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9Things to do in Colorado this weekend: Oct. 18-20

All signs point to Halloween with spooky fairs, festivals, parades and haunted houses in all corners of the Centennial State.

COLORADO, USA — Colorado is ready for Halloween.

This weekend offers dozens of Halloween and fall harvest events for kids and adults. Soak in autumn this weekend at one of dozens of corn mazes and haunted houses, or at festivals in Aurora, Northglenn, Westminster and Colorado Springs.

A popular Halloween parade is returning to the streets of Denver on Saturday and a spooky drive-through lights display is set up in Federal Heights.

After sold-out runs in Denver in 2018 and 2022, "Hamilton" is back to the Mile High City this weekend. The national tour of the hit musical will perform at the Buell Theatre.

Be sure to share your weekend photos with the "Near Me" feature on the 9NEWS app.

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Credit: Joan Marcus

Hamilton

DENVER — After sold-out runs in Denver in 2018 and 2022, "Hamilton" is back in the Mile High City. The national tour of the hit musical will perform at the Buell Theatre from Wednesday, Oct. 16, to Sunday, Nov. 24. "Hamilton" features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The musical features a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway. Tickets are on sale at DenverCenter.org.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts announced a digital ticket lottery will issue a limited number of tickets to every performance for $10 each.

RELATED: 'Hamilton' in Colorado: How to get $10 lottery tickets

Credit: Broadway Merchants Association

Broadway Halloween Parade

DENVER — The Broadway Halloween Parade is back again. Back for the 6th time, the parade features spooky floats, bands, marchers, magicians and more. The parade, which travels down Broadway from 5th Avenue to Alameda Avenue through Denver's South Broadway area, was nearly canceled until it was able to raise enough money for pedestrian barriers. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday.

RELATED: Denver parade in danger of being canceled raises enough money to go on

Credit: City of Aurora

Fall into Fun

AURORA — Aurora’s Fall Into Fun autumn festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Aurora Municipal Center. The festival offers food trucks, vendors, trick-or-treating, inflatables, face painting, a trackless train, mechanical bull riding and a pumpkin patch. There will also be live performances by Jacob Larson, Cody Landstrom and Conjunto Colores.

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.

RELATED: Trick-or-treat events around the Denver area

Westy Fest

WESTMINSTER — The Westminster Halloween Harvest Festival is now Westy Fest. The free event is Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Westminster City Park. There will be carnival games, trick-or-treating, hot air balloons, live music, food trucks, jumping castles, pumpkin patch and live music.

Pumpkins in the Park 

COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs' Old Colorado City will host its Pumpkins in the Park on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The festival offers a pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, face painting, balloon artist, sidewalk sales, fall crafts and live music at Bancroft Park.

Treat Street

AURORA — Kids and families are in for two days of safe trick-or-treating, games and activities as part of Treat Street at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. Treat Street will be held Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to trick-or-treating stations, the Fairgrounds will offer an animal petting farm, live entertainment, costume contests, pumpkin painting, food trucks, face painting, hayrides, haunted house and inflatable corn maze.

Credit: Spooky Light Show

Spooky Light Show

FEDERAL HEIGHTS — Denver's biggest Christmas drive-through light display is celebrating spooky season before the holiday season. Spooky Light Show has opened in the parking lot of Water World with millions of lights synchronized to Halloween music. From the creators of Christmas in Color, the drive-through display will be open through Oct. 30. Tickets can be reserved at SpookyLightShow.com for $30 per vehicle.

RELATED: Drive-through Halloween lights display opens

Harvest Haunt

GOLDEN — Colorado Railroad Museum’s annual Harvest Haunt on Saturday and Sunday features the Olde Railroaders Silly Graveyard, “not-so-spooky” Haunted Railcars, a hay bale maze, and musical ensembles performing throughout the day in the outdoor pavilion. An authentic, coal-burning Colorado steam locomotive will pull trains for this event.

Credit: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

Hauntings in the Hangar

DENVER — Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is hosting its annual Hauntings in the Hangar event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Festive activities include crafts, a black hole listening station, trick or treat candy stations, photo booth, and magic show. Tickets are available at WingsMuseum.org.

Credit: Westernaires

Westernaires Horsecapades

DENVER — Colorado's premier youth riding organization — the Westernaires — will present its annual Horsecapades extravaganza for three performances on Saturday and Sunday. The Westernaires will delight audiences with colorful and precise drill riding, world-class trick riding, true-to-history cavalry act, daring charioteers and more. Performances will be held at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the National Western Events Center. Grab your tickets to the Westernaires' annual show at Westernaires.org. 

Credit: Denver Zoo

Boo at the Zoo

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo begins its annual Halloween celebration this Friday. Boo at the Zoo will have fun trick-or-treat stations with candy made with sustainable palm oil to help protect wild orangutans. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes for the festivities which take place Friday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the next two weekends and on Halloween night. Boo at the Zoo tickets can be bought online at CMZoo.org.

Boo at the Zoo

DENVER — Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance has brought back its Boo at the Zoo. The trick-or-treating experience features mysterious cryptid creatures, candy stations, seasonal snacks and Halloween fun for all. Boo at the Zoo takes place each weekend of October. A sensory friendly night is Halloween Oct. 31.

Wild Fall

DENVER — Wild Fall at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance 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 admission and take place during regular zoo hours starting at 10 a.m. each day.

Credit: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Boo at the Bridge

CAÑON CITY — The Royal Gorge Bridge Park’s 10th annual "Boo at the Bridge" takes place Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The festive event features trick-or-treat goodies dished out by local businesses and non-profits, entertainment and games. "Mummies" and daddies can find tickets at RoyalGorgeBridge.com.

Haunted Forest 

HIGHLANDS RANCH — Highlands Ranch Community Association opens the gates of the Backcountry Wilderness Area Haunted Forest to reveal sinister scenes for two nights, Friday and Saturday. Discover what’s lurking behind every tree and bush in this three-quarter-mile creep through the woods. The Haunted Forest walk begins at the Rocky Heights Middle School trailhead. Tickets are $5 online. Tickets will be available at the door, if not sold out.

Credit: Jamie Kraus Photography

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

DENVER — The Denver Center for the Performing Arts has opened a production of "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," an adaptation of Erika L. Sánchez's bestseller. The play follows a Chicago high schooler as she struggles with the challenges of coming of age in Chicago and the sense that she’s failing to live up to her family’s expectations. The production plays the Kilstrom Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex through Sunday, Nov. 3.

Credit: Teresa Castracane Photography

Avaaz

DENVER — The one-person show "Avaaz" is currently playing the Singleton Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex after delighting audiences across the country. A celebration of resilience, rebirth, and joy, "Avaaz" follows Roya, a hostess as she welcomes you into her home to celebrate Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Roya shares her American journey from Tehran to “Tehran-geles,” California. Traditions, humor and passionate storytelling transform this tale of family bonds into an unforgettable theatre event.

Cabaret

BRIGHTON — This is the final weekend to catch Platte Valley Players' production of "Cabaret" at the Armory Performing Arts Center. Set in a Berlin nightclub as the 1920’s draw to a close, this iconic musical contains adult content and themes and is recommended for ages 13 and up. Musical numbers include “Willkommen,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Two Ladies.” Tickets are available at PlatteValleyPlayers.org.

Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Steve Harris, left, and Janick Gers of Iron Maiden perform at the Riverbend Music Center on Thursday, August 15, 2019, in Cincinatti, OH.

Iron Maiden

DENVER — Iron Maiden is back in Colorado. The English heavy metal band brings their North American tour to Denver with a stop at Ball Arena on Saturday with special guest The Hu. Tickets for "The Future Past Tour" are on sale at Ticketmaster.com. 

Credit: Gregory Lee - stock.adobe.com

Whale of a Used Book Sale 

GOLDEN — There's an ocean of deals at the Fall Whale of a Used Book Sale this weekend. Sponsored by Friends of the Jefferson County Public Library, the event runs Thursday to Sunday in the exhibit hall of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The sale boasts hundreds of thousands of books, DVDs, records, gift baskets, puzzles, maps and audio books. Admission is $10.

Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev waits for play to resume during an NHL game against the New York Islanders, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche are looking to improve on their start to the 2024-25 regular season after an 0-3 start. The Avs host the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

RELATED: Avs still searching for first win as struggles continue

Credit: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Louis Brown IV is stopped by Air Force linebacker Johnathan Youngblood in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Colorado State vs. Air Force

School of Mines vs. Adams State

New Mexico Highlands vs. Colorado Mesa

Black Hills State vs. CSU Pueblo

South Dakota Mines vs. Western Colorado

Credit: Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Animals of the Rainforest

DENVER — The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has opened its newest exhibition, "Animals of the Rainforest." An immersive, live-animal experience aims to transport visitors into the world's most diverse ecosystem. Guests will come face-to-face with rainforest animals, explore displays of recreated natural habitats and learn about conservation efforts. "Animals of the Rainforest" is included with museum admission.

Credit: 4 Seasons Marketplace

4 Seasons Marketplace

ARVADA — 4 Seasons Marketplace in Arvada is a pumpkin patch and family destination for fall. The marketplace has a variety of pumpkins, pumpkin painting, farm animal visits, and family activities. Adult admission is free and children can enjoy all activities for $15 and get to take home a pie-sized pumpkin as a souvenir.

Nick's Garden Center Fall Fest 

AURORA — Nick's Garden Center and Farm Market in Aurora hosts a free fall festival every day in October. There are games, rides, mazes, train rides, photo opportunities, putt-putt golf course, pedal karts, inflatable obstacle course and pumpkin patch.

Mollie McGee's Annual Fall Craft Market

BOULDER — Mollie McGee’s Annual Fall Craft Market will have more than 150 boots with handmade artisan crafts. The market opens Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boulder County Fairgrounds.

Miners’ Pumpkin Patch

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Western Museum of Mining & Industry has opened its Miners' Pumpkin Patch. Admission includes unlimited play at the pumpkin patch games, vintage cider press, hay maze, hayrides and gold panning. The north Colorado Springs patch will be open Saturdays through Oct. 26.

Credit: Maize in the City

Maize in the City

THORNTON — Maize in the City has 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 a-la-carte attractions. Each attraction will be purchased at the front of each attraction line. The site will be open various days through Thursday, Oct. 31.

PHOTOS: Maize in the City in Thornton 

Mile High Farms

BENNETT — Mile High Farms is now open 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.

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 Nov. 2.

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. 27. The farm's haunted attraction "Scream Acres" opens at dusk. Tickets can be purchased at FritzlerFarmPark.com.

Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms

LITTLETON — The seven-acre Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms 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. 27. Tickets can be found at BotanicGardens.org.

Credit: 9NEWS

Victorian Horrors at the Molly Brown House

DENVER — Molly Brown House Museum is hosting the 31st 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.

Haunted Field of Screams

THORNTON — Haunted Field of Screams, Colorado’s largest haunted attraction, has opened for the 2024 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 — Haunted houses are making people scream from fright across the state this Halloween. HellScream Haunted House, 13th Floor Haunted House and Frightmare Compound have opened in Denver. The Fear Complex Haunted House is now open in Colorado Springs. Terror in the Corn in Erie is a mile long haunted attraction in a corn field.

Magic of the Jack O' Lanterns

LITTLETON — A Halloween lights festival back at Hudson Gardens for a fourth year. Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns features a glowing trail of more than 7,000 pumpkins as well as light show displays such as a nautical sea-scape, pirate ship, dinosaurs, dragons and more. New attractions include a light show programmed to music throughout the entire event every 30 minutes. Presented by Denver-based Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the festival runs select nights through Saturday, Nov. 2.

Elitch Gardens Fright Fest

DENVER — Elitch Gardens' annual Halloween event is back. Fright Fest has thrills and chills for ghouls of all ages. Guests can enjoy "fun by day" and "fright by night" and the park's amusement rides. New this year is a freakish acrobatic show from Circus Foundry and two new scare zones scattered throughout the park. For tickets, visit ElitchGardens.com/Fright-Fest.

Credit: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

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. 29, as well as a special dinner train. Fall rides are extremely popular, so book early at CumbresToltec.com.

Georgetown Loop Railroad

GEORGETOWN — Discover the best of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains this autumn at the Georgetown Loop Railroad and Mining Park. In addition to its narrow gauge train, guests can tour a real silver mine tour or learn how to pan for gold. Train rides are approximately 70 minutes or 2.5 hours with a mine tour.

Credit: Michael Wolever
Porter Robinson

Red Rocks

DENVER — There is no better venue for live music in the country than Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Although summer has ended, 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. 15, when Tiësto closes out the 2024 season with a four-hour DJ set.

RELATED: Red Rocks concert season: Here's the 2024 lineup

Credit: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP
Lukas Gage, Naomi Scott and director Parker Finn at the premiere for 'Smile 2' on Oct. 8, 2024, in London.

Movies this weekend

“Terrifier 3,” a gory, low-budget slasher from the small distributor Cineverse, topped the weekend box office last weekend. The horror film beat out other movies including “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the young Donald Trump film “The Apprentice,” Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” about the NBC sketch comedy show, and “Piece by Piece,” a Pharrell Williams documentary-biopic hybrid animated in Lego form.

New movies this weekend

  • Smile 2

Last weekend's box office

  1. “Terrifier 3,” $18.3 million.
  2. “The Wild Robot,” $13.5 million.
  3. “Joker: Folie à Deux,” $7.1 million.
  4. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” $7.1 million.
  5. “Piece by Piece,” $3.8 million.
  6. “Transformers One,” $3.7 million.
  7. “Saturday Night,” $3.4 million.
  8. “My Hero Academia: You’re Next,” $3 million.
  9. “Nightmare Before Christmas,” $2.3 million.
  10. “The Apprentice,” $1.6 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.

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