If There’s One Fall Festival You Attend in Colorado, Make It the Mountain Harvest Festival

There’s nothing that beats fall in Colorado. I love the crisp air, the warm beverages, and of course, the explosion of color from the fall foliage. When the weather is this nice, it makes sense that we’d be spending our time outdoors, especially at one of the many fall festivals in Colorado. If there’s one fall festival in Colorado you attend this season, make it the Mountain Harvest Festival. This is one family-friendly festival that never disappoints.

Located in Paonia, the Mountain Harvest Festival is the BEST way to kick off fall, and wait until you see why!

Celebrating its 24th season, Colorado’s Mountain Harvest Festival is a community-oriented, family-friendly festival that’s one of the best things to do in the fall. Mark your calendars, the dates for the 2025 Mountain Harvest Festival are September 26-28, and it promises to be one of the best festivals in Colorado. 

From local music to art and food, the festival celebrates fall in the best ways possible. Check out the Mountain Harvest Festival schedule to see the full rundown. 

Billed as an "annual celebration of local music, art, farms, food, and spirits organized by the nonprofit organization North Fork Valley Creative Coalition," the Mountain Harvest Festival features a little something for everyone.

Is there anything quite as charming as a farm in the fall? You can decide for yourself, as the Mountain Harvest Festival even offers tours of local farms on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Local farmers open their farms to offer a brief tour and provide insight into the agricultural side of the region.

If you are bringing the kids, be sure also to check out the designated KidZone. Here, kids of all ages are welcome to showcase their creative sides through face painting, crafts, and a variety of other activities.

Established in 2001, the 3-day Mountain Art Festival also features a popular chili cook-off that brings out all of the best chefs in the region. Think you have the award-winning recipe? Register to enter the contest! Check out all of the Mountain Harvest Festival activities before you head over.

Need we mention that the food at the Mountain Harvest Festival is downright mouthwatering? In addition to the chili cook-off, there will be plenty of food at the festival. There's also a pub crawl, a pie contest, wine and cider tastings, and a food court.

Don't forget! The dates for the Mountain Harvest Festival are September 26-28, 2025, at Paonia Town Park. To learn more about this magical fall event, please visit the Mountain Harvest Festival's website.

Read on to learn about all of the things to do in Paonia, one of our favorite towns in Colorado. You might even want to pair it with a fall foliage road trip!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.