One would think our city would be out of reasons to celebrate after a summer filled with festivals and other exciting events, but we are still going strong. Boulder’s Fall Fest begins Friday, September 16 and runs through the weekend, bringing with it live music, arts, crafts, and family fun. Here’s what you can expect.
Friday, September 16
Friday night kicks off with entertainment for both kids and adults. Children’s activities will be held from 5-10pm on 14th Street, giving the littles an opportunity to test their physical prowess with an obstacle course, climbing wall, giant slide, bounce house, jousting, hamster balls, and more. Adults, you can head over to the 1300 block of Pearl Street at 5pm for a beer garden that will serve up brews, tasty eats, and live music through 10pm.
On the same block as the beer garden, Soul Sacrifice, a Santana tribute band, will play from 5:30-7:30 pm. Message in a Bottle, a Police tribute band, will take the stage from 8-10pm to bring back the days of Roxanne. They promise to rock every breath you take.
Saturday, September 17
The activities start early on Saturday. Once again, children’s activities will be available, this time from 11am-10pm. The beer garden will be open from noon until 10pm, with another full day of live music planned. Featured bands will include:
My Blue Sky – 1:30 -3pm
My Blue Sky is a seven-member Allman Brothers tribute band that also innovates on the work of the former rockers.
My Old School – 3:30 -5pm
A Denver band who credits their musical success and inspiration to the legacy of Steely Dan.
Goo Goo Box – 5:30-7:30 pm
Three musicians, who since 2007, have been bringing the Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox 20 to the Denver music scene.
The Analog Kids – 8–10pm
The Analog Kids will bring the sounds of Rush to the Boulder area to round out Saturday night.
The biggest draw on Saturday is sure to be the Firefly Handmade Market, running from 11am to 7pm. The handmade-only, indie arts market, has been supplying the front range with fine crafts, arts, ceramics, skin care products, clothing, jewelry, and more for the past six years. It’s a Boulder-based small business, dedicated to supporting Colorado artisans who may otherwise lack an outlet for their work.
Sunday, September 18
On Sunday, children’s activities and the Firefly Handmade Market will both run from 11am until 5pm, and the beer garden will be open from noon to 5. The musical acts that round out the final day of Boulder’s Fall Fest are as follows:
Celebrate Pollinator Appreciation Month with Jeff & Paige – 11am-12pm
In appreciation of the bees who keep our agricultural system alive, the City of Boulder has invited Jeff & Paige to give a musical performance that will educate our community on the concepts of energy conservation, plate tectonics, and of course, bees.
The Denver Dolls – 1:30-3pm
Take a trip back in time with this trio of ladies who are dedicated to keeping the music and style of the 1940s alive. They like to keep it fun and light, so be ready for anything.
Hey Lady! – 3:30-5pm
The final act scheduled to perform at this year’s festival is a duo inspired by The B-52s. They offer a fun-loving party vibe and have been featured at various events across Colorado.
As always, parking can be tough in Boulder, especially during a festival. We recommend using one of the downtown garages or looking for parking on side streets away from Pearl Street. Better yet, consider riding your bike or taking the bus. Check out RTD’s online trip planner to get your route ready.
September is a great time of year in Boulder. The weather is warm, the skies are clear, and there is still plenty of fun to be had. If you’re looking for delicious food, craft beer, and friendly locals to keep you company, look no further than Fall Fest.
If you would like to learn more about Fall Fest or anything else that makes Boulder such a wonderful place to live, work, and play, contact a member of our team today. Cheers to a happy autumn and another successful Boulder event.