Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival 2024 in Colorado

The aroma of roasting chilies in Pueblo, Colorado, alarms summer’s end the same way as the sight of fallen leaves in some places means the fall. An amazing annual festival in Pueblo, hosted by the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, falls on the third weekend after Labor Day, attracting about 100,000 people over three days. The festival is dedicated to Pueblo's most popular variety of peppers called Mirasol. But you can find other kinds at the festival too. Every year, local farmers sell as much as $50,000 worth of peppers.

Festival Highlights

An award-winning Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival is organized by Loaf 'N Jug. The event also serves as Pueblo's harvest celebration. You'll find there hot air balloons, arts and crafts, 200 vendors, and lots of Chiles! You can learn about all the possible ways to cook chilies and participate in cooking competitions. There are also plenty of performers on five live music stages. The festival takes place downtown along Union Avenue and usually draws Pueblo residents, people from across the state and also around the nation. Thousands of visitors pay homage to green chilies‚ particularly in good graces at Pueblo.

Balloon Fest (September 22-23, 2024)

Hot air balloons are among the main attractions of the festival. Colorful balloons take of from the fields at 24th & High Streets at 6:45 am on all three mornings of the festival. Wake up early and watch 15 amazing balloons inflate and launch while you are enjoying your coffee and breakfast. Beverages and treats are available from the food trucks. Flights are subject to weather and wind conditions.

Chihuahua Parade & Friends (September 22, 2024)

This family and pet-friendly parade is one of the main crowd-pleasers. Chihuahua Parade & Friends will set off from El Pueblo History Museum. If you bring a chihuahua to participate, registration at 10:30 am. Line up takes place at Farmer's Market. Costumes are strongly encouraged. And owners are asked to pick up after their dogs.

Other festival events include the Jalapeno Eating Contest, taking place at Entertainment Tent (Main Street & Alan Hamel) at 4 pm on September 22nd, as well as a fiery Chili and Salsa Showdown. After all the festivities and activities of the Festiva, attendees can rent a boat ride around the Riverwalk. The Festival's hours are from 3 pm to 12 am on Friday, from 10 am to 12 am on Saturday, and from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday.