Photo: @davidrosspix
Grand Junction, Colorado is a great vacation destination for visiting majestic attractions like the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa and Rattlesnake Arches. And these festivals and sporting events are an added bonus for your visit. Tickets are selling fast so check out this epic event list and start making plans!
July 6-Sept. 21, 2023: Downtown Market on Main
Enjoy local produce and products grown right here in the Grand Junction area every Thursday from July 6 to September 21, 2023. This local farmer’s market has expanded to include makers' products, art vendors, yard games, and entertainment including bands and dance groups turning it into the Market on Main. If you are still hungry after taste-testing your way through the market, visit food truck alley.
July 11-15, 2023: Mesa County Fair
Photo: @lapdog99
Head down to the Mesa County Fairgrounds for 5 days of authentic Western Colorado county fair activities - complete with a rodeo, bull riding, carnival rides, live music, monster trucks and plenty of family-friendly activities. And you already know that carnival food is an event in itself!
October 14-15, 2023: Grand Junction Airshow
Photo: @visitgrandjunction
Grand Junction welcomes back the US Navy Blue Angels for another extraordinary acrobatic aerial display. Hosted at the Grand Junction Regional Airport, the Grand Junction Airshow is set to showcase the new Boeing F/A 18 Super Hornets that were rolled out in 2021 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Angels. Additional aerial acts that will be taking the skies during the Grand Junction Airshow include Power Addiction, Bob Freeman, the Vanguard Squadron and an F4U Corsair from the Korean War.
Grand Junction hosts high-caliber events throughout the year, so check out the events calendar to see many other events and more details about those mentioned above. Lodging is filling up in Grand Junction, so start planning and book your hotel at one of the many lodging options. Curious about restaurants? Check out these dining establishments.
Many of Grand Junction's big events are annual and will return in 2024. Check out the below list and plan ahead for next year!
February 24-25, 2023: BANFF Mountain Film Festival
As the largest mountain festivals in the world, the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival at the Avalon Theatre takes place on February 24-25, 2023. Over 400 entries were submitted to the festival this year, so come check out the award-winners and audience favorites.
April 22, 2023: Southwest Arbor Fest
Celebrate Earth Day in Grand Junction’s Lincoln Park complete with live music, touch-a-truck exhibits, free ice cream to the first 500 kiddos, craft brews, and free seedlings to support greening-up Grand Junction.
May 5-6, 2023: Grand Junction Rides & Vibes Downtown Music Fest
Two days of live music, bike races, food trucks, craft brews and outdoor vendors in Downtown Grand Junction.
May 6, 2023: Paint the Town
Celebrate the Fabulous Fifties at this fine art auction in support of Grand Junction’s Art Center. Mingle with local artists, sip cocktails, nibble on appetizers, enjoy entertainment, and plan to dress up for a fifties-themed event. This annual event crafts up a different theme each year.
May 13, 2023: Grand Valley River Fest
Photo: Grand Junction Adventures
Kick-off the summer water season with the second annual Grand Valley River Fest! Check out the slackline competitions; a paddleboard safety throw bag tournament that tests strength, focus and accuracy; music and entertainment; and a chance to win a paddleboard in the fiercely competitive rubber ducky race. Learn from the pros at the river education events and try a taste of local crafts from the beer garden featuring Trail Life Brewing, Ramblebine Brewing Company and Base Camp Beer Works. And of course, a variety of local food trucks are on the scene.
May 12-14, 2023: Grand Valley Highland Games
Celebrate Scottish heritage at Grand Junction’s Highland Games, featuring the caber toss, a bagpipe competition, a performance by Wasatch & District, Highland dancers, Scottish drumming, a rugby tournament, and other highland sporting events and of course, Kilts.
May 27, 2023: Cross Orchards Antique Truck Show
Calling all truck enthusiasts! Cross Orchards Historic site has teamed up with the American Truck Historical Society to bring you a lineup consisting of everything from a 1917 Model T to modern-day semi-trucks. Bring the family down and check out the evolution of the trucks that built America!
May 27-28, 2023: Grand Enduro Mountain Bike Race
This challenging, three-stage mountain bike race at the Lunch Loops, in Grand Junction, requires both technical expertise and a solid fitness level. This terrain is not like anything you’ve ever seen before and the remarkable scenery will make it hard to keep your eyes on the trail. Sign up before this epic race sells out!
May 27-June 2, 2023: Junior College (JUCO) Baseball World Series
Lincoln Park becomes a mecca for the best junior college athletes competing for the national title and Major League Baseball scouts looking for their next big pick. As a long-standing event in Grand Junction, dozens of college teams from around the country travel to Grand Junction to compete for the NJCAA Division I World Series title. Come enjoy America’s favorite pastime at the newly renovated Suplizio Field. Attend the Memorial Day game at 10 am and witness a heart-pounding flyover (about 10:50 am). Memorial Day's evening game starts at 6:30 pm and ends with fireworks.
For free public transportation from Grand Junction hotels (except 24 Road hotels) to Suplizio Field, you can view the routes here!
June 2-3, 2023: Mike the Headless Chicken Festival
Celebrate the bizarre story of Mike the Headless Chicken, a chicken that lived for 18 months without a head. The festival will have family games, food, vendors, car show, 5k Run, Discgolf Tournament, and Peep and Wing Eating Contest. There’s so much fun at this festival it is sure to make you lose your head!
June 2-4, 2023: Kids Adventure Games
The Grand Junction edition of this nationwide event takes place at Highline State Park and challenges young adventurers to an athletic and problem-solving race while treating spectators to exciting, family-friendly action.
June 9-11, 2023: Colorado Special Olympics Summer Games
Special Olympics competitions for track and field, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer and swimming at Colorado Mesa University.
June 23-25, 2023: Colorado Lavender Festival
As the only lavender festival in the state, Colorado Lavender Fest offers self-guided farm tours at some of the local lavender farms, educational events, and an array of lavender-infused products. This event will arouse all your senses.
July 4, 2023: Independence Day Parade & Fireworks
Celebrate the 4th of July with an Independence Day parade through Downtown Grand Junction and enjoy the firework display later in the evening after the Grand Junction Jackalopes baseball game!