Fall in Breckenridge is (rightfully) recognized for tunnels of golden aspens and one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Rocky Mountains. But Oktoberfest isn’t the only festival or event that shines this fall. Check out the top fall festivals in Breckenridge or, see highlights from Breckenridge’s best winter festivals and summer events.
Fall Festivals in Breckenridge:
Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA)
Join us in Breckenridge for a 10-day festival presented by Breckenridge Creative Arts celebrating adventure, play and creativity. Inspired by themes of environment and mountain culture, Breckenridge International Festival of Arts (BIFA), is a multi-arts program of extraordinary events in spectacular places, bringing together an eclectic mix of music, dance, film, visual arts and family entertainment. Dozens of scheduled events, indoors and outdoors, ticketed and free, are showcased at venues and sites throughout town.
Breck Epic – August 16-21, 2020
The Breck Epic is one big bad race! With 6 days, over 240 miles, and roughly 40,000 feet of vertical gain, the Epic highlights Breckenridge as a top biking destination. The event is unique in that it employs a cloverleaf format; each loop starts and finishes within a mile from downtown Breckenridge and utilizes the sprawling network of trails in both Summit and Park Counties. The race is a well-rounded rider’s dream, with long middle-ring climbs, and endless big-ring mashing descents!
Breckenridge Hogfest: Bacon and Bourbon
Bacon is the most loved food in the universe and the route to all things swine and divine. Add in the quintessential American liquor, bourbon; mind blown. These indulgences come together for Breckenridge Hogfest: Bacon & Bourbon. Meat and bourbon connoisseurs will be able to taste their way through a spectrum of pork samples, premium whiskeys, single malt scotches and barrel-aged spirits while enjoying live music and mixology below Peak Nine. We want to speak to palates of all distinctions and our golden rule will be to feature the best of the best to the brownest of the brown.
Labor Day Weekend – September 5-7, 2020
Summer may be winding down, but not the town of Breckenridge! Enjoy cool summer temperatures and exciting events like the Summit Foundation’s Great Rubber Duck Race, the annual Sidewalk Sale, the Great Divide Arts festival and more! Discover great prices on summer favorites during Breckenridge’s Sidewalk Sale Days, or find something uniquely special at the Great Divide Arts Festival featuring more than 100 artists. Families won’t want to miss the Summit Foundation’s Great Rubber Duck Race, where as may as 10,000 tiny rubber ducks take over the blue river in the heart of Breckenridge, all for a good cause. Take part and purchase a duck benefiting the Summit Foundation to win great prizes!
Prost! Breckenridge Oktoberfest – September 11-13, 2020
Breckenridge Oktoberfest brings a weekend of parties, polka, German cuisine and of course, plenty of Paulaner beer. It’s one of the largest Oktoberfest’s in the Rocky Mountain region and offers collectible steins imported from Germany. Don’t miss this event, as this is considered one of the top fall festivals in Breckenridge! The weekend is a mix of traditional (with Munich’s Paulaner, one of the six breweries who provide beer for the German festival) and local flavor (with Breckenridge Brewery providing local brews). Family tip: Local families tend to hit the event Friday or Sunday afternoon, when crowds are fewer. On Saturday, more people at Oktoberfest means more runs on the alpine slide at the Breckenridge Fun Park.
Breckenridge Wine Classic – September 17-20, 2020
Raise your glasses and join us as we uncork the can’t miss wine festival of the season. Master sommeliers, chefs and winemakers invite the public to play, wine and dine during the height of Breckenridge’s fall colors. The event will combine a grand tasting in the historic Arts District, seminars and demos with town’s outdoor adventures to create a weekend of fine food and foliage. Tickets on sale now.
40th Annual Breckenridge Film Festival – September 25-27, 2020
One of the oldest film festival in the country, the Breckenridge Film Festival celebrates the art and craft of filmmaking. BFF offers a unique and varied array of independent films, premieres, receptions, educational programs, and retrospectives honoring featured guests. The fest also celebrates the spirit of exploration with its popular Adventure Reel, featuring outdoor inspired films. It’s a true diverse film experience in an authentic mountain environment.
Breckenridge Strings, Ciders & Sours Festival
The truly enlightened know that cider is becoming the most loved beverage in the universe and route to all things magnificent. Add quintessential American Bluegrass, delicious food pairings, a Sours Garden and gorgeous views and you have uniquely delicious mountain experience. These indulgences come together for the Breckenridge Strings, Ciders, and Sours Festival. Cider and wild ale lovers will be able to taste their way through a spectrum of samples with enjoying live music and mixology below Peak Nine. Guests will receive a commemorative tasting mug, access to entertainment and festivals activities.
Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival
Craft distillers gather each year in Breckenridge for the Craft Spirits Festival, which features a grand tasting, restaurant specials, a downtown pub crawl and historic saloon tours.
Born of Colorado’s – and the nation’s – rapidly-growing artisan spirits industry, the Breckenridge fest is the first of its kind in Colorado and last year added new bar glass art sessions and cooking demos. Family tip: Leave the kids with relatives and make this trip all about Mom and Dad.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring deceased family, friends and ancestors. The Breckenridge 2-day celebration features hands-on workshops, face painting, art installations and community-made altars on the Arts District campus.