DENVER -- Every weekend, Denver7 compiles a list of some fun events you might enjoy. Here are our picks for the 7 best things to do in the Denver metro area and beyond this weekend.
If you're planning on getting out to the mountains to see the changing fall foliage, click here for our list of best places to go and explore our interactive map.
1. Get in the fall season spirit at the Denver Botanic Gardens' Pumpkin Festival
What: The Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms welcomes you to celebrate the fall season with a treasured October tradition at the Pumpkin Festival! The ticket price includes access to the 10-acre pumpkin patch, a mini maze, barrel train ride and more family and children’s activities. Pumpkin prices vary by size. There will also be food, beer and live entertainment.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd. in Littleton, Colo.
When: Friday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: $6-8; buy tickets here.
More info: https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/pumpkin-festival
2. Prepare to be scared at the Telluride Horror Show
What: The Telluride Horror Show, Colorado's first and longest-running horror film festival, returns for its 10th edition. Enjoy an eclectic mix of horror, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy across Telluride’s three theaters.
Where: Various locations in Telluride, Colo.
When: Friday, Oct. 11 from 1:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $85-$175; buy tickets here.
More info: https://www.telluridehorrorshow.com/
3. Get in the Halloween spirit during Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens
What: Filled with thrills and chills, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park presents: Fright Fest! This popular, family friendly Halloween event is open to younger guests during the day for Family by Day, and older visitors during the evening hours for Fright by Night.
Where: Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circ. In Denver
When: Fridays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m.; Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.
Admission: $15-70
More info: https://www.elitchgardens.com/fright-fest/
4. Celebrate Irish and German culture at the Celtic Fest & Oktoberfest in Carbondale
What: Celebrate the Irish by enjoying authentic beers and wines, Celtic dancing and music. Switch gears the next day with an atmosphere jam-packed with German food and spirits, root beer, music, children’s activities, friends, and fun!
Where: Carbondale, Colo.
When: Friday, Oct. 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 12 from noon to 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://www.carbondale.com/event/celtic-fest-oktoberfest/
5. Enjoy all things chocolate at Choctoberfest in Aurora
What: Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Food, games, family entertainment, a chocolate designer contest and some pumpkin spice-flavored chocolates is what awaits you at this annual event!
Where: Arapahoe County Fair & Event Center, 25690 E. Quincy Ave. in Aurora, Colo.
When: Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $10
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/arapahoe-county-fair-event-center/choctoberfest/595671877623973/
6. Get in the rhythm with The Music of Selena and the Colorado Symphony
What: If you, like me, would do “anything for Salinas!” then head over to Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall as the Colorado Symphony celebrates the life and legacy of the trailblazing Tejano artist Selena Quintanilla.
Where: Boettcher Concert Hall, 1000 14th St. in Denver
When: Saturday, Oct. 12 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $50-$104; buy tickets here.
More info: https://tickets.coloradosymphony.org/5375
7. Recognize the contributions of indigenous people at the Shining Mountain Film Fest in Aspen
What: The Shining Mountains Film Festival, now in its second year, will celebrate the spirit of our nation’s indigenous cultures with several films that explore activism, spirituality, loss, and victory within the Native American culture. The event will showcase the work of American Indian filmmakers in the form of documentaries, short as well as feature films that exhibit the struggles and beauty contained within Native American culture today and in the past.
Where: Wheeler Opera House, 320 E. Hyman Ave. in Aspen, Colo.
When: Sunday, Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 14 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $20
More info: http://www.shiningmountainsfilmfestival.com/
Looking for more? Check out these other fun events:
3rd annual Denver7 Car Care Fair
What: Winter will be here before you know it and before the cold weather hits, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready for snow and ice, which is why Denver7 is partnering with AAA Colorado for the third annual Denver7 Car Care Fair.
Where: Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton, off I-25 and 136th Ave.
When: Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: $5 for AAA members; $10 for non-members. Denver7 viewers who sign up with this unique link by Oct. 11 and use promo code D7AAA will also receive a $2 discount.
More info: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/about/community-affairs/join-denver7-aaa-colorado-at-denver-premium-outlets-for-the-3rd-annual-denver7-car-care-fair
Get spooked at the 23rd annual Festival of Scarecrows in Arvada
What: Scarecrows will again fill the streets of Olde Town Arvada for the 23rd annual Festival of Scarecrows. This free family event centers in Olde Town Square with kid’s activities, a kid’s costume parade, a cone maze, hay rides, live music, story time (in the library), a chili cookoff (which is new this year), vendors booths, food and much more!
Where: Historic Olde Town Arvada
When: Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://visitarvada.org/avcevents/festival-of-scarecrows-2/
Catch a hay ride at the Annual Fall Harvest Festival in Brighton
What: Join the City of Brighton for their 7th annual harvest festival! There will be carnival games, a petting zoo, face painting, hay rides, a kiddie train and crafts and much more fun for the whole family!
Where: Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Rd. in Brighton, Colo.
When: Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://z-m-www.facebook.com/events/415721975964241/
Think you have the greatest chili recipe? Test your skills at the Green Chili Cook Off
What: Head over to Historic Grant Ave. for the 2nd annual Green Chili Cook-Off Competition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Historic Grant Ave. This year promises to be three times as big with more chili, more drinks, more activities and more fun
Where: Historic Grant Ave, 216 S. Grant St. in Denver
When: Saturday, Oct. 12 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: $30
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-green-chili-cook-off-competition-tickets-72423280983
Oh, hey there! We see you've made it to the bottom of the article - that's awesome! At Jovanina’s Broken Italian in downtown Denver, you won’t find the usual spaghetti and meatballs. This Italian restaurant is more focused on fresh produce, handmade pastas, wood-fired pizza and an array of proteins. There are also gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, making it a Mile High Must!
Have an event you’d like for us to tell viewers about? Send an email to oscar.contreras@thedenverchannel.com at least a week ahead of the event and make sure to title it "7 best things to do" so he can put your event on the list.
