Maybe you’ve lived here for years. Maybe you’re a newcomer to Colorado Springs. Maybe you go every year to (fill in the blank for your favorite). Maybe you always say you’re going to go and just never quite make it. No more excuses. Here are 20 of the best Colorado Springs events happening in 2026. Put them on your calendar now. Better yet, book your tickets. We’ll see you there.
20 of the Best Colorado Springs Events in 2026
The Great Fruitcake Toss
Jan. 31
Memorial Park, Manitou Springs
What do you do with a leftover holiday fruitcake? You throw it, launch it, play games with it and celebrate it. At least that’s what Manitou Springs has been doing for the past 26 years.
Downtown Winterfest
Feb. 7
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum
Enjoy free access to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum and celebrate the kickoff of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Food, drinks, live entertainment and more will happen inside and outside of the museum.
Carnivale Weekend
Feb. 14
Downtown Manitou Springs
The annual Carnivale Parade and Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo Cook-Off are a fun and funky Manitou-style Mardi Gras experience. Bring your beads, and come in costume! Bonus: Go to the kickoff CarniBall Masquerade Ball.
Broadmoor Winter Polo Classic
Feb. 21
Norris Penrose Event Center
Dress the part. Sip a signature cocktail. And enjoy an impressive horse polo match featuring some of the best players in the country.
Colorado Springs Wine Festival
March 4-7
The Broadmoor
Love wine or want to learn about it? Join seminars, paired gourmet dinners and the Grand Tasting, where you can sample more than 100 wines along with other local libations and foods. This year’s theme is Wines of the South Africa. Don’t miss seminars. It all benefits the Colorado Springs Conservatory.
coloradospringsconservatory.org
MeadowGrass Music Festival
May 22-24
La Foret Conference & Retreat Center
The Memorial Day weekend music festival features an eclectic lineup that features national, regional and local artists — all set among the peaceful pines of Black Forest. It’s a don’t-miss Colorado Springs event for music lovers.
Territory Days
May 23-25
Old Colorado City
Since 1975, Territory Days has taken over Old Colorado City on Memorial Day weekend with live music, craft vendors and Old West traditions, such as gold-panning and Native American dancing.
Pikes Peak Pride Fest
June 13-14
Alamo Square Park
Celebrate Pride with the Colorado Springs LGBTQ community during Pride Month. The downtown pride-filled fun includes live entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden and parade.
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
June 21
Pikes Peak
The last Sunday in June is Hill Climb day. The Race to the Clouds features 156 turns up to the finish line at 14,115 feet on the summit of Pikes Peak. Don’t miss the practice runs of Race Week and the chance to meet drivers and watch acrobatic motorcycles at Fan Fest.
Star Spangled Symphony and Fourth of July Fireworks
July 4
Firework shows all over Colorado Springs
This is the granddaddy of July 4th celebrations in Colorado Springs, coordinating a free Philharmonic concert with fireworks shows all over the city. It all kicks off with a free concert by the Colorado Springs Philharnonic.
Green Box Arts Festival
July 4-19
Green Mountain Falls
The tiny town of Green Mountain Falls makes a big arts impact in the region. Each year, the Green Box Arts Festival draws world-class talent and features more than 50 innovative concerts, workshops, dance performances, art installations and more in intimate mountain settings.
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
July 14-18
Norris Penrose Event Center
Put on your boots and cowboy hats and join the Rodeo Week festivities. The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo has a long legacy as a priority for top talent on the competitive rodeo cycle. Cheer on bull riders, steer wrestlers, barrel racers — and the always cute mutton busters.
Taste of Pikes Peak
July TBA
Park Union
Sample food and drinks from around 90 local restaurants, breweries and distilleries along the street outside the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. The food festival also features live music and dancing.
Rocky Mountain State Games
July 17-19
Various locations
Colorado’s largest multisport festival is open to athletes of all ages and abilities, including those with physical disabilities or visual impairments. And the range of games is impressive, from team sports to individual, popular to obscure.
Pikes Peak Regional Air Show
Sept. 19-20
National Museum of World War II Aviation
Will the U.S. Navy Blue Angels return to this popular biannual air show? Last time they made their Colorado Springs debut. What’s sure is more than 40 aircraft will fly and display, from modern jets back to authentic World War II warbirds.
Labor Day Lift-Off
Sept. 5-7
Memorial Park
The sight of 70-some hot air balloons rising overhead or glowing in the night is breathtaking. This truly classic Colorado Springs event is also filled with live music, food vendors, a beer garden and more activities.
coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com
Arts Month
October
All over town
Celebrate the local arts community by having at least one new cultural experience during Arts Month October. The calendar is filled with concerts, performances, exhibitions, gallery openings, culinary arts dinners and all sorts of arts events .
Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival
Oct. TBD
Downtown Manitou Springs
Manitou resident Emma Crawford died in 1891. She was buried at the top of Red Mountain, and in 1929, her coffin came sliding down the mountainside during a rainstorm. Since 1995, Manitou has honored her memory by racing coffins through town. Costume up to race or cheer on the competitors.
Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Fest
Oct. 16-18
Colorado College
It’s the longest-running women’s film festival in North America, and RMWFF has featured films honoring “the female lens” for more than 38 years. Events include an opening gala and filmmaker discussions.
Festival of Lights Parade
Dec. 5
Tejon Street, Downtown Colorado Springs
Welcome the holiday season — and Santa — with the festive parade through downtown Colorado Springs on Tejon Street. This one is perfect for the kids! It happens on the first Saturday in December.
coloradospringsfestivaloflights.com
Want More Don’t Miss Colorado Springs Events?
If it’s races and sports events you love, the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon and the Pikes Peak Apex are Colorado Springs classics. Find those and more in our Epic Runs and Rides.
And you can always find the best, most interesting things going on in our 5 Best Things to Do This Weekend.
