Spectacular aspen groves, fall festivals, and Halloween events make Colorado a must-visit place in the Autumn. Explore some of these all-time favorite destinations throughout October & November.
– Researched & written by Mike Hamers
1. PUMPKIN NIGHTS IN DENVER
October 17 thru November 4, 2023
Riverdale Regional Park, Brighton
At Pumpkin Nights, you will venture along a half-mile walking path, where you’ll discover the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. The celebration continues with entertainment & games in Pumpkin Central, our central festival area. There’s more magic around every corner.
ADDRESS: Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton
– Purchase tickets online today:
https://www.showclix.com/
2. BOO AT THE ZOO
October 20–22, 27–29 and 31, 2023
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in October
Come see the original “Creatures of the NIght”. Don your costume, bring your trick-or-treat bag and get ready for the “wildest” Halloween event in town! Boo at the Zoo is a unique way for families to trick-or-treat and enjoy Halloween festivities.
Trick-or-treat at treat stations located throughout Boo at the Zoo pathways. Our haunted house is appropriate for ages 6 and up, with parental discretion. Located at Lodge at Moose Lake. Select animal exhibits open until 8:30 p.m.
– Tickets available ONLINE ONLY; no walk-up tickets available.
– Timed tickets; limited capacity.
ADDRESS: 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
PHONE/WEB: (719) 633-9925 • https://www.cmzoo.org/events-
3. PUNKIN CHUNKIN FESTIVAL
November 2 & 3, 2023
Nederland, Colorado
You don’t want to miss the Punkin Chunkin festival in Nederland! Although this event was closed for 2022 it’s back this year. Come get a front row seat to all the “Punkin Chunkin Competitions”.
Competitors will shoot pumpkins with cannons, fling them with catapults, and generally throw some gourds around. Come for the chunkin’, stay for the chainsaw-carving, the you-pick-’em pumpkins, live music, arts & crafts, and food and beverage vendors.
WEB: https://www.
4. CORN MAZE AT CHATFIELD FARMS
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays for the entire month thru Oct. 28
Denver Botanic Gardens – Chatfield Farms
Get lost in Chatfield Farms’ seven-acre Corn Maze that takes approximately an hour to complete, full of twists, turns and dead ends, or simply watch the fun from one of two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges. Smaller visitors (age 10 and under) can explore the Corn Mini-Maze. Also enjoy pony rides and horse-drawn hayrides, live music, and local craft and artisan booths.
Food vendors are onsite selling fall favorites such as funnel cakes, corndogs, freshly squeezed lemonade, kettle corn and roasted nuts. Once your family has conquered Corn Maze, if time allows, explore Deer Creek Discovery, Patrick Dougherty’s immersive sculpture “One Fell Swoop”, the wildlife observation area, and visit our barnyard friends.
ADDRESS: 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
WEB: https://www.
5. MAGIC of the JACK O’LANTERNS at Hudson Gardens
Ongoing thru Oct. 31, 2023
Hudson Gardens in Littleton
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns will delight adults and children alike under a magnificent glow of 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins and larger-than-life pumpkin displays. A magical carnival, a nautical sea-scape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs and dragons illuminate the grounds of Hudson Gardens in a soft, inviting glow where you’ll find magic around every corner.
ADDRESS: Hudson Gardens, 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
Phone/Web: (720) 802-0006 • denverhelp@
6. DENVER ARTS WEEK
November 4th thru 12th, 2023
Multiple Locations
Denver Arts Week celebrates The Mile High City’s arts and culture scene with hundreds of events around the city. Explore vibrant art districts, check out museum exhibitions and outdoor sculptures, indulge in the performing arts, be inspired at film and literary events, and even buy some art of your own!
Denver Arts Week will kick off November 3, 2023 with expanded First Friday Art Walks across the city’s creative neighborhoods, followed by FREE Night at the Museums on Saturday, November 4, when many of Denver’s top cultural institutions will be open for free.
WEB: https://www.denver.org/
7. ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL
November 11th thru 13th, 2023 (36th Annual Event)
Colorado Springs
As the longest-running women’s film festival in North America with over three decades sharing films, we are more excited than ever to bring you a curated collection of films made by and about women at the 36th Annual Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival!
More than a Festival — Rocky Mountain Women’s Film has provided more than 20 events this year ranging from free office screenings, outdoor film, award-winning shorts, and exclusive events with filmmakers. Each year we strive to share stories through film that compel, entertain, touch, inspire, and provoke us to become a more empathetic and connected community. Check out our year-round programming, featured events, and special pop-up events happening each month.
ADDRESS: 2727 N. Cascade, #140, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
WEB: https://rmwfilm.org
8. TAKE A RIDE ON THE POLAR EXPRESS
November 17th thru Dec. 31st, 2023
Durango Depot in Durango, CO
Experience the magic this holiday season! Join us for a truly unforgettable immersive theatrical re-creation of the classic holiday story, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Climb aboard a vintage steam train as it departs our Durango Depot for the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus himself. You’ll be immersed in the story as our chefs serve you hot chocolate and a sweet treat while you listen to a reading from the Polar Express book. After arriving at the North Pole, you’ll enjoy an incredible light show set to holiday music. On the return trip to Durango, Santa will visit each coach and hand out the first gift of Christmas to each passenger.
DURATION: While the train excursion is roughly 65 minutes in duration, we recommend allowing 2 hours for the entire adventure so you can enjoy the full experience!
DEPARTURES: There are typically three departures per evening, at 5:15 pm, 6:50 pm, and 8:25 pm.
SEATING OPTIONS: Premium First Class includes table and chair seating in the historic first-class rail car, as well as a complimentary take-home item for each ticketholder.
• Deluxe Class allows groups to face one another in flip-over seating and also features a complimentary take-home item.
• Standard Class Coach ticketholders will be in a classic, front-facing seat.
ADDRESS: Durango Depot, 479 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301
WEB: https://
9. DENVER CHRISTKINDLMARKET
November 17 thru Dec. 23, 2023
Civic Center Park, Denver
This FREE annual event brings authentic German and European holiday traditions to Denver! The Market opens on the Friday before Thanksgiving. The event offers an authentic German holiday experience, including opportunities to meet St. Nikolaus, Krampus and the Christkind herself.
Guests can savor the season as they enjoy authentic Glühwein, Bavarian-style Biers, European coffee, or hot chocolate while wandering through the Market. Each charming wooden hut offers finely crafted artisan gifts and holiday treats sold by local Coloradan and international merchants.
ADDRESS: Civic Center Park, 101 West 14th Avenue, Denver, CO
WEB: https://www.
10. BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT
Nov. 17th thru Jan. 7th / 4:30-9 p.m. (closed Nov. 23 & Dec. 25), 2023
Denver Botanical Gardens, Denver
Join us for one of the Gardens’ signature events! For three decades this annual holiday light extravaganza has transformed our York Street location into a twinkling wonderland. In line with our core value of sustainability, all lights used are LED.
Holiday treats and warm drinks will be available for purchase at Offshoots Café and the Hive Garden Bistro.
TICKETS: must be purchased in advance for a specific time. No onsite ticket sales.
WEB: https://www.botanicgardens.
ADDRESS: Denver Botanical Gardens, 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
PHONE: 720-865-3500
11. DOWNTOWN RINK AT SKYPARK – Denver
November 21st to February 14 (Approx. dates / Unconfirmed)
The Downtown Denver Rink At Skyline Park
Skyline Park is the place for family fun this winter! The Southwest Rink offers free ice skating seven days a week through February 14. Skaters are welcome to bring their own skates or rent a pair for $2. Join us for special entertainment and programming throughout the season, including Live Bands, DJ’s, Family Fun Day, Broomball Challenge, and free “Learn to Skate” lessons!
ADDRESS: Downtown Denver Rink at Skyline Park, 1611 Arapahoe Street, Denver, CO
Phone/Web: (303) 825-6787 • rink@downtowndenver.com
12. FRITZLER FARM PARK FALL FESTIVAL
September 17th thru October 29th, 2023
Fritzler Farm Park, LaSalle
Since 2000, the Fritzler Family has welcomed young and old to their farm park. Their iconic corn maze designs only touch the top of the mountains as Fritzler Farm Park offers tons of attractions during their Fall Festival season! Guests can check out the corn maze, pumpkin patch, pedal go-karts, barrel train, beer garden, and pumpkin cannons-only to name a few.
ADDRESS: 20861 CR 33, LaSalle, CO 80645
PHONE/WEB: (970) 737-2129 • https://www.fritzlerfarmpark.
======
Do you have an interesting idea for an article for Jim Crowder’s Newsletter? The topic should be about some aspect of Colorado life: it’s history, people, places to visit, restaurants, parks, museums, etc. Jim loves “Top Ten” lists! Send on email to Jim at jim@crowder.com and let him know. We’ll even give you credit for suggesting the topic if we use it.