Food and Drink Festivals

Denver is packed with food and drink festivals year-round. From culinary delights to original microbrews, there's always something to look forward to.

DENVER BEER WEEK

WHEN: Sept. 10–18, 2021
WHERE: Throughout Denver
Enjoy nine days of all things beer during Denver Beer Week, with tons of beer-related events. Head to The Mile High City for tap takeovers, rare beer tappings, firkin nights, meet-the-brewer events, beer and food pairings and much, much more.

THE DENVER BBQ FESTIVAL

WHEN: Sept. 17–19, 2021
WHERE: Empower Field at Mile High
BBQ is back! Don't miss this chance to grab an ice-cold brew and sample pure smoked bliss from award-winning pitmasters from across the country. Admission is free with BBQ, drinks and more available to purchase, or get an all-you-can-eat-drink Q Pit Pass.

DENVER OKTOBERFEST 

WHEN: Sept. 17–19 and 24–26, 2021
WHERE: Downtown Denver
Pull out your lederhosen and dirndls, grab a pretzel or brat, and don’t forget a pint from your favorite Denver breweries as we celebrate the transition from summer to fall at what USA Today has dubbed “The Best Oktoberfest” in the United States.

5TH ANNUAL BLOODY MARY FESTIVAL

WHEN: Sept. 19, 2021
WHERE: EXDO Event Center
The largest event of its kind, The Bloody Mary Festival brings together the most innovative and crafty Bloody Mary mixes, curated by its team of Bloody Mary aficionados and made by local bars and restaurants. Guests will have the opportunity to taste them all before voting for their favorites! A panel of industry judges will also select the “Best Bloody Mary in Denver.”

Stranahan's Cask Thief

WHEN: Sept. 25, 2021
WHERE: Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey
The best and most unique tasting event in whiskey is returning to Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey. At their sixth annual Cask Thief, the rarest Stranahan’s barrels will be on display – pulled from the depths of their rack house for the first time. Guests will have the unique opportunity to taste directly from these barrels, which were exclusively selected just for this experience by Owen Martin, head distiller.

COLORADO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

WHEN: Sept. 25–26, 2021
WHERE: Sloan’s Lake Park
Come cheer on your favorite Dragon Boat teams as they race across Sloan's Lake! Grab a delicious meal and drink at the Taste of Asia food courts, buy amazing gifts and goods at the Asian Marketplace and relax or dance along to live music at stages throughout the festival. This is a FREE family event for all ages!

PUMPKIN HARVEST FESTIVAL

WHEN: Oct. 1–3, 2021
WHERE: Four Mile Historic Park
This annual gourd gala is the perfect way to kick off the fall season, with a build-your-own-scarecrow activity, fall-themed games and arts and crafts, a s'mores station, tractor rides, face painting, axe throwing, an autumnal artisan marketplace, whimsical treats from The Inventing Room and more! 

10TH ANNUAL ORPHEUS MEADFEST

WHEN: Oct. 2, 2021
WHERE: JUC Grounds (not affiliated), Golden
Did you know that some of Colorado’s finest meaderies are international award winners? At this celebration of the nectar of the gods, mead lovers can taste a wide variety of meads, accompanied by appetizers and live music. 

HARVEST WEEK

WHEN: Oct. 3–7, 2021
WHERE: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse
This five-night pop-up culinary collaboration is a celebration of Colorado’s harvest, chefs and food system. This year, 30 Denver-area chefs will collaborate on a series of five-course dinners paired with Colorado-made beverages, served in the garden at Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse in RiNo. Tickets go on sale mid-September!

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL 

WHEN: Oct. 8–10, 2021
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens – Chatfield Farms
Celebrate fall with a treasured October tradition for the entire family. Ticket price includes access to the 10-acre pumpkin patch and family and children's activities, food, music and fun. 

MORE FUN FOR FOODIES

CIVIC CENTER EATS

From May through October, Civic Center EATS transforms Civic Center Park into a lunchtime extravaganza with 70 of Denver's best food and fashion trucks. It's your chance to savor a variety of cuisines while supporting our city's small local business scene and the Civic Center Conservancy's mission to restore and enhance Civic Center Park, Denver's only National Historic Landmark.

FARMERS' MARKETS

The Mile High City's more than 20 farmers' markets aren't just about locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and prepared foods — though you'll find those in abundance! Each market is a festive, weekly street fair, many with live entertainment and family-friendly activities.