13 Halloween Things To Do In Denver

Looking for fun Halloween things to do in Denver this year? From haunted houses and ghost tours to pumpkin patches and glowing light displays, Denver goes all out for spooky season.

Whether you’re after family-friendly festivals, eerie haunts, or just want to sip cider amid cozy fall photo ops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this October.

I’ve lived in Denver most of my life, and these are some of my favorite Halloween traditions — plus a few new ones I’m hoping to check out in future seasons. Below are some of the best Halloween things to do in Denver.

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Halloween Things To Do In Denver

Visit A Pumpkin Patch

Nothing says Halloween quite like a pumpkin-patch day and luckily there are tons of great options near Denver.

Just north of Denver you’ll find Anderson Farms in Erie, one of the biggest and most beloved. Wagon rides, caramel apples, fields of pumpkins — this place is a favorite for good reason. They also run a corn maze and some after-dark events as Halloween approaches.

A bit closer to the city, Chatfield Farms (part of the Denver Botanic Gardens) is more mellow but equally charming — hayrides, live music, and plenty of photo ops.

Closest options to Denver include: Maize in the City, Cottonwood Farm, and Rock Creek Farm.

No matter which you choose, go early or late in the day to beat the crowds, and wear clothes/shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.

For more, check out Top Pumpkin Patches Near Denver.

pumpkin patch photo ops old truck rock creek farm broomfield colorado near denver — Pumpkin picking near Denver

Huge pumpkin patch under string lights with food vendors and event tents in background on sunny fall day. Pumpkin patch, Maize In The City, Thornton near Denver, Colorado. — Pumpkin picking near Denver

Magic Of The Jack O’Lanterns At Hudson Gardens

Just outside the city in Littleton, Hudson Gardens hosts the beloved Magic of the Jack-O’-Lanterns. This is an outdoor trail lined with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, arranged into stunning scenes — pirate ships, dragons, fairytale creatures — that glow as dusk falls. They’ve also got s’mores stations, live entertainment, plus food and drinks.

This year’s event takes place on select nights from September 19 to November 2 and tickets can only be purchased online at Magic Of The Jack O’ Lanterns (you’ll need to secure these well in advance!).

Glow At The Gardens: Denver Botanic Gardens

Back in the city, the Denver Botanic Gardens presents Glow at the Gardens, a nighttime transformation of the York Street location. This is another really cool pumpkin display with illuminated hand-carved sculptures, light installations, and live performers among the gardens.

It only runs from October 21 – 26 and timed-entry reservations need to be secured at Denver Botanic Gardens — this sells out well in advance.

Halloween-Themed Bars

When evening falls and you’re looking for drinks + Halloween spirit, you’ve got a few options. Some bars go all-in with seasonal decor and themed drinks — think Christmas bar but Halloween — while others are spooky year-round.

Adrift Tiki Bar, The Crypt, The Devil’s Drink, Honor Farms, and Electric Cure are all good options.

Tip: Check their websites or social media pages for events, costume nights, cover charges, and weekly specials.

the crypt bar denver skelatons and spooky decor — The Crypt

the crypt bar denver skelaton decor — The Crypt

Halloween Coffee Shops

If you’d rather skip the bars, try cafes that embrace Halloween decor and seasonal drinks instead.

One favorite is Scr3am & Sugar Coffee Co., which is horror-themed year-round, so naturally a top pick in October. Another is Ms. Marji’s, they really go all-out with decor and seasonal drinks. Most others will be more subtle but still offer seasonal drinks and cute fall decor.

Tip: Denver ice cream shops also have some great Halloween pop-ups, Little Man’s Highlands location always puts out great Halloween decor and plays scary movies on Friday nights.

Visit A Haunted House

For those who love a good scare, you’re in the right place because Denver loves their haunted houses.

13th Floor Haunted House is a standout: award-winning, over-the-top production, full of actors and spooky storylines that change each year. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you love haunted houses you can’t miss this one.

Terror in the Corn at Anderson Farms is another very popular option, it’s a bit of a drive from Denver, but worth it for most.

The Frightmare Compound, Scream Acres, Elitch Gardens Fright Fest, and Haunted Field of Screams are also excellent options.

These attractions are extremely popular, so buy tickets ahead and expect long lines on weekends. Also double check age requirements, some are 16+ or 18+.

Cheesman Park Ghost Tour

One of Denver’s favorite parks was once a cemetery — and technically, it still is. While the headstones were removed long ago, not all of the bodies were, which has led to plenty of ghostly rumors over the years.

If you want to learn more about the park’s spooky side (and hear a few stories about nearby haunted mansions), check out the Cheesman Park Ghost Tour. The 1.5-hour walk is so entertaining — whether you believe in hauntings or not, it’s a fun way to explore Denver’s eerie history.

Even if you don’t join a tour, taking a quiet stroll through the park at dusk offers that same ghostly feeling.

Tip: Tours fill up quickly in October, so be sure to book in advance. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a jacket, and hit the restroom beforehand — there are no bathrooms along the route.

Additional ghost tour options in Denver include: Haunted Denver Ghost & Pub Walking Tour or Denver After Dark Adults Only Walking Ghost Tour.

cheeseman park pavillion sunset fall denver colorado — Cheeseman Park Ghost Tour

ghost tour at cheeseman park denveer colorado — Cheeseman Park Ghost Tour

Broadway Halloween Parade

One of Denver’s favorite Halloween events is the Broadway Halloween Parade, held along South Broadway.

The parade features 70+ floats, over-the-top costumes, marching bands, and candy… it’s the perfect quirky parade. It’s free to watch, and begins at 500 N Broadway at 6pm on October 25th. Arrive early to snag a good spot!

Tip: Use public transit or ride share (parking gets tight). Bring a hot drink or snack and enjoy the pre-parade street festivities OR plan to visit one of the surrounding businesses, many are decked out for the parade.

Colorado Symphony: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Another halloween favorite is the Colorado Symphony’s screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas at Boettcher Concert Hall. The full feature film is accompanied by a live musical ensemble playing the film soundtrack.

The event is only October 31st and November 1st, both shows sell out quickly.

Ya Ya Farms & Orchard

Another fall favorite is Ya Ya Farms & Orchards, located just north of Denver in Longmont. This family-run spot has a cozy, nostalgic feel — with apple-picking, farm animals, and a charming shop filled with all things apple (don’t skip the cider donuts!).

Apples don’t grow easily in this part of Colorado, which makes Ya Ya Farms one of the few true orchards near Denver. Because of the limited supply and high demand, you’ll need to join their apple-picking waitlist at the beginning of the year — there’s no way to sign up once fall arrives.

Even if you didn’t snag a u-pick reservation, it’s still worth a visit. Admission is free, and it’s a lovely place to grab cider and enjoy the fall atmosphere. Just plan to arrive early on weekends (or visit during the week!) to avoid the crowds.

Woman smiling at camera with with red barn and flowers in background on sunny fall day. Ya Ya Farm & Orchard, Longmont, Colorado. — Ya Ya Farms & Orchard

Green antique truck with apple orchard in background and red tree in foreground on fall afternoon. Ya Ya Farm & Orchard, Longmont, Colorado. — Ya Ya Farms & Orchard

Denver Zoo’s Boo At The Zoo

Families — this one’s for you. Denver Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is a trick-or-treat-style event with candy stations, costumed characters, photo ops, and of course, animals.

The event runs on select dates throughout October and you do need timed-entry reservations which you can find at Boo at the Zoo. Plan to buy tickets early and remember costumes are encouraged, but please avoid scary-gore.

Colfax Día De Los Muertos Art Crawl

Beyond the costumes and haunted houses, the city embraces cultural tradition with Colfax Day of the Dead Art Crawl. This event brings street art, live performances, local vendors, and altars honoring loved ones along Colfax Avenue. The vibe here is lively, community-driven and full of heart — not just candy and scares.

This year’s event is November 9th from 5 – 9 pm at the 40 West Arts District. Arrive early if you want to browse art and vendors before the crowds ramp up or make an evening of it by grabbing dinner nearby.

Halloween Parties & Costume Contests

Denver loves a good celebration, and just about every bar in town gets into the Halloween spirit with themed parties and costume contests.

If you’re looking for some of the biggest events, check out Coloween, Meow Wolf, Boo Ball, Tracks, Paranormal Palace, or Supernatural, to name a few. These venues go all out with elaborate decorations, live DJs, and immersive, over-the-top experiences.

You’ll also find plenty of Halloween bar crawls happening around the city, so whether you’re in the mood for a spooky dance party or a night of hopping between themed bars, you’ll have no problem finding something.