On The Menu This September
The Front Range food events we’re watching this month
Denver Food and Wine | Sept. 6-10 | Specific event times vary
Taste your way around the Mile High at Denver’s food and wine festival. This culinary event will bring together the city’s greatest food and beverage experts for five days of bites and sips, plus other unique events, like Yoga + Bubbles, Dinner Under the Stars, a wine glass seminar, and of course, the Grand Tasting. Tickets range from $65-$300. denverfoodandwine.com
Westwood Chile Fest | Sept. 10 | Noon-7 p.m.
This free annual community tradition hosted in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood uplifts Hispanic culture through authentic food and art. Celebrate and support the area’s local Hispanic businesses and artisans with live performances, vendor booths, and hearty food. This event is free and open to the public. westwoodchilefest.com
Mid-Autumn Festival | September 10-11
Denver’s beloved Far East Center is celebrating the season with a free, 2-day Asian food and culture event. In Asia, a traditional Mid-Autumn festival honors the harvest moon and community connection. There will be a night market (Saturday) and a day market (Sunday) featuring pho- and moon cake-eating competitions, traditional lion dance and drum performances, and a homemade lantern contest. This event is free to attend! littlesaigondenver.com
Lakewood Food and Wine Festival | Sept. 10 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Chefs, somms, and winemakers from across the metro area will come together at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park for an afternoon of culinary delight that will include wine tastings, food pairings, live music, yard games, local vendors, and community connection. This event is free to attend. Food and wine tasting tickets are $50. lakewoodfoodandwine.com
Orthodox Food Festival | Sept. 10 | 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Spend a day in Denver’s diverse Globeville neighborhood and taste your way through Greece, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, and Italy at this orthodox ethnic food festival hosted by the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Cathedral. There will also be live entertainment and historical tours! This event is free to attend. globevilleorthodoxfoodfestival.org
Gather & Sow at Denver Botanic Gardens | Sept. 15 | 5:30-10 p.m.
Award-winning chefs from around Denver (including Alex Seidel, Cindhura Reddy, and more!) will come together for a collaborative culinary event meant to raise funds for Food Bank of the Rockies, a local nonprofit committed to ending food insecurity across the Front Range. Together, these celebrated local chefs will host a high-end dining experience for a good cause. This event will be held at Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield location in Littleton. Tickets are $300. foodbackrockies.org
Breckenridge Wine Classic | Sept. 15-17 | Specific event times vary
This premier wine event hosted in the beautiful Rocky Mountain town of Breckenridge draws master winemakers and sommeliers from around the country to celebrate fine wine and great food. More than 100 wineries, distilleries, chefs, and local food purveyors help make up the weekend’s various tastings, seminars, meals, and entertainment. Tickets range from $95-$250. breckenridgewineclassic.com
Denver Oktoberfest | Sept. 16-18; Sept. 23-25
For some of us, it’s not fall; it’s not September — it’s Oktoberfest! And Denver’s celebration is so popular, it needs two different weekends! From keg bowling and stein hoisting to lederhosen contests and traditional Bavarian eats, this is a party you don’t want to miss. General admission is free; VIP tickets begin at $95. thedenveroktoberfest.com
Snowmass Wine Festival | Sept. 16-17 | 1:30-5 p.m.
The only thing better than a quality glass of wine is a quality glass of wine with a breathtaking Rocky Mountain backdrop. And you’ll get both at the Snowmass Wine Festival. Back for its 20th anniversary, the festival will kick off with a four-course wine dinner on Friday night, leading you into Saturday’s world-class wine tasting in Snowmass Park. Bonus: All proceeds go toward local and international grants and scholarships through the Snowmass Rotary Club. Tickets start at $115. gosnowmass.com
Sterling Sugar Beet Days | Sept. 17-18
Perhaps one of the oldest food festivals on the Front Range, Sugar Beet Days was started back in 1981 to celebrate this important regional crop. Today, the annual event spotlights more than 200 food and craft vendors and two days of live local entertainment. Hosted in Sterling’s historic downtown, Sugar Beet Days is a true taste of Colorado history. This event is free to attend. sugarbeetdays.com
Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival | Sept. 23-25
Taking place in Pueblo’s historic downtown, this southern Colorado town’s annual celebration of all things chile y frijoles is back for its 28th iteration. Founded to promote Pueblo’s rich agriculture and foster community connection, the festival has grown to feature dozens of booths from area farmers, specialty shops, and local vendors, drawing hundreds of visitors from across the state and nation! Admission is $6. pueblochilefestival.com
Steamboat Food and Wine Festival | Sept. 29-Oct. 2 | Specific event times vary
The scenic mountain drive to Steamboat Springs is well-worth the trek for this foodie festival. Renowned Front Range chefs will gather for collaboration dinners, wine seminars, cooking demos, and of course, a grand tasting you don’t want to miss — all in the name of celebrating elevated culinary excellence. Ticket prices begin at $160. steamboatfoodandwine.com
Denver Beer Week | Sept. 30-Oct. 8
The tailend of this month kicks off the Mile High’s annual Denver Beer Week, presented by Visit Denver. Indulge in nine days of craft brews, tap takeovers, brewery tours, and other beer-centric events across the city, including the Great American Beer Festival. Find a full list of Denver Beer Week events at denver.org/denver-beer-week.