Family events in Durango, CO

The 22nd annual Cortez Rendezvous Balloon Rally brings its signature evening glow to Parque de Vida in Cortez, filling the park and sky with illuminated hot air balloons. Hosted by the Cortez Retail Enhancement Association and the City of Cortez Parks and Recreation Department, this weather-dependent celebration highlights the beauty of ballooning and the spirit of community. This year also debuts Summer Send-Off, which blends the long-loved rally with an expanded evening of music, culture, and end-of-summer fun. Festivities feature a special reading of the Cortez 140 Proclamation, performances by local groups, community interviews, and live entertainment. Cultural and historical exhibitors will be on site, along with a limited selection of food and beverage vendors. Tethered balloon rides in the south field are offered free on a first-come, first-served basis with a $5 per person donation to the local nonprofit Our Own Lives. For safety, riders must be at least 7 years old and will need to sign a waiver. Additional restrictions may apply at the event. Attendees can watch balloons being prepared for the glow, meet ground crews, talk with pilots, and see the inflation process up close. Collectible balloon cards add to the fun, and remote control model balloons provide a fascinating look at scaled aerostats. As twilight settles in, the park comes alive with a radiant balloon glow, followed by a 15 minute drone show honoring the Cortez 140, Colorado 150, and USA 250 anniversaries. A live remote broadcast with Kelly Turner and KRTZ Radio shares balloon facts, sponsor recognitions, answers to common questions, and real-time event updates. The City of Cortez Parks and Recreation information table offers kids activities, event details, and news about summer programming. Vendors at the park are limited, and the rally encourages support for Cortez shops and restaurants before and after the glow. Volunteer crew opportunities are available for those seeking hands-on experience assisting pilots. Morning balloon launches are also part of the rally.

A free family film night in the Aztec Pioneer Village features the 2015 British stop motion comedy "Shaun the Sheep Movie," presented as part of Movies at the Museum and connected to the 2026 theme Unspun Tales: Sheep in San Juan County. The story follows Shaun, a clever sheep at Mossy Bottom Farm, whose plan for a carefree day off quickly goes off the rails. The screening takes place in the Pioneer Village. Please park in the municipal lot and enter through the west gate near the Aztec Splash Pad. Bring camp chairs, blankets, jackets, and insect repellent. Concessions will be available. Support for the event and licensing is provided by sponsors WM (Waste Management) and HydroPure Technology of Aztec, with additional appreciation for sponsors, donors, and museum members. For questions, call 505-334-9829.

Enjoy a community BBQ on the Fairgrounds Patio. This is a ticketed event with limited availability. Adult tickets for ages 11 to 54 are $10, and child or senior tickets for ages 10 and under and 55 and up are $8. Tickets can be picked up at the La Plata County Fairgrounds & Extension Office, Basin Coop, and Farmers Fresh in Ignacio.

At Creature Comforts, this four-week basic obedience course serves dogs 5 months and older. Handlers work on practical foundation behaviors while their dogs practice around new environments, people, and other dogs in a controlled, supportive setting. The training is designed to carry over at home and in public. The four-week series costs $150.