Each September, Pagosa Springs turns into a festival of color as hot air balloons rise over town and the community gathers for a weekend of food and music known as ColorFest.
Organized by the Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, ColorFest has become a signature fall event, drawing residents and visitors to celebrate the changing season and the town’s vibrant business community.
This year’s ColorFest is scheduled for September 18-20, with activities based in downtown Pagosa Springs and the uptown area.
The three-day schedule includes the Passport to Pagosa wine and food festival; the Bands, Brews and Barrels event; an evening balloon glow with Official A250/C150 Drone Show; and two morning hot air balloon mass ascensions.
Festivities begin that Friday evening with Passport to Pagosa, a ticketed wine and food event featuring domestic and international wines paired with tastings from Pagosa Springs restaurants and food vendors. From 6 to 9pm, attendees visit tasting stations, sample dishes and cast votes in a People’s Choice contest that recognizes local culinary talent.
On Saturday, ColorFest shifts to an afternoon and evening format with Bands, Brews and Barrels from 4 to 8 p.m. The event offers live bands, beer and spirits tastings from regional breweries and distilleries, and a People’s Choice Brewer and Distiller contest. As dusk approaches, tethered hot air balloons illuminate the sky in a balloon glow along with a 500-count drone show, creating a visual focal point that will be one of the weekend’s most photographed moments.
The weekend’s most recognizable scenes are the hot air balloon mass ascensions on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Balloons lift off around 8 a.m., launching south of The Springs Resort on Saturday and from the uptown area near Les Schwab on Sunday, offering different vantage points for spectators. Residents enjoy watching the balloons rise against a backdrop of fall foliage and mountain views.
ColorFest benefits Pagosa Springs, with increased visitation supporting lodging, dining, retail and local attractions throughout the weekend. The Chamber uses the festival to highlight restaurants, breweries, distilleries and other businesses, encouraging attendees to spend time in town before and after official events.
The combination of community gathering, business promotion and the scenic setting reinforces Pagosa Springs’ reputation as a welcoming destination for fall travel.
Tickets for Passport to Pagosa on Friday and Bands, Brews and Barrels on Saturday are available now at pagosachamber.com, or call us at (970) 264-2360 and we will be happy to help get your tickets for this memorable event.