Fall is in full swing, and Colorado has plenty going on this weekend. 🍂 From glowing pumpkin displays and neighborhood fall festivals to Halloween parades, women's soccer, live theater + hot-air balloons in the mountains, there's a lot happening October 16–18.
Whether you're staying in Denver or heading out for a little Colorado adventure, we've got your weekend plans covered.
Let's get into it.
Denver’s Broadway Halloween Parade!
QUICK LOOK
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
HOWL AT THE MOON
📍 Poka Luna at Dairy Block · 1850 Wazee Street, Denver
📅 October 16
⏰ 5–7 PM
💰 Free
Poka Lola’s Halloween alter ego is taking the party outside for a dog-friendly evening under the moon.
Expect specialty cocktails, complimentary dog-tag engraving, a pup costume contest + a few surprises from Poka Luna, Tito’s Vodka and PawsCo.
THIRD FRIDAY ON SANTA FE
📍 Art District on Santa Fe · Santa Fe Drive, Denver
📅 October 16
⏰ 5:30–9:30 PM
💰 Free
Explore dozens of galleries during a quieter, art-focused alternative to the district’s busy First Friday celebration.
The evening includes opening receptions, artist talks, new exhibitions + opportunities to meet local artists.
HOCUS POCUS ART MARKET
📍 Breckenridge Brewery · Fort Collins
📅 October 16
⏰ 6–9 PM
💰 Free
Shop fall- and Halloween-inspired work from 20 local artists, get a tarot reading, test-drive your costume + grab food or drinks from the brewery.
CENTRAL CITY CREEPY CRAWL
📍 Lower level of Century Casino · 102 Main Street, Central City
📅 October 16–17
⏰ Tours depart every 30 minutes, 6:30–8:30 PM
💰 Ticketed · advance reservations recommended
Step inside five historic Central City buildings while guides share murders, ghost stories and other dark tales from Gilpin County’s past.
The walking tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tours depart every 30 minutes.
GLOW AT THE GARDENS
📍 Denver Botanic Gardens
📅 October 16–18
⏰ 5:30–9 PM
💰 Adults $37 · Seniors $35 · Ages 3–15 $29 · Ages 2 + under free
Thousands of real, locally grown pumpkins light up the Gardens alongside larger-than-life sculptures, live performers and three immersive illuminated pathways.
Advance timed tickets are required, and popular entry times may sell out.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL
📍 Colorado College · Colorado Springs
📅 October 16–18
⏰ Various screening times throughout the weekend
💰 Festival pass: $200 · Flex passes + individual screening tickets available
The longest-running women’s film festival in North America returns with three days of documentaries, narratives, shorts and animated films honoring the drive, spirit and diversity of women.
The weekend also includes filmmaker conversations, forums + opportunities to connect directly with the people behind the films.
TELLURIDE HORROR SHOW
📍 Telluride
📅 October 16–18
⏰ Various screening times throughout the weekend
💰 Festival passes + individual tickets available
Colorado’s first and largest horror-film festival brings three days of horror, suspense, thrillers, dark fantasy, science fiction + dark comedy to Telluride’s historic theaters.
ANIMAS VALLEY BALLOON RALLY
📍 Durango
📅 October 16–18
⏰ Friday: Balloon glow, 6–8 PM
⏰ Saturday: Balloon launch, 8 AM · free tethered rides, 9–10 AM · balloon glow, 6–9 PM
⏰ Sunday: Balloon launch, 8 AM · free tethered rides, 9–9:30 AM
💰 Free
Hot-air balloons take over the Animas Valley with morning mass ascensions and downtown balloon glows in front of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot.
STORIES WORTH TELLING FESTIVAL
📍 Downtown Golden
📅 October 16–18
⏰ Schedules vary
💰 Ticketed · prices vary
This three-day festival brings filmmakers, artists and the community together through inspiring short films, live storytelling, music + creative events.
Programming takes place at several downtown Golden venues, including The Buffalo Rose and Foothills Art Center.
THE WHO’S TOMMY
📍 Buell Theatre · 1350 Curtis Street, Denver
📅 October 16–18
⏰ Friday: 7:30 PM
⏰ Saturday: 2 PM + 7:30 PM
⏰ Sunday: 1 PM + 6 PM
💰 Ticketed · $47-$148 + fees
The Who’s legendary rock opera returns in a bold new production featuring “Pinball Wizard,” “I’m Free,” “See Me, Feel Me” + more.
The approximately 100-minute production combines live music, theatrical spectacle and a fresh interpretation of the influential 1969 album.
TENNYSON FALL FEST
📍 Tennyson Street · West 41st–43rd avenues, Denver
📅 October 17
⏰ 10 AM–6 PM
💰 Free
Tennyson Street’s annual fall celebration returns with local artisans, live music, food trucks, neighborhood restaurants + a pet costume contest.
EDGEWATER FALL FEST
📍 Edgewater Public Market · 5505 W 20th Avenue, Edgewater
📅 October 17
⏰ 12–5 PM · Live music: 3–5 PM
💰 Free admission · food, drinks, shopping + select activities cost extra
Celebrate the season with live bluegrass, pumpkin decorating, face painting, fall pop-ups, crafts, games, a costume contest + seasonal treats throughout the market.
The first 120 children receive free pumpkin decorating.
WORLD SINGING DAY
📍 Pearl Street Mall · 1300 block · Boulder
📅 October 17
⏰ 2–3:30 PM
💰 Free
Join hundreds of voices for a free community sing-along featuring familiar music ranging from the Beatles to Taylor Swift.
Lyric booklets are provided, and no rehearsal or singing experience is needed.
SOUTH BROADWAY HALLOWEEN PARADE
📍 South Broadway, Denver
📅 October 17
⏰ 6–9 PM
💰 Free
Spooky floats, costumed performers, neighborhood groups, funky bands + a procession of decorated hearses take over South Broadway for one of Denver’s biggest community Halloween traditions.
Costumes are highly encouraged.
DENVER SUMMIT FC GAME
📍 Centennial Stadium · 7305 S Potomac Street, Centennial
📅 October 17
⏰ 6:45 PM
💰 Ticketed
Spend Saturday night supporting Colorado’s new professional women’s soccer team as Denver Summit FC takes on Angel City FC.
The match is also Denver Summit’s Indigenous Peoples Heritage Night.
HARVEST HAUNT EXPRESS
📍 Colorado Railroad Museum · 17155 W 44th Avenue, Golden
📅 October 17–18
⏰ Grounds open 9 AM–5 PM · activities + train rides 10 AM–3 PM
💰 Online admission with train ride: Adults $17 · Seniors $15 · Ages 2–17 $7
Climb aboard a historic steam train during this Halloween-themed weekend filled with trick-or-treating, a hay-bale maze, decorated railcars, live entertainment + plenty of photo opportunities.
Advance reservations are recommended.
PUMPKIN HARVEST FESTIVAL
📍 Four Mile Historic Park · 715 S Forest Street, Denver
📅 October 17–18
⏰ 10 AM–4 PM
💰 Adults $25 · Ages 3–17 $20 · Ages 2 + under free
Spend the day in the pumpkin patch with historic demonstrations, seasonal crafts, food trucks, live performances + hands-on activities.
Admission includes pumpkin carving or painting, museum tours, the fall marketplace and access to the festival’s entertainment stages.
JACKALOPE INDIE ARTISAN FAIR
📍 Olde Town Arvada
📅 October 17–18
⏰ 10 AM–5 PM daily
💰 Free
Shop directly from more than 100 independent artists and makers during Jackalope’s fall return to Olde Town.
Expect original art, jewelry, clothing, home goods, photography, paper goods, artisan food + plenty of one-of-a-kind finds.
HOWL-O-WEEN AT THE GOLDEN MILL
📍 The Golden Mill · 1012 Ford Street, Golden
📅 October 18
⏰ 12–3 PM
💰 Free · food + drinks available for purchase
Spooky season is going to the dogs.
Bring the whole crew for a pet parade, live music, adoptable dogs, treats + costume contests for pups, families and children.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
📍 Sproutin’ Up Farm · Fort Collins
📅 October 18
⏰ 12–4 PM
💰 Free
Expect local art, live music, tarot readings, pumpkin painting, farm animals + complimentary soup from the Fort Collins Food Co-op.
PARK HILL HALLOWEEN PARADE
📍 Long Table Brewhouse · 2895 Fairfax Street, Denver
📅 October 18
⏰ 2–4 PM
💰 Free RSVP for parade + costume contest · select craft activities cost extra
Dress up the family for Park Hill’s second annual community costume parade, followed by a Halloween crafternoon at Long Table Brewhouse.
Well-behaved children and dogs are welcome at the brewery.
SEE YOU OUT THERE.
That’s it for this weekend. Go eat something good, make some plans + enjoy Colorado.
Want next weekend’s plans early?
