Fall Events I’m Excited About! Pumpkins, Corn Mazes, and More!

• October 4

Interact with animals at The Urban Farm’s Farm Fest 2025

At The Urban Farm

9am-1pm

Located right here in the neighborhood! There will be animals, crafts, and music, and a “Ghosts and Ghouls” animal parade. Wear your costume! Admission is free; see their list of requested donations to benefit ViVe Wellness. 

• October 5

Trick or treat and enter a costume content at The Shops at Northfield

11am-1pm Participating stores at The Shops at Northfield will be handing out candy to costumed kiddos at their candy crawl! Also available: face painting, crafts, balloon twisters, and more. And people with the ultimate costumes in four categories (spookiest, funniest, most creative, and family/group costume) may receive “nomination cards.” Those are invitations to go onstage at noon for a public vote for the winners, who’ll receive a gift worth $250!

• October 9, 10, and 11

Try new brews at the Great American Beer Festival

At the Colorado Convention Center

Start times vary, see website for details

Denver’s biggest beer celebration returns, bringing together hundreds of craft breweries pouring thousands of flavorful beers, ciders, hard seltzers, and more. Expect live music, food pairings, fun vibes, and chances to discover your new favorite brew. Heads up: tickets go fast and it’s 21+ only.

• October 10-November 16

Check out a great Central Park Halloween house

At Mandi and Brendon Ericson’s house at 5965 Chester Way

Just drive by whenever!

Ok, this one is a bit more informal–but totally worth the visit! One of my best friends and former neighbors, Mandi Ericson, and her husband Brendon, are that house on Halloween. Each year, they decorate their home into a pirate ship featuring a boat, cannons, a light and music show, and all the props! On Halloween night, it’s extra special and they get thousands of visitors, so be sure to check them out. They will have the decorations up from October 10 to November 16th. They will be collecting gently used costumes to be given to families in need for Halloween 2026 from October 10th to November 10th. The treasure chest will be outside. If you love their display, consider donating to Inspire Elementary for their food pantry for the holidays.

• October 12th

Hit the season’s last Central Park Farmer’s Market and Pumpkin Patch

At Central Park’s South Green

8:30am-12:30pm

Go for the produce and goodies, and this time, you might earn a free pumpkin! For every $10 you spend, you’ll earn a coupon for a free pumpkin while supplies last.

• October 26

Show off your furry friends at the Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade

At Denver Union Station

12pm-3pm

Dress up your pups (or any pet!) in their best spooky, silly, or over-the-top costumes and join the crowd at Union Station for this annual Halloween celebration. Expect plenty of adorable photo ops, community fun, and wagging tails. 

• October 29

Slice a pumpkin at the Stanley Beer Hall Pumpkin Carving Contest

At Stanley Beer Hall

4pm-7pm

Free, family-friendly, and open to all ages, the Stanley Beer Hall will provide pumpkins and carving tools! Buy a drink and kick back while you create your jack o’lantern.

• Select Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings in October
Trick or treat at Boo at the Zoo, including a sensory-friendly night on Halloween

At the Denver Zoo

4:30pm-9pm

From spooky fun to family-friendly surprises and nine candy stations, Boo at the Zoo returns this October with timed, ticketed evenings designed to keep the magic high and the crowds manageable. And I’m a former pediatric occupational therapist, so I know that Halloween can be overwhelming for people with a sensory processing disorder. October 31 offers a sensory-friendly version of Boo at the Zoo with no strobing lights, quieter music, and reduced crowds. 

• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until November 2

Find your way through a corn maze at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms Corn Maze

At Chatfield Farms

9am-5pm

Supercool and a ton of fun, this is a staggeringly big seven-acre corn maze, with this year’s theme being birds of prey, including a life-size eagle’s nest you can sit in. There’s also a mini-maze and barrel train rides for kids under 10, plus funnel cake, lemonade, and kettle corn.

• Select nights until November 2

Stroll through a jack o’lantern display at Hudson Gardens Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns

At The Hudson Gardens

Evenings, see tickets for times

Check out thousands of hand-carved pumpkins glowing in whimsical displays from dragons to pirates to sea scenes. They have lots of new additions this year including a s’mores station, photos opps, and their Enchanted Hollow glowing path. You must get tickets in advance. A perfect, family-friendly fall night out! 

• Daily (except Tuesdays, when they are closed) until November 1

Get the full, fall farm-visit experience at Anderson Farms

At Anderson Farms

Times vary, see website for details

If you want to hit one of the biggest and best-known pumpkin patches and farms in the area, check out Anderson Farms! Pumpkin picking, a corn maze, tractor rides, wagon rides, a petting zoo, and just about every fall activity you can think of! Activities available depend on the day and time. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.

• Daily until October 31

Visit a small, chill farm at Cottonwood Farms

At Cottonwood Farms

10am-6pm 

If you’re looking for a smaller, calmer fall farm experience, this is for you. Visit the pumpkin patch for fun family activities, including corn and straw maze and wagon rides on weekends. Pro tip: Get your tickets in advance.

• Daily until November 2nd

Have a blast at Nick’s Garden Center Fall Farm Fest

At Nick’s Garden Center

Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 9am-5pm

Lots of activities to keep the younger kids entertained! Many are free including Wall Ball, Straw Maze, Story Time with Professor Pumpkin, Kiddie Play Area, and various games. For a fee, they also have an inflatable obstacle course and train and tractor rides.