Every local should try these classic Colorado Springs events at least once. Expect some disruptions or alterations due to COVID-19, but watch for these favorites as the pandemic wanes.
Meadowgrass
La Foret Conference & Retreat Center, May 28-30
The eclectic annual music festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, features more than 20 national, regional and local artists–all beneath the big yellow tent in the Black Forest Pines. meadowgrass.org
Territory Days
Old Colorado City, May 29-31
SInce 1975, Territory Days has taken over Old Colorado City on Memorial Day weekend with live music, craft vendors and Old West traditions, such as gold-panning and Native American dancing. shopcoloradocity.com
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Pikes Peak, June 27
For 99 years, the last Sunday in June has been Hill Climb day. High-speed competitors race up the peak, around 156 turns to finish at 14,115 feet in the Race to the Clouds. Race Week festivities include opportunities to meet drivers and watch acrobatic motorcycles at Fan Fest downtown, June 25. ppihc.org
Summer Symphony and Fireworks
Memorial Park, July 4
When the sun goes down on the Fourth of July, the place to be is Memorial Park. Food, fireworks and the Philharmonic–for free. csphilharmonic.org
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Norris Penrose Event Center, July 14-17
For four days each July, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo–in its 80th year–is a priority for top talent on the competitive rodeo cycle. Cheer on bull riders, steer wrestlers, barrel racers–and always cute mutton busters. pikespeakorbust.org
Sesquicentennial Downtown Festival
Downtown, July 31
Party like it’s 1871 to celebrate Colorado Springs’ 150th birthday with a parade, live music and rally for Team USA athletes at the Tokyo Games. coloradosprings.gov/cos-I 50
Labor Day Lift Off
Memorial Park, Sept. 4-6
Rise early during Memorial Day weekend, and enjoy more than 70 hot air balloons launching overhead. Head back in the evening got concerts and balloon glows. coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com
Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival
Downtown Manitou Springs, Oct. 30
Manitou resident Emma Crawford was buried at the top of Red Mountain in 1891. In 1929, her coffin came sliding down the mountainside. Since 1995, Manitou has honored her memory by donning macabre costumes and racing coffins through town. emmacrawfordfestival.com
Skate in the Park
Acacia Park, Mid-November-Early 2022
Lace-up your skates, and hit the seasonal outdoor ice rink. Special events let you skate with Team USA figure skaters and hockey players from Colorado College and Air Force Academy. downtowncs.com/skate
Festival of Lights Parade
Downtown Colorado Springs, Dec. 4
Bundle up to cheer on brightly lit floats, brands, costumed characters and the arrival of Santa Claus right down Tejon Street. coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com
Insider Picks
CC vs. DU Hockey
One of college hockey’s top rivalries: Colorado College and University of Denver in the Battle for the Gold Pan. Broadmoor World Arena. cctigers.com
Green Box Arts Festival
Tiny mountain town–world-class art in more than 50 concerts, workshops, performances, and more. This year features a James Terrell Skyspace, June 21-July 11, in Green Mountain Falls, greenboxarts.org
Rocky Mountain State Games
Colorado’s largest multisport festival is open to athletes of all ages and abilities, including physical disabilities, July 16-18 and 23-25. coloradospringssports.org
Pikes Peak APEX
The four-day, multistage mountain bike race showcases local trails in Palmer Park, Cheyenne Cañon and more, and offers a big purse for pros and amateurs, Sept. 23-26. pikespeakapex.com
Air Force Football
Cheer on the Fighting Falcons and take in those impressive aircraft fly-overs. goairforcefalcons.com
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
The longest-running women’s film festival in North America features a weekend of screening, filmmaker discussion and an opening gala in November at Colorado College. rmwfilminstitute.org
Electric Safari
Holiday light sculptures, warming bonfires, and nighttime wildlife at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo every December. cmzoo.org
AdAmAn Club New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Find your view of Pikes Peak and watch for fireworks shot from the summit at midnight on New Year’s Eve by the historic AdAmAn Club. Consider it the Springs’ version of the Times Square ball drop. adaman.org
Don’t Miss These Big Grand Openings
Pikes Peak Summit Complex Grand Opening
It’s an architectural and construction feat to build at 14.115 feet, and the new Summit Complex is beautifully state-of-the-art. Watch for festivities on Pikes Peak in spring. pikespeakcolorado.com
Switchbacks Weidner Field
Switchbacks FC move into the long-awaited downtown stadium in March for the USL Championship soccer season. switchbacksfc.com
The Broadmoor, Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The beloved cog railway begins running again May 1 to the summit of Pikes Peak after a $100-million renovation of its tracks, cogs, railcars and depot. cograilway.com
CC Hockey Robson Arena
The Colorado College Tigers will host rivals like University of Denver and Air Force Academy in this new arena on campus starting in October. cctigers.com
