09/01/2026
The magic found during summertime in Steamboat Springs doesn’t end after Labor Day – instead, it turns into the golden days of fall. It’s the perfect time of year for a long hike or a bike ride (check page 24 for recommendations) and it’s a great time to check out all Steamboat has to offer. While you’re here, try one of these fall events.
Steamboat OktoberWest is a highly anticipated annual event that will take place Friday-Saturday, Sept. 11-12. The weekend kicks off with a beer stroll downtown and is followed on Saturday by different experiences (choose your own!) including a beer garden, tastings and games. For tickets and more info, visit www.steamboatchamber.com.
Book lovers will want to experience Literary Sojourn, Steamboat’s own festival of authors. This year’s authors include a Pulitzer Prize winner, a bestseller and a “New Yorker” staff writer. Visit www.literarysojourn.org for dates and tickets.
Stop by Steamboat Art Museum to view plein air works from local and national artists who travel to town in September to paint during the annual festival. Afterwards, their pieces are displayed in the museum, this year through Saturday, Oct. 31.
Foodies will want to attend the Steamboat Food & Wine Festival, held Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 1-4. Stay for Restaurant Week, which takes place Saturday-Saturday, Oct. 3-10. Make reservations in advance to taste chef’s special creations and snag some can’t-miss deals. For more information, visit www.mainstreetsteamboat.com.
Fall in Steamboat ends right around Halloween, usually with snow just int ime for the downtown Halloween Stroll. But Steamboat kids are tough – you’ll find them trick-or-treating down Lincoln Avenue from 5-7 p.m. as local businesses open their doors and get the candy out.
Photo: Golden colors form a backdrop for the Yampa River in autumn, when leaf-peeping is one of several local events. Photo by Ben Duke.