Halloween 2026 lands on a Saturday for the first time since 2020. It won’t happen again until 2037. That alone makes this year’s season the one to plan around. But there’s more. Daylight saving time ends at 2 AM on Sunday, November 1, which means clocks fall back an hour the night after Halloween. For any event running past 2 AM on Saturday night into Sunday morning, that extra hour extends the party. Halloween itself is a standard 24-hour day, but the bars that stay open past midnight get a bonus hour before sunrise.
Denver’s Halloween season doesn’t wait for October. It kicks off September 11 when the first haunted houses open and runs all the way through November 14. That’s over two months of scare attractions, family-friendly festivals, 21+ costume parties, Día de los Muertos celebrations, and everything in between.
One thing worth knowing up front. When people say “Denver Halloween events,” they really mean the full metro area. Some of the most popular attractions sit 15 to 45 minutes outside downtown in places like Westminster, Thornton, Littleton, Lafayette, and Erie. Every listing in this guide includes a drive-time estimate from downtown Denver so you can plan your night without surprises.
Whether you’re hunting for the best Halloween bar crawl to hit with your squad or a pumpkin-lit trail the whole family can enjoy, this guide has you covered.
21+ Parties, Bar Crawls, and Nightlife (The Saturday Night Slate)
Saturday Halloween means every venue in Denver is fighting for your night. The 21+ slate in 2026 ranges from multi-venue bar crawls through downtown to full building takeovers with open bars and costume contests. Here’s where to spend your night.
Denver Halloween Bar Crawl by PubCrawls
The Denver Halloween Bar Crawl hits Saturday, October 24 at 4 PM. Check in at The Passport on Broadway, grab your wristband and digital 3D map, then hit venues across LoDo, Ballpark, and RiNo. Your ticket gets you 2 to 3 complimentary drinks, waived covers, crawler-only specials, live DJs, a pro photographer, and after-party access. Groups of 20+ get discounts and VIP perks. Denver sits at 5,280 feet, so hydrate between stops. RTD light rail to Union Station puts you right there.
Paranormal Palace (DoubleTree DTC)
Paranormal Palace is a full hotel takeover at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Greenwood Village on October 31, 8 PM to 1 AM. Parties run in both the Atrium and Ballroom with 30+ performers, DJs, interactive experiences, and dynamic light shows. The Atrium features 41 balcony rooms overlooking the main dance floor. Costumes are mandatory. The costume contest pays out $2,500 in cash and prizes, the largest in Colorado. Book a discounted room through the event page and ride the elevator home. About 20 to 25 minutes south of downtown.
Meow Wolf Convergence Station (Cosmic Howl)
The Cosmic Howl returns to Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station on October 31, 8 PM to 1 AM. This 21+ party turns 90,000 square feet of immersive art into one of the weirdest nights in Denver. All four worlds stay open while live music, fire performers, DJs, and cabaret acts take over the building. Costume contest categories include Most Intergalactic Couple and Most Tim Burton. Specialty cocktails flow at Sips (With a Z). It sold out in its debut year, so grab tickets early at tickets.meowwolf.com. Located in central Denver near downtown.
Coloween (Bounce Empire, Lafayette)
Coloween is Colorado’s biggest 21+ Halloween party, now in its 19th year. It takes over Bounce Empire in Lafayette, the world’s largest indoor inflatable park. 50,000 square feet, zero kids. Slides, obstacle courses, and a 42-foot bounce dome all run while DJs play a 360-degree stage. Nine party rooms. $1,000 cash costume contest. Tickets start at $79 all-in with open bar included. Doors at 9 PM for VIP, 10 PM for GA, running until 3 AM. About 25 minutes northwest of downtown. The clocks go back that night, so you get the extra hour.
Denver Halloween Bar Crawl (LoDo/RiNo)
The Denver Halloween Bar Crawl is built for groups who want Halloween handled. One wristband gets your crew into multiple bars across LoDo and RiNo with no covers, exclusive specials, and a digital map keeping everyone on the same route. Live DJs at select stops keep the energy up and a pro photographer captures the night. Flash your wristband and let the night unfold.Grab tickets early because the best rates go first.
Haunted Houses and Scare Attractions
Denver’s haunted house season is one of the strongest in the country. Major attractions open weeks before Halloween and run deep into November. Here are the heavyweights.
13th Floor Haunted House
13th Floor returns for its 19th season at 3400 E 52nd Ave in Elyria-Swansea, about 10 minutes from downtown. Open September 11 through November 14, tickets from $19.99. New for 2026 is the officially licensed Jason Universe walkthrough featuring Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, plus The Stitchworks and Cathedral of the Crimson Queen. The expanded midway features mini escape games, axe throwing, secret bars, and Tiki Tarot. Run by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group.
The Frightmare Compound
The Frightmare Compound runs September 11 through November 7 in Westminster, roughly 20 minutes northwest of downtown. One of the oldest haunts in Denver with over three decades of scares. New for 2026 is Frightmare Town, a twisted miniature horror town with escape room games, plus a retro 1950s Airstream scene. Also houses a Monster Museum, Crypt Keeper Coffee shop, and zombie paintball. Three terrifying walkthroughs with Hollywood-quality sets. Free parking.
Haunted Field of Screams
Haunted Field of Screams opens September 25 in Thornton, roughly 20 minutes north of downtown. This 40-acre outdoor scream park sits along the notoriously haunted Riverdale Road. One ticket gets you four attractions including the namesake cornfield haunt, Dead Man’s Night Maze, and Zombie Paintball Massacre from a mounted trailer. Roughly a mile of outdoor trails and scare structures. GA starts at $39.99 with VIP and Instant Access upgrades available. Best on weeknights early in the season.
Elitch Gardens Fright Fest
Fright Fest runs September 26 through November 1 on weekends at Elitch Gardens in central Denver, right next to downtown with light rail access. Fun By Day runs noon to 6 PM with family-friendly trick-or-treating and activities. Fright By Night takes over after dark with haunted houses, TERRORtory scare zones, and rides running in the dark. Haunted houses require a separate Haunt Pass. The only Denver haunt where you can ride roller coasters too. Great for mixed groups.
Terror in the Corn at Anderson Farms
Terror in the Corn opens September 25 at Anderson Farms in Erie, roughly 40 minutes north of downtown. Plan for the drive. Rated the top haunted attraction in Colorado five years running, this mile-long haunt drops you by trailer into a massive cornfield leading to the abandoned town of Raven’s Gulch. Your ticket includes Fall Festival access with a 25-acre corn maze, 70 pumpkin varieties, and fire pits. Timed ticketing keeps lines manageable. Come early for the festival, stay for the scares.
Tips on Getting the Most Out of Haunt Season
VIP and Fast Pass tickets are worth the upgrade at every Denver-area haunt. Thursday and Sunday nights are always less crowded than Friday and Saturday. Early season visits in late September and early October give you the shortest lines across the board. October nights in Denver get cold after sunset, so dress in layers you can stash once you’re inside.
Family-Friendly Events
Not every Halloween event needs jump scares and open bars. Denver’s family-friendly lineup is stacked with trick-or-treating, illuminated trails, and overnight adventures.
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo runs 13 evenings from October 2 through 30 at Denver Zoo in City Park. This timed, ticketed event keeps crowds manageable. Work your way through nine candy stations, meet cryptid creatures, visit Animal Ambassadors, and snap festive photos. Adults $27.95, youth $20.95, kids two and under free. October 31 is a dedicated sensory-friendly night. Sells out fast. Tickets drop September 4.
Glow at the Gardens
Glow at the Gardens celebrates its 10th anniversary at Denver Botanic Gardens from October 15 to 18 and October 21 to 24. Wander illuminated paths brought to life by live performers alongside hand-carved pumpkins from real, locally grown gourds. New for 2026 are three color-coded paths to explore in any order. Tickets at $37 adults, $29 children, online only. Sells out weeks in advance every single year. Buy early.
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns runs September 18 through November 1 at Hudson Gardens in Littleton, roughly 20 minutes south of downtown. Stroll a glowing trail of 7,000+ hand-carved pumpkins with larger-than-life sculptures of pirate ships, dinosaurs, and pop-culture icons. A synchronized light show runs every 30 minutes. The Enchanted Hollow trail, introduced during the event’s fifth-anniversary season in 2025, returns for 2026 with expanded displays, additional light installations, and 70+ new Jack O’Lantern artistic displays along the one-third-mile add-on path.
Halloween Family Overnight at Denver Museum of Nature and Science
The Bones, Bats, Boo! overnight happens October 23 at Denver Museum of Nature and Science in City Park. Families arrive in costume at 6 PM for hands-on Halloween science, spooky crafts, story time, and a show in the Gates Planetarium. Then you sleep among the animals in the museum’s diorama halls surrounded by polar bears and zebras. Pizza dinner, snack, and hot breakfast included. Tickets around $90.
Arts, Culture, and Día de los Muertos
Denver’s Halloween season extends beyond costumes and candy. The city’s Día de los Muertos celebrations bring together community, art, and tradition.
Día de los Muertos at Civic Center Park
This free celebration takes over Civic Center Park in downtown Denver on October 24. Presented by Denver Botanic Gardens and produced with Manos Sagrados and Civic Center Conservancy. Enjoy 60+ artisan and food vendors, community altars and ofrendas, art installations, live music, Mexica dancers, and a community procession. Youth programming at McNichols Building includes bilingual story times. A space to reflect, remember, and celebrate.
Muertos en Westwood Street Festival
Organized by Hecho en Westwood, this free multi-day festival takes over Morrison Road in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood in early November. Each day honors a different facet of Día de los Muertos. One evening celebrates pre-colonization traditions with Danza Mexika and a procession. Another highlights Chicano and Mexican-American reclamation of the holiday with lowriders and live painting. Folklórico, mariachi, altars, and food fill the road.
Longmont Día de los Muertos Celebration
Longmont hosts Colorado’s longest-standing public Day of the Dead celebration, now in its 27th year. The free Family Fiesta fills downtown Longmont on October 24 with live music, sugar-skull decorating, Catrina face painting, and food trucks. The highlight is the Gigantes Procession with traditional papier-mâché puppets standing 10 to 15 feet tall, led by Aztec dancers. Draws 6,000+ annually. About 45 minutes north of Denver with a free shuttle.
Free Events Worth Knowing About
Each of these events is free on its specific date only. Mark your calendar and show up.
- Broadway Halloween Parade (October 17): The seventh annual South Broadway Halloween Parade features spooky floats, funky bands, and a hearse procession. Dress up and join in or watch from the sidewalk.
- Día de los Muertos at Civic Center Park (October 24): Full details in the Arts and Culture section above. Community altars, live music, 60+ vendors, and a procession in downtown Denver.
- Union Station Trick-or-Treating (October 29): Annual family-friendly trick-or-treat event at historic Union Station in downtown Denver.
- Denver Zombie Crawl (Date TBD): Free zombie festival and pub hop through LoDo, open to all ages. Costume contests and DJs on the street. You only pay for food and drinks at participating bars.
- DarknessCon (Halloween weekend, Northglenn): Daytime horror convention floor is free. Evening masquerade ball on Halloween night is just $10.
Planning Your Halloween 2026 in Denver
Denver’s Halloween events spread across the entire metro. Use these zone groupings to plan your night.
Downtown and Central Denver (Walkable or Short Rideshare)
This is where most options cluster. 13th Floor is about 10 minutes out. Elitch Gardens Fright Fest sits next to downtown with light rail access. Boo at the Zoo and the Denver Museum are in City Park. Glow at the Gardens is at Denver Botanic Gardens. Meow Wolf is near Elitch. TheDenver Halloween Bar Crawl covers LoDo, Ballpark, and RiNo. Union Station Trick-or-Treating, the Broadway Parade, and Día de los Muertos at Civic Center are all on foot downtown.
South Metro (15 to 25 Minute Drive)
Two standout events south of the city. Paranormal Palace takes over the DoubleTree in Greenwood Village, about 20 to 25 minutes out. Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns lights up Hudson Gardens in Littleton, roughly 20 minutes south. Both worth the drive.
North Metro (20 to 25 Minute Drive)
Haunt country. The Frightmare Compound in Westminster and Haunted Field of Screams in Thornton are both roughly 20 minutes north. DarknessCon is in Northglenn, adjacent to Thornton. Hit a haunt and the convention in the same evening.
Farther Out (30 to 45+ Minute Drive)
Coloween at Bounce Empire in Lafayette is about 25 minutes northwest. Terror in the Corn at Anderson Farms in Erie is roughly 40 minutes north. Longmont’s Día de los Muertos celebrations are about 45 minutes out. Plan around the drive, especially on Halloween night.
Make 2026 the Halloween You Talk About for Years
The last Saturday Halloween was 2020 and the next one after this is 2037. This is the year to go big in Denver. Whether you’re hitting the Denver Halloween Bar Crawl with your crew, surviving Jason Voorhees at 13th Floor, bouncing through Coloween at 1 AM, or watching your kid’s face light up among 7,000 carved pumpkins, the options are here. The season runs September 11 through November 14. Bookmark this page and check back as more events confirm dates and ticket prices.
