Family-friendly Halloween celebrations in and around Denver
Oct 16, 2024, 4:54 PM
Spooky Light Show
What: Cars are invited to drive through millions of lights synchronized to Halloween music and pass giant pumpkins, a spooky ghost tunnel, dancing skeletons and animated characters.
Where: Water World
When: Through October 30 at 7 to 9 p.m.
Nick’s Garden Center Fall Fest
What: Activities at the fest include wall ball, a straw maze, story time with Professor Pumpkin, various games and a kiddie play area. Fall decorations are for sale, and ride wristbands are available for purchase. Wristbands will allow visitors on train rides, tractor rides, pedal karts and an inflatable obstacle course.
Where: Nick’s Garden Center
When: Through October 31 at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.
Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns
What: The Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns is a trail of thousands of hand-carved glowing pumpkins. Designs include a sea-scape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, dragons and more. A light show, s’mores stations and food/beverages will be available at the event.
Where: The Hudson Gardens
When: Through November 2 (excluding October 21 and 28), times available from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Elitch Gardens Fright Fest
What: Family by Day features trick-or-treating, coloring, games and musical monsters. Fright by Night will feature the “Insidious Circus” show, haunted areas of the park and haunted houses.
Where: Elitch Gardens
When: Weekends through November 3 at 12 to 6 p.m. (Family by Day), 6 p.m. to close (Fright by Night).
Cheesman Park Ghost Tour
What: Cheesman Park was Denver’s first city cemetery, and the ghost tour will elaborate on its history. Tour guides will offer stories, accounts of paranormal activity in the park and details on how bodies were removed from the cemetery.
Where: Cheesman Park
When: Through November 14. Tour times are available from 7 to 9:30 p.m., tours last an hour and a half.
October Movie Nights at Marjorie Park: “Rocky Horror Picture Show”
What: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” will play after dusk at Majorie Park. Those in attendance are encouraged to wear their costumes and bring blankets and chairs to view the movie. Concessions, yard games and a photo booth will be present.
Where: Marjorie Park, Greenwood Village
When: October 18 at 5 to 9 p.m.
Boo at the Zoo
What: The trick-or-treating event designed for children invites costume-wearing individuals to meet cryptid creatures, eat seasonal snacks and visit candy stations.
Where: Denver Zoo
When: October 18 through 20, 25 through 27, with a sensory-friendly night on October 31, all from 5 to 9 p.m.
Haunted Forest
What: Recommended for those 10 and older, Backcountry Wilderness Area Haunted Forest will feature sinister surprises throughout the three-quarter-mile walk through the woods. Children ages five through 10 can wander through the area in a less-scary version of the adventure. Children can pick out pumpkins, make crafts and have their face painted.
Where: Backcountry Wilderness Area
When: October 18 and 19 at 6:30 to 10 p.m., October 19 at 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Haunted Forest Junior)
Hauntings in the Hangar
What: All ages are invited to come in costume and participate in the rat scavenger hunt, activities and crafts, trick-or-treating stations, explore the discovery carts, the black hole listening station, open cockpits, pedal planes, magic shows, the mad scientists table, themed cars, the phantom photo booth, balloon twisting and more.
Where: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
When: October 19 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fall Into Fun Autumn Festival
What: The festival will feature live performances from Jacob Larson, Cody Landstrom and Conjunto Colores. Food trucks and local vendors will be present, and visitors can take part in mechanical bull riding, trick-or-treating, jumping on inflatables, face painting, riding a trackless train and more.
Where: Aurora Municipal Center
When: October 19 at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Harvest Haunt
What: Guests are invited to come to the museum in costume to participate in train rides, a hay bale maze, see the Olde Railroaders Silly Graveyard, ride the “not-so-spooky” Haunted Railcars and a pumpkin patch cart.
Where: Colorado Railroad Museum
When: October 19 and 20 at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Treat Street
What: The event is aimed at providing a safe experience for trick-or-treaters and family fun. Face painting, carriage rides, inflatables, pumpkin painting, a petting farm, competitions, a pumpkin patch, a haunted maze, dog racing and a beer garden will be included.
Where: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Event Center
When: October 19 and 20 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Safe Street Halloween
What: Held by the Northglenn Police Department, the trick-or-treat event will run along Kennedy Drive, adjacent to the park. Inflatables, student groups, music, candy and trick-or-treat cars from local businesses will be present.
Where: Centennial Park in Northglenn
When: October 19 at 4 to 7 p.m.
Broadway Halloween Parade
What: The sixth-annual Broadway Halloween Parade will feature floats, marchers, magicians, bands and more. Spectators are invited to dress up to watch the parade.
Where: Parade starts at 5th Avenue and Broadway and ends on Alameda and Broadway
When: October 19 at 6 p.m.
Howl-a-ween Pet Parade
What: Union Station invites pet owners to bring their animals in costume for the pet parade. The parade will be accompanied by photo opportunities and prizes for the best-dressed pets.
Where: Union Station
When: October 26 at 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Halloween Boo Bash
What: The first hour of the Halloween celebration will include a Halloween Show by The Jackman Brothers, a treasure hunt, balloon twisting, crafts, games, giveaways, temporary tattoos, a coloring station and a Halloween dance performance from Denver Dance Authority. The second hour will follow with trick-or-treating through the mall.
Where: Food court in Flatiron Crossing mall
When: October 26 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Molly Brown House Museum, Victorian Horrors
What: The theater program showcases “deathly tales” written by famous late authors, which are then read by local actors during the hour-long program.
Where: Molly Brown House Museum
When: Tour times are available from 6 to 9 p.m. Dates are available to book on October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26.
Seedlings: The Creepy Crawly Garden
What: The event allows children aged 18 months through 6 years to explore plants named after creepy crawlies in the garden. Children will get the opportunity to plant seeds to take home.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens
When: October 30, 31 and November 1 at 9:15 to 10 a.m. or 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Wild Fall
What: The fall-themed event is included with daytime admission to the zoo and features cryptids creatures, creepy-crawly animal ambassadors and pumpkin carving.
Where: Denver Zoo
When: September 27 through October 31 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Did you know there’s a Halloween parade in Denver – Here’s how to check it out
