Fall Things to Do in South Denver: Pumpkin Patches, Haunted Events, Fall Colors and Holiday Markets

Looking for fall things to do in South Denver? You are in luck, because the season here runs long. From the middle of October through early December, the neighborhoods south of Interstate 25 and the cities just beyond them, from Washington Park and Observatory Park down to Littleton, Centennial and Lone Tree, fill up with corn mazes, trick or treat nights, jack o’ lantern trails and the first holiday lights.

This guide pulls together what is still ahead on the 2026 calendar as of mid October, with dates and prices taken from each organizer’s own site or from current local listings. Events sell out and details change, so tap through to the official page before you load the car.

Where Can You Find a Corn Maze or Pumpkin Patch Near South Denver?

Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms, Littleton

The closest real farm experience to South Denver is Chatfield Farms, the Denver Botanic Gardens property at 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton. According to the Denver Botanic Gardens corn maze page, the maze runs Fridays through Sundays from September 18 to November 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors 65 and older, and $14 for children ages 3 to 15. Kids 2 and younger get in free, and members pay a couple of dollars less. A few things to know before you go:

• Tickets are sold online only, for a set date and entry time. Nothing is sold at the gate.
• Pets are not allowed at Chatfield Farms. Service animals are welcome.
• Kids can wear costumes, but anyone 16 or older cannot wear a Halloween mask.
• Parking is free and plentiful, but there is no separate rideshare drop off lane.

The Chatfield Pumpkin Festival already ran October 9 to 11 this year, and the farm’s pumpkin patch is only open during that festival, so plan on the maze rather than picking pumpkins there.

Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Historic Park

For a pumpkin patch inside the city, head to Four Mile Historic Park at 715 S. Forest Street, a short drive east of Washington Park and Cherry Creek. The Four Mile Pumpkin Harvest Festival runs Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The park lists tickets at $25 for adults and $20 for youth ages 3 to 17, with member pricing of $20 and $15, and free entry for kids 2 and under. The page also says tickets will be on sale soon, so confirm the final price when you buy. Admission covers the pumpkin patch (including an accessible patch), a carving and painting station, crafts, tours of the historic Four Mile House, a fall marketplace, food trucks and a stage with dance groups, bands and circus acts.

What Halloween Events Are Worth the Drive?

Boo at the Zoo, Denver Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is the big family Halloween night in Denver. The Denver Zoo event page lists evenings from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on October 16 to 18, 23 to 25 and 30, plus a sensory friendly night on October 31. Tickets on those dates are $27.95 for adults and seniors and $20.95 for youth, with 10 percent off for members. Kids 2 and under are free.

Each ticket comes with a reusable trick or treat bag, and the route has nine candy stations, costumed characters, animal ambassadors and an allergy redemption station with allergy friendly candy. The zoo warns that its most popular dates sell out quickly, so book the weekend you want now. The zoo is at 2300 Steele St. in City Park.

Evenings at Denver Botanic Gardens and Hudson Gardens

The Denver Gazette’s October 9, 2026 roundup of Halloween events lists Glow at the Gardens at the York Street gardens on October 15 to 18 and 21 to 24, 5:30 to 9 p.m., at $27 to $37, with kids 2 and under free. The same roundup lists Ghosts in the Gardens on October 20 and 28 to 31, at $29 to $34. Check the Denver Botanic Gardens public events page for tickets and times.

Closer to home for Littleton and Englewood families, Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns returns to The Hudson Gardens at 6115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. The Gazette lists it running through November 1, with tickets from $24.99. You will find details on the Hudson Gardens website.

Neighborhood Halloween Events in the South Suburbs

Some of the best Halloween fun is small and close by. The same Denver Gazette roundup lists these south metro events for 2026:

• Trick or Treat Street at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd. in Centennial, on Friday, October 23, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in two time slots. Tickets are $10, and children must come with an adult.
• Pumpkin Plunge at Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave. in Littleton, on October 24 from 3 to 6 p.m., for kids ages 3 to 12, at $25.
• Boo at Roxborough State Park on October 24 from noon to 4 p.m.
• A Halloween creature festival at South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, 3000 W. Carson Dr. in Littleton, on October 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The 1931 film Frankenstein with a live orchestra at Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., on October 31 at 7:30 p.m., with tickets from $35 to $50.

For Teens and Adults: 13th Floor Haunted House

If you want a real scare, 13th Floor Haunted House at 3400 E. 52nd Ave. in north Denver is the classic choice. The Gazette lists it open through November 14, with tickets from $19.99. It is a longer drive from South Denver, so go on a weeknight if you hate lines.

Where Can You See Fall Colors in South Denver Parks?

You do not have to drive to the mountains for color. City trees tend to turn later than the high country aspens, so the parks close to home often look their best after the mountain crowds have gone home.

Washington Park

Washington Park covers about 165 acres between Downing Street and Franklin Street, from Virginia Avenue south to Louisiana Avenue, according to its encyclopedia entry. For fall color, walk the loop around Smith Lake, where the Italian style boathouse built in 1913 sits at the water’s edge, then continue south to Grasmere Lake. The big trees around the lakes and along the inner path frame the reflections on still mornings.

Weekend afternoons are crowded on the loop, and street parking near the lakes fills up fast. Go early in the morning or on a weekday evening, and walk or bike in from the surrounding blocks if you live nearby. If you love the park enough to want to live by it, our guide to buying a home in Washington Park covers what to know before you make an offer.

Observatory Park

Observatory Park, near the University of Denver, is quieter than Wash Park and a lovely place for a fall evening. Its centerpiece is Chamberlin Observatory, which the University of Denver says was established in 1890 and houses a 20 inch refracting telescope. The Denver Astronomical Society holds public nights there that need advance registration, and free monthly open houses with small telescopes on the lawn that do not. Find the schedule on the Denver Astronomical Society events page.

Clear, cool autumn nights are some of the best for stargazing, so pair a walk under the turning trees with a look through the telescope. For more ideas in the neighborhood, see our list of the best things to do in Observatory Park.

Cherry Creek Trail

The Cherry Creek Trail follows the creek through the city and is one of the easiest ways to see a long ribbon of cottonwoods turning gold. Hop on near Cherry Creek North for a walk or ride, or start farther southeast if you want fewer people. Remember that the trail and Cherry Creek State Park are separate from the Cherry Creek neighborhood, even though they share a name. Cottonwoods drop their leaves quickly after the first hard freeze, so do not wait too long.

When Do the Holiday Markets and Light Displays Open?

Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens

Blossoms of Light lights up the York Street gardens from November 20 to January 10, 4:30 to 9 p.m., closed November 26 and December 25, according to the Denver Botanic Gardens winter events page. A sensory friendly night is set for December 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. Ticket prices had not been announced as of mid October. Member presales start November 4, and public tickets go on sale Monday, November 9 at 10 a.m.

Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms

For a south side option without the drive into central Denver, Trail of Lights runs at Chatfield Farms in Littleton on various evenings from November 21 to January 3, 5 to 8:30 p.m. The same Botanic Gardens page lists it closed on November 26, November 30, December 1, December 7, December 8 and December 25. Tickets go on sale on the same schedule as Blossoms of Light.

Denver Christkindlmarket

The German style holiday market returns to the Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus from Friday, November 20 through Wednesday, December 23, 2026, as KOSI 101.1 reported in January. Light rail from the south side is an easy way to skip the downtown parking hunt.

Littleton Candlelight Walk

A favorite small town kickoff to the holidays is the Candlelight Walk in downtown Littleton. The Littleton Downtown Development Authority calendar lists it for Friday, November 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with a parade, free hot cocoa and cider, photos with Santa and a drone show. Come back the next day for Small Business Saturday on November 28 along Main Street.

Tips for Parking, Crowds and Planning Your Weekends

• Buy timed tickets early. The Chatfield corn maze sells tickets online only, and Boo at the Zoo warns that its best dates sell out. Weekend evening slots go first.
• Pick weeknights when you can. Boo at the Zoo on October 30, a weeknight haunted house trip, or a midweek Blossoms of Light visit will be calmer than a Saturday.
• Use the free parking at Chatfield. There is plenty of it, but rideshare drivers have no separate lane, so allow extra time if you are being dropped off.
• Leave the dog at home for Chatfield Farms, where pets are not permitted.
• Dress in layers. Fall evenings in Denver cool off quickly after sunset, and most of these events are outdoors after dark.
• Walk or bike to the parks. If you live in Platt Park, Bonnie Brae or Washington Park West, walking in beats circling for a spot near the lakes.

Want to keep the outings going without spending much? Our guide to free things to do in South Denver has year round ideas, and our roundup of the best outdoor patios in South Denver is handy for those last warm afternoons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Chatfield Farms corn maze close for the season?

The corn maze at Chatfield Farms in Littleton runs Fridays through Sundays through November 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are sold online only, for a set date and time.

How much does Boo at the Zoo cost in 2026?

For October 16 to 18, 23 to 25 and 30, Denver Zoo lists tickets at $27.95 for adults and seniors and $20.95 for youth, with 10 percent off for members. Children 2 and under get in free.

Is there a pumpkin patch inside Denver city limits?

Yes. Four Mile Historic Park at 715 S. Forest Street holds its Pumpkin Harvest Festival on October 17 and 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a pumpkin patch, an accessible patch, crafts and food trucks.

When does Blossoms of Light open this year?

Blossoms of Light opens at the York Street gardens on November 20 and runs to January 10, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Public tickets go on sale November 9 at 10 a.m.; prices had not been posted as of mid October.

What is the closest holiday lights display to Littleton and Highlands Ranch?

Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road in Littleton, runs on various evenings from November 21 to January 3, 5 to 8:30 p.m., and is the closest major display for families in the southwest suburbs.