Nothing beats a Colorado fall weekend with crisp air and crunchy leaves. All you need is a light jacket! This is the best time of year to be a tourist in your hometown and enjoy the many fall events and activities. With so much to do, this list is your guide to planning a weekend worth remembering. You Gotta Get to Greeley this September!

Friday, Sept. 26

Oktobrewfest Day I: Kick off the weekend with the Greeley Oktobrewfest celebration in Lincoln Park at 5 p.m. Wash down brats, pretzels, and BBQ with the finest craft beers in northern Colorado while dancing to fire spinners from Fahrenheit 360. Then put your strength to the test in the stein-hoisting competition. Greeley is home to numerous award-winning craft brewers like Crabtree Brewing Co., Rule 105, WeldWerks Brewing Co., and Wiley Roots Brewing. Watch for the official list of participants soon. Oktobrewfest 2025 Admission is free.

Kids area at Oktobrewfest, with an inflatable slide

 

Saturday, Sept. 27

Great Aardvark Embark Hot Air Balloon Launch: Want to switch up your usual Saturday? Jump out of bed early, grab your camera and make your way to the Aims Community College athletic field north of the Cornerstone Building at 5401 W. 20th St. Admire the colorful, graceful balloons as they rise slowly to the sky with only the sound of the burners breaking the morning quiet. If you’ve never experienced a balloon launch, it’s a sight you’ll always remember... and if you have, you know you don’t want to miss this! Breakfast burritos and coffee will be available. Parking opens to the public at 6 a.m. with the launch at 6:30 a.m. 

Aerial view of Hot Air Balloons preparing to launch at Aims Community College in Greeley

Farmers Market: After the early morning activities, head to the Farmer’s Market located between 9th and 10th avenues, north of Lincoln Park. In addition to farm-fresh local produce you can find fresh pies, jams and jellies, roasted coffee, herbs, candies and many other local crafts and goods. Stock up – there’s something for everyone!  Hours are 8 a.m.to noon.

Oktobrewfest Day II: The fun begins at 11 AM with Kids’ World open until 6 PM, offering face painting, balloon art, and even pumpkin decorating. Parents can indulge in a VIP tasting tent with reserve beers and bites...all for just $45! And did we say it comes with a commemorative glass?  VIP tickets can be purchased at the event or in advance on Eventbrite. The UNC Jazz Lab 1, the Jacob Larson Band, German folk dancers and fire spinners bring music and culture to the day.

UNC football vs. Idaho State:  If you’re a UNC alum or one of the many Bears fans in Greeley, break out your Bears gear for the Homecoming festivities. For game tickets click here. The pre-game tailgate party will be just north of Nottingham Field. Gates open three hours before game time. You can buy a multi-game bundle for tailgating, or just a single game. For more information about tailgating, click here. You can purchase T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and other Bears logo items at the University Bookstore and Fan Shop. For more info about other homecoming festivities see the Alumni and Friends web site. More details are coming.

UNC Bears football players entering the field before the start of the game in a cloud of smoke for visual effect

2025 World Long Drive Championship: Ok, so you didn’t make it to the Masters this year. Try watching “Golf at Full Throttle” at the Long Drive World Championships. Some winning shots have gone over 400 yards!  The action takes place Sept. 24-28 at Bigfoot Turf Farm just down the road in La Salle. Competition runs daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the men’s and women’s championships happening on Saturday. Sept. 27. This free event is open to the public. Complimentary parking is available. 

Golfer mid-swing with their driver at a golf ball to achieve the longest drive on the golf course

 

Sunday, September 28

LINC Library Innovation Center: Bring the family or just yourself to explore the exhibits and activities at the LINC where the concept of “library” explodes into a maker space, a woodworking shop, and separate studios for art, recording, and podcasts, hands-on children’s exhibits, and story room. If quiet is what you seek, enjoy the atrium, indoor/outdoor fireplace and reading room. The library’s genealogical and history collections are also at the LINC. Open Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. 501 8th Street. Explore more here.  

Walk or bicycle the Poudre River Trail: Enjoy the fall colors with a walk or bike ride along the Poudre River Trail, the scenic path connecting Greeley and Windsor. Catch the trailhead at the Poudre Learning Center, 8313 W. F St., where parking is available. The trail meanders for 21 miles along riverside habitats, oxbow lakes and the old river bluffs. All types of wildlife abound and it’s a haven for birdwatchers.

Greeley Family FunPlex: A gem for community recreation, the FunPlex offers a fitness center, indoor water park where you can swim laps, play on the slides, and relax in the lazy river. Take a walk or jog on the indoor track, join a fitness class, or play miniature golf. The FunPlex is a destination for all.