There’s a chill in the air (finally!) and Colorado is entering one of its most beautiful seasons: autumn. I love this season because Colorado’s sunshine cuts through the cooler weather to make for the perfect conditions for grabbing a sweater and heading outside to enjoy the state’s beauty. No matter where you live along the Front Range and regardless of whether you’ll have kids in tow, there are endless events and fall activities in Colorado to help you make the most of the season.
Denver Fall Activities
It’s undeniable: Denver loves fall. Starting in mid-September and continuing well through Halloween, there are countless events and attractions to keep you busy. Denver fall activities range from terrifying haunted houses to kid-friendly harvest festivals and plenty of nearby hikes. These are some of the best fall activities in Colorado to bring you all the best of the season, from hearty eats and beer to spooky parade floats.
- Denver Oktoberfest runs for two weekends, Friday through Sunday, September 20-22 and 27-29. If live music, festive costumes, and some friendly competition are your idea of fun, this is your scene! Entry is free, talented bands provide entertainment, and you can eat and drink to your heart’s desire as you wander Denver’s iconic downtown neighborhoods. Feeling bold? Enter the stein holding competition or try your hand at keg bowling!
- For an autumn celebration designed with the whole family in mind, grab tickets to the Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Historic Park on October 12th and 13th. While entry isn’t free, the long list of activities included with your ticket ranges from face painting and live music to arts and crafts, prairie games, tractor rides, and even gold panning! Get a glimpse into Colorado’s history and keep the kids — and adults — entertained all day long.
- Get spooky at the Broadway Halloween Parade on October 19th at 6pm. This event is the perfect opportunity for spectators of all ages to check out the ever-changing Broadway area, show off their costumes, and take in a range of performers, marchers, and spooky floats.
Colorado’s Fall Attractions
Limited-time attractions in Denver and Colorado Springs bring a special sense to the fall season. Ranging from all-out terrifying to delightfully wholesome, these attractions only stay on for a matter of weeks, so catch them while you can.
- Haunted Houses: If you’re ready to get your adrenaline racing and your heart pounding, Denver’s haunted houses fit the bill. The renowned 13th Floor haunted house ranks among the five most terrifying in the country, and it runs all the way through early November. In addition to the haunted house, you’ll find axe throwing, themed cocktail bars, tarot readings and more at the 13th Floor. Or, head to The Frightmare Compound to experience Denver’s oldest haunted house and even take a coffin simulator ride (if you dare).
- For a more family-friendly experience, set off on an awe-inspiring trail of beautiful glowing pumpkins at the Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns experience at Hudson Gardens. Plentiful exhibitions, endless photo opportunities, s’mores stations, and thousands of hand-carved pumpkins await. Ticket prices change throughout the season, but early bird deals start at under $20.
- Boo at the Zoo: Both Cheyenne Mountain and Denver Zoo go all out for Halloween! Trick or treat stations, adorable photo opportunities, and fun snacks abound at both locations. At Cheyenne Mountain, families can also explore the lighted pumpkin patch and brave a haunted house appropriate for ages 6 and up.
- Every weekend from September 28 to November 3, your favorite local theme park gets spooky! Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens includes daytime fun for kiddos, then gets truly scary after 6pm. Hop on the rides, wander through strobe lights and fog, journey through the haunted house…and look out for monsters.
Pumpkin Patches
Pick your own pumpkin, munch on an apple cider donut, make new friends at the petting zoo, and venture through corn mazes at the many pumpkin patches throughout the Front Range. Most require a bit of a drive to get out of the city and into more open land, but it’s worth it for this fall tradition!
A few of our favorite pumpkin patches include:
- Colorado Pumpkin Patch in Monument
- Venetucci Farm in Colorado Springs
- Chatfield Farms in Littleton
- Maize in the City in Thornton
- Rock Creek Farm in Broomfield
- Anderson Farms in Erie
Fall Activities in Colorado Springs
Nestled in Pikes Peak’s shadow, Colorado Springs is full of hiking trails, haunted houses, and annual events. A few favorite fall activities in Colorado Springs include:
- Brewery-led Oktoberfests: Instead of Denver’s larger Oktoberfest event downtown, the Colorado Springs area boasts various more intimate Oktoberfest events. Red Leg Brewing and Goat Patch Brewing are each hosting an Oktoberfest, as is Black Forest Brewing Company!
- Harvest Festival: On October 5th, Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site will host a history-inspired day of autumn festivities. Hop on a wagon ride, pick your own pumpkin, and get familiar with the area’s historic homes. This kid-friendly outing is fun for all ages!
- Pumpkins in the Park: Head to Old Colorado City on October 19th for warm apple cider, pumpkin painting, live music, and many other interactive events.
Fall Activities in Colorado’s Mountains
Especially early in the season, mountain towns are the best for catching changing leaves and crisp air. If you’re up for a drive, these are the best fall activities in Colorado’s mountains.
Morrison Ciderfest is a free event taking place on the grounds of Bear Creek Care & Rehab. Watch a cider press demonstration, take a hayride, participate in a silent auction, and taste delicious hard ciders. The kids will love the bounce castle and face painting!
Head up toward Estes Park for a perfect combination of fresh air and ghost sightings. The Elk Fest takes place in town on September 28-29 with free admission. Educational presentations, unique vendor booths, live music, and fun competitions keep the whole family entertained. Scheduled to coincide with the elk rut, this festival is a perfect opportunity to witness the iconic elk bugle firsthand — but always from a safe distance.
While you’re in Estes Park, stop in at the Stanley Hotel for a ghost tour, a dramatic photo, or just a warm drink. This beautiful landmark is the backdrop for the classic film “The Shining,” and the haunted stories just might be true…
If you need a day trip closer to Colorado Springs and Denver, pop over to Morrison to hike around Red Rocks. Snap photos of the beautiful foliage and the city views from afar, and take in the majesty of the rock formations. Better yet, snag tickets to a concert like Big Gigantic, Meghan Trainor, or Imagine Dragons!
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, I hope this will get you started on great ideas for enjoying a beautiful autumn season in Colorado! Don’t forget to look for local events like your neighborhood Fall Fest and end of season farmer’s markets.
If the changing leaves inspire you to make an exciting shift in your own life, the Rob Thompson Homes Team is here to help. Whether you’re looking for your first home, you’re making your way to Colorado for the first time, or you’re ready for an upgrade, we’re your guides to Front Range real estate. Give me a call at any time: 719-337-7254 or 720-498-9592.
