Fall Events in Leadville and Twin Lakes
August 27, 2023Autumn is a magical time in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. Think warm days, cool nights, and some of Colorado’s first gold leaves! Check out this roundup of fun things to see and do in fall. Check our calendar for details on these and other great events.
Be sure to also see 10 top spots for leaf peeping in Leadville and Twin Lakes!
2 Summits Near the Summits
Outdoor Industry Summit & Outdoor Equity Summit
Friday, Sept. 15 & 16, 2023
CMC Leadville
Want to learn how to increase equity in the great outdoors? Or to make your outdoor business more sustainable—and more profitable? Attend the Outdoor Equity Summit and Outdoor Industry Summit. You’ll hear from leaders in the field and come away with new ideas and excitement. After the sessions, head outdoors to enjoy hiking, biking, paddling, and more among the stunning peaks and clear waters of Leadville and Twin Lakes.
Unveiling of Leadville’s Irish Miners’ Memorial & Irish History Celebrations
Celebrate the unveiling of the Leadville Irish Miners’ Memorial with a weekend of events. This new memorial will recognize the Irish community, most of whom were Irish immigrants, buried in unmarked, sunken graves in the Catholic Pauper section of Evergreen Cemetery. Join September events honoring these past members of the Leadville community.
Leadville East Side Driving Tour
Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
5-6:30 p.m.
Delaware Hotel
Take a free Leadville East Side Driving Tour. Local experts Kathleen Fitzsimmons, Bill Harrington, and Dennis Hasty will give a geology and living history tour of Leadville’s historic mines.
Unearthed – Voices of Leadville’s Shanty Irish Exhibit Opening and Reception
Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Healy House & Dexter Cabin
Irish immigrants traveled to Leadville from mining communities across Ireland, the British Isles, and North America, seeking more opportunity and a better life. However, conditions were treacherous in the high-altitude of the Rocky Mountains. Unearthed: Voices of Leadville’s Shanty Irish reflects on the history of the Leadville Irish to explore issues of immigration, labor, systemic poverty, and identity.
Leadville Irish Memorial Ribbon Cutting
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2023
10 a.m. – Noon
Evergreen Cemetery
Join the Irish Network of Colorado for the official ribbon cutting of the Leadville Irish Miners’ Memorial – In memory of the over 1,300 Irish immigrants buried in unmarked graves – a symbol of their humanity, their lives and their struggles, in hope that their stories might continue. The event includes remarks from dignitaries, reading of the names, and the unveiling, along with music and cemetery tours.
St. Patrick’s Day Practice Parade
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
3 p.m.
Harrison Avenue, Leadville
It’s never too early to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Join us for a parade!
Cork to Colorado Irish Revue at the Tabor Opera House
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Tabor Open House: 5 – 7 p.m.
Performance: 7 p.m.
Tabor Opera House
Don’t miss this performance featuring Corbin Logan, The Oro City String Band, and The Brennans Irish Folk Music. Special guests include Oscar Wilde, Scott Carroll, Mother Jones, and more! Luke Finken will emcee.
Planes, Trains, Automobiles
Fall Colors Fly-In Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023
8 – 11 a.m.
Leadville Airport
There’s no better way to see fall colors than from the air! A Fall Fly-In at the Leadville Airport welcomes people with private planes to fly in for a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns ($8 adults, $5 children). You can get a certificate for landing at LXV, North America’s highest airport. You can also drive in; plane not required! Questions? Call 719-486-0307, or email jadamson@co.lake.co.us.
Top of the Rockies Zipline
Through mid-October
Leaf peep from high in the sky on the Top of the Rockies Zipline. Or combine your zipline tour with a train ride, for a fall foliage spectacular all day long!
Leadville Railroad’s Scenic Rides
- BBQ Special Ride with BBQ, views and brews – Friday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 – 5:45 p.m.
- Fall Sunset Rides – Saturdays, Sept. 9, 16 and 23 at 6 p.m.
- Fall Specials – Daily through Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023 (1 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays).
- Oktoberfest Rides – Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Oct. 29, 2023.
Enjoy the fall colors and sweeping vistas of the Arkansas River Valley. Reservations are required; please book in advance. Get that special shot framed by Colorado’s autumn beauty. Make sure to bring your camera and your jacket!
Scenic Drives
All roads to Leadville and Twin Lakes are along the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway! Come see the gorgeous views, dotted with golden fall colors.
Recreation Events
CDT SOBO TRAIL DAZE
Wednesday – Friday, Sept. 13-15, 2023
Leadville
This three-day festival celebrates through-hiking and arts. Did you know that Leadville and Twin Lakes are designated as a Continental Divide Trail gateway community? Be sure to check out the trail!
Leadville Big Friggin Loop Cycling Event
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
5 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Leadvelo Bicicasa
An epic and self-supported endurance ride. Travel a mix of singletrack and gravel trails, at high elevation in the backcountry within the San Isabel and White River National Forests.
Cultural Events
Storytelling with Southern Ute Elder Hanley Frost
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023
2 p.m.
Twin Lakes Schoolhouse
Learn about Ute history and Chiefs from Hanley Frost, the Southern Ute Elder’s Care Coordinator and former Cultural Director. He is also a Sun Dance Chief. Please join us for storytelling at this free event.
“How the West Was Wonderful” Live Auction
Friday, Sept. 30, 2023
6-9 p.m.
Tabor Opera House
Enjoy an auction with artwork and donated items from artists and community members, all to benefit Leadville Main Street. Plus drinks, appetizers, and live music!
“Stories Worth Telling” Film Festival
Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023
5 p.m.
Tabor Opera House
Back by popular demand! The second annual Stories Worth Telling Film Festival comes to Leadville’s historic Tabor Opera House. Don’t miss these inspiring films focusing on compassion, innovation, adventure, and community.
History Tours & Museums
Catch these tours and museums before they close for the season!
Heritage Museum
Through Saturday, Sept. 30
Explore this fine collection of Leadville memorabilia, including a replica of the famous Ice Palace.
Tabor Opera House
Tours Thursdays – Sundays through Oct. 1
Feel the aura of the Old West in the historic Tabor Opera House, recently featured in National Geographic Traveler and part of the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit.
Museums Open through Fall:
Healy House and Dexter Cabin
Discover two of Leadville’s earliest houses for a glimpse of life in a booming silver-mining town.
National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum
Discover the story of mining—past, present, and future! See world-class gemstones, mining equipment, and much more.
Temple Israel
Visit the oldest of the area’s frontier synagogues, and learn about the lives of Jewish pioneers during Leadville’s mining boom.
Fall at Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is one of the best areas around for fall colors! Whether you’re taking a drive up to Independence Pass, hiking or biking an area trail, or watching the golden glow of sunset and leaves behind the lakes, you’ll love autumn at Twin Lakes.
Twin Lakes Boat Tours
Magnificent scenery, wildlife, history, and folklore await on these narrated tours. You can also tour the historic Interlaken resort, which was established in the late 1800s as a getaway for the wealthy mining tycoons. Please make reservations in advance.
Shooting Star Gallery
Visit the gallery for enjoy the talent of our local artists—now in a new location in the heart of Twin Lakes village. Turn between the Twin Lakes General Store and Twin Lakes Inn and go halfway up the block on County Road 26.
Twin Lakes General Store
Stop in for local maps, outdoor clothing, snacks, wine and beer, books, and much, more more!
Twin Lakes Inn & Saloon & Patio Food Court
Enjoy beverages, fresh pizza from Indy Pass Pies, and more at the new patio food court—perfect on a bright fall day.
More Events
See our calendar for even more live music, movies, markets, outdoor activities and exercise, and much more!
