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Your Guide to a Fun-Filled Territory Days Weekend in Old Colorado City

Intersection in Old Colorado City during Territory Days
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Territory Days: A Memorial Day Tradition in Old Colorado City

Territory Days has been a premiere event in Old Colorado City since 1978 — and it’s easy to understand why. Part street fair, part historic celebration and all fun, this signature block party is one of the best ways to spend Memorial Day weekend in the Pikes Peak region. Music, food, family; you name it, you’ll likely find it at Territory Days in Old Colorado City. In fact, there is so much to see and do over the three-day event that we felt it would be helpful to break it down into the top-tier activities with some helpful hints for enjoying your weekend. We can’t wait to see you there, ice cream in hand, enjoying the sights and sounds. 

Territory Days Fast Facts

 

  • The Territory Days Street Festival was established in 1975 to celebrate the rich and colorful history of Old Colorado City.
  • Old Colorado City was the original capital of the Colorado Territory. 
  • More than 100,000 people visit Territory Days each Memorial Day weekend. 
  • FREE! There’s no cost to attend this three-day event — but you will want pocket money for treats.
  • Family-friendly with a children’s area for the kids and a beer/wine garden for mom and dad. 
  • LIVE MUSIC all weekend long!
OCC.22.Territory_Days_Crowd

Street Food at Territory Days

Everyone knows that the best part of visiting a street fair is the chance to eat all of the tasty foods vendors bring to the party. Territory Days has the added benefit of being located in the heart of Old Colorado City, which is home to dozens of amazing local restaurants. That means if you aren’t up for funnel cake and curly fries, you can enjoy a great meal from one of the nearby eateries. Many of the restaurants will have special pricing, unique items and live music during the festival.

A hand holds up an ice cream cone at Territory Days.

All Your Fair Food Favorites

Territory Days for Kids

Bring the kids along to Old Colorado City because Territory Days is absolutely family-friendly fun for everyone in the family. Territory Days offers many ways for the children in your life to have fun. And when you’re all done? We highly recommend a big ice cream cone for a hard day’s work (at playing hard). 

All aboard the Airbound Express at the 24th Street depot! Kids can ride around the fair in a tiny locomotive with real steam! 

Younger children have their own place to play without worrying about bumping into older kids. The Toddler Zone is just east of Bancroft Park!

Enjoy multiple rides throughout the festival, including ones that spin, swing and soar. Check out the inflatable obstacle course, too. 

Even kids can give bull riding a try when they visit Territory Days. Check out the mechanical bull on 24th Street where every paying customer gets a chance. 

Old Colorado City Creamery

Kids can try their luck at gold panning, just like the prospectors who once visited Old Colorado City for supplies in the 1800s.

Helpful Hints for Parents …

  • Territory Days can get pretty crowded, with 30,000 visitors a day! Make sure you have a plan if your kids get separated. It can happen to any parent, so have a quick conversation about what to do if someone gets lost. Create a central meeting place and teach your kids who to ask for help. 
  • Bring water, sunscreen and an umbrella (for shade and potential rain). It gets HOT and you’ll appreciate being cool and hydrated.
  • If your child is still a stroller user, you may want to bring it along. It may be less stressful to navigate crowds with a stroller than it is with a grumpy, tired child. 
  • Bring along money for the rides, if you plan on letting your child try them. Cash can make the process faster. 
  • Bring ponchos or other light rain gear. Afternoon storms pop up fast and you don’t want to get soaked running back to the car. 

Live Music at Territory Days

The 2025 live music line-up is packed with amazing artists for this year’s Territory Days event. After 50 years, they’ve mastered the art of putting together an excellent live show and 2025 is not going to disappoint. There are 30+ bands scheduled across three different stages, playing morning to evening through May 26. We’ve shared som of the highlights, including a few locals you’ve seen playing at your favorite venues in Old Colorado City and Colorado Springs. 

  • MissConduct Band
  • The Legacy Band
  • Aces & Eights
  • The Threadbarons
  • High Country Heartbreakers – Tom Petty Tribute
  • Fellowship of Christian Cowboys
  • The Terra Surfers
  • Family Elephant
  • The 719 Band
  • Hat Trick
  • Tiny Pockets
  • Rhett Haney
  • Winchester Road Band
  • School of Rock
  • Gen X2Z
  • Trikk
  • Off Ramp
  • The Hugh Phillips Band
  • Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts
  • Silver Moon Riders
  • Austin Ross Band
  • Some Sweet Day
  • Jim Green
  • Montana Sand
  • Steve Bench
  • Angela Perry
  • Annette and Doug Conlon
  • Combs and Campa
  • R B
  • Liberty Drive Band
  • About the artists … 
A band plays live music at the Bancroft Bandstand at Territory Days.

Hundreds of Unique Shops and Services

Territory Days is a street fair that is unmatched when it comes to the variety and number of vendors who set up booths over Memorial Day. The event originally began as a vendor fair for local businesses and its kept the tradition going ever since. The street is filled unique crafts, clothing, art, jewelry, souvenirs and treats and there are booths at the fair that you’ll never find anywhere else. Oh, and the shops and galleries all along Colorado Avenue will be open for business, too.

Plan Your Visit

Territory Days is located in a popular historic district west of Downtown Colorado Springs. It’s also a huge event that welcomes thousands of visitor. We’ve got a few helpful ways to ensure your visit is as stress-free as possible. 

Driving Directions to Territory Days:

From I-25, take exit 141 to Highway 24 (Cimarron Street) and head west. You can access Old Colorado City by turning right onto the majority of the side streets and connecting with Colorado Avenue. 

Please be advised that Colorado Avenue is closed from 23rd Street to 27th Street and a few of the cross streets will be closed, as well. 

 

Alternate Options for Getting There

Territory Days Shuttle

Park at the Colorado Springs C.A.B. Garage for $1 an hour and take a FREE ride to Territory Days. Parking in the garage is NOT required to ride the free shuttle. 

10:30am through 7:00pm on Saturday and Sunday

10:30am through 6:00pm on Monday.

No pets, please.

Bike with PikeRide

Take a bike ride to Territory Days and enjoy the wind in your hair and the traffic somewhere else. You can pick up PikeRides from the many kiosks dotting the west side of Colorado Springs and ride to Old Colorado City along the Midland Trail.

Midland Trail will take you right to the action and you can lock up your bike and go. Pike rides have an unlock fee and per-minute rates, so keep an eye on the meter or end your ride and find another bike later. 

Click the link to find a PikeRide station near your ideal starting point: 

https://www.pikeride.org/where-to-rent-an-ebike

VIP Parking

Turn parking into a luxury experience when you park at the Colorado Springs Shrine Club. For $30, you will receive a guaranteed spot on your selected day, plus a relaxing, air-conditioned ride to the event. The Shrine Club will have water and snacks all day for guests. 

VIP Parking is limited to 140 slots a day, so don’t wait to book your spot if you want snacks and AC!

Click the link to book VIP: https://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/territory-days-parking

Weather

If there is an event that shows the unpredictable nature of Colorado weather better than Territory Days, we have not found it. Held at the end of May, the street fair can play host to snow, rain and sweltering heat all in one day. Here are a few tips for enjoying the whole day, no matter what the clouds and sunshine decide to do. 

  • Check the weather before you go. You can also check the event page for the most up-to-date information. 
  • Arrive earlier in the day for the best chance of beating afternoon rain showers.
  • Dress in layers or bring along a coat or rain jacket. 
  • Wear sunscreen and bring a hat, even if it’s cloudy.
  • Bring water for hydration and money for additional hydration.

Enjoy a Day of Fun and Festivities

We hope this list will help you have a great time! You’ve got three days to enjoy all that Territory Days has to offer, so slather on the sunscreen and venture out for Old West entertainment, shopping, live music, delicious food and a whole lot of great memories.

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Why can it be so stressful to plan something that’s supposed to be so much fun? We get it. That’s why ordering your FREE vacation planner to Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region is like having your own travel planner on speed dial.