Whether your family’s Halloween vibe is super spooky or sort of silly, these festive events and activities offer something for everyone.
Family Faves, with a Halloween Twist!
These popular area spots are getting big Halloween glow-ups! Visit these attractions in October for unbelievable pumpkin displays, special trick-or-treating events, and so much more.
Glow at the Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens
Thousands of carved pumpkins dot the landscape of the Denver Botanic Gardens, all lit up and even piled into giant statues like creepy spiders and a spooky bronco. (Fun fact: all the pumpkins are real and come from local farms!) Oct. 18-23, 6 to 9 p.m. botanicgardens.org
Boo at the Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Enjoy after-hours Halloween fun at this Colorado Springs gem. The family-favorite My Big Backyard kids play area is filled with carved, lit up pumpkins; kids can trick-or-treat at candy stations throughout, and there’s even a just-scary-enough haunted house for the six and up crew. Oct. 21-23 and 28-31, 4 to 8:30 p.m. cmzoo.org
Wild Fall: Trick-Or-Treat Trail
Denver Zoo
Spooky meets wild at the Denver Zoo this fall. Put the kiddos in costume and get ready for everything from trick-or-treating to meeting the creepiest, crawliest animals who live at the zoo. Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28-31, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. denverzoo.org
Halloween Kids Fest
Downtown Denver Aquarium
Pop your kids into their costumes for half-price admission, then let them enjoy the aquarium’s exhibits while onboard a spooky train ride. Don’t leave without also taking part in pumpkin painting, monster mural coloring, creepy experiments, and other special activities. Oct. 28-31. downtownaquariumdenver.com
Harvest Hoot
The Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Here your kiddos can learn to cook up festive snacks in The Teaching Kitchen, make Halloween crafts, and also play tons of carnival games. Don’t forget to put on those costumes, too! Oct. 28-30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. mychildsmuseum.org
Spooky Scenes
Kids getting a little older? Let them experience the thrill of a little fright—while knowing they’ll still sleep at night—with these fun and festive activities.
The Ghosts of Denver Tour
Did you know that Denver’s historic Capitol Hill is actually haunted? Yup, you read that right. And you can learn all about it—plus soak up a big dose of history—on this family-friendly tour. It’s led by paranormal experts and takes you on a walking tour of areas where ghost activity has been reported. ghostcitytours.com
Victorian Horrors
This Molly Brown House event is good for older kids, who may have read the likes of Frankenstein or The Raven. You’ll go from room to room to see costumed Victorian authors reading from spooky books, and maybe encounter some other frights along the way. historicdenver.org
Boo! At Bear Creek
Your fam may be used to hiking together, but this event takes nature treks to a whole new level. Grab flashlights and wear your headlamps, then follow a guide through the trails at Colorado Springs’ Bear Creek Nature Center in the dark. Along the way, you’ll learn about—and maybe even run into—some really creepy nighttime creatures. bearcreeknaturecenter.org
Movie Magic
McGregor Square
Take movie night up a notch this October! The big–and we mean 66-foot big–screen at McGregor Square is showing two free family-friendly Halloween movies this month, with Beetlejuice on October 13 and Frankenweenie on October 27. Showtime is 6 p.m., but be sure to get there early to grab a spot on the lawn and some food to eat while you watch. mcgregorsquare.com
Fall Flavors
Sure, you can get pumpkin spiced just-about-anything these days, but this collection of treats and sweets are really worth the trip.
Acreage Ciderhouse & Eatery
Can you really call this a fall treats roundup without a mention of cider donuts? We think not. The version at Acreage Ciderhouse & Eatery in Lafayette will satisfy the taste buds of kids and adults alike, thanks to a gluten-free flour blend and classic taste. acreageco.com
Logan House Coffee
Logan House Coffee in Denver is another necessary stop so you and the kiddos can try the homemade pumpkin toasted-pastry (and, nope, it’s nothing like the ones from the box!) loganhousecoffee.com
Gateaux Bakery
The classic Gateaux Bakery rolls out delicious fall treats every week, including the must-try pumpkin maple bread. gateauxbakery.com
Piece, Love, and Chocolate
For those with a serious sweet tooth, head to Piece, Love, and Chocolate in Boulder to get your hands (’er … mouth?) on their pumpkin-chocolate cheesecake, pumpkin-dipped chocolate cannoli, or pumpkin-chocolate-chip fudge. pieceloveandchocolate.com
