Weekend Picks: Trick or Treat Street, Red Rocks & Glow at the Gardens (October 23 – 25)

The last full weekend before Halloween is when the metro goes all in on costumes, candy, and pumpkins. It is also one of the last weekends of the Red Rocks season, and the high country is starting to look like winter. Here is what we would do. As always, confirm times and tickets on the venue or organizer website before heading out, since late-October plans can change with the weather.

Trick or Treat Street at Larimer Square

On Saturday, October 24, from 2 to 6 p.m., Larimer Square, 1430 Larimer St. in downtown Denver, hosts its free Trick or Treat Street. Kids collect candy from participating shops and restaurants along the historic block, and there is a costume contest, fall activities, and a photo booth. It is one of the easiest Halloween outings in the city for families with younger kids, since it is daytime, walkable, and free.

Parking downtown on a Saturday afternoon is manageable in the garages around Market Street and 14th Street, but RTD's light rail to Union Station is an easy alternative. Grab an early dinner on Larimer afterward, before the restaurant crowd arrives.

More Trick-or-Treating Around the Metro

If downtown is not convenient, there are good options in the suburbs. On Friday, October 23, the Goodson Recreation Center in Centennial hosts its own Trick-or-Treat Street, a South Suburban Parks and Recreation tradition. On Sunday, October 25, from noon to 4 p.m., Littleton's Goblin Giveout brings trick-or-treating to businesses around the city, a good pairing with a walk along Main Street in historic downtown Littleton.

Denver Zoo's Boo at the Zoo evening trick-or-treat event typically runs on late-October weekends in City Park. It sells out, so check the zoo's website for remaining 2026 dates and book ahead rather than counting on tickets at the gate.

Last Chance: Glow at the Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens' Halloween light walk, Glow at the Gardens, wraps up its run Wednesday through Saturday, October 21 through 24, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the York Street gardens, 1007 York St. Tickets run about $37 for adults and $29 for kids ages 3 to 15. If you missed it last weekend, Friday or Saturday is your final chance this year. Parking near York Street fills up early on event nights, so arrive with time to spare or use rideshare.

Red Rocks: Two Late-Season Nights

Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison is in the final stretch of its 2026 season, and this weekend has two shows for electronic music fans. On Friday, October 23, Mersiv plays two sets. On Saturday, October 24, Jade Cicada and Mickman headline with Resonant Language, Schmoop, and Petals.

Late October at Red Rocks is cold. Nighttime temperatures at the amphitheatre often fall into the 30s, and it can snow. Dress like you are going to a football game in December: a warm hat, gloves, a heavy jacket, and a blanket for the stone benches. Check the venue's weather policy before you leave, and allow extra time for the shuttle or parking lots.

Sports

Denver Summit FC, the city's new National Women's Soccer League team, hosts Racing Louisville on Saturday, October 24, at 4:30 p.m. at the team's temporary stadium in Centennial. It is the team's inaugural season and a fun, family-friendly outing, and a late-afternoon kickoff in October means you will want layers by the second half.

On Sunday, October 25, the Broncos are on the road at Arizona, with kickoff at 2:05 p.m. Mountain time. It is a good excuse to watch at a neighborhood bar. Tennyson Street, South Broadway, and South Pearl Street all have solid options within walking distance of their surrounding neighborhoods.

The Nuggets' early-season schedule also includes a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Ball Arena this weekend; listings differ on whether it falls on Saturday or Sunday, so check the team schedule before buying tickets.

Still Going: Corn Mazes, Pumpkins, and Fright Fest

The 7-acre corn maze at Chatfield Farms, the Denver Botanic Gardens' location in Littleton, runs Fridays through Sundays through November 1. Elitch Gardens' Fright Fest continues on weekends into early November, with family-friendly activities during the day and haunted attractions at night. Pumpkin patches across the metro, from Brighton to Littleton, are open through Halloween, but the selection gets thin this late in the month, so go Saturday morning if you need a good carving pumpkin.

A Mountain Option

If you want a reason to head to the mountains, this is a good weekend for a quiet drive. The aspens have mostly dropped, but the high country is calm before ski season. Arapahoe Basin and Keystone often open in late October or early November, depending on snowmaking temperatures, so keep an eye on resort announcements. Check COtrip before you go, since late October can bring snow and chain law conditions on I-70.

Weather and Logistics

Average late-October highs in Denver are in the high 50s, with mornings near freezing, and snow in the metro is possible. Many of this weekend's events are outdoors after dark, so plan layers for everyone, especially kids in costumes.

The Bottom Line

Candy on Larimer Square, a final night at Glow at the Gardens, two cold nights at Red Rocks, and NWSL soccer in Centennial. If you are deciding where to live in the metro, a Halloween weekend is a great time to see neighborhoods at their friendliest. Walk downtown Littleton on Sunday or any of Denver's walkable streets on Saturday, and you will get a real feel for the community. Have a great weekend.