October 15, 2026
Family-Friendly Fall Festival Fun!
Pumpkin patches are open, the haunted trails are lit, and the trunks are being decorated. Parker and the surrounding south metro are going all in on fall and Halloween over the next two weeks, from last-weekend pumpkin picking to a pumpkin box-car derby you have to see to believe. Here’s your guide to the best family-friendly fall fun near Looking Glass from October 15 through 28.
TONIGHT, Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, November 1
LONE CREEK FARMS FALL FESTIVAL & PUMPKIN PATCH
Franktown’s ticketed agritainment farm has the longest pumpkin season around, running past Halloween with a corn maze, hayrides, and pumpkin picking. Admission covers the maze, hayrides, and farm activities, and new this year is Harvest Glow Lights, a light show included with admission Friday through Sunday nights. Pumpkins are priced separately by size ($6–$16).
Lone Creek Farms, Franktown
Fri.–Sun. 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Thurs. 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (through Nov. 1)
Tickets: $23.95–$27.95; kids 3 and under free
THE PATCH: FALL FESTIVAL
Just half an hour east of Parker in Kiowa, one admission covers a 10th-anniversary corn maze, a hay wagon ride, ice skating, and a dozen-plus other activities, with pumpkins priced by size on the way out. Open weekends plus a fall break on Oct. 15–16. Tickets are online only, and nothing is haunted on purpose.
MAGIC OF THE JACK O’LANTERNS
Hudson Gardens glows after dark with thousands of intricately hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns lining the garden paths. A beloved fall tradition that runs on select nights through November 1.
Thursday–Saturday, October 15-24
GLOW AT THE GARDENS
Denver Botanic Gardens celebrates 10 years of its most luminous fall event with an immersive, illuminated path of enchanted landscapes, live performers, and larger-than-life sculptures and displays freshly carved from real, locally grown pumpkins. Nothing too spooky, plenty of wonder, and it sells out weeks ahead, so book early.
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
Oct. 15–18 & 21–24, 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Tickets: Timed tickets required; pricing varies
Thursday, October 15 – Thursday, October 22
SUBLIME NATURE ART EXHIBIT
Kate Breakey’s large, hand-colored Moths photographs share the PACE Center Gallery with Colorado sculptor Tony Hochstetler’s bronze wildlife and botanical forms. Come look closely at the natural world in a free, easy fall outing for art lovers of all ages.
PACE Center Gallery, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Through Oct. 22, during PACE Center box office hours
Tickets: Free
Friday–Sunday, October 16-25
BOO AT THE ZOO
Denver Zoo’s Halloween institution stretches across a full month of evenings, with nine candy stations, cryptid creatures and costumed characters, animal ambassadors, festive photo ops, and seasonal snacks. Bring your own trick-or-treat bag and decorate it at the bag and cryptid guidebook station. Timed and ticketed separately from daytime admission, and late-October nights often sell out.
Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver
Oct. 16–18 & 23–25, 4:30–9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $27.95 adults / $20.95 youth; under 2 free
Friday–Saturday, October 16–17
GILLY’S PUMPKIN PATCH
A family-run patch on an original 1889 Castle Rock homestead, specializing in unusual pumpkin varieties. Sheep, bunnies, and ducks, a maze, a corn pit, pumpkin checkers, and a giant slide round out the visit, with fresh sourdough at the Gilly’s store. This is the final weekend of the season, so get there before it closes.
1433 Lake Gulch Rd., Castle Rock
Fri.–Sat., Oct. 16–17, 9:00 a.m. to dark
Tickets: $5 per person / $20 per family; kids 3 and under free
CASTLEWOOD CANYON HAUNTED TRAIL
Chills, thrills, and plenty of mischief take over Castlewood Canyon after dark, with bats, snakes, bigfoot, ghouls, and more waiting along the trail. Warm up with hot chocolate at the event facilities and make Halloween crafts before or after your walk. No pets or strollers, and the faint of heart should stay home. Weather dependent, so check for cancellations the day before and the night of.
Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 CO-83, Franktown
6:30–8:30 p.m. both nights
Tickets: Free (a state parks pass is required for vehicle entry)
Saturday, October 17
CASTLE ROCK SPOOKTACULAR
The Town of Castle Rock’s annual Halloween afternoon takes over the Amphitheater and Millhouse at Philip S. Miller Park with fright-free fun for the whole family. Follow the trick-or-treat trail for candy, brave the Millhouse Manor scavenger hunt, decorate a masterpiece at the Pumpkin Picasso station, and try face painting, music and dancing, and a spooky soda station. Food trucks are on site, and costumes are encouraged but not required.
PAWLOWEEN DOGGIE COSTUME CONTEST
Dress up the pup and head to Lone Tree Brewing in Parker for a doggie costume contest, a fun, dog-friendly way to celebrate Halloween.
GHOSTS, GADGETS, AND GUT FEELINGS
Parker History and XX Paranormal Communications, an all-female investigative team with over 15 years of experience, bring a chilling and captivating night to the Parker Library. Hear real-life ghost encounters, learn why intuition is a paranormal investigator’s most powerful tool, and discover the equipment used to validate evidence and communicate with spirits. Dinner, light refreshments, and non-alcoholic drinks are included in this spooky fall fundraiser.
ZAK MIRZ: KID@❤️
An interactive magic show where the audience steers the performance in real time. A genuinely all-ages night at the PACE Center that the whole family can enjoy together, and every child needs their own ticket.
Saturday–Sunday, October 17-25
BARNSIDE PUMPKINS
A family pumpkin stand just 15 minutes from Castle Rock with free admission. Pick pumpkins, pet the goats, meet the cows, and let the kids loose in the corn pit, with Tonka trucks, games, and pumpkin painting.
Saturday-Wednesday, October 17-28
GHOSTLY STORIES & TRAGIC TALES WALKING TOURS
Castle Rock Museum leads free downtown ghost-story walking tours packed with tales of The Rock, the Old Stone Church, and the B&B Café. Best for teens and adults. Reservations are required (303-814-3164) and donations are encouraged.
Castle Rock Museum, 420 Elbert St., Castle Rock
Sat., Oct. 17, 1:00 p.m.; Oct. 21, 22 & 28, 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free (reservations required)
Sunday, October 18
CASTLE ROCK FALL FESTIVAL W/CREEPY CRAWLIES AROUND THE ROCK
A full afternoon of family fall fun fills Festival Park in downtown Castle Rock, with creepy crawly critters on the guest list.
THE CAROLE KING & JAMES TAYLOR STORY
Phoebe Katis and Dan Clews celebrate two of music’s most iconic voices through their songs and stories in a heartfelt tribute that has sold out theaters from Edinburgh to Adelaide. Settle in for a Sunday matinee at the PACE Center. Note: this performance is currently sold out.
Wednesday, October 21
DINOSAURS & VOLCANOES
Stomp, roar, and explore on a prehistoric learning adventure at the Parker Recreation Center. This interactive KZ Together! program brings parents and children together for hands-on activities, crafts, games, songs, and stories. Dig for dinosaur discoveries and create volcanic masterpieces that spark curiosity and imagination for learners of all ages.
Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E. Lincoln Ave., Parker
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26 residents / $29 non-residents
Friday, October 23
HAUNTED HAYRIDES AT STOCKTON’S PLUM CREEK STABLEShay
An HRCA 4-H fundraiser hayride rolls through the Roxborough countryside after dark, a classic fall tradition for the whole family. Children 2 and under are free.
Friday–Sunday, October 23–25
TURNING PAGES, SAVING HORSES
Books Are Awesome hosts a fall weekend of great stories, family time, and a chance to make a difference for horses in need. Browse for new books for yourself or someone you love, and 10 percent of all sales all weekend are donated to Terolyn Horse Rescue, which rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes horses facing neglect, abuse, or abandonment. It’s a perfect way to support a local independent bookstore and give a rescued horse a second chance.
Books Are Awesome, 11211 S. Dransfeldt Rd., Suite 101, Parker
Fri. 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Sat. 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Sun. 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free to attend (10% of all sales donated to Terolyn Horse Rescue)
Friday–Saturday, October 23–24
HRCA HAUNTED FOREST
A three-quarter-mile creep through the woods in the Backcountry Wilderness Area, recommended for ages 10 and up. Note the flashing lights. The two nights run different hours, and a fast pass skips the line. Park at Rocky Heights Middle School and walk south on the trail past the school.
Field South of Rocky Heights Middle School, 11033 Monarch Blvd., Lone Tree
Fri., 6:30–9:30 p.m.; Sat., 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15 general / $25 fast pass
Saturday, October 24
FLOATIN’ INTO FALL
Bob, splash, and win as you search the pool for the lucky apple and take home a special prize if you find the right one. Festive games, music, crafts, and seasonal activities make this all-ages aquatics event a splashy way to welcome fall. All swimming abilities are welcome, and children 5 and under and non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the water.
Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E. Lincoln Dr., Parker
9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. sessions
Tickets: $18 residents / $24 non-residents
CASTLE PINES FALL FESTIVAL & GREAT PUMPKIN RACE
Trick-or-Treat Street winds through the Village Square storefronts, with a farmers market, trunk or treat, a pumpkin patch, hay rides, a petting zoo, live music, and kids’ activities. A brand-new chili cook-off runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The star of the day is the Great Pumpkin Race at 1 p.m., a box-car derby with pumpkins in its fourth year and easily the most original event on the fall calendar. Race kits are $25 from the city, available through Oct. 22.
Village Square, 7437 Village Square Dr., Castle Pines
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Great Pumpkin Race at 1:00 p.m.)
Tickets: Free
BOO BASH AT OUTLETS AT CASTLE ROCK
The Outlets at Castle Rock hosts a free Halloween bash for families, a good excuse to dress up and spend a late morning with Big Jack close by.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS AT CIVIC CENTER
Presented by Denver Botanic Gardens, Día de los Muertos at Civic Center brings the community together as a collective to honor the presence of ancestors and loved ones. It’s a colorful, culture-rich celebration of tradition that welcomes families to Civic Center Park for an afternoon of remembrance and community.
HAUNTED FOREST FALL FEST
HRCA’s daytime, family-friendly version of its haunted trail features a bounce house, crafts, food trucks, and a not-as-scary walk down the decorated trail. Park at Rocky Heights Middle School and follow the music and lights down the trail.
Field South of Rocky Heights Middle School, 11033 Monarch Blvd., Lone Tree
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10 per kid / $5 per adult
TRUNK OR TREAT ON MAINSTREET
Up to 60 decorated business trunks line the rear lot at Parker Station for Downtown Parker’s trunk-or-treat. A sensory-friendly hour runs from 1 to 2 p.m., with general admission from 2 to 5 p.m. Free, but space is limited and every child needs an individual timed-entry ticket (parents do not).
Parker Station, rear lot, 19751 Mainstreet, Parker
Sensory hour 1:00–2:00 p.m.; General 2:00–5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free (timed ticket required for each child)
THE GREAT PUMPKIN: A STORYBOOK HOLIDAY
Douglas County Libraries celebrates Halloween Peanuts style with food, Peanuts-themed crafts and activities, and a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt. Will you catch a glimpse of The Great Pumpkin? The evening is ideal for ages 3–8, but all ages are welcome and costumes are encouraged.
Wednesday, October 28
15 YEARS OF MUSICAL THEATER MEMORIES
Parker Arts celebrates 15 years of musical theater with songs from past productions, shared stories, and reflections honoring the performers and audiences who made them. A feel-good evening on the PACE Center stage, open to all ages.
Welcome Home to Looking Glass
The leaves are turning, the porches are glowing, and the whole community is getting ready for the cozy months ahead. Looking Glass sits right in the middle of it, with top-rated schools close by, trails perfect for a crisp-morning walk, and parks made for pumpkin-spiced evenings. Homes from Richmond American Homes and Dream Finders Homes start in the $600s — come see how good a Parker autumn can feel from your own front porch.