Happy October, Colorado Springs! The leaves are turning, the mountain air has that crisp autumn bite, and there is a genuinely packed lineup of things to do around the Pikes Peak region this weekend. Whether you are chasing live music, pumpkins, art, or a quiet morning at Garden of the Gods, there is something here for every member of the family. Here is everything worth knowing about for Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4.
BuffaloGrass Music Festival
The 3rd Annual BuffaloGrass Music Festival takes over Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort for a full weekend of live bands, mountain views, and community vibes right along Fountain Creek. It is a laid back, family friendly way to spend part of your weekend with music playing in the background.
- Day/Time: Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, all weekend
- Location: Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, 2 El Paso Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: bicycleresort.com/buffalograss
Concrete Couchella Music and Arts Fest
This community focused festival from the nonprofit Concrete Couch returns for its second year with around 20 regional bands plus a strong lineup of family activities, including a kids talent show, family yoga, lantern making, and face painting. It is a feel good way to support local nonprofits while enjoying live music and art all weekend.
- Day/Time: Friday, October 2, 4 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 4, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Location: Concrete Coyote Community Park, 1100 S. Royer St, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
- Price: Single day $25 to $50, three day pass $50 to $75
- Link: visitcos.com/events/concrete-couchella
First Friday: Kick-Off Arts Month with CSPM
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum kicks off Arts Month with a free community celebration inside one of downtown’s most beautiful historic buildings. It is a relaxed, family friendly way to start the weekend while learning a bit about local history and the arts scene.
- Day/Time: Friday, October 2, 5 to 8 p.m.
- Location: Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: Free admission
- Link: downtowncs.com/events
First Friday Art Walk Downtown
Downtown Colorado Springs galleries, shops, and studios open their doors for the monthly First Friday Art Walk, with local artists on hand and a festive, walkable energy up and down Tejon Street and the surrounding blocks. Bring the kids and make a night of browsing local art and grabbing dinner downtown.
- Day/Time: Friday, October 2, 5 to 9 p.m.
- Location: Multiple locations throughout downtown Colorado Springs
- Price: Free admission
- Link: downtowncs.com/events
Music of the Knights
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents a symphonic pops tribute to four legends of popular music, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, featuring drummer and songwriter Carmine Appice alongside guest vocalists. It is a polished, full orchestra evening out, and kids 17 and under get in free with a paid adult ticket, which makes it an easy pick for families.
- Day/Time: Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: $49 and up, kids 17 and under free with paid adult
- Link: csphilharmonic.org
Colorado Composers: Celebrating 150 Years
This benefit concert for ChoralSong of Colorado Springs showcases Colorado composers across two intimate performances at different churches around town. It is a lovely, low key option for anyone who enjoys choral and chamber music in a welcoming setting.
- Day/Time: Friday, October 2, 7 to 9 p.m. at Broadmoor Community Church; Sunday, October 4, 3 to 5 p.m. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
- Location: Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906; and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 7400 Tudor Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- Price: $20
- Link: cschorale.org/concerts-and-events
Walking Tour: Ghosts of Downtown
Local storytellers share spooky, true tales from Colorado Springs history on this guided walking tour through downtown. It is a fun, family friendly way to spend an hour outdoors while learning some genuinely interesting local history ahead of Halloween season.
- Day/Time: Saturday, October 3, 10 to 11 a.m.
- Location: Meets at Story Coffee, 120 E. Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: $15
- Link: downtowncs.com/events
Harvest Festival at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Rock Ledge Ranch celebrates the season with wagon rides, old time music, cider making demonstrations, pumpkin gathering, candy scrambles, and festival games across the historic homestead. Historic homes, the blacksmith shop, and the general store will all be open, and pie, cider, and food trucks will be on hand, making this one of the best family outings of the fall.
- Day/Time: Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Location: Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, 3105 Gateway Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Price: Check website for admission pricing; pumpkins are $6 each
- Link: rockledgeranch.com/event/harvest-festival
Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration
Manitou Springs hosts its 8th Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Celebration, “Pieces of a Dream / The Water Remembers,” a community gathering that honors Indigenous culture and history. It is a meaningful, family welcoming event for anyone who wants to spend part of the weekend learning and connecting with neighbors.
- Day/Time: Saturday, October 3, 11 a.m.
- Location: Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: manitousprings.org/events
Oktoberlied Concert
Celebrate German heritage and the fall season with this community concert of traditional and classic Oktoberfest style music. It is a cheerful, easy to enjoy afternoon concert that works well for all ages.
- Day/Time: Saturday, October 3, 4 p.m.
- Location: First Baptist Church, 317 E. Kiowa St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: downtowncs.com/events
for KING + COUNTRY at Ford Amphitheater
Grammy winning duo for KING + COUNTRY bring their big, uplifting live show to Ford Amphitheater for one night only. Known for anthemic, family friendly pop and inspirational music, this is shaping up to be one of the biggest concerts at the venue this fall, so grab tickets early if you want to go.
- Day/Time: Saturday, October 3, 7 p.m.
- Location: Ford Amphitheater, 95 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- Price: $30 and up
- Link: fordamphitheater.live
Motorless Morning at Garden of the Gods
One of our favorite recurring treats each season, Motorless Morning closes the main park roads to cars so hikers, bikers, skaters, and walkers can enjoy Garden of the Gods without any vehicle traffic. It is completely free and one of the most peaceful ways to take in those iconic red rock formations with the whole family.
- Day/Time: Sunday, October 4, 5 a.m. to noon
- Location: Garden of the Gods Park, 1805 N. 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Price: Free
- Link: gardenofgods.com
Opera Colorado Artist in Residence Showcase
Opera Colorado’s resident artists perform a showcase of arias and ensemble pieces in the intimate Chapman Foundation Recital Hall. It is a wonderful introduction to opera for newcomers and a treat for longtime fans alike.
- Day/Time: Sunday, October 4, 2 p.m.
- Location: Ent Center for the Arts, Chapman Foundation Recital Hall, 5225 N. Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- Price: $22.75 to $45.50
- Link: entcenterforthearts.org
Jazz Meets Beethoven on the Breeze
Close out the weekend with a free outdoor piano concert blending jazz standards and Beethoven classics in a beautiful Manitou Springs park setting. Bring a blanket, grab a coffee from one of the nearby shops, and enjoy a relaxed Sunday afternoon soundtrack with the family.
- Day/Time: Sunday, October 4, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
- Price: Free
- Link: manitousprings.org/events
Whatever you end up doing this weekend, I hope you get outside and enjoy everything that makes the Pikes Peak region so special this time of year. And if you or anyone you know has been thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Colorado Springs real estate, my team and I would love to help. Reach out anytime at dan@hayespg.com.
