LA JUNTA
TARANTULA FEST
September 26-27, 2025
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL TARANTULA FEST IN DOWNTOWN LA JUNTA
Enjoy a parade, vendors, education pavilion, tarantula tours, live art and much more!
FEST TOURS
Adventure out on Tarantula Tours to see the tarantulas in their natural habitat.
FEST PARADE
Want to be part of the annual Tarantula Fest parade? Sign up to join the line here!
FOOD VENDORS
Calling all food and beverage vendors. Sign up to feed folks at our annual Tarantula Fest.
VENDORS
Sell your tarantula merch. Sign up to open shop at our annual Tarantula Fest.
EXPERIENCE LA JUNTA'S ANNUAL TARANTULA FEST
Photography from © Scene in the Wild Photography
TARANTULA FEST SCHEDULE
Events, locations and times are subject to change.
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
1-3 PM
Dr. Paula Cushing and Dr. Cara Shillington - Experts Tarantula Talk
Otero College – Wheeler Hall, Learning Commons – 1802 Colorado
3:30 PM
Arachnophobia Movie
Fox Theatre – 11 East 3rd Street
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Tarantula Fest Bus Tours
Thyme Square, 302 Colorado
SATURDAY | SEPTEMBER 27, 2025
9 AM - 4 PM
The ART Project
Downtown La Junta
9 AM - 4 PM
Vendor Booths
Otero County Courthouse – 13 W 3rd – Southside
9 AM - 3 PM
Classic Car Show
Otero County Courthouse – 13 W 3rd – Northside
10 AM
Tarantula Parade
Downtown La Junta
11 AM - 3:30 PM
Education Pavilion
Thyme Square, 302 Colorado
9 AM - 5 PM
Food Trucks
Downtown La Junta
11 AM - 4 PM
Tarantula Fest Activities
Downtown La Junta
- La Junta FFA Cornhole Tournament (sign up at 10 AM)
- Hairy Leg Contest | Sponsored By: County Commissioner Rob Oquist
- 8 legged races | Sponsored By: Edward Jones-Joe Ayala
11 AM - 11 PM
Beer Garden
Live Well Park – Third & Santa Fe
2 PM
Koshare Dancers
Koshare Museum – 18th & Colorado
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Tarantula Fest Bus Tours
Thyme Square, 302 Colorado
5 PM - 8 PM
Chuck Wagon Dinner
Otero Museum – 3rd & Anderson
7 PM - 11 PM
Beer Garden Entertainment
Live Well Park – Third & Santa Fe
TARANTULA FEST SPONSORS
DISCOVER THE TARANTULA TREK
Each fall, large numbers of tarantulas skitter across the landscape in La Junta and southeast Colorado.
While this phenomenon has traditionally been called a migration, it is actually an annual mating ritual performed by male tarantulas who roam across the 443,000-plus acres on the Comanche National Grassland looking to mate.
For a chance to observe such extraordinary natural behavior and be a part of a truly exceptional adventure, Visit the Tarantula Trek for more information!