Don't miss the annual Denver Indigenous Film and Arts Festival if you have an appreciation for the film and arts. This week-long event is provided by the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management and is held at various venues in Denver during mid-October. The event program varies each year and typically includes film showings and exhibits of artists locally and globally. Expect a wide showcase of films, shorts and art exhibits in venues like Starz FilmCenter at Auraria, Tivoli Building at Auraria Campus, Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Denver Botanic Gardens. Some events are free and some require admission fees.
Visit the zoo in October and attend the annual Boo at the Zoo event. The event is held the weekend before Halloween and all activities are free with zoo admission. Walk through more than 25 trick-or-treat stations, Halloween displays and watch Halloween-themed animal demonstrations and entertainment. The Denver Zoo is home to 3,500 different animals including rare species like amur leopards, black rhinos, king cobras and coral reef fish.
Pick pumpkins at Denver Botanic Gardens' two-day pumpkin festival. Activities and attractions for kids and adults include arts and crafts, apple cider press, face painting and entertainment performances. Take a haunted tour of the 1860s historical homestead and encounter live birds of prey. The festival also has amusement rides, artisans market and trick-or-treat stations. Take a walk or ride the wagon to explore and find the perfect pumpkin at the 10-acre pumpkin patch. Take your harvest to the pumpkin daycare as you enjoy the rest of the festivities. Admission fees apply but children wearings costumes are admitted free. The event is usually held at second weekend of October.
Stop by the High Prairie Farms and Colorado Horse Park and enjoy a trick-or-treat barn, costumed horse contest, pumpkin patch and pony rides. This is a family-friendly annual event held every October, starting about a week from Halloween. See the stable of terror for scares or pet a barn animal at the petting zoo. Bring kids along for activities like face painting and art crafts. The festival requires an admission fee. The horse park is in Parker, about 30 miles away from Denver.
