10 Colorado Halloween Events Worth Driving Across The State To Experience
A woman’s coffin once slid down a mountain after heavy rains in 1929. Today, people celebrate that strange event by racing coffins down a street.
I love that a spooky legend became a party.
That race is only one reason Colorado gets so wonderfully weird each October. Across the state, you’ll find glowing pumpkin trails, haunted cornfields, and a zoo where costumed cryptids roam among trick-or-treaters.
One spot even lets you tour a haunted house with the lights on.
A few are gentle enough for toddlers in pumpkin costumes. The rest climb all the way up to full-blown screams for teens and adults.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a fall road trip.
So fill the tank and grab a jacket. Which kind of Halloween are you chasing this year: candy, glowing art, or a chainsaw in the dark?
Your weekends are about to get busy.
1. Elitch Gardens Fright Fest
Roller coasters are scary enough in daylight, so naturally Elitch turns off the sun and adds monsters. Fright Fest runs on fall weekends and splits the fun into two very different moods.
Before 6 p.m., “Fun By Day” belongs to younger guests. Little ones can head to Booville for a trick-or-treat trail, creepy coloring, and costume contests.
Once dusk hits, “Fright By Night” takes over, and the park recommends it for ages 12 and up. You’ll find three haunted houses, including Redcliff Ridge and CARN-EVIL, plus scare zones like Nightshade Woods.
The evening kicks off with the Fright By Night Procession, which sounds like a parade with bad intentions. Live shows such as Haunted Hits and the Insidious Circus keep the energy going between screams.
Rides don’t take the night off, either. The park offers more than 40 of them, and the teacups get a spooky makeover as TERROR CUPS, complete with strobes.
Adults looking for extra chaos could attend FRIGHTOPIA, a one-night-only event held on October 22, 2026. It’s an adults-only event with unlimited haunted house entry, DJs, and thrill rides in the dark.
Families with mixed nerves can use a simple plan. On Saturdays, Sundays, and October 12, families can arrive early for Booville’s daytime activities, then decide who’s brave enough to stick around for the evening scares.
The park bills Fright Fest as Colorado’s largest Halloween event. With rides, shows, and haunts packed into one downtown Denver park, there’s plenty to experience, although admission to the haunted houses costs extra.
Address: 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204
2. 13th Floor Haunted House
Jason Voorhees has apparently relocated to north Denver, and he’s taking appointments. The 13th Floor Haunted House features “Jason Universe: Survive the Night,” an officially licensed Friday the 13th haunt.
In this one, the masked slasher hunts you through immersive scenes. Hockey masks have never felt less sporty.
Want more control over your fate? A limited-capacity add-on called “Jason Universe: Director’s Cut” lets your choices shape Jason’s next move.
The other haunts lean just as dark. “The Stitchworks: House of Reanimation” fills its halls with grotesque, mechanically enhanced creatures, and “Cathedral of the Crimson Queen” brings gothic chills.
Between houses, the midway gives your heart rate a break, sort of. You can try mini escape games, axe throwing, and “The Graveyard Shift: Zombie Shooting Gallery.”
Clowns get their moment too at “No Name’s Clown Chaos.” Honestly, I respect any place that gives clowns their own separate category of trouble.
Curious how the scares work? The “Behind The Screams” tours offer a lights-on walk through the haunt, covering its history and special effects.
That tour is a great pick for the friend who loves Halloween but would rather not be chased. It’s also a fun way to see the craftsmanship up close without screaming over it.
The haunt recommends guests be 13 and older. Sales are final and the show goes on rain or shine, so lock in your date and bring friends who won’t abandon you mid-hallway.
Address: 3400 East 52nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80216
3. Magic Of The Jack O’Lanterns At Hudson Gardens
Somebody in Littleton carved a pirate ship out of pumpkins, and I need to know how. The Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns fills Hudson Gardens with thousands of handcrafted pumpkins on select fall nights.
A half-mile path winds through glowing scenes that feel like a storybook lit by candlelight. The displays have included a nautical seascape, dinosaurs, and dragons.
The newer “Enchanted Hollow” section stretches the trail even farther. Look for glowing landscapes, spooky witches, and a light-and-music show that runs every half hour.
This is the gentle end of Halloween, and that’s the charm. Toddlers, grandparents, and teens who claim they’re too cool can enjoy it together.
Need a break from walking? The Fun Zone offers big slides and a bounce pad, and s’mores stations give you a sticky excuse to linger.
Seasonal snacks are sold on-site, so you don’t have to plan a full dinner first. Photo spots pop up along the way, too, which is great news for your camera roll.
Wear comfortable shoes, because the trail is dirt and the event stays outdoors. It runs rain or shine, so a jacket is smarter than optimism.
Tickets are timed entry and non-refundable. Booking ahead helps you snag a time slot that fits your evening.
Pumpkins only last so long, and so does this show. It wraps up around the first of November, so grab your chance while the glow lasts.
Address: 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
4. Terror In The Corn At Anderson Farms
A mile of cornfield sounds peaceful until you learn what’s hiding in the stalks. Terror in the Corn at Anderson Farms turns a fall harvest spot into a full-length horror trail.
Your walk starts in a twisted field packed with nightmares. Then it spills into Raven’s Gulch, an abandoned town where shadows seem to move on their own.
A nice bonus makes the drive easier to justify. Your ticket also includes the Anderson Farms Fall Festival, so you can enjoy the daylight before the scares begin.
That festival is no small side dish. It features a 25-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch wagon rides, a barrel train, and jump pads.
Feeling a little competitive? The Zombie Paintball Hunt lets you aim at the undead instead of running from them.
Come prepared for intense effects once night falls. Expect loud audio, strobe lights, fog, and startling surprises designed to rattle you.
The farm takes accessibility seriously, with wheelchair access in various areas and an ADA Wellness Room. Wheelchairs are allowed in the haunt, though the mile-long path crosses rough, uneven ground.
Sturdy shoes are a must for everyone. Corn rows and dark dirt paths aren’t the place for brand-new sneakers.
Ticket sales are final, so pick your night carefully. The haunt typically runs select nights from late September through Halloween.
Plan a full day here in Colorado farm country north of Denver. Arrive for the maze, stay for the screams, and maybe save the hot cocoa for the ride home.
Address: 6728 Weld County Road 3¼, Erie, CO 80516
5. Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival
Most towns honor their history with plaques. Manitou Springs straps a costumed “Emma” into a decorated coffin and sends her racing down Manitou Avenue.
The real Emma Crawford arrived in 1889, hoping the mineral springs would help her tuberculosis. She loved the area and wanted to rest on top of Red Mountain.
After she passed in 1891, her fiancé and a group of townspeople carried her up to honor that wish. In 1929, heavy rains loosened her coffin, and it tumbled down the mountainside.
Only fragments were later found. Somehow, that eerie tale grew into one of the quirkiest festivals in Colorado.
Teams of four costumed “mourners” push wild coffin contraptions along a 195-yard course. Each coffin carries its own Emma, and creativity matters as much as speed.
Awards go to the fastest teams, plus honors like Best Coffin and Best Entourage. A parade adds even more costumes to the street.
The festival is free to attend, which makes it an easy add-on to a mountain day trip. A Fan Zone in the 700 block of Manitou Avenue gives you a place to gather before the action.
When the racing ends, the fun moves to an after-party in Soda Springs Park. Bring your own costume, because blending in might be the smartest move.
Arrive early for a good view along the course. The festival happens in late October, and a spot near the route makes the short race easier to enjoy.
Address: 900 Block of Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
6. HellScream Haunted House
Dr. Stewart VonHellton vanished, and he left his house in terrible shape. HellScream Haunted House invites you into his multi-story estate, where dark science and restless spirits fight for control.
The haunt has been scaring Colorado Springs since 2012. Each floor pulls you deeper into the doctor’s abandoned experiments.
Live actors, custom effects, and detailed sets drive the story. Expect a cinematic feel, like a horror movie that refuses to stay on the screen.
Sensory warnings matter here. You’ll face darkness, theatrical fog, loud sounds, flashing lights, and tight enclosed spaces.
The attraction includes stairs, since it spans several stories. Guests with mobility concerns should contact the venue before buying tickets.
Leave the high heels and loose jewelry at home. Cameras should stay behind too, which saves you from blurry photos of your own panic.
Craving an even darker visit? Watch for the “Lights Out” experience, held after the regular season wraps in early November.
HellScream also has a sister haunt, The Fear Complex, a short drive away. Combo tickets let you knock out both in one trip.
That combo makes a strong case for the drive. One evening in Colorado Springs can deliver two full haunts and a lifetime supply of nervous laughter.
The season typically runs from late September through Halloween weekend. Pick a night, gather your bravest friends, and decide ahead of time who walks in front.
Spoiler: nobody volunteers. Bring snacks for the ride home, because recovering from a mad scientist’s mansion is hungry work.
Address: 3021 North Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
7. The Fear Complex Haunted House
Four haunted attractions under one roof is either a great deal or a terrible idea, depending on your nerves. The Fear Complex links them into one continuous trip through fear.
First comes The Sanitarium, packed with deranged patients. Then you’ll head into the Haunted Mines, Sinister Manor, and the 3-D Carnival.
Along the way, you’ll meet cave monsters, nightmarish creatures, and clowns with zero respect for personal space. Each zone shifts the mood, so you never quite relax.
Fun history bit: the place was once known for The Haunted Mines. It has since grown into one of the largest indoor haunts in Colorado Springs.
Lines can drag at busy haunts, but this one uses a virtual queue. You get a text when it’s your turn, freeing you to roam.
Where do you roam? The Fear Complex Midway offers hot dogs, nachos, sweet treats, carnival-style games, and light-up souvenirs.
That means dinner and a haunt can happen without moving your car. Your stomach and your adrenaline both get taken care of.
The haunt recommends ages 13 and up. Kids 12 and under need an adult with them.
Already planning to visit HellScream? Combo tickets cover both sister attractions, which turns one drive into a double feature.
For an extra challenge, look for “Lights Out” events in November. Less light means more guessing, and more guessing means louder screams.
Bring a buddy whose arm you can squeeze. They’ll forgive you eventually.
Address: 2220 East Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
8. Pumpkins On Parade At The Gardens On Spring Creek
Skeletons and pumpkins are teaming up in Fort Collins, and the results are surprisingly artistic. Pumpkins on Parade takes over The Gardens on Spring Creek for a few evenings each October.
Local Northern Colorado artists design and build the major displays. That turns the 12-acre botanical garden into an outdoor art show with a spooky streak.
Illuminated paths lead you through playful themed zones. Larger-than-life pumpkin art makes for photos that’ll stand out in your feed.
The mood leans toward light frights instead of heavy scares. Expect playful surprises, not monsters lunging from corners.
Costumes are encouraged, so let the kids wear the dragon suit again. Adults are welcome to join the costume fun too.
Games like pumpkin bowling add some friendly competition. The prizes are candy-free, which parents of sugar-loaded kids may appreciate.
Live entertainment runs each evening, adding sound to the glowing scenery. Local food vendors set up on-site with snacks to keep energy up.
Got carving skills? Enter the annual carved pumpkin contest, and you can earn a discount on admission.
Entry is timed, with slots in the evening hours. Book early, since the event only lasts four nights.
This event fits families who want Halloween charm without nightmares. It’s proof that pumpkins can be art, not just pie filling.
Dress for chilly fall evenings and wear walking shoes. The paths are outdoors, and October nights near the foothills can cool off quickly.
Address: 2145 Centre Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80526
9. Creepy Walk In The Woods
Chainsaws in the dark woods west of Loveland? Yes, and folks buy tickets for it on purpose.
Creepy Walk in the Woods is a 1/3-mile haunted trail through the Savage Woods. It runs only on the last three Fridays and Saturdays of October, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Out here, nature handles half the set design. Cast members, fog, lighting effects, strobes, and those chainsaws handle the rest.
The organizers keep the specific scares secret. That means each bend in the trail is a guessing game you’ll probably lose.
This haunt targets older teens and adults. It’s not recommended for kids 11 and under, so plan a sitter or save it for later years.
Tickets are sold only onsite at the ticket trailer, which opens at 6 p.m. Watch for discount coupons on flyers around Loveland, since one coupon can cover your whole group.
Once you enter, there are no refunds for getting too scared. Pride is a strong motivator when your friends are watching.
Weather plays a big role at this outdoor event. It runs rain or shine, but temperatures below 30 degrees will close it.
Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. The terrain is uneven, and running in the dark is more likely than you’d like to admit.
Few Colorado haunts feel this raw. Real woods, real darkness, and a trail that doesn’t care about your plans for a calm Saturday.
Address: 1750 Savage Road, Loveland, CO 80538
10. Boo At The Zoo At Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
Mothman doesn’t usually take photos with fans, but at the Denver Zoo he makes an exception. Boo at the Zoo turns the grounds into a trick-or-treat trail on select October evenings.
Cryptids and costumed characters roam among guests, including the Werewolf, the Bog Witch, and a newer face called Thistleroot. Each one is ready for meet-and-greets and photos.
Candy fans can hit nine treat stations along the way. Bring a reusable bag, or decorate one at the onsite station.
Tiny trick-or-treaters get their own option. Kids two and under can get an optional Lil Boo Bag with treats and activities for a small fee.
Animal ambassadors also make appearances, which is a nice reminder that this is still a zoo. Real animals and pretend monsters share the spotlight beautifully.
Hungry? The Wild Fall Market serves seasonal snacks like foot-long corn dogs and apple bites.
Timed tickets help spread out crowds. That makes it easier to move between stations without feeling squished.
Evening hours run from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Little ones can arrive early, while older kids might enjoy the glow after sunset.
Halloween night is set aside as a sensory-friendly evening. Accommodations include reduced crowds, low-volume music, and quiet rooms for guests with sensory processing needs.
That thoughtful touch makes the event welcoming for more families. It’s a lovely way to end this Colorado road trip on a sweet note.
Address: 2300 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80205