Celebrate the season of fall and Halloween by attending one of the Front Range's many animal encounters, family workshops, trick-or-treat streets, or boos at the zoo ... just to name a few!
Bat Encounter: Live!: October 4 at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM
(Botanic Gardens at York Street, Denver) See some of the rarest bats in the world, up-close and personal in this one-of-a-kind educational program. Learn how bats impact humans and keep our environment healthy. Admission is $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 3-12.
Boo at the Zoo: October 17-18, 23-25, & 30-31 from 4:00 - 8:30 PM
(Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs) It'll be all treats and no tricks for your little pirates and princesses at this fun event for families with young children to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities in a safe environment! Admission is $12.25 for zoo members, $17.25 for non-members.
Boo at the Zoo: October 24-25 and October 31-November 1 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Denver Zoo, Denver) The Denver Zoo's Annual Halloween event offers more than 25 trick-or-treat stations, creepy crawly animal demonstrations, and family-friendly entertainment. Activities included with admission.
Boo at the Zoo After Dark: October 30-31 from 6:30 - 9:00 PM
(Denver Zoo, Denver) If you love Boo at the Zoo but prefer to do your trick-or-treating after dark, this is the event for you. Tickets are $17 for adults; $12 for children. Purchase online before October 23 to receive $5 off.
Bug-a-Boo: October 17-18 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster) More details coming soon!
Día de los Muertos: November 1 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Botanic Gardens at York Street, Denver) Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a joyful Mexican remembrance in which death is recognized as a natural part of the cycle of life. On this day in Mexico, families make altars and place offerings of food, candles, incense, yellow marigolds, and a photo of the departed soul on them. View elaborate alters, participate in traditional crafts, and watch cultural demonstrations. Included with admission.
Family Workshop: Traditions of Día de los Muertos and Sugar Skulls: October 25 from 2:00-4:00 PM
(Botanic Gardens at York Street, Denver) Families can explore the cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos. Learn how to make and decorate sugar skulls while discovering the cultural significance of these important icons. Participants take home a sugar skull. Admission is $12 for adults and $17 for children ages 3-12.
Family Workshop: Pumpkin Carving for Día de los Muertos: October 31 from 12:00-2:00 PM
(Botanic Gardens at York Street, Denver) Families are guided through tips and techniques of pumpkin carving, including custom Día de los Muertos patterns. A lighting ceremony completes the event, when the amazing pumpkin carvings are lit up on an altar-type display. Each family takes home the carving kit and pumpkin. Admission is $47 per family of 5.
Festival of Scarecrows: October 10 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
(Olde Towne Square, Arvada) With inflatables, face painters, a costumed kids' parade, giant pumpkin contest, pumpkin patch, and — of course! — a scarecrow contest, your family will have non-stop fun! Free admission; charge for pumpkins and some activities.
Fright Fest: October 2-November 1; hours vary
(Elitch Gardens, Denver) Kids can compete through various Halloween-themed challenges, trick or treat their way around Kiddieland on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00-5:00 PM, compete in a costume contest, ride the coolest roller coasters, and so much more! Family By Day activities included with admission, some Fright By Night Haunted Attractions are an extra charge.
Glow at the Gardens: October 14, 21, and 28 from 6:00-9:00 PM
(Botanic Gardens at York Street, Denver) The Gardens is transformed into a glowing wonderland with more than 250 illuminated carved pumpkins. Each event includes large pumpkin displays (different themes each week), paths of glowing luminaries, ghost stories, face/tattoo painting, scavenger hunt, pumpkin silent auctions, pumpkin carver meet and greet, live entertainment, and fall food offerings from Offshoots Café. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12.
Halloween Kids Fest: October 30-31 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
(Downtown Aquarium, Denver) Join Sharkey and his friends for a not-so-haunted train ride (ticket required), monster mural coloring, mad science experiments, games, crafts, and more. Most activities included with admission. Kids in costume receive half-price admission with the purchase of an adult admission.
Hallow-Teen ~ Elixirs, Potions, and Poisons: Friday, October 23 from 6:30-9:00 PM
(Denver Museum of Nature & Science) Be forewarned, this poisonous party is not for the faint of heart! Concoct your own powerful potion, venture into the darkest reaches of “The Power of Poison" exhibition, discern the difference between venomous and villainous, and dine on a dinner made for the undead. (Teens Only - $10)
Hauntings at the Hangar: October 31
(Wings Over the Rockies, Denver) More info coming soon!
Overnight at the Museum: Poisonous Halloween: October 30-31 beginning at 6:00 PM
(Denver Museum of Nature & Science) An enchanting evening awaits families with K–8th grade children at this spook-tacular sleepover. Ooey-gooey activities, ghostly good times, and trick-or-treat trivia are followed by camping out in the diorama halls. Wake up to breakfast, an IMAX film, and time to explore the temporary exhibition The Power of Poison. Includes pizza dinner, evening snack, and hot breakfast. $80 for adults; $70 for children (museum members save $15 per person).
Pumpkin Harvest Festival: October 3-4 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(Four Mile Historic Park, Denver) Build your own scarecrow, select the perfect pumpkin from the patch, dance to live music, play pioneer games, make a craft, and try your luck at county fair amusements. Devour or dance your way to victory in pie-eating and cakewalk contests. Free admission; charge for pumpkins and some activities.
Punkin Chunkin Colorado: October 10-11; hours vary by day
(Arapahoe Park Racetrack, Aurora) Punkin chunkers come from all around to compete in the yearly games. This festival also has kids crafts, live entertainment, a pumpkin patch, fall market, food vendors, and a beer garden. Admission is $5 for teens and adults; 12 and under are free. Some activities require tickets ($1/ticket).
Trek or Treat Off the Street: October 24 from 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
(The Wildlife Experience, Parker) This Halloween celebration features a variety of activities including creepy crawly crafts, live animals, a bounce house and much more for the entire family! Candy booths will line the museum's hallways, allowing guests to fill up their bags with candy and spooky toys in a safe, fun environment regardless of weather conditions. Included with museum admission.
Trick or Treat Street: October 23-25 from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
(Children's Museum, Denver) It’s the sweetest time of year, so round up your fairies, super heroes, and tiny goblins for a trick-or-treating adventure bursting with fun! Note: This is a safe, friendly event for small children — no scary costumes please! Activities included with Museum admission.
Trick or Treat Train: October 31 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden) It’s full steam ahead for tricks, treats, and trains! The Railroad Halloween Town is a safe place to enjoy Halloween. Catch a ride behind the historic locomotive in vintage passenger cars hosted by conductors and engineers in full costume. The Trick or Treat Train departs every 30 minutes. Try a visit to the "not so spooky" haunted railcar or the Olde Railroaders silly graveyard. $5 for children (2-15), $15 for adults.
