Fun things to do in Colorado in August 

August is a great time to attend a fairy festival with "unicorns," to hunt for mushrooms or to listen to musical prodigies as you relish the last days of summer.
July 9, 2025
Enjoy a day filled with "unicorns," mermaids and fairyland games at the Unicorn Festival in Aurora, Colorado. Photo courtesy of the Unicorn Festival.
Enjoy a day filled with “unicorns,” mermaids and fairyland games at the Unicorn Festival in Aurora, Colorado. Photo courtesy of the Unicorn Festival.

August is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor adventures, vibrant festivals and delicious Colorado-grown specialties, which are now at their peak. Soak up some summer rays (don’t forget the sunscreen), enjoy some ice cream and take part in these fantastic activities and events.

August 4-5 and 7-8: Odyssiad live piano competition – Fort Collins, Colorado

A young pianist competes in a solo competition. Photo by Iris Zhang, courtesy of the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival, U.S.A.
A young pianist competes in a solo competition. Photo by Iris Zhang, courtesy of the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival, U.S.A.

Witness young piano prodigies from around the globe as they compete for the prestigious Bobbie and Paul Mielke Gold Medal, along with silver and bronze medals, cash prizes and an opportunity to perform with the Boulder Symphony.

This free, public event, held at the University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University, features the semifinal and final rounds of the competition. The solo rounds take place on Aug. 4 and 5, while the concerto rounds will take place on Aug. 7 and 8.

The competition is part of the International Keyboard Odyssiad and Festival, U.S.A, which offers a vibrant educational learning environment for all competitors and is open to all piano enthusiasts. The competition is free to the public, but tickets are required for the festival’s evening concerts.

August 4: Enjoy a free day at Colorado’s national parks

The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Southern Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. You’ll find opportunities to picnic, hike, camp and sand sled. Photo: Getty Images.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Southern Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. You’ll find opportunities to picnic, hike, camp and sand sled. Photo: Getty Images.

Since 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act has provided funding to national parks and other public lands to improve infrastructure and recreation opportunities.

In celebration of this act, Aug. 4 is now known as the Great American Outdoors Day, and entrance to all U.S. national parks and federally managed public land is free for the day.

Colorado is home to multiple national parks, trails, recreation areas and historic sites, all with picturesque landscapes, diverse wildlife and numerous recreation opportunities. At some parks, you’ll need reservations. Make your plans in advance, and check out great hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and fun ways to explore Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

August 7-24: Denver Parade of Homes – metro Denver

The Denver Parade of Homes is a two-week event showcasing what’s new in construction, design and landscaping. Photo courtesy of Denver Parade of Homes.
The Denver Parade of Homes is a two-week event showcasing what’s new in construction, design and landscaping. Photo courtesy of Denver Parade of Homes.

Be awed by the newest trends in home design. See top-quality construction, furnishings and landscaping at featured homes throughout the Denver area. Join a free multi-site tour (either online or in-person) Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver hosts the tour which includes new and award-winning homes.

See unique floor plans, beautiful communities and the latest interior design trends and home technology.

This event is free and open to the public.

August 13-17: Telluride Mushroom Festival, Telluride, Colorado

If you know where to look and what to look for, Colorado is a great place to find mushrooms, and the Telluride Mushroom Festival is a great place to expand your knowledge. Photo by Kati Blocker, UCHealth.
If you know where to look and what to look for, Colorado is a great place to find mushrooms, and the Telluride Mushroom Festival is a great place to expand your knowledge. Photo by Kati Blocker, UCHealth.

If you love eating mushrooms, hunting for mushrooms or are just fascinated by fungi, this is the festival for you. Learn from experts about how to identify mushrooms and how to avoid dangerous, poisonous mushrooms while exploring natural areas in Colorado’s stunning San Juan Mountains. Listen to talks from world-renowned mycologists, enjoy large community gatherings and sample culinary delights. There is also a festival parade.

August 15-16: Palisade Peach Festival – Palisade, Colorado

Peaches in Palisade, Colorado. Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office.
Peaches in Palisade, Colorado. Photo by Matt Inden/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office.

Palisade is a small town on Colorado’s Western Slope with a rich agricultural history. In the summer months, Palisade is most famous for its peaches, which are known for being extra juicy and sweet. Each year, the Palisade Peach Festival celebrates these world-renowned peaches with orchard farm tours, food trucks, live music, peach eating contests, a parade and more!

August 23 and 24: Unicorn Festival – Aurora, Colorado

 

Families enjoy a magical day filled with unicorns, mermaids and fairyland games at the Unicorn Festival in Aurora, Colorado. Photo courtesy of the Unicorn Festival.
Families enjoy a magical day filled with unicorns, mermaids and fairyland games at the Unicorn Festival in Aurora, Colorado. Photo courtesy of the Unicorn Festival.

This magical, family-friendly event offers a fairytale experience featuring unicorns, mermaids, butterflies and princesses (with lots of photo opportunities). There will be foam parties, face painters and many fun fairyland games and events.

The event takes place at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds on a lush lawn and in 50,000 square feet of indoor space. Activities start at 10 a.m. each day and continue until 5 p.m. Admission gets you into all the activities and events.

August 22 to September 1: Colorado State Fair – Pueblo, Colorado

Rides at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Photo by Denise Chambers/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office.
Rides at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Photo by Denise Chambers/Miles, courtesy of the Colorado Tourism Office.

The Colorado State Fair is an iconic celebration that offers 11 days of events and competitions from carnival rides to demolition derbies, monster truck shows, rodeos and concerts.

After purchasing a ticket to enter the fair for about $9, there are plenty of free attractions to enjoy, including pig races and a high-dive show. Children can participate in the tractor pull and can hunt for “The Plant Guy” around the grounds.

Check out three “free stages” for live music throughout the fair. You can also visit the many different 4-H exhibits or watch 4-H members compete. Adults also compete in craft drinks and fine art.

August 24: Affordable Art Festival – Littleton, Colorado

Enjoying art, whether you’re an artist or a fan of beautiful visual creations can have various positive effects on mental, emotional and even physical health. Photo by Jim DeLutes, courtesy of Affordable Arts Festival.
Enjoying art, whether you’re an artist or a fan of beautiful visual creations, can have positive effects on mental, emotional and physical health. Photo by Jim DeLutes, courtesy of Affordable Arts Festival.

Every year, the Affordable Art Festival hosts over 160 artists from around the country to offer art patrons the unique opportunity to buy fine art for $150 or less. The show is the fastest-growing art show in.

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Arapahoe Community College Foundation to help fund scholarships for future artists who are enrolled in art classes at the college.

August 29: Last Friday Poetry Night – Longmont, Colorado

Enjoy impression through poetry at the Last Friday Poetry Night in Longmont. Photo: Getty Images.
Enjoy expression through poetry at the Last Friday Poetry Night in Longmont. Photo: Getty Images.

Join the Firehouse Art Center Writers for an evening of poetic expression at their monthly Last Friday Poetry Night.

These last-Friday events celebrate the beauty and power of poetry, offering a platform for poets to share their original work. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or a first-time reader, this is an opportunity to connect with others and explore the full spectrum of human experience through verse.

The event is free, but donations to support the Firehouse Art Center, a non-profit organization, are always appreciated.

About the author

Kati Blocker has always been driven to learn and explore the world around her. And every day, as a writer for UCHealth, Kati meets inspiring people, learns about life-saving technology, and gets to know the amazing people who are saving lives each day. Even better, she gets to share their stories with the world.

As a journalism major at the University of Wyoming, Kati wrote for her college newspaper. She also studied abroad in Swansea, Wales, while simultaneously writing for a Colorado metaphysical newspaper.

After college, Kati was a reporter for the Montrose Daily Press and the Telluride Watch, covering education and health care in rural Colorado, as well as city news and business.

When she's not writing, Kati is creating her own stories with her husband Joel and their two young children.