Posted in Denver
September 15, 2016
11 Unique Fall Festivals In Denver You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Trees are slowly turning to gold, leaves are beginning to fall, and Mile Highers are gearing up for crisp, cool autumn days and nights filled with football, fires, and lots of festivities. From corn mazes and pumpkin patches to fright nights and zombie crawls, we’ve compiled a list of the most spooktacular fall festivals in Denver.
Q: Why did the scarecrow standup comedian fail? A: Because his jokes were always corny.
Yes, I know Boulder is not "in Denver," but this fun-filled, 3-day fall festival is worth the short jaunt north. Enjoy local food, craft beer, music, children's activities, and more along the historic Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder. (Sept. 16: 5pm-9pm, Sept. 17: 11am-10pm, & Sept. 18: 11am-5pm) More Info
For the month of October, get your thrills at Elitch Gardens, which transforms into "Family By Day," "Fright By Night," and still boasts all of your favorite theme park rides. Five weekends filled with contests, costumes, candy, ghosts, ghouls, and all sorts of fun and frightening activities. (Fridays: 6pm-10pm, Saturdays: 12pm-10pm, Sundays: 12pm-9pm) More Info
Since its inception in 1969, Denver's Oktoberfest has become “one of the country’s biggest and longest running traditions” and is pretty much just a playground for adults. From bratwurst eating contests and wiener dog derbies to keg bowling and stein hoisting, there are plenty of wacky activities to keep Oktoberfesters entertained! More Info
Educational fun for the whole family abounds at Four Mile's old-time fall festival, which features a pumpkin patch, pioneer games, live music, tours, demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, build-your-own scarecrow, and more! Admission is free, but additional charges apply for local vendors, food trucks, and the beer garden provided by the Copper Kettle Brewing Company. (October 1 & 2: 10:00am-4:00pm)
There is truly no festival in the world like this one hosted by the town of Estes Park, Colorado. This year's 18th Annual Elk Fest will celebrate this autumn's elk rut and will feature seminars, exhibits, arts and crafts, dancing, storytelling, Native American music, an archery range, bugling contests, the 2nd annual Rut Run 5k, and more! Admission is free but be sure to bring to cash to purchase wares from vendors, including artwork, handmade elk-ivory jewelry, elk cuisine, and a craft beer garden. More Info
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms in Littleton will host their annual Pumpkin Festival Friday through Sunday, Oct. 7-9 from 9am-5pm each day. There'll be carnival games, pony rides, hay rides, face painting, and many other activities for children and families, as well as live music and local vendors providing food, wine, and beer. Don't miss out on other special fall events at Chatfield Farms, which include a Corn Maze, After Dark Corn Maze, and Dead Zone Haunted Attraction. More Info
Saturday, October 8 from 10am-2pm, Historic Olde Town Square in Arvada will be transformed into a pumpkin patch filled with one-of-a-kind scarecrows created by individuals, organizations, and businesses hoping to win the Scarecrow Contest. There will also be vendors, a corn maze, a parade, and more fun for the whole family.
Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street also boasts a festive fall lineup, which includes the remarkable Glow at the Gardens, featuring hundreds of carved, glowing jack-o'-lanterns, luminaria-lined pathways, and larger-than-life pumpkin displays. Enjoy seasonal food and beverages, costume contests, hands-on crafts, live music, and more! Click here for more info and DBG's full list of fall events.
Skyline Park will host the 11th Annual (not-so-family-friendly) Denver Zombie Crawl Saturday, October 22 from 12pm-6pm. Take part in the Organ Trail, get "Killer Deals" with your zombie wristband, and dance the night-of-the-living-dead away at zombie after parties, including a Zombie Prom. More (Haunting) Info
Under the Denver Zoo's breathtaking canopy of fall foliage, enjoy entertainment and family activities that include creepy crawly animal demonstrations, trick-or-treat stations, and a whole lot more. (Boo at the Zoo is October 22, 23, 29, and 30, from 9am-5pm.) Boo After Dark will boast the same family fun but will be held October 28 & 29 from 6:30pm-9pm. More Info
Mile High Farms "Fall into Fun" celebrated its 5th Anniversary last year with a plethora of autumn activities that are fun for the whole family, and this year you can expect more of the same. Attractions include jump castles, corn mazes, hay rides, farm animals, pumpkin patches, and more! Their website is currently under construction but check their Facebook page for updates. (Last year the festival was held on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-6pm through the month of October.)
If you’re looking for more one-of-a-kind Mile High fun, you’ve got to visit this incredible park near Denver!
