Durango offers a full event calendar all year long. Some of our favorite and longest running events occur in fall.
ANNUAL FALL EVENTS:
Buckley Park, August 28 & 29, 2026
The best beer tasting festival in the Four Corners! The San Juan Brewfest takes place over two days - Friday August 28 and Saturday August 29 – and is held in Downtown Durango at Buckley Park. VIP and General Admission tickets will be available. Both days feature up to 35 breweries with nearly 100 beers to sample, unlimited tastings, a souvenir tasting glass, live bands, and tons of fun, all to benefit Team Up. Tickets for the Brewfest traditionally sell out, so get your ticket in advance. Tickets go on sale June 1, 2026. Information and tickets here: SanJuanBrewfest.com
September 3-6, 2026
The Four Corners Motorcycle Rally returns for Labor Day weekend in Durango! The Rally will take place from Thursday, September 3, to Sunday, September 6, and will include daily events, workshops, music, and more. Activities will take place at both the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Durango Harley—Davidson.
For a full schedule, visit their website.
The Art Galleries of Durango Autumn Gallery Walk
Downtown Durango, September 18 from 5 pm-8 pm
Twelve galleries in Downtown Durango, along with the Smiley Building, will host their Annual Autumn Gallery Walk, featuring a variety of art and crafts from hundreds of talented artists, refreshments and live music.
Downtown Durango on 2nd Avenue ~ September 19 & 20, 2026
The Autumn Arts Festival takes place September 19 and 20, 2026, in Historic Downtown Durango on E. 2nd Avenue. Celebrating 32 years of presenting fine art and fine craft makers, the festival features nearly 100 artist booths. The event is a benefit for the Durango Arts Center, a non-profit arts organization serving Durango and the Four Corners. Festival hours are 10 am to 5 pm.
Purgatory Resort, September 2026
Join us for Oktoberfest in September at Purgatory Resort. Join us for a day of great brews, beautiful views, live music, and a festive atmosphere. This is a family friendly event! Tickets are just $15 in advance and $20 at the door if still available. Ticket holders ill recieve a 19.5 oz custom beer mug and a ticket for your first beer. Tickets for additional beers will be available for purchase.Enjoy Pretzels, Kolaches, Brats and more. Live music will be set up on the beach or on Purgy’s patio and we’ll have a few Oktoberfest-themed games to participate in too. Now offering, Round-trip bus transportation is available for just $15.
Learn more Here
Various venues in Durango, Oct.2-4, 2026
The Durango Cowboy Gathering is a fun-filled five-day event that captures the true spirit of the American cowboy through song, music, and stories. Cowboy poets and musicians from all across the country will perform in various venues throughout Durango, including the Doubletree and Strater Hotels. They also will visit area schools to entertain students with stories and songs about our Western culture and lifestyle. On Saturday, one of Colorado’s largest motorless parades and a chuckwagon breakfast kick off a day full of activities.. New this year, the Gathering will feature a Horseback Social before the start of the parade. Six blocks of historic downtown Durango will be closed to traffic so that hundreds of cowboys, cowgirls, and other horse enthusiasts can get together with each other and community members. Multiple areas adjacent to the riding enclosure will be set aside for various activities, including a petting corral and horse rides for the kids. It will be a unique and captivating experience for participants, locals, and visitors alike.
For 36 years, the mission of the Gathering is to remind people of Durango’s western heritage and culture. We hope you will join us as we celebrate the traditions unique to the Old West. For more information, please visit our website at www.durangocowboygathering.org
Animas Valley and Historic Downtown Durango, October 16-18, 2026
The Animas Valley Balloon Rally hosts a full weekend of events. The event starts with the Downtown Balloon Glow on Friday, October 16, where spectators will see multiple hot air balloons light up. The event also features a few candlesticks (baskets without their balloons) A second Downtown Balloon Glow will also take place on Saturday night. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the pilots and get close to the balloons. In the Animas Valley, on Saturday and Sunday, early bird spectators can see the balloons inflate and then watch the balloons take flight for a mass ascension. This is an excellent event for families. Free tethered balloon rides will be available. The event is weather permitting.
Historic Downtown Durango, Saturday, October 31, 2026
The little ghosts and goblins fill the streets of Downtown Durango on October 31 for the Children’s Halloween Event. This is a fun and safe option for kids to trick-or-treat in costume at nearly 100 participating merchants. This event is for children 10 and under, accompanied by an adult, and in costume. Children’s Halloween will also include a Children's Carnival and Trunk-or-Treat at TBK Bank, with games offered by the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County. The games are free for children 14 and under and offer additional fun activities on Halloween night. In addition to the games, there will be approximately 10-15 businesses doing a Trunk-or-Treat and handing out goodies to the kids. This event is generously sponsored by TBK Bank. All donations will support the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County. Learn more about this event here.
WEEKLY/ONGOING FALL EVENTS:
First Friday of Every Month
Durango First Friday is a monthly art walk celebrating all things local in our fantastic community—art and music, culture, unique goods, real food, and movement makers! Rain or shine, this monthly event will take place throughout Durango from 4-8 pm, with free transit provided by the City of Durango
TBK Parking Lot, Saturday Mornings
The Durango Farmers Market is celebrating 25 years of offering an open-air market in Downtown Durango featuring local farmers, artisans, and more. You can buy your produce from the farmers who grow it. The market offers vegetables, meat, honey, fruit, eggs, cheese, ceramics, jewelry, and fresh ready-to-eat meals. Musical entertainment is also offered at each market. It’s a community event not to be missed!
Located at the TBK Bank Parking Lot at 259 W. 9th Street, just one block off Main Avenue.
Open Saturdays 8 am to noon (October 9 am-noon)
