The Springs' biggest events in 2019 

April

The Night Sky

One Friday a month, April 5-Dec. 20

Florissant Fossil Beds, 15807 County Road 1, Florissant, nps.gov/flfo/night-sky-programs.htm

An hour west of Colorado Springs, away from city lights, you can really see the stars. Night Sky programs at the Fossil Beds start with a 30-minute presentation (topics change constantly) that prepares for you for 90 minutes of stargazing and peeping at the universe through a telescope.

Pikes Peak Gamers Con 2019

April 12-14

Manitou Springs City Hall, pikespeakgamers.com

Brush up on your strategic skills and be ready to tabletop game all night long with fellow enthusiasts. Includes raffles, a family day and a vault of more than 800 board games you can check out and play.

Rocky Mountain Women's Film Institute's Shorts Night

April 13

Stargazers Theatre, 10 S. Parkside Drive, rmwfilmfest.org

Highly acclaimed international short films, including winners from some of the most well-known festivals in the industry. Free popcorn and candy included!

Mad Hatter Day

April 13

Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., Old Colorado City, shopoldcoloradocity.com

A world of whimsy awaits kids when OCC transforms into Wonderland, complete with tea parties, costumes, fun activities, and live music and treats for the grown-ups, too.

Colorado 420 Festival

April 20

Speak Easy Vape Lounge, 2508 E. Bijou St., tinyurl.com/CO420-Fest

Gather to honor the bud at an exclusive 420 celebration featuring vendors, shuttles to recreational marijuana dispensaries, entertainment and more.

Earth Day

April 20

Rock Ledge Ranch, 3105 Gateway Road, rockledgeranch.com, gardenofgods.com

This annual celebration of planet Earth at Garden of the Gods Nature & Visitor Center and Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site features nature walks, fun family activities and planet-themed events.

May

Cañon City Music and Blossom Festival

May 1-5

Cañon City, ccblossomfestival.com

You'll find a little bit of everything at this 81-year-old festival, including a 5K, a national band competition, bird walks, live music and a parade.

Run to the Shrine

May 18

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, cmzoo.org

Take a run through the zoo and all the way up to the Will Rogers Shrine in a family-friendly 4-mile race, complete with a party and admission to stay and play.

MeadowGrass Music Festival

May 24-26

La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, 6145 Shoup Road, meadowgrass.org

Camp under the stars, kick back and catch the best local, regional and touring musical talent in folk, Americana, bluegrass and more.

Territory Days

May 25-27

Old Colorado City, shopoldcoloradocity.com

The good old days of the Wild West return to OCC, complete with family fun, live music, gold panning, tasty food, beer gardens and Native American dancers.

June

Manitou Springs Wine Festival

June 1

Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., manitousprings.org

Sample wines from more than 30 different Colorado-based wineries while enjoying live music and local eats.

Springs Spree

June 9

America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, springsspree.org

The biggest neighborhood block party in the city welcomes everyone to celebrate community with live music, a carnival, local craft vendors and delicious food.

Colorado Renaissance Festival

Weekends, June 15-Aug. 4

650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur, coloradorenaissance.com

Don your favorite old-time gear and set out for an adventure in a land of kings, queens, jousting, bards — and maybe a turkey leg or two.

Pikes Peak Celtic Festival

June 14-16

Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd., pikespeakcelticfestival.com

Enjoy kilts, beer and bagpipes? Check out the Springs' only Celtic festival, packed with Highland athletics, live music, a whisky and scotch tasting, vendors and fair food.

Starlight Spectacular

June 15

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., trailsandopenspaces.org

Ride the city by starlight, including a thrilling jaunt through the Garden of the Gods. Costumes and bike décor are strongly encouraged.

Fiddles, Vittles and Vino

June 16

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, 3105 Gateway Road, fiddlesvittlesandvino.com

Good food, wine and beer can hardly be beat — unless it's paired with live bluegrass in the spectacular outdoor beauty of Rock Ledge Ranch. Bring blankets and chairs and settle in!

Pikes Peak Airstrip Attack

June 22-23

Colorado Springs Airport, 1575 Aviation Way, pikespeakairstripattack.com

The fastest stock and street cars in the world compete in side-by-side trap speed racing. Attendees will also get to explore restored vintage aircraft and shop local vendors.

Donkey Derby Days

June 22-23

Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek, visitcripplecreek.com

Meet the wild donkeys of Cripple Creek, cheer at a dog show and dine at a community pancake breakfast during this family-friendly weekend in the historic mining town.

Colorado Bike to Work Day

June 26

Various locations, biketoworkday.us

Be environmentally awesome and join the community in a day of bicycle commuting. Stations across Colorado Springs will welcome you with breakfast and cheers.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

June 30

Pikes Peak, ppihc.com

Talented automobile and motorcycle racers take on the hair-raising switchbacks of Pikes Peak Highway at speeds of more than 70 miles per hour.

July

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Days

July 9-13

Downtown Colorado Springs, pikespeakorbust.org

The 79th annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo will launch with an exciting free parade downtown, followed by four days of bull riding, roping, barrel racing and other cowboy-themed fun.

Blues Under the Bridge

July 13

Colorado Avenue Bridge, 218 W. Colorado Ave. bluesunderthebridge.com

The Colorado Avenue underpass transforms into an outdoor blues club in this all-day jam session that's become an annual staple of the Springs' music scene. This year's acts include Tab Benoit and Nikki Hill.

PrideFest

July 13-14

America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, coloradospringspridefest.com

Show your support for the equality of all with two days of festivities celebrating inclusivity, diversity and community.

El Paso County Fair

July 13-20

County Fairgrounds, 366 10th St., Calhan, elpasocountyfair.com

It's seven days of country magic on the eastern plains, with fair food, live music, adorable animals, racing and a demolition derby.

Rocky Mountain State Games

July 19-21 and 26-28

Various locations, coloradospringssports.org

A citywide celebration of athleticism, with competitions for all ages and in a wide variety of sports, from arm wrestling to inline hockey to beach volleyball.

Springs Beer Fest

July 20

America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, springsbeerfest.com

Sample more than 120 beers from dozens of breweries at this popular outdoor festival dedicated to the love of hops and suds.

August

People's Tiny House Festival

Aug. 2-4

Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Road, Fountain, peoplestinyhousefestival.com

Tiny homes are all the rage right now. Check out models from builders big and small, plus enjoy speakers, educational panels, live music and local food.

Woodland Park Wine, Food & Jazz Festival

Aug. 3

Memorial Park, 117 Center Ave., Woodland Park, vinoandnotes.com

Fine wines abound at this high-altitude fest, which offers a food and wine pairing tent, a beer garden for non-wine aficionados and live jazz music.

Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb

Aug. 10

coloradospringssports.org

The famous 12.42-mile climb to the top of Pikes Peak offers an elite competitive ride and a self-timed, non-competitive gran fondo fun ride for all ages and abilities.

Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon

Aug. 14 (ascent), Aug. 25 (marathon)

Barr Trail, Hydro Street, Manitou Springs, pikespeakmarathon.org

Runners will make a grueling 13.3- or 26.2-mile trek up Pikes Peak in races that involve uneven terrain, tight switchbacks and very little oxygen. If you can't compete, come out and support the runners.

Salute to American Veterans Rally

Aug. 16-18

Cripple Creek, theveteransrally.org

Head to the mountains and celebrate the duty, honor and sacrifice of America's veterans. The event opens with a massive motorcycle ride and continues all weekend with music, guest speakers, a veterans' parade, poker runs and aircraft flyovers.

Colorado Springs Comic Con

Aug. 23-25

Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd., cscomiccon.com

Get your geek on with all things pop culture, film and comic-related. Includes celebrity guests, comic artists, special panels and chances to shop a variety of vendors.

Labor Day Lift Off

Aug. 31-Sept. 2

Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com

By day, enjoy a sky filled with colorful balloons. By night, those same balloons light up Memorial Park in a stunning display accompanied by live music and fun activities.

Commonwheel Arts & Crafts Festival

Aug. 31-Sept. 2

Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., commonwheel.com/festival

This juried art festival is considered the premier late-summer art event in the Pikes Peak region. Patrons can find art for purchase and meet the artists. Families can enjoy immersive hands-on activities centered on fun and creativity.

Colorado State Fair

Aug. 23-Sept. 2

State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, coloradostatefair.com

With a lineup of great concerts and a huge carnival packed with rides, the fair is totally worth the drive to Pueblo. Oh, and the animals and super fried food aren't too shabby, either.

September

What if... Festival

Sept. 14

Downtown Colorado Springs, whatif-festival.org

This hands-on celebration of innovative ideas brings the community together through interactive projects, exciting performances and creative demonstrations.

Loaf 'N Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival

Sept. 20-22

Downtown Pueblo, pueblochilefestivalinfo.com

Coloradans do not mess around when it comes to chiles. See what farmers and chefs have to offer at this fun festival filled with tasty adventure.

Manitou Springs Heritage Brew Festival

Sept. 28

Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., manitouspringsheritagecenter.org

Toast the end of summer with dozens of cool beers brewed by the best beer makers Colorado Springs has to offer.

Taste of OCC

Sept. TBD

Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., Old Colorado City, tasteofocc.com

Sample wines and microbrews paired with tasty eats from local restaurants, breweries and wineries, while mixing and mingling to live music.

October

Arts Month

The whole month of October

All over the Pikes Peak region, culturaloffice.org

Each October everybody is encouraged to grab their family and friends and have at least one new cultural experience in the Pikes Peak region.

Hellscream Haunted House

October, dates vary

3021 N. Hancock Ave., hellscreamhaunt.com

What is Halloween without a scary traipse through a haunted house? Hellscream features twists and turns and scare actors who definitely love their jobs.

Boo at the Zoo

Oct. 18-20, 25-27, 31

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, cmzoo.org

Get the kiddos dressed in their coolest costumes and head out for a night of trick-or-treating amongst their favorite zoo animals. Safe and fun with candy and vendor booths representing local organizations and businesses.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival

Oct. 26

Downtown Manitou Springs, manitousprings.org

Only in Manitou Springs would a dis-astrous and involuntary grave excavation turn into an annual reason to party. Watch coffins race down the main drag, pop into the bars for live music and enjoy a macabre good time.

November

Veterans Day Parade

Nov. TBD

Downtown Colorado Springs, cosvetsparade.org

A community gathering to honor, celebrate and show support for the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces.

Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival

Nov. 15-17

Various venues, rmwfilminstitute.org

Thought-provoking films from women and other diverse filmmakers in the industry, including shorts, documentaries, feature-length flicks and more.

Turkey Trot

Nov. 28

Briargate YMCA, 4025 Family Place, ppymca.org

A 5K that will create a calorie deficit before you ever touch a bite of stuffing. Get a neat T-shirt and a feeling of superiority when you sit down for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Gold Camp Christmas Holiday Headframe Lighting Tours

Nov. 22-Jan. 1

visitcripplecreek.com

The towns of Cripple Creek and Victor become a holiday wonderland when the old mine headframes are decked out with lights. Tour by car or catch a guided exploration.

Small Business Saturday

Nov. 30

Citywide, visitcos.com

Local biz makes the community better. Shop local and enjoy special deals and community events all day long.

December

Bear Creek by Candlelight

Dec. 6

Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road, tinyurl.com/EpCo-Bear-Creek

Take the family for a walk on beautifully lit nature trails during this once-a-year holiday celebration. Expect warming food and drink, music, critters, crafts and a visit from Santa Claus.

Colorado Springs Festival of Lights

Dec. 7

Downtown Colorado Springs, coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com

Live music, beautiful floats and an appearance by Santa are just some of the cool experiences to be had in this free holiday favorite festival in downtown Colorado Springs.

Electric Safari

Dec. 6-8, 13-23 and Dec. 25-Jan. 1

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, cmzoo.org

Venture out into the cold for a rare winter zoo experience. Thousands of twinkle lights create a feeling of wonder as you wander the zoo at night. Hot cocoa recommended.