Here is your list of holiday must-do’s around the Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Westminster communities, including everything from haunted houses and pumpkin patches to food donations and holiday shopping.
FALL EVENTS
Where: Wheat Ridge Historic Park, 4610 Robb St., Wheat Ridge
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 14
The scoop: Fall is apple cider season, so try your hand at a traditional cider press to make your own sweet, autumn treat. Cost is $3-$5 per person. It will feature music and crafts, as well as lunch offerings. For more info, call 303-421-9111.
Where: Standley Lake Regional Park, 9785 Eagle View Loop, Westminster
When: 7:30-9 a.m. Oct. 14
The scoop: Experience the park in all of its autumn splendor during a free tour led by a park naturalist. Guests are encouraged to bring cameras to capture the changing colors of the trees. The event is suitable for individuals ages 10 and older. Registration and a park pass are required. For more info, call 303-425-1097.
Where: Long Lake Ranch Regional Park, 17850 W. 64th Ave., Arvada
When: 9 a.m. Nov. 18
The scoop: The first mile of this 10K course is packed gravel, and the rest is concrete, so plan accordingly. Well-behaved dogs on leashes and well-behaved children in strollers are welcome. The event will also feature other activities, including an egg nog chug. Cost is $44. Register online at 10kturkeytrek.com. For more info, email info@10kturkeytrek.com.
Where: Olde Town Square, West 57th Avenue and Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada
When: 1 p.m. Nov. 5
The scoop: Enjoy a 5-mile, family-friendly bike ride before sipping warm hot chocolate in Olde Town. This event is free. Learn more, or view a map of the bike route at bikefriendlyarvada.org.
HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Where: 6501 W. 60th Ave., Arvada
When: 1-3 p.m. Oct. 28
The scoop: The garden is decked out for Halloween. Pre-schoolers and elementary-aged children are invited to participate in trick-or-treating. The event is free, but canned food donations are welcome and will be donated to the Arvada Community Food Bank. For more info, call The Well House Senior Living Center at 303-807-6539.
Where: Olde Town Arvada, beginning on Grandview Avenue
When: 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27
The scoop: The businesses of Olde Town will come together to create a safe, community trick-or-treat event. Guests also have the chance to compete in a costume contest. The event is free.
Where: Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada
When: 3-4 p.m. Oct. 28
The scoop: Enjoy an afternoon filled with crafts, games and costumes for the whole family. For more info, call 303-235-5275.
Where: The Green, 7101 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge
When: 4-6 p.m. Oct. 28
The scoop: This is a fun, safe community event for families to “trunk-or-treat” with the participation of local firefighters, police officers, businesses and other community members. The event will feature a hunted house, a trunk-decorating contest, carnival games and a zombie dance contest. For more info, call Localworks at 720-259-1030.
³:Standley Lake Regional Park, 9785 Eagle View Loop, Westminster
When: 10:30 a.m.-noon Oct. 21
The scoop: Learn about owls, bats, spiders and other Halloween-y animals on an outdoor guided walk. Costumes are encouraged. There will also be pumpkin carving. Cost is $7 per person. The event is intended for children 6-10 years old. For more info and to register, visit getoutdoorscolorado.org.
Where: Westminster Station, 5453 W. 88th Ave., Westminster
When: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 21
The scoop: Dress in your Halloween costume, and visit downtown Westminster for the Halloween Harvest Festival, featuring a balloon glow, free carnival games, live music, a pumpkin patch and more. This is a family-friendly event. For more info, call 303-658-2192.
Where: Paws ‘n’ Play, 7403 Grandview Ave., Arvada
When: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 29
The scoop: Take your fur babies trick-or-treating through Olde Town in their best four-legged costumes. There will be food merchants and a costume contest. Cost is $12, and all proceeds benefit the Arvada Community Food Bank. For more info, call 303-420-2525.
Where: Apex Center, 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada
When: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 27
The scoop: Enjoy carnival games, bounce houses, hay rides, ghost stories and more at this event. Cost is $5 per child. For more info, call 303-424-4977.
Where: Begins at Lincoln Academy, 7180 Oak St., Arvada
When: 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 28
The scoop: Tour three of the city’s historic graveyards on a bicycle. This event is free. For more info, visit bikefriendlyarvada.org.
PUMPKIN PATCHES
Where: 9400 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood
When: Now through Halloween
The scoop: The farm staff grows and harvests its pumpkins and brings them to the stand for you. The pumpkins range in price, starting at $1 for minis and $12 for larges. For more info, call 303-525-1116.
HAUNTED HOUSES
Where: 10798 Yukon St., Westminster
When: 7-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday
The scoop: This haunted house was one of the first in Denver. It not only features realistic attractions, but boasts an allegedly real-life haunted history. Pricing is $25.99-$27.99 depending on the day. The season ends Nov. 11. Learn more at thefrightmarecompound.com.
FOOD DRIVES
Where: 8555 W. 57th Ave., Arvada
When: Food drop-off hours 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
The scoop: Provide someone in-need with a Thanksgiving meal by donating $25, or host a food drive within your school, business, faith community or civic organization to help support families in-need. Other opportunities to support the food bank’s mission, include volunteering and/or participating in events. For more info, visit arvadacfb.org/get-involved/ or call 303-424-6685.
LEAF DISPOSAL
Where: 10001 Alkire St., Arvada
When: 8 a.m.-noon Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 18
The scoop: Residents can recycle leaves in conjunction with the tree limb recycling events. Leaves must be bagged and free of trash and pet waste. The leaves collected will be turned into compost. These events are for Westminster residents only and require residency verification. For more info, call 303-658-2201 or view the .
Where: Perma Green Organics, 5520 Harlan St., Arvada or Stenger Soccer Complex, 5675 Oak St., Arvada
When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 4, 11, 18
The scoop: In an effort to keep leaves out of landfills and off of city streets, the city will host three free leaf-recycling events in two separate locations. All leaves collected will be recycled naturally through composting. For more info on the event and drop-off parameters, visit arvada.org or call 720-898-7500.
GIFT SHOPPING
Where: Bordered by Ralston Road to the north, Wadsworth Bypass to the east, Grandview Avenue to the south, and Yukon Street to the west.
³:Hours vary
The scoop: The city’s historic downtown is filled with a variety of options for shopping, dining and entertainment. From local restaurants to one-of-a-kind boutiques, Olde Town is an ideal place for holiday shopping. For more info, call or visit the visitor’s center in Olde Town at 7305 Grandview Ave.; 720-898-3380.
Where: The northwest corner of Interstate 25 and 144th Avenue, Westminster
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
The scoop: The Orchard Town Center is an open-air retail and entertainment district will a small, town-square feel, featuring a wide variety of well-known shops and eateries, as well as a movie theater and play areas. For more info, visit theorchardtowncenter.com.
Where: 464 S. Teller St., Lakewood
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
The scoop: Belmar is the Lakewood community’s one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment with more than 80 local boutiques and national brands. For more info, visit belmarcolorado.com.
CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPPING
Where: 6601 Indiana St., Arvada
When: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 23-Dec. 24
The scoop: Mr. Jingle’s is a second-generation, family-owned Christmas tree business. After selecting the perfect tree for your family’s holiday season, a staff member will help tie down the tree to your car free of charge. This business also offers delivery and online orders, and additional holiday items, such as wreaths, garlands, stands, lights, ornaments and more. For more info, visit mrjingleschristmastrees.com.
Where: 9400 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge
When: Fall hours, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
The scoop: This garden center has been family-owned and operated since 1952, and a beloved local resource for Christmas trees, pumpkins and many other perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs. For more info, call 303-422-8408.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Where: Stevens Elementary, 7101 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge
When: 3-7 p.m. Dec. 2
The scoop: Localworks teams up with the city during the official tree-lighting ceremony to bring the community Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, hot cocoa, cookies, carriage rides, reindeer, performaces carolers and more. For more info, call 720-259-1030.
Where: Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 2
The scoop: Celebrate the holiday season with a festive wine-tasting event that also serves as a fundraiser to benefit Hope House of Colorado. General admission is $25, VIP is $40. The event will feature appetizers, desserts, live music and a silent auction. For more info, call 720-898-7403.
Where: City Hall, 4800 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 2
The scoop: Witness as City Hall is illuminated with thousands of lights. There will be holiday music performances, refreshments, hay rides, a bonfire and visits with Santa. For more info, call 303-658-2208.
Where: Historic Wesminster Art District, Ocseola Street and 73rd Avenue, Westminster
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 7
The scoop: Hosted by the Westminster Historical Society, celebrate Christmas like the early settlers and learn about Westminster’s olden days. There will be music, a Christmas tree lighting, food and more. For more info, call 303-428-3993.