3 Spectacular September Food and Music Festivals in Denver

Each September, fantastic food festivals pop up in and around Denver, where you can sample a variety of world-class cuisines in one convenient location.

But before you hit the road, it’s best to do your research. After all, you’ll find many events on the calendar, and some may be a better fit than others.

Here are three great festivals to add to your itinerary to help you start planning your food tour of the Denver area.

Let’s take a bite!

Two young women eat tasty treats at an outdoor food festival.

Denver’s Food Festivals Will Satisfy Your Senses

Back in the 1800s, immigrants from across the planet flocked to the Denver area to get a slice of that sweet Gold Rush pie. They brought with them culinary traditions from Mexico, Japan, China, Italy, Germany, and beyond.

Some of these hopefuls struck gold, while others weren’t so lucky. However, they all left behind a bustling city exploding with cultural innovation.

Today, we see the remnants of these early Denverites in eateries throughout the metropolitan area, from casual food halls where locals grab pastries on the way to work to Michelin-starred restaurants serving five-course gourmet meals. But the best place to get a taste of the city might be at one of Denver’s many annual food festivals.

At these events, the top restaurants come together to offer their unique flavor and flare to hungry attendees. Here are a few excellent options to get you started.

Watch this video on YouTube

#1 Denver Food + Wine Festival

One of the most highly anticipated occasions of the year is the annual Denver Food + Wine Festival. Here, over 50 local restaurants team up with regional vintners to create an appetizing atmosphere like no other.

The party begins about a month before the gates open with the Dine Out Culinary Auction Series. You can bid on various food-related affairs, such as a chef’s table omakase for two at Sushi Den or a pastry-of-the-month subscription from Poulette Bakeshop.

But the real fun begins around the first week of September when foodies flock to the Metropolitan State University Auraria campus.

The festival kicks off with wine tastings and educational seminars. Then, you can watch mixologists and food truck masters go head-to-head to see who has the best sips and bites of the bunch. Of course, you’ll also get the chance to judge for yourself.

Finally, the Grand Tasting closes out the weekend with samples from the city’s renowned restauranteurs and wine experts.

#2 Big Chili Cook-Off

Just outside Denver in Evergreen, Colorado, you’ll find another excellent food festival to satisfy your cravings. The Big Chili Cook-Off is a one-day event packed with live music, fun activities, and, of course, as much chili as you can stomach. Local businesses and family teams compete to determine who has the best recipe.

This event benefits six local fire departments, so it makes sense that kids and adults can vie for glory in firefighter challenges. We hear these contests draw as large a crowd as the chili itself.

Be sure to stick around for the awards ceremony to see which teams earned bragging rights until next year’s festivities. The Big Chili Cook-Off usually occurs in Buchanan Park on the first or second weekend of September.

However, if you’d rather stay closer to downtown Denver, you can attend Whiskies of the World instead. At this touring sample session, you can taste over 150 fine liquors from around the globe without ever leaving the city center.

Hungry for more? Check out 7 Styles of Chili (Ranked Best to Worst)!

#3 Fiddles, Vittles, and Vino

The annual Fiddles, Vittles, and Vino event is actually in Colorado Springs, but we felt it deserved a spot on our list of Denver-area food festivals. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site at Garden of the Gods hosts this one-day party each year.

Dozens of restaurants serve up bites of their most iconic dishes all day. You can bring a blanket or folding chair and enjoy the sounds of bluegrass and folk music while you sip an array of regional wines.

This family-friendly affair is an event you won’t want to miss. Your ticket price covers all samples, and vendors will sling beer and wine until the wells run dry. We suggest arriving as soon as the gates open to ensure you get to taste a little bit of everything. The celebration will take place rain or shine, so don’t forget your umbrella!

Ready to take off? Here are the 5 Best Day Trips Around Beautiful Denver!

Best Places to Stay Near Denver’s Many Food Festivals

You could easily spend the entire month of September touring the city and enjoying its many food-centric festivities. So, here are three great places to make yourself at home in the Mile High City.

Cherry Creek State Park Campground

The campground at Aurora’s Cherry Creek State Park provides comfortable accommodations for RVers attending one or all of Denver’s food festivals.

Sites include full hookups with 20- and 30-amp electrical outlets, a fire ring, and a picnic table. You’ll have access to free WiFi, modern restrooms, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Many spots can accept Class A rigs, so size shouldn’t be an issue.

Best of all, you can enjoy the park’s 35 miles of multi-use trails, paddle along the reservoir, or simply take in the striking scenery.

Capitol Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn

Folks who prefer to stay closer to the action will appreciate the urban luxury of Capitol Hill Mansion. The 1891 home features eight guest rooms, each of which is named for a different wildflower.

They offer several packages, like the Romance add-on, which includes a bottle of champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and breakfast for two delivered to your door.

An alley in the Dairy neighborhood at night with spherical light fixtures strewn throughout.

The Acoma House

While we’ve been laser-focused on Denver’s food festivals, it’s important to remember that the city is also a mecca for artists. The Acoma House is the ultimate accommodation for visitors who want to take in the creative side of the Mile High.

Artists with ties to Denver have carefully designed each of the two dozen. Everywhere you look, you’ll see colorful murals ranging from abstract to hyper-realistic. You’ll enjoy all the comforts of a standard hotel, plus some extra flare, here in the Golden Triangle neighborhood.

Continue planning your trip with a Moon Travel Guide of Denver, Boulder & Colorado Springs!

Is a Road Trip to Denver’s Food Festivals Worth It?

Denver’s September food festivals are sure to satisfy your cravings. From gourmet fare to family-style chili, there’s an event for every taste in the Mile High City.

Even if you’d rather allot those calories to liquid indulgences, you can find a fun festival to wet your whistle. We suggest scoring tickets early and booking accommodations well in advance!