We just compiled a list of all the festivals we've heard about, check them out below. Let us know if we missed any!
NEW MEXICO CHILE FESTIVALS:
Sept 5–6, 2026
Hatch, New Mexico
Annual harvest celebration of everything Hatch Chile held every Labor Day weekend. This is the quintessential harvest celebration featuring the legendary chile queen pageant, massive roasting, and a parade. We're definitely going to this one!
Annual harvest celebration of everything Hatch Chile held every Labor Day weekend. This is the quintessential harvest celebration featuring the legendary chile queen pageant, massive roasting, and a parade. We're definitely going to this one!
Big Jim Farms, Albuquerque, NM
Celebrate New Mexico green chile season right in the field! Pick your own chile, have it roasted on-site, enjoy live music, tastings, family activities, local vendors and more.
COLORADO CHILE FESTIVALS:
Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival:
Sept 18-20, 2026
Friday 3:00pm - 12:00am
Saturday 10:00am - 12:00am
Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm
Pueblo, Colorado
The annual chile festival in Pueblo features live entertainment, street vendors, cooking competitions, and chilies, chilies, chilies! Get some delicious food and buy locally grown fresh green chile and other chilies and veggies at farm stands and specialty shops. We are looking forward to attending this one! This is a ticked event.
at Lulu's Farm in Brighton, Colorado
Lots of fresh roasted Hatch, Pueblo, and homegrown Brighton chile all day. Along with live performances by Narrow Gauge, food vendors and more. Free.
Lots of fresh roasted Hatch, Pueblo, and homegrown Brighton chile all day. Along with live performances by Narrow Gauge, food vendors and more. Free.
Sept 12, 2026 • 9am-6pm
Aurora, Colorado
Celebrate the harvest with Nick's Chili Fest at their beautiful garden center. Lots of Green Chile, Red Chile, Ristras, music, games and more. This is one of our favorite garden centers, and we are looking forward to joining the festivities once again this year! Free.
Aurora, Colorado
Celebrate the harvest with Nick's Chili Fest at their beautiful garden center. Lots of Green Chile, Red Chile, Ristras, music, games and more. This is one of our favorite garden centers, and we are looking forward to joining the festivities once again this year! Free.
Nick's Chile Fest in Colorado, shown above.NATIONWIDE CHILE FESTIVALS:
This is a CHILI not CHILE festival – they'll have chili tastings (wonder if they will have any green chile stew or if it will be mostly red chili?) beer and music. They'll have a Chili Cook-Off & Salsa Contest too, so that's right up our alley!
NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival
September 11, 2026
100 Main St, Oxford, NC
The 20th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival, a sizzling celebration that ignites downtown Oxford with flavor, fun, and fiery competition!
Bowers Chile Pepper Food Festival
September 11–12, 2026
Bowers, Pennsylvania
Hot food, Jalapeño eating contest, hot sauce & salsa vendors, and music.
September 11, 2026
100 Main St, Oxford, NC
The 20th Annual NC Hot Sauce Contest & Festival, a sizzling celebration that ignites downtown Oxford with flavor, fun, and fiery competition!
Bowers Chile Pepper Food Festival
September 11–12, 2026
Bowers, Pennsylvania
Hot food, Jalapeño eating contest, hot sauce & salsa vendors, and music.
Chile Pepper Festival
September 12–13, 2026
Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City, SD
This festival brings massive green chile roasting to the Upper Midwest. The family-friendly weekend features local food trucks, live music, and a dedicated Garden Bar pouring local craft beers, specialty chile beers, and South Dakota wines.
September 12–13, 2026
Jolly Lane Greenhouse in Rapid City, SD
This festival brings massive green chile roasting to the Upper Midwest. The family-friendly weekend features local food trucks, live music, and a dedicated Garden Bar pouring local craft beers, specialty chile beers, and South Dakota wines.
September 12, 2026
In the Pacific Northwest
Celebration spotlighting fiery foods at the Pasco Farmers Market. It is a free-admission family event packed with spicy food competitions, local agricultural vendors, and live entertainment.
Pepper Palooza
October 11, 2026
Western New York
This festival focuses specifically on the regional favorite: the stuffed banana pepper. Over 30 local restaurants and vendors showcase creative pepper recipes alongside a People’s Choice Award voting booth, chef competitions, and local craft beverages.
Celebration spotlighting fiery foods at the Pasco Farmers Market. It is a free-admission family event packed with spicy food competitions, local agricultural vendors, and live entertainment.
Pepper Palooza
October 11, 2026
Western New York
This festival focuses specifically on the regional favorite: the stuffed banana pepper. Over 30 local restaurants and vendors showcase creative pepper recipes alongside a People’s Choice Award voting booth, chef competitions, and local craft beverages.
Above: Sandia Seed's owner Patsy at Nick's Chile Fest in Colorado
