Family Friendly
Elitch Gardens: Fright Fest
What: Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park will have kid-friendly events during the day including a trick-or-treat trail. Rides and attractions are also open. At 6 p.m., the amusement park transitions to “Fright by Night,” which includes three haunted attractions. Night events are recommended for children 12 and older. Costumes are allowed in the park, with some safety restrictions.
When: The event began in September. Friday 6-10 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m. and Sunday noon-9 p.m. through Oct 28.
Where: 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver
More information: www.elitchgardens.com/fright-fest/
Denver Botanic Gardens Events
What: The Denver Botanic Gardens will have Halloween-themed lighting displays, as well as luminaria paths and illuminated gourd sculptures. Kids can trick-or-treat at the gardens, play games, watch pumpkin carving demos and more.
The Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms location in Littleton will have a 7-acre corn maze. There is a mini-maze for children 10 and under. At night the larger maze transitions into a haunted event. Chatfield also has hay rides, movie screenings, barrel train rides and more. No costumes are allowed at Chatfield Farms.
When: The corn maze at Chatfield farms opened in September and runs on weekends through Oct. 28. Denver events run from Oct. 17-18, 23-25.
Where: 1007 York St., Denver. 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton
More information: https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events
Denver Zoo Events
What: Enchanted Hallows is a new night event at the Denver Zoo. The zoo will be decorated with Jack-o’-lantern sculptures and there will be pumpkin carving demonstrations. There will be trick-or-treat stations on the last weekend of October. The 34th annual Boo at the Zoo event will have trick-or-treat stations. The zoo will also have animal demonstrations. Admission gates close at 4 p.m. Costumes are allowed within the zoo but with safety restrictions.
When: Enchanted Hallows will be held on Fridays and Saturdays starting on Oct. 5 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Boo at the Zoo will be held from Oct. 20-21, 27-28 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St.
More information: www.denverzoo.org
Montessori School of Washington Park Harvest Festival
What: The Montessori School will have pony rides, a pumpkin patch and face painting on the playground. The festival will also have a bounce castle, games, crafts and food. The school is also hosting an open house and will be giving tours of the location. The school serves children 15 months to 6 years old. The Montessori school has been serving the greater Wash Park community since 1975.
When: Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: 320 Sherman St. on the school playground
More information: www.mswp.org
Broadway Halloween Parade
What: The Broadway Merchants Association has partnered with Denver City Council District 7 to put on the second annual parade on Broadway. Colorado businesses, nonprofits and organizations create floats to participate in the parade. Costumes welcome. The event website also has a list of Halloween events happening before and after the parade.
When: Oct. 20, the parade begins at 6 p.m.
Where: On Broadway from West Fifth Avenue to West Alameda Avenue.
More information: https://www.broadwayhalloweenparade.com/
Colorado Symphony Events
What: The Colorado Symphony will be performing multiple concerts including “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as well as a Halloween Spooktacular show with music from the “Harry Potter” series .“The Nightmare Before Christmas” show includes a screening of the film. Costumes are allowed in both performances.
When: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” will be performed on Oct. 24 and 25, the Halloween Spooktacular will be performed on Oct. 28
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St.
More information coloradosymphony.org
Boonion Station Kids Halloween Parade and Party
What: Children are welcome to participate in a costume parade through the Great Hall of Union Station. There will also be a costume competition, including best costume and best group/family outfit. Children can trick-or-treat at the shops inside Union Station. There will be a mini-train and face painting, as well as balloon artists.
When: Oct. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.
More information: www.unionstationindenver.com
Trick or Treat Street
What: Costumed children can trick-or-treat at the Chilren’s Museum at the Marisco Campus. Kids can go from station to station at the museum. The area will be decorated with hay bales and pumpkins.
When: Oct. 26-28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day
Where: Children’s Museum of Denver at the Marisco Campus, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive.
More information: www.mychildrensmuseum.org
Other Events
Denver Zombie Crawl
What: The 13th annual Zombie Crawl will be held downtown on the 16th Street Mall. Make-up booths will be open at Skyline Park starting at 11 a.m. There will also be a costume contest. Zombies can also learn the “Thriller” dance from Michael Jackson’s music video. Fake and prop weapons are not allowed as part of costumes during the crawl.
When: Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Starts at Skyline Park, 1600 Arapahoe St. on the 16th Street Mall
More information: https://denverzombiecrawl.com/
Taps and Tails
What: The Denver Zoo is hosting an adult beer garden event during October. The Taps and Tails will feature local beers, as well as food options and art by Pat Milberry. Each day will have a different live musical performance. The zoo will be decorated with pumpkin sculptures.
When: Oct. 11, 18 and 25 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St.
More information: www.denverzoo.org
Victorian Horrors
What: The Capitol Hill museum is hosting the 25th annual Victorian Horrors event. During the Halloween season, the Molly Brown House Museum celebrates its Victorian origins with theater performances with actors as famed masters of horror such as Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker. Event attendees go from room-to-room within the house to see each of the six performances. The event is also celebrating the 200th anniversary of Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”
When: From Oct. 12-27, performances start every 15 minutes from 6-9 p.m.
Where: Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver
More information: https://mollybrown.org/victorian-horrors/
