Looking for things to do this weekend on Colorado's Western Slope? From the Montrose County Fair & Rodeo and Carbondale Mountain Fair to live music, Palisade wineries, farmers markets, family activities, and Grand Junction events, here's your complete guide for July 24–26, 2026.
Summer is in full swing across Colorado's Western Slope, and this weekend is packed with events for every age and interest. Highlights include the Montrose County Fair & Rodeo, the Carbondale Mountain Fair, De Beque Wild Horse Days, the 125th Anniversary Celebration at Mesa County Libraries, dozens of live music performances, winery events in Palisade, farmers markets, Broadway theater, food trucks, and family activities throughout the region.
If you're planning to spend time outdoors, be prepared for triple-digit temperatures across much of the Grand Valley, with highs near 99°F Friday and 101°F Saturday and Sunday. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and consider heading to higher elevations like Powderhorn Mountain Resort or the Grand Mesa, where temperatures can be 10–20 degrees cooler.
Central Library • Grand Junction • 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Celebrate 125 years of Mesa County Libraries with a ribbon cutting, historical displays, family activities, and cupcakes honoring the opening of the Grand Valley's first Carnegie library.
Colterris Winery • Palisade • 5–8 p.m.
The winery's popular Friday evening concert series begins with folk, blues, country, and rock from Curly Ringos. Admission is free, with local food available for purchase.
Reckless Roadhouse • Beginning at 5 p.m.
Horse poker run, cornhole tournament, and live music from Haymaker kick off one of western Colorado's longest-running community celebrations.
Warehouse 25Sixty-Five • Grand Junction • 7 p.m.
Country music fans can catch Alabama singer-songwriter Drake White during one of the weekend's biggest concerts.
KAFM Radio Room • Grand Junction • 7 p.m.
Internationally acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto combines storytelling and acoustic performance in an intimate venue.
Mesa Theater • Grand Junction • 7 p.m.
Six local bands, including NVR ENDVR and Ransom Note, headline an evening celebrating the local music scene.
Mulberry Plaza • 6–8 p.m.
Downtown Fruita hosts local artists, makers, musicians, and community activities.
Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department • 5:30 p.m.
Free family movie night featuring hayrides, volleyball, food, and an outdoor screening after sunset.
Choose between two popular weekly gatherings:
Both feature food trucks, family activities, live entertainment, and outdoor community gathering spaces.
Kamas Auditorium, Palisade High School • 7 p.m.
&Company presents its summer Broadway production, with additional performances Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
The celebration continues with a parade, mud run, wood carving competition, bale bucking, cooking contests, and live music throughout the day.
8 a.m.–Noon
Fresh produce, baked goods, local vendors, train rides, and live music.
Triple Play Records • 10 a.m.–Noon
Free live music in downtown Grand Junction.
Avalon Theatre • 7 p.m.
Community Concerts of the Grand Valley presents a World War II-era USO-style musical revue.
Mesa Theater • 8 p.m.
Costume dance party benefiting local first responders and their families.
Gemini Beer Company • 7:30 p.m.
Stand-up comedy featuring George Delgado, Shelton Holmes, and Angela Finkel.
The Bloom Room • 8 p.m.
Dance music, DJs, visual effects, and immersive nightlife.
CSU Western Colorado Research Center • Orchard Mesa • 3–5 p.m.
Learn to make fresh spring rolls alongside Chef Pam of Pali Thai while supporting Dig In!, paired with wines from Ben Parsons of The Ordinary Fellow.
Powderhorn Mountain Resort • 2–5 p.m.
Free mountainside concert offering cooler temperatures than the valley floor.
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church • 6–8 p.m.
Bring lawn chairs for an evening of live music and community gathering.
3 p.m.
Final performance of &Company's Broadway production.
Community church service followed by afternoon bingo.
Flowing Park Reservoir Loop • Check-in 8:40 a.m.
Free guided hike exploring Grand Mesa ecosystems. Advance registration is required.
The Mesa County Libraries 125th Anniversary Celebration is one of the weekend's signature family events, while Saturday marks the final day of Summer Reading, making it the last opportunity for participants to log reading minutes.
Palisade is especially busy this weekend.
In addition to Colterris Summer Sunsets, visitors can enjoy Corks & Forks, Band in the Barrel, Backyard Beats, Sunset Saturday, Bubbles Brunch, and multiple comedy performances throughout wine country.
The Palisade Peach Festival returns August 21–22, while Colterris Summer Sunsets continue every Friday through September.
The 140th Montrose County Fair & Rodeo wraps up this weekend at the Montrose County Fairgrounds.
The fair concludes with:
Saturday is the final public day of the fair.
Cerise Park • 5 p.m.
Free evening featuring cowboy music and fellowship.
Helping Hands Community Gathering
Friday • 9–9:45 a.m.
Meet local nonprofit organizations and community resources at Montrose Regional Library.
The Montrose Library hosts CaveSim on July 28 before Func Fest returns August 8.
July 24–26
The 55th Carbondale Mountain Fair fills Sopris Park all weekend with live music, local artists, food vendors, family activities, pie-eating contests, wood splitting competitions, and the popular Oasis Block Party.
Attendance typically reaches 15,000–20,000 visitors.
Family-friendly hip-hop performance closing out Garfield County Libraries' summer programming.
The Garfield County Fair begins with its annual parade in Rifle on August 1, followed by fair events August 4–8.
Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center • Cedaredge • 6–8 p.m.
Enjoy free outdoor Americana music on the GMAEC lawn. Lawn chairs are encouraged.
Bluegrass band Stray Grass performs at GMAEC on Friday, July 31.
If you're only choosing a few events, these are among the Western Slope's biggest attractions this weekend:
