Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching! Despite COVID, Colorado has a whole bunch of end of summer activities to choose from. From water parks to the kick-off of college football games, the beloved mountainous state will be absolutely booming with activities for all ages. Remember to take precautions when you and your children are subjected to the last rays of summer sun. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can still occur despite Colorado already showing signs of the highly anticipated fall season. We will be dripping with orange pumpkins and nutmeg in what seems like no time at all. Until then, enjoy these Labor Day festivities across the centennial state. There is always your traditional hiking which could be great, when done safely, for a labor day weekend activity. After you see all of our labor day ideas check out our list of top 10 hiking places in Colorado if you want hiking recommendations!
Lakes and Water Parks
Splish splash, here comes the end of summer. After you finish your hike, take a break at one of these Labor Day celebrations which all focus on cooling you down. For one of the places on this list, this end of summer weekend means their doors are closing for the season.
Summer’s End Celebration – Avon
The inaugural Summer’s End celebration will be held this Labor Day weekend. The event will start with Lakeside Cinema Friday evening. Then we will enjoy the Avon Art Festival on Saturday morning and through the rest of the weekend. There will be sand volleyball, paddleboat rentals and beach activities. The Summer’s End Celebration will finish out Monday with a free performance by Los Lobos at 6 p.m. Their website says, “Remember your reusable water bottle – Plastic-Free Event! Fostering a culture of environmentalism, waste mitigation and energy conservation which minimizes the negative impacts to our collective environment and community for the long term is of utmost importance to the Town.” There will still be canned beverage products for sale.
Water World – Federal Heights
This is the final weekend of 2021 to visit Water World. Water World is one of America’s largest water parks. The last three days of operation for 2021 are Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Water World features many attractions including huge thrill rides. Outside food and drinks can be brought in making it perfect for picnics, plus parking is free. Enjoy the last water-filled weekend of 2021.
Labor Day Fairs and Festivals
If water parks or hiking aren’t your thing, maybe you would enjoy a fair or festival! Imagine the laughter and joyous conversation in the air mixing with the smells of great food. The sound of live music pulls you over to the stage then you and whoever you’re with dance to the musicians song. What better way is there to spend an afternoon?
A Taste of Colorado & Cherry Creek Arts Festival – Denver
Originally dubbed the Festival of Mountain and Plain, the historic A Taste of Colorado festival has brought Coloradans together since 1895. The local-favorite Labor Day weekend festival is back with a new downtown sprawling format. The 38th A Taste of Colorado will be held September 4 through the 6 across downtown Denver. This year’s event will be the biggest it has ever been, featuring three stages where attendees can listen to music from a variety of local and regional musicians. Downtown restaurants will have special menus for the festival, and local vendors will be selling art and goods along the 16th Street Mall. Their website says, “The festival will be an authentic and spirited union of sights, sounds, tastes, and color as we celebrate together. The Downtown Denver Partnership is thrilled to be bringing back Taste of Colorado in 2021 because it’s more than a festival, it’s in our nature.”
CherryArts and the Denver Chalk Art Festival have joined forces this year forming the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. The Cherry Creek Arts Festival will be held at Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center in the northwest parking lot near University Boulevard and 1st Avenue from Saturday through Monday. The festival will have 220 artists, 100 chalk artists,16 performing artists, a creation station for children, delicious food, and lovely interactive experiences. “We’ve been waiting to hit the Denver streets again since June of 2019. Watching the joy this craft brings to attendees, and the camaraderie of the artist community coming together, has been sorely missed,” said Michel Rieger, Denver Chalk Art Festival artist director. “Collaborating with CherryArts is a perfect match. We look forward to bringing Denver’s most colorful event back through the long-standing tradition of the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.”
Colorado State Fair – Pueblo
The largest summer event in Colorado, the Colorado State Fair, will be holding its second week this Labor Day weekend. The fair has a carnival, 4-H exhibits, agricultural competitions, tractor pulls, live music performances, rodeos, Major League Eating and entrancing food options. The Colorado State Fair runs through Monday, Sept. 6. Find the event you want to attend most at ColoradoStateFair.com.
Beer Gardens, Hot Air Balloons and Car Shows
Visit a delicious Beer Garden, see breathtaking sights of hot air balloons in the sky, or show off your vintage ride at a car show. One of the events in this category even has horse-drawn carriage rides. What could be more romantic for the one you want to impress? These options are great for couples and families who want something a little more laid back.
Windsor Harvest Festival – Windsor
Windsor Harvest Festival is back for its 99th year with a theme of “Big Ol’ Block Party.” The festival runs from Saturday to Monday with live music, cruise-in car show, horse-drawn carriage rides, beer garden, movie screening in the park and so many more. Balloon launches are planned for Saturday and Sunday at Eastman Park. The best growers will show off their garden in the annual Garden Show and Veggie Art. The Windsor Harvest Festival Parade will be on Monday. This festival is perfect for families who want to attend events every day of the Labor Day weekend. There will be a large number of activities just for kids!
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off – colorado springs
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off runs Saturday to Monday. This option is perfect for those planning a Friday night get-together at home and want to get out for the rest of the weekend. The event is free. Every morning will start with a mass hot air balloon lift off of over 70 balloons. It will be a beautiful site to see while you eat breakfast and drinks from local vendors. There will be all kinds of demonstrations during the day such as skydiving, and wakeboarding exhibitions. You will enjoy paddle boarding and live entertainment. The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off will take place at Memorial Park.
College Football
Does your family prefer tailgates and jerseys over fair food and water parks? Well, you’re in luck because college football is back in Colorado! We can already feel the energetic anticipation in the stands. Who will win? Who will lose? The eruption of cheers has a way of breathing life into almost anyone. Which game will you find yourself enjoying?
BOULDER
The University of Colorado Buffaloes and University of Northern Colorado Bears kick off the 2021 season with a game Friday night. You can get tickets at CUBuffs.com or at the CU ticket office.
FORT COLLINS
The Colorado State Rams begin their season Friday night at Canvas Stadium. The Rams host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in a “Green Out” game that will be broadcast on FS1.
DURANGO
High noon Saturday is when the Fort Lewis Skyhawks will start their football season. Fort Lewis hosts New Mexico Highlands University at 12 p.m. at Durango’s Ray Dennison Memorial Field.
ALAMOSA
The Adams State Grizzlies welcome Western New Mexico University to Rex Stadium this weekend, at 5 p.m. Saturday in Alamosa.
Written by: Erinn Malloy
