Lace up and get ready to hit the ground running in the Mile High City this weekend. With tons of fun on the horizon, where do you even begin? Grab a bite at Satellite Bar’s Chili Cook-Off or show off Fido’s Halloween attire at the Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade at Denver Union Station.
Activities, Events, Shows, and More in Denver This Weekend
Weekend plans looking a little bleak? It’s time to turn that around! Check out these can’t-miss Denver area events, games, performances, and festivals. Enjoy the autumn vibes and put your Halloween costume through a test run or cheer on the Denver Nuggets as they face off against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena!
Satellite Bar’s Chili Cook-Off
Where? 308 East Colfax Avenue
When? October 25th
This Saturday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, dive into all the chili you’d ever want to sample at the Satellite Bar’s Chili Cook-Off. Check out the Man Cave Silent Auction where you can score unique memorabilia, quirky treasures and one-of-a-kind finds. Every bite and every bid at Saturday’s cook-off helps to support Satellite Bar during the disruptive BRT construction, so come on out and show some love for the community. Come hungry and enjoy cold drinks and hot chili while you taste entries from local cooks and cast your vote on your favorite recipe. This will be the first cook-off of its kind on Colfax Avenue, so get in on the ground floor and maybe this event will become an annual tradition!
PRO Tip: Attendees are encouraged to walk, roll or ride share. If you plan to drive and need parking, paid parking can be located at Grant Street and 16th Street or metered parking can be found along Grant.
Spirits & Spirits
Where? 715 South Forest Street
When? October 25th
This Saturday, sink your teeth into ghoulish and spooky vibes at Four Mile Historic Park. Spirits & Spirits will be held from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with general admission tickets priced at $30 and The Velvet Fang tickets priced at $85. The Velvet Fang Pass includes everything in general admission, as well as a welcome cocktail, a dedicated bar, a sweet & salty snack bar, a paint your own pumpkin and more! This is a 21 and up event. The evening will feature craft cocktails, haunted history and eerie celebrations. Wander the park grounds as you enjoy live entertainment on the Sundry Stage, including captivating performances of all kinds. You can even participate in a costume contest or jump aboard a haunted tractor!
PRO Tip: Make sure to swing by the Metaphysical Marketplace, where you’ll find crystals, curios and otherworldly items.
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
Where? 1000 Chopper Circle
When? October 25th
The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The team competes in the NBA and plays their home games at Ball Arena. This Saturday, the team is hosting the Phoenix Suns at a 7:00 PM home game, so grab your tickets now and cheer extra loud! For all Nuggets games, guests under the age of three years old are permitted to sit in a ticketed guest’s lap for no additional fee.
PRO Tip: The Toyota lots at Ball Arena open three hours prior to events. For most events, Ball Arena doors will open an hour before the event time. There is also a strict bag policy in place at the venue, which can be reviewed here.
Día de los Muertos
Where? 101 West 14th Avenue
When? October 25th
The Denver Botanic Gardens, with support by Denver Arts & Venues through the DENVER CREATES Fund, are bringing Día de los Muertos to Civic Center this weekend. This event is intended to honor the presence of ancestors and loved ones who have passed, all while bringing the community together. This is a free, family-friendly event that will feature beautifully decorated altars created by local non-profits and community-centered organizations. There will also be interactive art installations, authentic music and dancing, and an artisan and craft marketplace. For refreshments, delicious Mexican food and beverages will be available to purchase.
PRO Tip: Pay a visit to the community ofrenda, which will be decorated with photos of loved ones. Feel free to bring a photo or small personal item of someone close to you who has passed to pay your respects!
Broadway Halloween Parade
Where? 1st & Broadway
When? October 25th
Denver’s Broadway Halloween Parade will feature 70+ floats handing out free candy — what could be better than that? The parade will begin at 500 North Broadway at 6:00 PM. Port-a-potties will be situated along the route, as well as trashcans to discard candy wrappers. 2025’s route will be longer than in years past, with floats traveling south on Broadway to Virginia. The parade is presented by The Campos Foundation. There will be music, marchers and plenty of awesome community members to cheer on the floats. Watch monstrous marching bands, undead horses and groups of macabre dancers as they take to the street to kick off Halloween.
PRO Tip: There are no tickets required to spectate the parade. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive by 5:00 PM to secure the best views along the route.
Ghosts & Goblins 5K
Where? 2001 Colorado Boulevard
When? October 26th
The Ghosts & Goblins 5K will be held this Sunday at City Park. Both the 5K and the 10K begin at 9:00 AM, so arrive on time and get ready to race! Registration will be $36 and $46, respectively, up until race day — at which point the fee will rise by $4. Your registration fee includes a race logo shirt, a finishers medal, finish line food tables, fully stocked aid stations, professional chip timing and more. There will be an awards ceremony near the finish line after the race, with awards presented to the top male and female winners in each race as well as to the top three in each age group ranging from 9 and under to 80 and over.
PRO Tip: The time limit for the course is 1 hour and 40 minutes due to park constraints. This works out to 16 minutes per mile for the 10K and 32 minutes per mile for the 5K.
The Bloody Mary Festival
Where? 1399 35th Street
When? October 26th
Do you love Bloody Marys? Well now is your chance to embrace the best Bloody Marys in Denver, all under one roof! For one day only this Sunday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, head over to Reelworks and vote on The People’s Choice Award at the 9th annual Bloody Mary Festival. The event brings together the best mixes made by local bars and restaurants. In addition to the star of the show, there will also be other food, beverages and innovative products to sample and explore. There will be an array of photo ops, as well as temporary tattoos and more. General admission is priced at $58.26, including fees, and runs from 12:15 PM to 2:30 PM. VIP guests can gain entrance at 11:30 AM.
PRO Tip: If you want to experience all of the fun but none of the booze, grab a designated driver ticket for just $33.60!
Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade
Where? 1701 Wynkoop Street
When? October 26th
Denver Union Station invites you to the Howl-a-Ween Pet Parade this weekend, marketed as a spooktacular event for you and your furry friends! This Sunday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, bring your furry companion out in their spookiest, funniest or most creative costumes and strut your stuff in the pet parade. Families and pet lovers alike will love the photo ops and prizes will be awarded for best-dressed pets.
PRO Tip: There is no fee to attend the parade or admission charged at the door. Just come on out and be ready to have a great time with new friends, pups and neighbors!
Family-Friendly Activities in Denver This Weekend
Halloween is almost here, so it’s understandable if the kids are chomping at the bit to go trick-or-treating. Get your spooky groove on early at Boo at the Zoo or Glow Before Dark at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Hauntings in the Hangar
Where? 7711 East Academy Boulevard
When? October 25th
Want to do something extra unique this Halloween season? Wings Over the Rockies is hosting Hauntings in the Hangar this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Air & Space Museum. Celebrate the spooky holiday in the hangar with thrills and chills for all ages. Costumes are encouraged and there will be an array of frightfully festive family activities to participate in, such as trick-or-treat candy stations, a scavenger hunt, discovery carts, crafts, balloon animals, movie cars and more! Open cockpits on Saturday include the Star Wars™ Pod Racer, the Star Wars™ Incom T-65 X-Wing Fighter, the Paser-Busby Mustang II, and the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger.
PRO Tip: Candy bags will be offered while supplies last, so arrive early! No weapons of any kind, including costume weapons, are allowed inside the museum. This includes fake swords, knives and guns, as well as pointed or sharp objects.
Trick or Treat Street
Where? Larimer Square
When? October 25th
Halloween is taking over Larimer Square this Saturday for Trick or Treat Street. From 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, this family-friendly Halloween celebration will be turning the block into a vibrant destination where kids (and kids at heart) can stroll, collect candy and enjoy seasonal activities for all ages. Whether you’re excited for pumpkin decorating, costume photo ops or more, there’s something for everyone in Larimer Square. Participating trick-or-treating businesses include Garage Sale Vintage, Beach Haus Swim, Osteria Marco, Corridor 44, Cotopaxi, Milly Rose and many more.
PRO Tip: There will be complimentary Larimer Square branded tote bags to collect the candy while supplies last. You can also get your photo snapped by the pros at The Unfound Door!
Glow Before Dark
Where? 1007 York Street
When? Through October 26th
Glow at the Gardens is celebrating 10 years of magic! This exciting autumnal event at the Denver Botanic Gardens is unlike any other but tickets may be sold out already. If that’s the case, then Glow Before Dark is your next best bet! From 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, enjoy a daytime visit while you take in the enchanting vignettes from the nighttime event. Many of the decorations are just as delightful during the day, such as the spooky scenes that don’t seem as frightful under the bright sun. There are skeleton displays, a graveyard, a field of scarecrows and more. Bring the family out for an exciting visit to the Botanic Gardens at York Street, featuring a wide range of gardens and collections across 24 acres.
PRO Tip: Costume masks obscuring the entire face are not permitted for guests over the age of 17 at the gardens.
Boo at the Zoo
Where? 2300 Steele Street
When? Through October 31st
Boo at the Zoo is almost wrapping up for the year, so make the most of the Halloween season and grab your tickets now! This beloved trick-or-treating experience invites guests to encounter mysterious cryptid creatures, visit candy stations and enjoy seasonal snacks. There’s something magical around every corner, so stay alert and you might just end up with all of your favorite candies! Tickets provide access to nine candy stations, animal ambassadors, festive photo ops, and more. Bring your own trick-or-treating bag, which can be decorated at the zoo! There will also be an optional $5 “Lil’ Boo Bag” with treats for kids ages 2 and under. Admission this weekend is priced at $28 for adults and seniors, $21 for youth and free for little ones ages two and under. Members can save 10%!
PRO Tip: October 31st will be the final Boo at the Zoo date for 2025. It’s also a sensory-friendly night from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM, giving all families the opportunity to enjoy this community favorite event.
Have Fun This Weekend in Denver
We hope this weekend provides ample opportunity to relax, recharge and of course, get some free Halloween candy! After all, even the kids at heart can appreciate a mini bag of Skittles or a full size Twix bar if you’re lucky. Circle back with us next week for an updated list of what’s going on in Denver.