COLORADO, USA — This weekend features some great opportunities to get outside and experience autumn in Colorado.
Do you have your pumpkin yet? There are pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes and haunted houses in all corners of the Centennial State.
Celebrate the season by experiencing the unique culture, food and geography that makes our state so special at one of these fun events across Colorado this weekend. Don't forget to share your weekend photos with the "Near Me" section on the 9NEWS app. Have a terrific weekend!
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Grand Junction Air Show
GRAND JUNCTION — The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline the Grand Junction Air Show this weekend in their first appearance in Colorado in two years. The team will fly on Saturday and Sunday at the Grand Junction Regional Airport in western Colorado. Organizers said gates will open at 9 a.m. each day with flying beginning at 11 a.m. The main event is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Eclipse
CORTEZ, Colo. — Millions of people across the United States will have two rare chances to see a stunning celestial phenomenon. The United States is in the path of an annular solar eclipse on Saturday, while the next total solar eclipse will pass over 12 states in 2024.
The annular solar eclipse this weekend will cross North, Central and South America Saturday. The thin path of totality for this month's eclipse stretches across the United States from Oregon and down through the Four Corners region into southern Texas. Colorado will get to see the celestial phenomenon as the path of the solar eclipse will pass over the southwest part of the state, including Cortez and Mesa Verde National Park, around 10:30 a.m.
Fall Into Fun
AURORA — Aurora’s fall festival Fall Into Fun takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Great Lawn of the Aurora Municipal Center. The festival offers live performances, food trucks, vendors, fall-themed activities, a pumpkin patch, kids’ activities, inflatables, caricature artists, balloon twisting and face painting. Admission and activities are free.
Swan Lake
DENVER — The Colorado Ballet has opened its 2023-24 season with "Swan Lake." Performed to Tchaikovsky’s score, the beloved, four-act ballet features choreography after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, with additional choreography by Ballet Master Sandra Brown, Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner. Performances are scheduled at Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver through Sunday. For tickets and showtimes, visit ColoradoBallet.org.
Ballet Ariel
DENVER — Ballet Ariel kicks off its silver anniversary, 25th season with “Aurora’s Wedding,” the third act of “Sleeping Beauty” staged by Oleg Dedogryuk and Patricia Renzetti. The production, performed in one act and without intermission, presents an opportunity for fans to see fairy tale characters together in one place. Ballet Ariel's second performance is Saturday at 3 p.m. at Elaine Wolf Theatre at the JCC Mizel Arts and Culture Center. For tickets, visit BalletAriel.org.
Wienermobile
AURORA & LITTLETON — The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be making stops in Colorado this weekend, hot dog officials announced. Driven by brand ambassadors called Hotdoggers, the 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels will be making appearances in Aurora and Littleton to share its mission of getting hot dogs in every hand. The vehicle was first created by Carl Mayer in 1936 and has been delighting the nation ever since.
Safe Street Halloween
NORTHGLENN — Northglenn’s safest and scariest event is back with Safe Street Halloween on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Northglenn Police Department's event will be a street of trick-or-treat fun on Kennedy Drive along Centennial Park. There will be stops provided by Northglenn High School student groups, spooky inflatables, music, candy and trunk-or-treat cars from area businesses.
Motorless Morning at Garden of the Gods
COLORADO SPRINGS — Sunday will be a Motorless Morning at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. All of the park will be closed to motor vehicles from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be a unique opportunity to connect with the sounds and feelings of nature. As always, the park will remain free and open to the public.
Man of the Cliff
AVON — The 13th annual Man of the Cliff is a non-profit event of outdoor, rugged activities which are modified for all strength and ability levels. This year's Man of the Cliff will take place at Nottingham Lake in Avon on Saturday. Events include axe throwing, keg toss, archery speed chopping, spear throwing, caber toss and sledge hammer throwing, which modified for men and women of all sizes and abilities. To register for an event or to learn more, visit ManoftheCliff.com.
Denver Loves Pets Stranger Things
DENVER — Denver Animal Shelter’s largest fundraiser is Denver Loves Pets—Stranger Things, where visitors enter a supernatural world of the Upside Down—Denver style. The event takes place Saturday at the Grant-Humphreys Mansion at 770 Pennsylvania St., from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The evening includes a strolling dinner, open bar, silent and live auctions and entertainment.
Zac Brown Band
GREENWOOD VILLAGE — Zac Brown Band is returning to the Mile High City. The Grammy-winning country rock group will perform at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre on Thursday and Friday. The concerts are the final shows scheduled in 2023 at the Denver outdoor music venue.
Stanford vs. Colorado
BOULDER — Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes football team return home to Boulder after getting a victory on the road last weekend in Tempe. The Buffs (4-2) host the Stanford Cardinal at 8 p.m. Friday at Folsom Field.
Wyoming vs. Air Force
- Saturday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m.
- Falcon Stadium, Fort Collins
- Tickets at GoAirForceFalcons.com
Sacramento State vs. Northern Colorado
- Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m.
- Nottingham Field, Greeley
- Tickets at UNCBears.com
Boise State vs. Colorado State
- Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7:45 p.m.
- Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins
- Tickets at CSURams.com
South Dakota Mines vs. Colorado School of Mines
- Saturday, Oct. 14, at 12 p.m.
- Alumni Field at Marv Kay Stadium, Golden
- Tickets at MinesAthletics.com
Colorado Mesa vs. Fort Lewis College
- Saturday, Oct. 14, at 12 p.m.
- Ray Dennison Memorial Field, Durango
- Tickets at GoSkyHawks.com
Chadron State vs. Adams State
- Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m.
- Rex Stadium, Alamosa
- Tickets at ASUGrizzlies.com
Black Hills State vs. Western Colorado
- Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m.
- Katy O. Rady Field, Gunnison
- Tickets at GoMountaineers.com
Chicago Bulls vs. Denver Nuggets
DENVER — The NBA champion Denver Nuggets are back to defend their title. The club begins a new campaign with a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at Ball Arena in Denver. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.
Telluride Horror Show
TELLURIDE — The 14th annual Telluride Horror Show is Colorado's first and largest horror film festival. The 2022 festival runs Friday to Sunday with feature films, special programs, guests and events. The lineup includes a mix of horror, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy films, many being shown for the first time in the country. For a complete schedule or passes, head to TellurideHorrorShow.com.
Victorian Horrors at the Molly Brown House
DENVER — Molly Brown House Museum is hosting the 30th annual Victorian Horrors on weekends this October. Gothic horror tales by well-known but long-gone authors are told throughout the house as portrayed by acclaimed local actors. This year’s offerings include stories from the likes of H.G. Wells and Edgar Allan Poe alongside the local spirit of Mary Coyle Chase. Tickets to attend Victorian Horrors are available with admission times every 15 minutes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Vincon: Vintage Video Game Convention
LOVELAND — Vincon, an annual retro video game convention, returns this weekend at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland. Vincon brings together video game enthusiasts as well as collectors of comics, trading cards, figures and pop culture treasure. This weekend's convention runs Saturday and Sunday with over 7,000 square feet of free play consoles, computers and arcades, over 30 console and arcade tournaments, a retro video game swap meet, carnival games, hobby workshops, vendors, cosplay contests and live music. You can snag your tickets at VinconColorado.com.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival
DENVER — The Pumpkin Harvest Festival offers old-fashioned fall fun at Denver's Four Mile Historic Park. Guests can build their own scarecrow, select a pumpkin from the patch, tour the grounds in a horse-drawn wagon and explore how Coloradans lived and prepared for the season in the 1800s. There will also be live music, food trucks, pioneer games, crafts and blacksmith demonstrations. The Pumpkin Harvest Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Scarecrow Festival
MONTROSE — Montrose Botanic Gardens will host its Scarecrow Festival on Saturday and Sunday with free admission. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday there will be kids’ crafts, cider press, library story walk and bookmobile.
Pumpkin Pie Days: Vintage & Antique Market
LONGMONT — The 53rd annual Pumpkin Pie Days Vintage & Antique Market will be held this weekend at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The antique and vintage show features more than 80 dealers in antiques and collectibles. Pumpkin Pie Days Vintage & Antique Market will be open Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10 per person and children under 12 are free. Proceeds benefit the St. Vrain Historical Society.
Nick's Garden Center Fall Fest
AURORA — Nick's Garden Center and Farm Market in Aurora hosts a fall festival every day in October. There are games, rides, mazes, train rides, photo opportunities, straw maze, putt-putt golf course, pedal karts, an inflatable obstacle course and pumpkin patch.
Miners’ Pumpkin Patch
COLORADO SPRINGS — The Western Museum of Mining & Industry has opened its 2023 Miners' Pumpkin Patch. Admission includes unlimited play at the pumpkin patch games, hayrides and gold panning. The patch will be open Saturdays through Oct. 28.
Colorado Springs Sugar Plum Food & Gift Mart
COLORADO SPRINGS — The largest holiday show in Colorado Springs arrives in October. The Colorado Springs Sugar Plum Food & Gift Mart features hundreds of vendors with handcrafted goods, home décor, gourmet food, art, crafts, jewelry, boutique clothing, photography, toys, Christmas decorations and more. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also be traveling down from the North Pole for the weekend and will be hanging out at the Winter Wonderland display. The Sugar Plum Food & Gift Mart takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Colorado Springs Event Center off Palmer Park and Academy. Admission is $8 for adults and kids under age 16 are free.
Día de los Muertos Family Celebration
LONGMONT — A Día de los Muertos Family Celebration will be held at 4th Avenue and Main Street in downtown Longmont on Saturday. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. attendees can enjoy a free street festival will include music and dance performances, art and craft activities, cultural education, delicious food, downtown business altars, and the Gigantes Procession.
Haunted Field of Screams
THORNTON — Haunted Field of Screams, Colorado’s largest haunted attraction, has opened for the 2023 season. Built into a 40-acre corn field, the attraction delivers an indoor and outdoor haunt experience along the famously haunted Riverdale Road. Haunted Field of Screams is open select days through Halloween.
Haunted houses
COLORADO —The first haunted houses of the autumn season are ready for Halloween. HellScream Haunted House, 13th Floor Haunted House and Frightmare Compound have opened in Denver and the Fear Complex Haunted House is running in Colorado Springs.
Maize in the City
THORNTON — If you're looking for a fun, fall event, consider Maize in the City in Thornton. There is a 20-acre corn maze, mini maze, barrel train ride, corn launcher, petting zoo and more. Admission to the Maize in the City site is free with attraction ticket prices varying. The site will be open various days through Tuesday, Oct. 31. Check out all the activities and snag your tickets at MaizeintheCity.com.
PHOTOS: Maize in the City in Thornton
Fritzler Farm Park
LaSALLE — Fritzler Farm Park is open for the season with more than 15 attractions plus its famous corn maze. There will be pedal go-carts, pumpkin patch, human foosball, tetherball, ball zone, slide mountain, face painting, yard games, beer garden and more. Fritzler Farm Park will remain open through Sunday, Oct. 29. The farm's haunted attractions and "Scream Acres" begins at dusk. Tickets can be purchased at FritzlerFarmPark.com.
Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms
LITTLETON — If you're looking for a festive fall tradition, consider the Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms. The seven-acre corn maze corn maze is perfect for adults, while the little ones can explore the corn mini-maze. There will also be barrel train rides, escape rooms, food vendors and more. The Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms will be open at various times through Sunday, Oct. 29. Tickets can be found at BotanicGardens.org.
Magic of the Jack O' Lanterns
LITTLETON — A Halloween lights festival is returning to Hudson Gardens in Littleton for a third year. Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns features a family-friendly glowing trail of more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins as well as light show displays such as a nautical seascape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, and dragons. The festival runs select nights through Tuesday, Oct. 31.
Fright Fest
DENVER — Elitch Gardens' annual Halloween event is back with a vengeance in 2023. The Fright Fest fall festival kicks off Saturday for five weekends of hair-raising fun. Elitch Gardens Fright Fest has thrills and chills for ghouls of all ages. Guests can enjoy Fun by Day and Fright by Night, plus all their favorite theme park rides. For tickets, visit ElitchGardens.com/Fright-Fest.
Wild Fall
DENVER — Denver has been transformed for "falloween" fun to celebrate all wildlife this month. Wild Fall at Denver Zoo features roaming costumed characters, creature-themed professional pumpkin carvings, festive food and spooky drinks, and special animal demonstrations that connect these supernatural beings to the real-life natural world. Wild Fall activities are free with daytime admission and take place during regular Zoo hours starting at 8:30 a.m. for members and 10 a.m. for the general public.
Mile High Farms
BENNETT — A traditional Colorado fall event is back east of Denver. Mile High Farms is open for autumn with two corn mazes, antique tractor ride, pumpkin patch, barrel cart rides, bounce houses, farm animals, entertainment, playground and more. Mile High Farms is located just east of Denver off Interstate 70 and Manila Road. Tickets and a maze map can be found at MileHighFarms.com.
Anderson Farms Fall Festival
ERIE — The fall festival at Anderson Farms just may be your one-stop-shop for all things autumn. The festival features a 25-acre corn maze, wagon rides, pumpkin cannon, combine slide, kids maze, backyard pedal karts, wooden train, tire mountain, fire pit, farm animals, sand diggers and more. The farm's fall festival runs through Monday, Oct. 30. Ticket options can be found at AndersonFarms.com.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
ANTONITO — Are you ready to see the Colorado "Gold Rush"? Hop aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad this weekend to see the spectacular autumn colors. The railroad travels through several different ecological zones at different elevations, including low meadows and up the top of 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass, so you're sure to see some beautiful aspens. There are daily departures on the train through Saturday, Oct. 21, as well as a special dinner train. Fall rides are extremely popular, so book early at CumbresToltec.com.
Red Rocks
DENVER — There is no better venue for live music in the country than Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre and although summer is flying by, but there's still time to catch a show at one of the world's best venues.
Concerts at Red Rocks are scheduled through Friday, Nov. 12, when Of the Trees with Barclay Crenshaw, Yheti, kLL sMTH, and The Librarian close out the 2023 season.
- Thursday, Oct. 12 - LSDream
- Friday, Oct. 13 - Alison Wonderland, Crooked Colours, Jon Casey
- Saturday, Oct. 14 - Midland
- Sunday, Oct. 15 - G Jones
- Monday, Oct. 16 - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Cabaret
AURORA — "Cabaret" is the newest musical at Aurora's Vintage Theatre. "Cabaret" is set in Berlin during the twilight of the Jazz Age at the seedy Kit Kat Klub a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the cabaret. The musical focuses on the hedonistic nightlife and revolves around American writer Clifford Bradshaw’s relations with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles as the Nazis are ascending to power. The musical plays the Vintage Theatre through Sunday, Oct. 22.
Movies this weekend
Taylor Swift has been at the top of the charts and on billboards, but in October, she'll reach a new stage: the silver screen. The pop icon's concert film covering her current "Eras Tour" will be coming to theaters in the U.S. starting Friday.
Tickets are available for purchase at AMC Theatres, Regal Theater, Cinemark and Fandango.
The concert was likely filmed at L.A.'s SoFi Stadium in August. During the first three of Swift's six nights at the stadium, there were extra cameras around to catch the performance, launching initial speculation that a concert film was coming.
New movies this weekend
- Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour
Last weekend's box office
- “The Exorcist: Believer,” $27.2 million.
- “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” $11.8 million.
- “Saw X,” $8.2 million.
- “The Creator,” $6.1 million.
- “The Blind,” $3.1 million.
- “A Haunting In Venice,” $2.6 million.
- “The Nun II,” $2.1 million.
- “Dumb Money,” $1.8 million.
- "Hocus Pocus" (1993 rerelease), $1.5 million.
> Would you like to see your favorite Colorado festival, fair, expo, concert, drama, musical, ballet, run or event listed in 9Things? Send it to alexander.kirk@9news.com.
Colorado fall colors 2023
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