Looking for things to do in the Denver area in October? Fall is my favorite season to celebrate Colorado. The leaves are turning gold and orange, the air is crisp, and every weekend has something going on. Here’s my guide to the best October 2026 events in and around northwest Denver, from free neighborhood festivals in Westminster and Arvada to a few big Denver favorites.
Things to Do in NW Denver and the Northwest Suburbs
Westy Fest: Saturday, October 17
Where: Westminster City Park, 10455 N. Sheridan Blvd.
When: Noon to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Westminster’s free fall festival is one of the best family events on the north side. Expect carnival games, trick-or-treating, bounce houses, a ropes course, live local bands, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, a drone show, and a hot air balloon show. The city says not to arrive before noon, since crews are still finishing setup. Event details
Olde Town Arvada Trick or Treat Street: Friday, October 30
Where: Olde Town Arvada
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
Olde Town Arvada’s shops and restaurants hand out candy for a family-friendly Halloween evening in one of the metro’s most charming historic downtowns. Get there early, grab dinner on Grandview or Olde Wadsworth, visit a brewery and make a night of it. Olde Town Arvada events
Lakewood Cider Days: October 3–4
Where: Heritage Lakewood, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood
When: Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $17 adults, $10 kids
A short drive from Sloan’s Lake and Wheat Ridge, Cider Days celebrates Lakewood’s farm history with apple pressing, vintage tractors, wagon rides, face painting, and live music. Dogs are welcome, and free shuttles run from Belmar. Tickets and info
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes: Classic Things to Do in Denver in October
- Anderson Farms (Erie): A pumpkin patch, corn maze, and farm attractions through October 31. Prices are lowest early in the season and during the final week, and many dates sell out, so buy tickets ahead. Pricing and hours
- Maize in the City (Thornton): A 20-acre corn maze, a smaller maze for little ones, a pumpkin field, and a petting zoo. General admission is free, with separate tickets for activities.
- Rock Creek Farm (Broomfield): One of the area’s longest-running pumpkin patches. Check the farm’s hours before you go.
For Thrill-Seekers: Frightmare Compound (Westminster)
Colorado’s oldest haunted house runs through early November, with escape rooms and a monster museum. It’s best for teens and adults.
More Things to Do in Denver in October: Big Events Worth the Drive
Great American Beer Festival: October 10–11
The country’s biggest beer festival is moving outdoors for 2026 to Levitt Pavilion in Ruby Hill Park, with live music and city views. Sessions run noon to 4 p.m., and tickets start at $60. GABF tickets
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms: October 9–11
Denver Botanic Gardens’ Chatfield Farms in Littleton hosts a 10-acre pumpkin patch, a corn maze, wagon rides, and kids’ activities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults are $22 and kids 3–15 are $14. Buy tickets in advance. Festival details
Boo at the Zoo: Select Nights in October
Denver Zoo’s Halloween nights run October 2–3, 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, and 30, from 4:30 to 9 p.m., with candy stations and animal encounters. There’s also a sensory-friendly night on October 31. Zoo tickets
Elitch Gardens Fright Fest: Through November 1
Elitch runs Fright Fest on select dates. It’s family-friendly by day, with the kids’ Booville area on weekends, and gets scarier after dark. Dates and hours
Things to Do in Denver in October at Red Rocks
Red Rocks keeps going all month – get in before the weather turns! Highlights include Run the Rocks on October 11, Shaboozey on October 13, Zac Brown Band on October 19–20, and the Haunted Rocks hip-hop show on October 29.
My Realtor Tip: Choose Activities in Denver in October to Test-Drive a Neighborhood
If you’re thinking about moving to northwest Denver or the suburbs, community events are one of the best ways to get a feel for a neighborhood before you buy. Walk Olde Town Arvada on Trick or Treat Street, spend a Saturday at Westy Fest, or grab a coffee on Tennyson Street or in Highlands Square. You’ll learn more about what daily life feels like in an afternoon than you will from any listing.
Fall is also a smart time to buy in the Denver area. There’s more inventory than we’ve seen in years, sellers are more open to negotiating, and there’s less competition than in spring. Read my fall 2026 Denver real estate market update to see why.
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Questions? Contact Tabitha
Event details come from each organizer’s website as of September 24, 2026. Dates, times, and prices can change, so please confirm with the organizer before you go.
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