October is one of my favorite months on the west side. The weather is usually beautiful, the leaves are changing, and there is no shortage of things to do in Golden, Applewood, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and Arvada.
I pulled together some of the fall festivals, Halloween events, neighborhood activities and other fun things happening around our communities this month. Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids, a date night, an excuse to get outside or just somewhere to drink cider and enjoy fall in Colorado, there is plenty happening close to home.
I’ll continue adding events as I find them, so bookmark this page and check back throughout the month.
*Updated October 19, 2026
Looking for more ways to get out and enjoy Denver's west side? Check out my November & December 2026 Events Guide for holiday markets, live entertainment, festive traditions, and ways to give back!
October 1–3
Colorado School of Mines Homecoming | Golden
Homecoming weekend at Colorado School of Mines includes a fall festival, bonfire, 5K, street fair, tailgating, football and other events throughout the weekend.
*Events and times vary
October 3–4
Cider Days | Lakewood
One of Lakewood's favorite fall traditions returns to Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. Cider Days celebrates the area's agricultural history with live entertainment, activities, harvest treats, cider pressing and plenty to do for the whole family.
Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
October 4
Oktoberfest at The Golden Mill | Golden
German-inspired food, live polka music and plenty of opportunities to raise a stein along Clear Creek at The Golden Mill's annual Oktoberfest.
Noon–3 p.m. | The Golden Mill
October 9–11
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms | Littleton
Ten-acre pumpkin patch, corn maze and family activities. Pumpkins are purchased separately.
9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, Littleton
October 10
Apple Cider Day | Wheat Ridge
Celebrate fall at Wheat Ridge Historical Park with old-fashioned cider pressing, bluegrass music, historic demonstrations, games and other activities. Bring your own apples and containers if you want to take some cider home.
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Wheat Ridge Historical Park
Golden’s Original ChiliFest | Golden
Golden City Brewery’s 30th annual ChiliFest benefits Golden Pantry & Thrift. Twelve chili chefs compete for Golden’s Best Chili Chef; $15 suggested donation.
12–4 p.m. or until the chili runs out | Golden City Brewery
October 14
Ghouls' Night Out | Golden
Golden's Golden Hour MashUp gets a Halloween twist with costumes, live music, specials and activities at participating downtown businesses.
6–9 p.m. | Downtown Golden
October 16–18
Stories Worth Telling Festival | Golden
A weekend of short films, live music and storytelling at the Buffalo Rose in downtown Golden. This is a good one if your idea of fall fun involves something other than pumpkins.
Schedule varies by event | Buffalo Rose
October 17
Golden Cemetery Tours | Golden
Take a guided walk through Golden Cemetery while hearing stories about some of Golden's legendary characters and local history. Tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and advance registration is required.
11 a.m. & 1 p.m. | Golden Cemetery
Mines Museum Spooktacular | Golden
A free Halloween event at the Mines Museum of Earth Science with trick-or-treating, costumes, hands-on STEM activities, face painting, prizes and plenty of spooky exhibits.
2–5 p.m. | Mines Museum of Earth Science
Knock Your Boots Off Chili Cookoff & Beverage Tasting | Golden
Spend the afternoon at Parfet Park sampling chili, food and beverages while enjoying live entertainment in downtown Golden.
1–4 p.m. | Parfet Park
Cider Pressing | Lakewood
Heritage Lakewood brings out its traditional wooden cider presses for the day. Bring your own apples and containers and make fresh cider to take home. Advance reservations are required.
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
October 17–18
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair | Arvada
Free. More than 100 hand-selected indie makers with jewelry, art, home goods, food, fashion, live music and activities.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Olde Town Arvada
October 18
Howl-o-ween at The Golden Mill | Golden
Bring your four-legged family members to The Golden Mill for an afternoon of Halloween costumes, live music and fall fun. Costumes for dogs and humans are encouraged.
Noon–3 p.m. | The Golden Mill
October 23–24
The Talking Dead: An Immersive Ghost Tour | Golden
Explore Golden's spooky side with an immersive ghost tour combining local history, storytelling and a little Halloween mystery.
6:30–9:30 p.m. | The Golden Mill, 1012 Ford Street
October 24
Cavemen vs. Zombies | Golden
A fun, not-too-spooky interactive theater experience where prehistoric characters meet zombies. Kids can help solve puzzles, join the adventure and become part of the story.
1–2:30 p.m. | Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
October 24
Haunted Trail Adventure | Lakewood
Bear Creek Lake Park gets a Halloween makeover for an evening along the Owl Trail. Expect nocturnal critters, ghostly stories, carnival games and treats, followed by marshmallows and hot chocolate around the fire. Advance registration is required.
4–7 p.m. | Bear Creek Lake Park
Trick or Trot 5K and Kids’ Halloween Hunt | Arvada
Costume contest, 5K and post-race activities, plus a separate one-mile candy hunt for kids 12 and under. Registration required.
5K: 9–10 a.m. | Kids' Halloween Hunt: 10–11:45 a.m. | Apex Center
Hiwan Halloween | Evergreen
Free, no registration required. Spooky storytelling, crafts, games, prizes and costume parade. English, Spanish and sensory-friendly storytelling are offered.
1–4 p.m. | Costume parade at 2:30 p.m. | Hiwan Heritage Park & Museum
Trunk-or-Treat at the Green | Wheat Ridge
Free. Fun twist on trick-or-treating. Decorated trunks, candy, games and voting for favorite trunk; costumes encouraged.
4–6 p.m. | The Green at 38th
October 25
Trunk or Treat at Applewood Valley | Applewood
Free family-friendly Halloween fun with decorated trunks, candy, a bounce house and cotton candy. Costumes encouraged!
Noon–2 p.m. | Applewood Valley United Methodist Church, 2035 Ellis Street
October 26
Halloween Cupcake Decorating | Golden
Get creative with Gold Mine Cupcakes at The Eddy. Decorate two Halloween-themed cupcakes with all supplies provided. A sweet activity for kids and families.
4–5:30 p.m. | The Eddy Taproom & Hotel | $15
October 28
Halloween Cookie House Workshop | Golden
Create your own spooky masterpiece at this hands-on cookie decorating workshop with Sugar Bloom Cookie. Participants decorate a preassembled haunted cookie house.
6:30–8:30 p.m. | The Eddy Taproom & Hotel | $85
October 29
Thrifted, Haunted & Hand-Painted Art Workshop | Golden
Give a thrifted painting a Halloween makeover with ghosts and other spooky details. A creative evening hosted with Foothills Art Center.
6–8 p.m. | The Eddy Taproom & Hotel | $50
October 30
The Golden Hotel's Halloween Party | Golden
Celebrate Halloween weekend in downtown Golden with an evening gathering at The Golden Hotel.
4:30–7 p.m. | The Golden Hotel, 800 11th Street
October 30
Trick or Treat Street | Olde Town Arvada
Kids can dress up and trick-or-treat their way through Olde Town Arvada while local businesses join in the Halloween fun.
5–7 p.m. | Olde Town Arvada
Halloween Bash at The Golden Mill | Golden
The Golden Mill wraps up October with a Friday evening Halloween party featuring a DJ, Halloween music and costumes.
5–8 p.m. | The Golden Mill
October 31
Voodoo on the Bayou: Halloween Night at The Eddy | Golden
An adults-oriented Halloween celebration with themed cocktails, live DJ, tarot readings, vendors and a costume contest. Come dressed for the occasion!
6–10 p.m. | The Eddy Taproom & Hotel | Free admission
October 31
Monster Mash | Golden
Free, no registration. Kids trick-or-treat among the three downtown locations with crafts, activities and not-too-scary stories.
2–4 p.m. | Golden History Museum & Park, Golden Library + Foothills Art Center