The off-season is a great time to visit Aspen and Snowmass, and if you are a local, it is also a fantastic time to relax a little bit after a busy summer and to truly enjoy some of the benefits of living here. Come the end of August, the Food and Wine Classic is long gone, the high-profile Aspen Institute-hosted events have passed, and the Aspen Music Festival performances have faded away, but that does not mean that the fun is all over until winter (Planning beyond September? See our things to do in Aspen in the fall guide).
We could, of course, easily add to this list, but here are 5 fun things to do in Aspen in September – Edited for 2025.
Snowmass Balloon Festival
Check out the Snowmass Balloon Festival (September 12th-14th), just a few miles down the road in Snowmass Village. Now in its 50th year, this annual extravaganza offers a stunning display of hot air balloons for all to enjoy.
More than thirty balloons will take to the skies against the backdrop of majestic mountains from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Before the launch, you can meet the pilots and see the balloons up close at Snowmass Town Park.
And don’t miss the highlight of the weekend: the Night Glow, held from 6:00 PM to 9:00PM on Friday. This is your chance to get a close-up look at all the glowing balloons lighting up the sky against the brilliant Snowmass sunset.
Spectators are welcome to drive, hike, bike, or walk to the Park to catch the action. Staying in Snowmass makes festival mornings easy—browse where to stay in Aspen in the fall for neighborhood picks. Prefer a quiet Snowmass base? 1000 Two Creeks is minutes from Owl Creek.
And here are some more ways to make the most of the festival.
Fall Color Viewing
Towards the end of September, Mother Nature puts on a show worth reveling in, as the fall colors pop out. This spectacular explosion of red, orange, and yellow leaves on the hillsides and in town is not to be missed and is truly one of the best parts of being in Aspen in September. We suggest taking a drive up Independence Pass, Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft, Maroon Creek Road to the Maroon Bells, or Owl Creek Road between Aspen and Snowmass to view this magnificent scene in its full splendor!
We recommend hitting Independence Pass to view the fall colors, but also to do so much more. You can make a great day of adventure along the pass if you plan it right!
Independence Pass is considered one of the most beautiful roads to drive in the United States, if not the world. More than this, it is filled with day activities, serene lakes, trails, and areas to explore. Stop off at the Devil’s Punchbowl for a swim, and even jump into the pool at the base of the waterfall! Just after this, we highly recommend wandering through The Grottos. These amazing natural ice caves are a wonder in themselves, and such a great area to relax by the river! If you’re feeling very active, try hiking up to Grizzly Lake, probably our favorite lake hike in Aspen. Then take in the views at the Continental Divide at the top of the Pass.
Want deck-front leaf-peeping? Explore our best vacation rentals for fall colors: Panoramas from 670 Moore Drive; walk-to-town views at 926 E Cooper Ave.
Elevated Entertainment on Aspen Mountain
Catch some of Colorado’s best bluegrass musicians before summer ends. Every Sunday until the end of September, Aspen Snowmass will be showcasing bluegrass bands at the top of Aspen Mountain. What a great way to spend your Sunday evening, with great views, food, drinks & live music. Tickets are free if you have already purchased a sightseeing gondola ticket.
For more shoulder-season ideas, see our things to do in Aspen in the fall guide.
Explore the outdoors with ACES
Photo by Aspennature.org
There is such a vast amount of explorable nature around Aspen & Snowmass, and it can seem a bit daunting to go into the wild by yourself.
ACES ( Aspen Centre for Environmental Studies) has been dedicated to preserving, studying & educating people about the ecosystems that surround Aspen.
ACES has been offering guided tours, hikes, and nature education in Aspen for over 45 years. They have activities happening daily and weekly, ranging from group hikes to farm tours and even yoga! The perfect outing – exploring the endless outdoor beauty of the White River National Forrest, while learning from our local guides and naturalists. One of our favorite activities is birding at Northstar Preserve.
Pair ACES programs with these best fall hikes and family-friendly walks.
Lost Forest Snowmass
Photo: Gosnowmass.com
With Snowmass being the largest ski mountain, it only makes sense that it turns into an adventure-packed Summer escape. Hidden amongst the trees at Elk Camp on Snowmass Mountain is the Lost Forest.
The Lost Forest contains miles of hiking and biking trails that meander across the mountain. Take a hike along one of the many creeks or even stop off and go pond fishing. Explore your wild side on the tree-line obstacle course & climbing walls. You can even take a ride through the trees on the alpine coaster. Enjoy all this & more for the perfect Summer family day out.
Bringing kids? See where to stay in Aspen in the fall for Snowmass family bases.
Bonus: Aspen Saturday Market
Catch the last weeks of the Aspen Saturday Farmer’s Market! This year, the market will run until October 4th, stopping just before Aspen’s fall “off-season”. Running since 1998, the Farmer’s Market pedestrianizes Hyman and Hopkins Avenue in downtown Aspen and is a fantastic way to start any Saturday.
Open from 8:30 AM until 2:00 PM, the Saturday market offers a fantastic selection of fresh Colorado produce, local artisan products, and food trucks to snack at! The market hosts vendors from throughout the Roaring Fork Valley – more information on the event and its vendors can be found here.
Love strolling the market? Start with the best areas to stay in Aspen in the fall.
For more information about fun things to do in Aspen in September, please visit the aspenchamber.org website, or give us a call at (970) 205-9960. You’ll also want to check out our post about the “Top 5 Things to Do in Aspen & Snowmass in the Fall.”
NEED ACCOMMODATIONS OR FULL-SERVICE VACATION PLANNING?
Whether you are looking for a place to stay, concierge services, or a complete vacation plan, we are eager to assist. Allow our highly experienced and skilled staff to help you make the most of your trip to Aspen or Snowmass – fall, winter, spring, or summer!
See our best vacation rentals for fall colors or explore where to stay in Aspen in the fall.
Contact one of our luxury concierges today at (970) 205-9962, or email us at info@aspenluxuryvacationrentals.com.
We look forward to hosting your next Aspen adventure!
