🎨 Artist in Residence Meet & Greet: Bryan Wade — FREE — 10 AM–Noon — 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave.
Mesa County Libraries’ new Artist in Residence Bryan Wade hosts his first Monday open studio, with comics, coffee, conversation and plenty of nerdy art talk. These continue Mondays during his residency.

🗣️ Healing Rooms of the Grand Valley — FREE — 6:30–8:30 PM — 1333 N. 23rd St., Grand Junction
Non-denominational prayer support is available for physical, spiritual, emotional or financial needs; no appointment required.

🎸 Thelma & the Sleaze at Gemini Beer Co. — FREE — 7–9 PM — Gemini Beer Company
Nashville rock band Thelma & the Sleaze takes over Gemini Beer Company for a free all-ages Turntable Tuesday show presented with Triple Play Records.

😂 Steve Hofstetter at Mesa Theater — $36.27+ — 8 PM — Mesa Theater
Comedian Steve Hofstetter brings his crowd-work-heavy stand-up to Grand Junction, joined by Andrew Rivers and Georgia Warder. The show is 18+, with premium seating also available.

🎨 Wine & Watercolor — $30 — 3–5 PM — Whitewater Hill Vineyards, 220 32 Road
Spend a relaxing afternoon painting watercolors overlooking the estate vineyard and Mount Garfield. Admission includes the watercolor materials and paintbrush to keep, plus one glass of Whitewater Hill wine.

🎸 Laura Jane Grace at Mesa Theater — $15–$20 — 8 PM — Mesa Theater
Against Me! founder and punk-rock singer-songwriter Laura Jane Grace comes to Mesa Theater as part of her 2026 tour.

🎭 Avalon Theatre Ribbon Cutting — FREE — 4 PM — Avalon Theatre Encore Hall
The City lists this as a free public ribbon-cutting event at the Avalon’s Encore Hall.

🛍️ Market on Main — FREE — 5:30–8:30 PM — Downtown Grand Junction
One of downtown’s final markets of the season brings Western Slope produce, local makers, food, community booths and entertainment to Main Street. SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks are also accepted.

🍷🍽️ Dine in the Vines Wine Pairing Dinner — $165 — 6–9 PM — Carboy Winery, Palisade
Chef Scott Hybbaneth presents a five-course harvest-season dinner paired with five Carboy wines, plus a welcome pour and passed appetizers. Admission includes gratuity; guests must be 21+.

💧 2026 Colorado River District Annual Water Seminar — Registration Required — 8:30 AM–3:15 PM — Colorado Mesa University
Water experts, decision-makers and practitioners from across Colorado gather to discuss the challenges facing the Colorado River and what comes next for the basin. Doors open at 8 AM, and the seminar is followed by a networking happy hour from 3:35–5 PM with a complimentary drink ticket for registered attendees.

🍷🔬 Science Uncorked: Exploring Colorado Terroir — FREE — 6–8 PM — Whitewater Hill Vineyards
CSU viticulture specialist Charlotte Oliver explores how the Grand Valley’s elevation, climate and growing conditions shape the flavor of Colorado wines. Guests can grab wine and settle in at 6 PM, followed by the presentation at 6:30 and Q&A afterward.

🎸 Wine Festivus 2026: The Long Run — Eagles Tribute — $50+ — Gates 6 PM, Show 7 PM — Colterris Winery, Palisade
Colorado Eagles tribute band The Long Run headlines the first night of Colterris’ annual Wine Festivus, featuring estate-grown wine and local food trucks. The event is 21+; outside food, drinks and pets are not permitted.

😂 Optimistic Personality Disorder — $34+ — 7 PM — The Art Center
Comedian and storyteller Merit Kahn combines stand-up, theatrical storytelling and real-life experiences in this one-woman comedy show. Ages 18+.

🍫🍷 Chocolate & Wine Tasting — $65.50 — 7–9 PM — Wine Country Inn, Palisade
Pair Enstrom and Guittard chocolates with a wide selection of Colorado wines during this Winefest-week favorite. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass, unlimited wine samples, chocolates, savory bites and live music.

🤘 Death Comes for Us All! — $25.91 — Doors 7 PM, Show 8 PM — Mesa Theater
Grove Ritual, Borne of Execration and Burning Through Darkness bring a considerably heavier Friday-night option to Mesa Theater.

🚴 Tour de Vineyards — $120 Advance / $130 Event Day — Rolling Start 7–8 AM — Downtown Palisade
Choose between 23- and 58-mile routes through the vineyards, orchards and mesas of Colorado wine country. Registration includes the ride, event shirt, aid stations and a post-ride brunch and celebration; online registration closes Tuesday, Sept. 15 at noon.

💎 80th Annual Gem & Mineral Show — $5 Adults / $4 Seniors & Military / Kids Under 12 FREE — 9 AM–5 PM — Mesa County Fairgrounds
Celebrate the Grand Junction Gem & Mineral Club’s 80th annual show with 40+ vendors, kids activities, a silent auction, fluorescent room, demonstrations, food trucks and free parking.

🚘 25th Annual Downtown Car Show — FREE — 10 AM–3 PM — Downtown Grand Junction
Four blocks of Main Street fill with antique cars, customs, muscle cars, motorcycles and Electric Avenue for the show’s 25th anniversary.

🍷 35th Annual Colorado Mountain Winefest — $60 Concierge / $200 Signature / $325 Reserved — 11 AM–4 PM — Riverbend Park, Palisade
Winefest celebrates its 35th anniversary with 30 Colorado wineries, gourmet culinary offerings, live entertainment, shaded lounges and interactive experiences. Reserved guests enter at 11 AM, while Signature and Concierge admission begins at noon; the $60 Concierge tier does not include wine tastings.

🎭 Theatre in the Park: Seusspeare — Much Ado About Everything — FREE — Activities Noon, Show 1 PM — Watson Island Amphitheater
The Theatre Project combines Shakespeare with the silliness of Dr. Seuss in this family-friendly one-act comedy. Food and activities begin at noon, and guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or low-back lawn chair for the 1 PM performance.

🍺 Oktoberfest at Cross Orchards — FREE — 1–6 PM — Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 Patterson Road
Celebrate fall with local craft beer, live music, train rides, apple-pressing demonstrations, lawn games, costume contests and stein-holding competitions. Admission is free; beer tasting wristbands are $10 in advance or $15 the day of the event.

🎬 Mamma Mia! Sing Along — $13.60 — Doors 5 PM, Movie 6 PM — Avalon Theatre
Sing along to ABBA favorites as Mamma Mia! returns to the Avalon’s big screen. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best ABBA-inspired outfit for a costume contest with prizes.

🎸 Javier de los Santos in Concert — $28.29 — 7:30–8:30 PM — Cavalcade, 201 E. Aspen Ave., Fruita
Accomplished classical guitarist Javier de los Santos brings an intimate solo performance to Cavalcade. The Grand Junction musician has performed internationally and serves as artistic director of the Western Colorado Classical Guitar Society.

🎻 Stillhouse Junkies at Mesa Theater — $23.83+ — 8 PM — Mesa Theater
Durango’s Stillhouse Junkies blend bluegrass, roots, blues, swing, funk and rock into a genre-bending live show. The Clayton Yeazle Trio also joins the bill.

🎹 Dueling Pianos at Warehouse 25Sixty-Five — $37+ — Doors 7 PM, Show 8–11 PM — Warehouse 25Sixty-Five
Dueling Pianos returns to the Warehouse for an all-request Saturday night filled with sing-alongs, dancing and crowd-picked songs. The show is open to all ages.

🎻 Pickin’ in the Rockies — Ticketed — Gates 10 AM — Absolute Prestige Ranch, 1351 Q Road, Loma
Spend Sunday with award-winning country, bluegrass and gospel music, along with vendors, workshops, food and drinks at this annual Western Slope acoustic-music festival. The main stage is outdoors, so guests should bring their own chairs and sun protection.

💎 80th Annual Gem & Mineral Show — $5 Adults / $4 Seniors & Military / Kids Under 12 FREE — 10 AM–4 PM — Mesa County Fairgrounds
The 80th annual show wraps up Sunday with 40+ gem and mineral vendors, kids activities, demonstrations, a silent auction, fluorescent room, food trucks and free parking.

🎶 Sturtz & The Howard Brothers in Concert — $22.94 — 7:30–9:30 PM — Cavalcade, Fruita
Sturtz brings mellow folk alongside identical-twin Folk-Americana duo The Howard Brothers.

⚽ Montrose Red Hawks at Central Warriors — Boys Soccer — Tuesday, Sept. 15 — 5 PM — Longs Park
Central hosts Montrose in a Southwestern League varsity matchup Tuesday afternoon.

⚽ Grand Junction Tigers at Palisade Bulldogs — Boys Soccer — Tuesday, Sept. 15 — 7 PM — Colorado Mesa University Soccer & Lacrosse Field
Two local rivals meet in Southwestern League play, with Palisade hosting Grand Junction at CMU’s soccer facility.

⚽ Montrose Red Hawks at Grand Junction Tigers — Boys Soccer — Thursday, Sept. 17 — 5 PM
The Tigers host Montrose in another Southwestern League matchup after beating the Red Hawks earlier this season.

⚽ Fort Lewis Skyhawks at Colorado Mesa Mavericks — Men’s Soccer — Thursday, Sept. 17 — 7 PM — Community Hospital Unity Field
CMU welcomes longtime rival Fort Lewis for a Thursday-night Parents’ Weekend matchup.

🏈 Frederick Golden Eagles at Grand Junction Tigers — Football — Thursday, Sept. 17 — 6 PM — Ralph Stocker Stadium
Grand Junction opens conference play at home against Frederick under the lights at Stocker Stadium.

🏈 Pomona Panthers at Palisade Bulldogs — Football — Friday, Sept. 18 — 6 PM — Ralph Stocker Stadium
Palisade returns home for a rematch with Pomona in one of the Bulldogs’ bigger nonconference games of the season.

🏈 Western Colorado Mountaineers at Colorado Mesa Mavericks — Football — Saturday, Sept. 19 — 6 PM — Ralph Stocker Stadium
The Mavericks host Western Colorado during Parents’ Weekend in a Saturday-night Western Slope rivalry game.

🏒 Billings Cattle Punchers at Grand Junction River Hawks — Friday, Sept. 18 — 7:30 PM — River City Sportplex
The River Hawks open their 2026–27 regular-season home schedule with the first of two weekend games against Billings.

🏒 Billings Cattle Punchers at Grand Junction River Hawks — Saturday, Sept. 19 — 7:30 PM — River City Sportplex
Grand Junction closes its opening regular-season weekend with the second half of the back-to-back against Billings.

🏊 Grand Junction Community Recreation Center Grand Opening — FREE — Friday–Saturday, September 25–26 — Community Recreation Center, 2836 Recreation Way
Grand Junction’s long-awaited 107,000-square-foot Community Recreation Center officially opens with a ribbon cutting Friday at 4 PM, followed by free public use from 5–8 PM. Free access continues Saturday from 9 AM–5 PM, with three scheduled pool sessions available on a first-come, first-served basis.

🍂 111th Annual Fruita Fall Festival — FREE — Friday–Saturday, September 25–26 — Downtown Fruita
One of Western Colorado’s longest-running community traditions celebrates 111 years with live music, vendors, food, family activities, a parade and longtime favorites including the famous Outhouse Race.

🧸 Rocky Mountain PBS KIDS FEST — FREE — Saturday, October 3 — 10 AM–2 PM — Lincoln Park
RMPBS brings a free family festival to Grand Junction with PBS KIDS characters including Arthur, Clifford, Nature Cat and Luna. The day also features free face painting, games, a scavenger hunt, community art and activities from local kid-focused organizations.

🎻 Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra: Spirited Away — Ticketed — Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 PM & Sunday, October 4 at 3 PM — Avalon Theatre
The Grand Junction Symphony performs Joe Hisaishi’s beloved Spirited Away Suite, along with Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and works by Barber and Puccini. Soprano Magdalena Kuzma, winner of the 2026 GJSO Young Artists Competition, joins the orchestra for the program.