What Are the Best Things to Do in Northern Colorado in September?
September’s headline events in Northern Colorado are the Windsor Harvest Festival (Sept. 5–7, with a first-ever drone show over Windsor Lake), the Northern Colorado Cattle Baron’s Ball (Sept. 12), Hoedown Hill Music Festival (Sept. 18–19), and UNC’s first-ever night Homecoming game (Sept. 25–26). Add in Oktobrewfest, WeldWalls Mural Festival, and the start of pumpkin-patch season at Miller Farms and Fritzler Farm Park, and it’s one of the busiest months of the year to be in Greeley or Windsor.
Fall shows up fast in Northern Colorado. One week you’re still catching the last farmers market of summer, and the next you’re picking a pumpkin patch and figuring out which Saturday has the fewest overlapping festivals.
That’s basically September in Greeley, Windsor, Fort Collins, and Loveland — balloons and drone shows one weekend, a cowboy-chic gala the next, and by the end of the month, corn mazes are open and UNC is playing its first-ever night Homecoming game. If you’re mapping out things to do in Northern Colorado this month, this is where to start.
This is our monthly roundup of the best things to do in Northern Colorado this September — not a calendar dump, but the events, openings, and weekend plans we’d actually make ourselves. Missed last month’s Northern Colorado events roundup? Catch up on August before you dive into September.
Can’t-Miss Northern Colorado Events This September
Windsor Harvest Festival Sept. 5–7 | Eastman, Boardwalk & Main Parks, Windsor Balloon launches at 6:30 AM Saturday and Sunday, live music Saturday night, then the festival’s first-ever drone show at 9:05 PM followed by fireworks over Windsor Lake at 9:20. The parade closes it out Monday morning.
Northern Colorado Cattle Baron’s Ball Sept. 12 | Doubenmier Field, UNC, Greeley A cowboy-and-cowgirl-chic gala benefiting the American Cancer Society — dinner, live and silent auctions, and a concert from country artist Easton Corbin. 21+, and the event has raised more than $13 million across 34 years.
WeldWalls Mural Festival Sept. 15–19 | Downtown Greeley A week of public mural-painting centered on the 16th Street block — worth a walk-through more than once as the murals go up in real time.
Hoedown Hill Music Festival Sept. 18–19 | Hoedown Hill, Windsor Queen Nation and Van Zeppelin headline Friday; The Band Perry and Dillon Carmichael headline Saturday. Tickets are sold separately per night, and every guest — kids included — needs one.
UNC Homecoming Sept. 25–26 | UNC Campus & Nottingham Field, Greeley A pep rally and drone show Friday evening, a parade Saturday morning, then the first-ever night Homecoming game under Nottingham Field’s new permanent lights — 6 PM kickoff against Utah Tech.
Oktobrewfest Sept. 25 (5–10 PM) & Sept. 26 (11 AM–9 PM) | Lincoln Park, Downtown Greeley Free admission, local breweries, and live bands — bring last year’s stein and you’re already ahead of the crowd.
Ark Medical Aesthetics: 1-Year Anniversary Party Sept. 26, 10 AM–2 PM | Ark Medical Aesthetics, Greeley Seventeen local businesses under one roof for Ark’s first anniversary — permanent jewelry, custom hats, a mobile boutique, baked goods, wellness services, and more. Every guest gets a raffle ticket, with bonus tickets for a non-perishable food-drive donation.
Greeley Eats Sept. 29, 5–8 PM | UNC Campus Commons, Greeley Unlimited samples from Greeley’s restaurants, breweries, and distilleries, with attendees voting on the fan favorites. $30 general admission ($20 for Chamber members), and prices go up at the door.
Live Music, Comedy & Entertainment
- Jeff Dye — Stand-Up Comedy (Sept. 10, Moxi Theater, Greeley) — two showtimes, one easy Thursday night out.
- Hoedown Hill Music Festival (Sept. 18–19, Windsor) — see above; this one’s worth planning a whole weekend around.
Date Night Ideas This Month
- Greekend at The Bakery (Fridays, Sept. 11 & 25, Downtown Greeley) — a three-course Greek dinner with ouzo, live music, and raffle prizes for $40. It sells out.
- The Lodge Windsor: From Italy, with Love Wine Dinner (Sept. 27, Windsor) — four Italian wines paired with a full menu and live music, $127 a person. August’s dinner sold out, so book ahead.
- Northern Colorado Cattle Baron’s Ball (Sept. 12) — see above; a proper night-out option if you want black-tie-meets-boots.
Farmers Markets & Weekly Fall Favorites
Fall doesn’t mean the markets stop — it just means they shift. The Windsor Farmers’ Market wraps its season on Sept. 5 (8:30 AM–12:30 PM, Boardwalk Park), which happens to be Harvest Fest morning, so stock up and stay for the balloons. The Greeley Farmers’ Market runs every Saturday through Oct. 31 (8 AM–12 PM, Downtown Greeley) — it’s your Saturday errand turned ritual, and it runs deeper into fall this year than in past years. Tigges Farm in Greeley keeps its pumpkin patch and chile-roasting operation going Thursdays through Sundays through Oct. 31, with a barn-quilt gallery and scavenger hunt thrown in for free. And the UNC Alumni Tailgates return every home game Saturday (Sept. 5, 19, and 26) with free drinks and games on the north side of Nottingham Field.
September also marks the start of pumpkin-patch season: Miller Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Platteville opens Labor Day, Sept. 7 (9 AM–6 PM daily), with tractor hayrides out to the fields, making it the earliest fall fix in Northern Colorado. Fritzler Farm Park in LaSalle opens its corn maze and pumpkin patch on Sept. 19, with Scream Acres haunts starting Sept. 25 and an OctoberFest night (with fireworks) on Sept. 26.
Family & Kid-Friendly Picks
September has one of the busiest kid-friendly weekends of the year on Sept. 19 alone — plan accordingly. The UNC Bears vs. South Dakota game (Sept. 5) pairs with a free Alumni Tailgate Kids Day on the north side of Nottingham Field starting at 2 PM. Pooches in the Park: Doggie Dip (Sept. 12, 10 AM–2 PM, Chimney Park Municipal Pool, Windsor) marks the final day of pool season by letting dogs swim free — bring the whole family, four-legged members included. The UNC Volleyball Invite (Sept. 17–19, Bank of Colorado Arena) is an easy, indoor, budget-friendly outing hosting Denver, Air Force, and Utah. The Superhero Run (Sept. 19, 7:15 AM, Greeley FunPlex) hits its 14th year with a 10K/5K/1-mile and a free kids’ fun run benefiting Life Stories Weld. Evans Heritage Day (Sept. 19, City Park and Riverside Park) runs a free pancake breakfast, parade, food trucks, and fireworks, all at no cost. And Fritzler Farm Park’s opening weekend (see above) rounds out the day for anyone still standing.
Looking Ahead to October
- Ginuwine & Montell Jordan (Oct. 2, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley) — a 90s R&B double bill pairing “Pony” with “This Is How We Do It.” Expect this to sell.
- Pooches in the Park: Fall Edition (Oct. 3, Windsor) — the last dog day of the year. Full October rundown next month.
Our Favorite Picks
If we had to plan one weekend around this list, it’s Sept. 25–26. Start Thursday or Friday with Oktobrewfest’s opening session downtown, catch UNC’s pep rally and drone show Friday night, then split Saturday between the parade, Ark Medical Aesthetics’ anniversary party (grab a raffle ticket, drop off a can for the food drive), and the first-ever night Homecoming game under Nottingham’s new lights. If you’d rather keep it low-key, the Sept. 5–7 Harvest Fest weekend in Windsor is the gentler version — balloons in the morning, a drone show and fireworks at night, and the last farmers market of the season to round it out. Either way, grab a bite from Seasoning K’s new Korean BBQ spot on 35th Ave. before you go — it’s already become our go-to for a group dinner that doesn’t require a reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Northern Colorado in September 2026?
The standouts are the Windsor Harvest Festival (Sept. 5–7) with its first-ever drone show, the Northern Colorado Cattle Baron’s Ball (Sept. 12), Hoedown Hill Music Festival (Sept. 18–19), and UNC’s first-ever night Homecoming game (Sept. 25–26). Oktobrewfest and the season’s first pumpkin patches round out the month.
Where can I hear live music in Greeley and Windsor this September?
Hoedown Hill Music Festival (Sept. 18–19, Windsor) is the month’s biggest music draw, with Queen Nation, Van Zeppelin, The Band Perry, and Dillon Carmichael across two nights. Moxi Theater in Greeley also hosts Jeff Dye’s stand-up comedy on Sept. 10 for a lower-key night out.
What family-friendly events are happening in Northern Colorado this month?
Sept. 19 is the biggest single day for families, with the UNC Volleyball Invite, the Superhero Run, Evans Heritage Day, and Fritzler Farm Park’s opening weekend all overlapping. Pooches in the Park’s Doggie Dip (Sept. 12) and the UNC Bears’ Kids Day tailgate (Sept. 5) are also solid picks.
Are there any free events in Greeley or Windsor this September?
Yes — Oktobrewfest has free admission, as does WeldWalls Mural Festival, the UNC Alumni Tailgates, First Friday Art Walk, and Evans Heritage Day. The Windsor and Greeley Farmers’ Markets are also free to browse.
What’s a good date night idea in Northern Colorado this month?
Greekend at The Bakery (Sept. 11 & 25) is a reliable, affordable pick at $40 a person. For something bigger, the Cattle Baron’s Ball (Sept. 12) or The Lodge Windsor’s Italian wine dinner (Sept. 27) both make for a proper night out — just book ahead, since all have sold out before.
September is proof that the Northern Colorado market isn’t slowing down for the season — neither is the calendar. Whether you’re weighing a move to Greeley or Windsor or just planning your weekends, we’re always happy to talk through what’s next. If you’re thinking about buying in Northern Colorado, schedule a free buyer consultation and let’s talk timing, strategy, and what’s actually possible in today’s market.
About Brian & Sam Franzen
Brian Franzen is a Greeley & Northern Colorado Realtor who has been helping clients buy and sell since 2013, with 300+ closed transactions across residential, investment, commercial, land, and water properties. He’s a native of Northern Colorado, an eXp ICON Agent, and a City of Greeley Planning Commissioner. Sam Franzen leads the Group’s digital marketing, brand voice, and content — including this monthly roundup. Connect with Brian and Sam at thefranzengroup.com.
