The weather is getting cooler, the days shorter and the leaves are changing colors. Autumn has arrived, and this season has plenty to offer. Whether you’re wanting a fun fall festival or hauntingly good time, Denver is the place to be. Here are some staff picks for some things to do this October.
13th Floor Haunted House
The 13th Floor Haunted House, 3400 E. 52nd Ave. in Denver, is open for the season on select nights through Nov. 11. This year’s haunted house features three attractions: Fairytale Nightmare, Repossessed and The Deadlands. In addition to the haunted house, 13th Floor features many additional onsite attractions and add-on experiences. There is no minimum age requirement for the 13th Floor, though the event is graphic and meant to be scary. It is not recommended for children age 12 and younger. A Monster-Free Hour is offered on Sundays in October. Ticket prices begin at $19.99 per person, with Fast Pass, Skip the Line, Behind-the-Scenes tours and VIP ticketing options available. 13thfloorhauntedhouse.com.
Black Cat Ball
This Halloween-themed event benefits The Feline Fix, a nonprofit based in Commerce City. The Black Cat Ball, which takes place at the Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy, includes dancing to a live band, auctions, a costume contest, drinks and hors d’oeuvres. While costumes are encouraged, masks and full face paint are not allowed. The Feline Fix will be offering cat ears to those who don’t have a costume. The ball takes place from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 21. Cost is $85 for an individual ticket and $150 for a pair. Sponsorship tickets are available. thefelinefix.org/denversblackcatball.
Broadway Halloween Parade
An annual favorite, the Broadway Halloween Parade takes place at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 on Broadway between Fifth and Alameda avenues. Put on by the Broadway Merchants Association and City Council District 7, it features Halloween-themed floats, bands and marchers. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume. Free to attend. facebook.com/BroadwayHalloweenParade.
Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
The full-feature film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” will be projected on a big screen as the Colorado Symphony performs every note from the original full film score. This event is family-friendly (the movie is rated PG), and attendees are welcome to wear costumes. It is being offered at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 28 in the Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1385 Curtis St. Tickets range in price from $15-$103. coloradosymphony.org.
“Dracula”
Firehouse Theater Company, 7653 E. First Place in Denver, is presenting “Dracula” on select dates from Sept. 30 to Oct. 28. This adaptation by Steven Dietz and directed by Julie Kaye Wolf brings the original suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage with both horror and humor. Tickets cost $27 with group discounts available. firehousetheatercompany.com.
Ghost Walk with Phil Goodstein
Local author and Denver native Phil Goodstein is offering his Denver Ghost Walk tours from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28; and from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Attendees should meet in front of the statue of the Indian on the east lawn of the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver, which is along Grant Street between 14th and Colfax avenues. Cost is $25. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Goodstein at philgoodstein@gmail.com.
Ghosts in the Gardens
This event allows visitors to stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens’ paths after dark as storytellers share real staff encounters, security guard accounts and the intriguing history of the place that was formerly known as “The Boneyard.” Guests can also go inside the Waring House for an exclusive visit of the Beaux-Arts style mansion. Families with children age 12 and older are welcome — this event is not recommended for younger children. Halloween masks and costumes are not permitted at this event. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Ghosts in the Gardens is offered from 5:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 13-15 and 26-29. Cost is $34 or $29 for members. This event takes place at the York Street Location, 1007 York St., in Denver. botanicgardens.org.
Halloween Party at VFW Post 1
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is inviting the community to a family-friendly Halloween party that will feature trick-or-treats and a costume contest. It takes place from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 27 at VFW Post 1, 841 Santa Fe Dr. in Denver. The party is free for children, and adults cost $5 for members, $8 for veteran non-members and $10 for all other community members. All proceeds benefit VFW Post 1, which was founded in 1899. Visit vfwpost1.org or give them a call at 720-515-8391.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Historic Park
This fall festival includes a pumpkin patch, a marketplace, live music and performances, seasonal food, face painting, a Western-themed scavenger hunt, gold panning, prairie games and more. A build-your-own scarecrow activity is offered as an add-on experience for $25. The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 and 15. Tickets cost $16-$35 (children 3 and younger do not require a ticket). VIP tickets available. Ticket prices increase on Oct. 13. Four Mile Historic Park is located at 715 S. Forest St. in Denver. fourmilepark.org/pumpkin-harvest-festival/
Spirits & Spirits
Spirits & Spirits is a 21+ event that offers attendees an opportunity to explore Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest St. in Denver, after dark. General admission includes spirit tastings, face painting, drag bingo, a mourning ceremony and live music and mystical performances. Additional experiences are offered for VIP ticketholders. Spirits & Spirits takes place from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 21. Early bird ticket prices ended on Oct. 1, but tickets are available for general admission for $40 and $85 for VIP. Members receive a discount on both ticket options. fourmilepark.org/spirits-and-spirits/.
Victorian Horrors
Celebrating its 30th annual year, Victorian Horrors is a mainstay for Denver Halloween events. Acclaimed local actors give theatrical readings of terrifying tales written by well-known, but long-gone, authors throughout the Molly Brown House Museum. Age recommendation for this event is 10 and older. Victorian Horrors is offered on Oct. 13-15, 19-21 and 26-28. Admission times are every 15 minutes from 6-9 p.m. An accessibility-friendly and sign-language assistance in-person performance takes place at 5 p.m. on Oct. 28. Cost is $30 general admission and $25 Historic Denver members. A special opening night Friday the 13th Seance After-Party takes place at 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Oct. 13. Age recommendation for this event is 21+. It costs $75 general admission and $65 Historic Denver members, and includes Victorian Horrors admission as well as 21+ beverages, snacks and a Victorian-style seance hosted by Otherworld Paranormal. mollybrown.org/victorian-horrors/
Wild Fall
The Denver Zoo is again offering its Wild Fall through the month of October. Guests will have the opportunity to discover the creatures that inhabit their imaginations, such as beasts of lore like Bigfoot, dragons, sea monsters and more. Roaming costumed characters, creature-carved pumpkins, festive food and drink and special animal demos enhance the experience. Wild Fall is included with a regular ticket to the zoo. On select evenings in October, the zoo will be opening up for its Trick-or-Treat Trail. A separate ticket is required. It costs $20 and includes a reusable bag for trick-or-treating at various candy stations, a silent disco party, photo ops with festive characters and other seasonal surprises to discover throughout the zoo’s 84 acres. To learn more or purchase tickets to either event, visit denverzoo.org.