At the crossroads of I-25 and HWY 50 in Colorado, there is a town full of excitement you wouldn’t think to find there. Many have heard about the events, festivals, and celebrations that take place here and thought, “That’s in Pueblo, Colorado? I never would’ve guessed.”
Well, that’s what makes Pueblo special.
You might be guided here in search of art and entertainment. Maybe you’ll wander here during the holidays only to discover a city decorated in holiday lights. Or perhaps it’s a craving for the rich and spicy roasted green chili that smothers a tasty burger.
Whatever the case, if you’re in Southern Colorado as a solo traveler, a family of adventurers, or just someone exploring with your group of fur babies, you’ll find a handful of things to do and memories to take home, right here in Pueblo, Colorado.
Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival
Photo courtesy of Visit Pueblo
Along Union near the Pueblo Riverwalk, you’ll find that enticing aroma of roasted green chiles you won’t find anywhere else. At the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival, visitors can browse over 180 vendors, indulge in spice levels across the Scoville spectrum, and enjoy cooking competitions, live entertainment, and the Balloon Fest at Langoni Field. Take home a bushel of classic Pueblo Green Chiles, Big Jim Anaheims, or test your limits with some Ghost Peppers.
- WHEN: September 18 – 20, 2026
- WHERE: Historic Downtown Pueblo/Union Avenue
- WEBSITE: PuebloChileFestival.com
Steel City Arkansas River Festival
New to the Pueblo festival family is an event set on making a splash. For fun along the Arkansas River at Waterworks Park, attendees can enjoy the Steel City Arkansas River Festival (SCARF) for free and experience a variety of water events. Build Your Own Boat and race down the river, freestyle in the Surf Competition (presented by Badfish), compete in the Cornhole Tournament, or sail by water or path on any floating vessel or bike for the Paddle and Bike Parade. Attendees can also enjoy the beer garden, a variety of food vendors, Adventure Valley just for the kids, and a Rubber Duck Race where they can adopt a duck for a good cause.
Catch free shuttle services to Waterworks Park to enjoy SCARF at Dutch Clark Stadium, W. 11th St. and Pueblo Blvd Dirt Lot, or Pillar Park.
- WHEN: June 27, 2026
- WHERE: Waterworks Park, Pueblo
- WEBSITE: pueblo.us/3042/Steel-City-Arkansas-River-Festival
Pueblo Parade of Lights
For over 30 years, the Pueblo Downtown Association has been marching through the streets to put on a display of wondrous lights that children of all ages can enjoy. The Pueblo Parade of Lights is one of Colorado’s largest Christmas parades and features a variety of colorful and festive floats, school marching bands, drill teams, saddle club horses, and much more. The parade stretches from Mesa Junction, down Union Avenue and to Main Street, finding its glittering end at 6th and Court streets. This year’s theme is Holidays Past, Present, Future.
- WHEN: November 26, 2026
- WHERE: Mesa Junction, Union Avenue, and Main Street
- WEBSITE: PuebloParadeofLights.com
ElectricCritters at the Pueblo Zoo
Have you ever seen 150 different animals transform into a splendor of 250,000 dazzling lights? Well, the Pueblo Zoo doesn’t decorate the animals per se, they just create animated creatures beneath the stars for your entertainment.
While you’re exploring the stunning animals from behind the safety of a fence, you can catch the magical glow of this display as you wander through the zoo sipping hot cocoa. If you’re the guardian of little humans and protector of tiny feet, you could also take the miniature train chugging around the grounds.
For those with sensory sensitivities, November 27 is the perfect time to experience low lights, softer music, fewer crowds, but still a wild amount of zoological magic.
- WHERE: Pueblo Zoo 2455 Nuckolls Ave.
- WHEN: November 27 & 28, 2026
- WEBSITE: PuebloZoo.org/events
Colorado State Fair
Each August and September since 1872, Pueblo has made the Colorado State Fair a home to a slew of carnival rides, 4-H events, horse competitions, fine arts shows, rodeos, homebrew competitions, and a spread of delightful fair treats.
Throughout the years, it has even hosted concerts featuring well-known musical artists and comedians, including Clay Walker, Trace Adkins, Lee Brice, Flo Rida, Ludacris, Lady A, Gabriel Iglesias, and Jim Gaffigan. For the 2026 lineup, visitors can enjoy appearances from Tone Loc, Vanilla Ice, and The Fray with Rome from Sublime.
- WHERE: 1001 Beulah Ave. Pueblo, CO
- WHEN: August 28 – September 7, 2026
- WEBSITE: ColoradoStateFair.com
