With the fall equinox officially upon us, what better way to welcome the cooler weather and crisp autumn air than getting out to explore and have some fun! While a handful of events and festivals are still paused for the 2021 season, there is still plenty to do and see! There are the usual crowd pleasers with an abundance of apple cider, pumpkins, and hayrides, but also some adult fun that includes spooky libations, zombies, and the forever classic time warp! No matter your preference, the endless options are sure to delight! Below are a few standouts that make me reminisce my childhood growing up on the East Coast, and some new traditions I love sharing with my family here in Denver. I know I’ll be adding a few additional activities to my calendar while my pumpkin muffins are baking this weekend!
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Cider Festival
Where: Morrison Colorado
When: September 25
Cider presses, silent auction, arts and crafts, hay and pony rides, cider tasting and more.
Elk Fest
Where: Estes Park
When: October 2-3
Enjoy vendors, live music, food, bugling contests, and performances in Estes Park.
Wild Fall at the Denver Zoo
Where: Denver Zoo
When: October 1-31
Festive, not frightening! Family-focused daytime “falloween” spectacular, pumpkin carving, animal demos, spooky cocktails and autumnal eats, Bigfoot sightings.
Pinch Pot Monsters and Halloween Houses at the Neighborhood Art Studio
Where: Neighborhood Art Studio
When: October 2, October 30
Want a date night out for your adults only fall activity? Check out the fun workshops happening in October at the Neighborhood Art Studio!
Chatfield Farm’s Pumpkin Festival
Where: Chatfield Farms
When: October 8-10
Family activities, local artisan and craft booths, live entertainment and music, food truck and vendors, pumpkin patch, hayrides, photo booths, face painting and a corn maze!
Glow at the Gardens
Where: Denver Botanical Gardens
When: October 19-24
Using all real pumpkins harvested from local farms, check out pumpkin artists pushing the boundaries of traditional pumpkin carving!
Final Central Park Farmer’s Market of 2021 & Pumpkin Patch
Where: Founders Green
When: October 10
Final farmers market of 2021 and pumpkin patch for family fun at Founders Green!
The bRUNch Run 5K /10K
Where: Central Park
When: October 10
The bRUNch Run ™ 5k// 10k is back on Sunday, October 10 in Denver, Colorado benefitting Metro Caring. There will Bloody Marys, breakfast burritos, morning margaritas, and of course mimosas at the finish line!
Anderson Farms Fall Festival
Where: Anderson Farms Fall Festival
When: September 22- October 31
Pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, farm animals, barrel train, corn maze, food and drink vendors, paintball and more! * Terror in the Corn after dark!
Fritzler Farm Park Fall Days
Where: Fritzler Farm Park
When: September 19- October 31
Iconic corn maze, pumpkin patch, pedal go-carts, barrel train, and pumpkin cannons, only to name a few! * Scream Acres after dark!
Broadway Halloween parade
Where: Broadway
When: October 23
This community-friendly event will be held annually in the eclectic and funky Heart of Broadway. Your favorite Halloween attire is encouraged!
Stanley Marketplace Fall Festival
Where: Stanley Marketplace
When: October 24
A family fun day with pumpkins, food, entertainment, and shopping!
Denver Symphony’s Halloween Spooktacular!
Where: Boettcher Hall
When: October 30
This ghastly good time is a family-favorite concert featuring music from films, television, and more! Costumes are encouraged and even the musicians get in on the festivities!
Distortions Monster World
Where: Denver Pavilions
When: Select dates now- December 31
Ready to get up-close and personal with the things that go bump in the night?! Welcome to Distortions Monster World, where surprises (and monsters!) meet you at every corner and open doors lead you on an out-of-this-world interactive adventure. *Monster to Midnight select nights in October
Central Park Fall Fest 2021 5K
Where: Central Park
When: November 7
In Memory of Luke Wyatt Morin who bravely fought DIPG. Proceeds from this event support DIPG research in the Morgan Adams Foundation Pediatric Neuro Oncology Research program at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
CALL THE BABYSITTER!
The Denver Oktoberfest
Where: Downtown Denver
When: September 24-26
Celebrating 51 years, enjoy beer, brats, live entertainment, and long dog derby! Stein hoisting anyone?
The 13th Floor Haunted House
Where: Denver
When: September 24-November 13
Not for the faint of heart, this haunted house is sure to be a shrieking good time! Be on the lookout for our team’s upcoming encounter at the 13th Floor!
Elitch Gardens: Fright Fest, Fright by Night
Where: Elitch Gardens
When: Oct 2-31
Family by day and fright by night! Trick or treat trail for the little monsters, plus all your favorite Theme Park rides!
Denver Botanical Gardens: Ghosts in the Gardens Tour- Open Air Scare
Where: Denver Botanical Gardens
When: Oct 14-16, 28-30
Adventure on a self-guided tour after dark that entwines unique ghost stories from staff, ghost encounters and intriguing history.
McGregor Scare: Dance ‘Till You’re Dead
Where: McGregor Square
When: Oct 22-24, 29-31
Family fun during the day and a screaming good time at night with live DJ’s, silent disco, spooky cocktails, and Halloween games!
Coloween
Where: Stanley Marketplace
When: Oct 30
Bar crawl through the marketplace, enjoy various entertainment from multiple stages and a $1,500 prize for best costume!
