long once the aspens start turning gold!
Enjoy September in Summit County!
September truly offers some of the best of everything in Summit County: warm sunny afternoons, cool mountain evenings, incredible fall colors, and a calendar packed with festivals and events.
Whether you’re enjoying live music, browsing local art, touring beautiful mountain homes, celebrating Oktoberfest, or simply heading outside to admire the golden aspens, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the start of fall in the Colorado mountains.