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These Events in Steamboat Springs in October Officially Welcome the “Spooky Season”

The crisp, cool mountain air blows through the town as golden leaves roll down the street, both tell-tale signs that Fall is here. 

But just because it’s considered the “off-season” in some other locations, doesn’t mean there’s not plenty of luxury outdoor activities for your family to participate in. Steamboat Springs is different from the other ski-towns you’ve been to because it doesn’t stop if the snow isn’t falling. 

The events in Steamboat Springs in October are a testament to this community’s long-standing traditions and the sense of comradery that flows through each resident. We love this town and we want you to see that there’s never a bad time to visit The ‘Boat.

 

Steamboat Restaurant Week

View of Laundry's bar area with cozy seating, a wall of liquor bottles, and rustic decor. They are part of the Restaurant Week event in Steamboat Springs in October.
Photo courtesy of Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails.

This annual event is a must-attend event for anyone with a refined palate and an interest in culinary creations. 

This event is designed to “Satisfy a Mountain of Appetites” and is bound to check every box on your must-try list of dishes. 42 local restaurants will be creating seasonal specials and exclusive menus for this event to give you a taste of all their finest offerings. 

From a tantalizing hand-crafted cocktail at Laundry Kitchen and Cocktails, to the decadent Peach Tiramisu at Mountain Tap Brewery, Steamboat’s restaurants will leave you wanting just one more bite! 

Date: October 5, 2024 – October 12, 2024

Location: Participating Steamboat Springs Restaurants

Price: Varies by restaurant

 

Steamboat Food & Wine Festival

Women clinking wine glasses at dinner. This event in Steamboat Springs in October is a must try.

The culinary event of the season! The Steamboat Food and Wine Festival puts you in the best seat in the house to watch the best chefs and renowned winemakers join forces to create some of the most unique and tantalizing dishes you’ve ever seen. 

From field to fork, and vine to glass, you’ll hear the individual stories that go into each ingredient, how that affects its flavor, and how the chef and winemakers use it to its full potential. 

Running from October 3, 2024 to October 5, 2024, there are over a dozen events to suit each personality in your family. From morning yoga and mocktails, to a Surf, Turf, and Tequila Dinner, to exploring the Dark History of Steamboat Seminar, there’s an event for everyone. 

The Food and Wine Festival culminates on Saturday, October 5, 2024, with a Grand Tasting on the Torian Plum Lawn. Epicurean delights with the backdrop of the stunning Rocky Mountains will leave you full of joy (and delicious food!) as you come to the end of this culinary journey. 

Date: October 3, 2024 – October 5, 2024 

Location: Various Steamboat Restaurants and Establishments 

Price: Each event is individually priced, get your tickets for the Festival here. 

 

Old Town Hot Springs Pumpkin Float

Two children holding up pumpkins in a swimming pool. Part of the Pumpkin Float event in Steamboat Springs in October.
Photo courtesy of Old Town Hot Springs.

Old Town Hot Springs knows how to combine relaxation with family time, and this event is no different. 

Celebrate the Fall season in the family-friendly heated pool as you enjoy making a splash with your pumpkin by your side. 

Then head over to the decorating station to get your pumpkin Halloween-ready before you participate in the lawn games and giveaways. Don’t forget to stop by the Ohana table where you can get a hand-printed souvenir of your day at Old Town Hot Springs. 

Date: October 17, 2024, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Old Town Hot Springs

Price: $10 per pumpkin

 

Main Street Halloween Stroll

View of a fire breathing dragon float in downtown Steamboat Springs for their annual Halloween Stroll.
Photo courtesy of Main Street Steamboat.

For over 30 years, the Steamboat Springs Halloween Stroll has been a much-anticipated local tradition. 

The Main Street is closed off to vehicles, everyone dawns a costume, and the kids trick-or-treat at local shops, restaurants, and banks. The candy isn’t the only enticing reason to join in the fun – there will be live music, fire dancers, drum circles, and a costume contest for the children to complete the evening’s festivities.

Date: October 31, 2024, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Lincoln Avenue

Price: Free

 

Strings Music Festival

The log cabin like exterior of the Strings Pavillion. They host numerous events in Steamboat Springs in October.
Photo courtesy of the Strings Music Festival.

The Strings Music Festival prides itself on “bringing high caliber music to the high mountains”. 

The Strings Pavillion is an intimate, 569-seat venue nestled at the base of Mt Werner. The artists performing in October include Doctor Noize and Justin Roberts, Apple Pie and a Guy, Beth Blaskovich, and Hotel Elsinore. 

There is also a collaborative event with Yampatika: Musical Stargazing. Guests will join Colorado Mountain College professor Paul McCudden for an astronomy lesson and a concert at the historic Legacy Ranch. 

Date: Various dates in October

Location: The Strings Pavillion and Legacy Ranch

Price: Concerts are individually priced. Get your tickets here

 

Steamboat Springs Mustache Ride

A large group dressed in costumes, all have mustaches on for the annual Steamboat Springs Mustache Ride.
Photo courtesy of Steamboat Springs Mustache Ride.

Join in on the fun for the 17th Annual Mustache Ride profiting the Routt County Humane Society. 

As a sendoff to the beloved bike season, the Mustache Ride is a rolling costume party mixed with a pub crawl. Every rider must wear a mustache during the event and purchase a ‘Stache Card. This card entitles the rider to 1 drink at each stop on the route. 

Date: October 5, 2024, 3 p.m. 

Location: Starting at The Bus Stop and proceeding downtown

Price: $35 until October 4, 2024, $40 day of, $20 rider only (no drinks). Get your ‘Stache Card here.

 

Social Gardening At Yampa River Botanic Park

A group of gardening volunteers holding rakes and other gardening tools at the Yampa River Botanic Park.
Photo courtesy of Yampa River Botanic Park.

If you’ve got a green thumb, or want to develop one, the Social Gardening event is for you. 

Every Wednesday morning, meet with fellow gardening enthusiasts to help get the botanical park ready for the next season. Join staff in trimming, pruning, and digging as you help create the magical natural park that draws in thousands of visitors each year. 

Home to many native plants and trees, Yampa River Botanic Park was also recognized as “The Best Yoga Studio” and the second “Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests” by the Steamboat Pilot in 2023 for their “Best of The ‘Boat” local award series.

Date: Wednesdays in October, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: Yampa River Botanic Park

Price: Free

 

Fall Guided Tours with Yampatika

View across a lake, looking out to a valley and mountain covered with trees with yellow and green leaves.

Yampatika is the premier environmental education organization in Steamboat Springs. On a mission to inspire environmental stewardship, they offer a wide range of programs to over 25,000 children and adults annually in Northwest Colorado. 

On October 5th 2024, Yampatika is conducting a Fall Foliage and Wildlife Hike at Oak Creek Mountain Park. Your guide will walk you through the local wildlife behaviors as they prepare for the upcoming winter months. 

On October 8th, 2024, take part in the Fall Foliage Photography Hike with Morning Light Photography. Your guide Chris Becea will educate you on the best techniques for capturing stunning wildlife photos, while also speaking about the ecology in the Yampa Valley. 

Don’t forget about their collaborative event with Strings Music Festival: Musical Stargazing. Guests will join Colorado Mountain College professor Paul McCudden for an astronomy lesson and a concert at the historic Legacy Ranch. 

Date: October 5, 2024, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and October 8, 2024, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Oak Creek Mountain Park 

Price: Fall Foliage and Wildlife Hike – Free and Photography Tour – $30. Register here. 

 

There’s Never a Dull Moment in Steamboat Springs

 

In addition to all the larger events in Steamboat Springs in October 2024, there is a variety of smaller scale happenings that might tickle your fancy.

The local breweries have music trivia and live music, the pubs offer karaoke nights and Bingo, and there’s always activities happening at the Bud Werner Memorial Library. 

The Steamboat Springs Chamber has a list of even more local events to peruse before your stay. 

It’s the local events in Steamboat that have built this community and kept it going strong for so many years. The people here come together and support each other like no other ski town you’ve ever been to. They treat everyone as a friend and you’ll feel that warmth and hospitality as soon as you step foot onto our beloved Yampa Valley soil. 

Let us show you what it’s like to become a familiar face and go where everybody knows your name. It’s a wonderful feeling to be a part of something bigger, and that’s exactly what life in Steamboat Springs is all about. 

At The Astrid’s exclusive Townhomes, you’ll find Western hospitality and a sense of community enveloped in luxurious living and personalized service. A true ski-in, ski-out way of life in an idyllic setting, complete with white-glove concierge and residence care services so you don’t have to lift a finger. 

The luxury you’ve been waiting for in Steamboat Springs is coming; we’re breaking ground on this ambitious project in 2025. To find out more, simply provide us with your name and email address. By doing so, you’ll be invited to join our exclusive mailing list. As part of this list, you’ll gain access to insider information, behind-the-scenes content, and a highly personalized email experience reserved only for members of The Astrid community.

 

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