The first full week of fall is here, and Centennial’s calendar has a little bit of everything tucked into it. From activities for the youngest residents to neighborhood walks, cultural programming and a market filled with Colorado makers, September 23–29 offers plenty of reasons to stay local.

Little Learners Get Some Library Time
Families with children ages 2–5 can drop into Koelbel Library on Wednesday, September 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. for a Literacy Spot with an Early Literacy Specialist.

Children can try a short literacy-building activity while parents and caregivers talk with library staff about books, early learning and ways to build reading skills at home. No elaborate preparation required. Just bring the small human.

Literacy Spot at Koelbel Library

Walk Centennial, Meet a Neighbor

On Thursday, September 24 from 9 to 10 a.m., the Koelbel Walking Group heads outside to explore the trails and neighborhoods surrounding the library.

The group typically covers about one to two miles and is designed as much for conversation and connection as exercise. Teens and adults are the primary audience, although all ages are welcome. Reservations are recommended.

Koelbel Walking Group details

Hispanic Heritage Month Comes to the Big Screen

Later Thursday, Koelbel Library hosts its Festival de Cine Latino from 6 to 8 p.m., part of Arapahoe Libraries’ Hispanic Heritage Month programming.

The film festival offers residents an opportunity to experience Hispanic culture and storytelling through cinema. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Explore Koelbel Library events

Run Now, Donut Later

Saturday morning offers possibly the easiest race-marketing pitch ever devised: there are donuts at the finish line.

The Run for Donuts 5K, 10K and Half Marathon takes place Saturday, September 26 at Piney Creek Hollow Park, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Options include the traditional race distances, a one-mile family fun run and virtual participation. Registration is required.

Run for Donuts registration and race information

Colorado Stories at Smoky Hill Library

Also Saturday, Smoky Hill Library welcomes storyteller and author Angel Vigil from 2:30 to 4 p.m. as part of programming celebrating both America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th.

Vigil, author of Borderlands: Living in Two Worlds, brings another dimension to the anniversary year by exploring the histories and cultures woven into Colorado’s story.

Explore America 250 and Colorado 150 library events

Shop Local at the Centennial Artisan Fair

On Sunday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Centennial Artisan Fair returns to Centennial Promenade along East County Line Road.

The outdoor market is designed to feature dozens of vendor booths, giving residents a chance to browse locally made products and support small businesses without wandering far from home.

And for anyone thinking about a job change, the week closes with a free Workplace Values workshop at the Centennial Workforce Center on Tuesday, September 29 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., helping job seekers identify what matters most in choosing the right workplace.

From storytime to storytelling, running shoes to artisan booths, this week in Centennial is less about one giant event and more about the small opportunities that make a community feel connected. Fall has officially arrived, and Centennial is already giving us plenty of ways to step into it