Haunted houses and corn mazes
Address: 303 Malibu St, Castle Rock
Hours: 7-10 p.m., Oct. 27 and 28
Contact: 303-660-1066
The scoop: Castle Rock’s most frightening haunted house, featuring appearances by the bearded lady, werewolf boy, Medusa and the amazing electric man. The volunteer attraction is hosted by the Castle Rock Fire Department, and all proceeds from this event benefit the Fire and Police Explorers.
Address: 11321 Dransfeldt Road, Parker
Hours: 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday to Oct. 28, and Oct. 31.
Contact: 303-805-103
Cost: $20
The scoop: Two attractions for $20! Reapers Hollow is a haunted corn maze that takes visitors on a mile-long trek through the cornfield and terrifying woods nearby, and Dead End Motel is a haunted house experience. There will be a special giveaway to the first 300 customers Friday Oct. 13.
Fall festivals or events
Address: Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock
Hours: 4-8 p.m. Oct. 28
DzԳٲ:303-660-1015
Cost: Free
The scoop: Come to Philip S. Miller Park where the Amphitheater will be transformed with autumn activities, including pumpkin carving, face paining and hay rides. The Great Pumpkin Wall will be lit around 6 p.m. and movies will begin right after.
Address: Stockton’s Plum Creek Stables 7479 W. Titan Road, Littleton
Hours: 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27
Contact:303-791-2500
Cost: $12
The scoop: Highlands Ranch residents can take a 30-minute, spine tingling family adventure as professional storytellers narrate an amusing tale while you rumble down a spooky trail. A 4-H concession is available in the indoor arena, as well as a petting zoo and games. Rides run every half hour, and proceeds go to benefit the Douglas County Cowboy 4-H.
Address: 11321 Dransfeldt Road, Parker
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday until Oct. 31
Contact: 303-805-1038
Cost: $11 general admission, $5 for seniors
The scoop: Family activities include bounce houses, kids’ mazes, giant Jenga and duck races. Make sure to check out the pumpkin patch during your visit so you can pick out that perfect pumpkin for carving.
Address: Colorado Renaissance Festival Grounds, 650 W. Perry Park Ave., Larkspur
Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 28
DzԳٲ:303-688-6010
Cost: Children 4-years-old and under can purchase a wristband for $10, children 5-years-old and older can purchase a wristband for $15 in advance or $20 at the gate
The scoop: The 21st annual Larkspur Elementary Fall Festival’s schedule of events starts with the adult scavenger hunt and chili cook off and tasting in the morning. There will also be a costume contest, fall flavors bake-off and and Trick-or-Treat Street.
Address: 6113 Daniels Park Road, Sedalia
Hours: 7 p.m. Oct. 27
Contact:303-688-5555
Cost: $80
The scoop: Adults 21-years-old and older only. A selection of hearty appetizers and a cash bar will be offered to indulge in witch brews and mystical potions throughout the evening. A costume contest will have 3 masquerade categories, best couple, most unique, and most elegant/formal.
Address: 9950 E Gateway Drive, Highlands Ranch
Hours: 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 31
Contact: 303-791-0177
Cost: Free
The scoop: End your Halloween night at the Mansion. This is an outdoor event for all ages. Live music from Some Diggity, trick or treat and cash bar. Everyone’s invited!
Trick-or-treating
Address: Downtown Parker
Hours: 3:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31
Contact:303-841-0290
Cost: Free
The scoop: Local businesses and organizations set up booths on Manistreet and Pikes Peak in downtown Parker to host children for trick-or-treating in a safe environment. Hosted by the Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club of Parker.
Address: Recreation Center at Eastridge, 9568 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch
Hours: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 28
DzԳٲ:303-791-2500
Cost: $2
The scoop: Children ages 12 and under are invited to put on costumes, grab their trick-or-treat bags and join the fun at Trick-or-Treat Street where local businesses provide treats. The line closes at 12:35 p.m, so arrive early.
Food pantries and Thanksgiving food drives
:19105 Longs Way, Parker
Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
DzԳٲ:303-841-3460
The scoop: The Parker Task Force is dedicated to providing individuals and families in the community with food, limited financial assistance and other support. The next food drive is Oct. 21 at local grocery stores.
Address: Douglas County Events Center, 500 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock
Hours: 8 a.m. Nov. 23
DzԳٲ:303-688-1114
Cost: $35-$45 adults, $15-$25 kids
The scoop: Come out and trot, stroll, run, or walk and join Castle Rock’s Thanksgiving tradition with the 13th Annual Turkey ROCK Trot presented by Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. All proceeds are given to the Douglas Elbert Task Force, meeting the immediate needs of residents of Douglas and Elbert counties who are in financial distress and/or at risk of becoming homeless.
Christmas and the holidays
Address: O’Brien Park, 10795 Victorian Drive, Parker
Hours: 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 24
DzԳٲ:303-805-3253.
Cost: Free
The scoop: Come to the Town of Parker and join in around the Town Tree as the mayor and the Parker Chorale sing Silent Night to kick off the event before the tree lighting. Once the park is lit up, stroll around and take in the sights of the fun holiday ice sculpture displays following a path to each of the five displays.
Address: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Kirk Hall 500 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock
Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Contact:303-808-7432
Cost: Free
The scoop: Support Douglas County home crafts and get a jump on your holiday shopping. Kids can make craft gifts and there will be a shopping area for children that won’t break their piggybanks. Entertainment, goodies, pictures with Santa, and more.
Address: Downtown Parker
Hours: Noon Dec. 9
Contact:303-841-0353
Cost: Free
The scoop: The Parker Christmas Carriage Parade is a valued tradition held annually in downtown Parker in celebration of the holiday season. Enjoy a holiday farmer’s market, a petting zoo and pony rides, ice sculpting and visiting time and pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Ice sculpting, the petting zoo and pony rides will begin at 10:30 a.m. Pictures with Santa will be $5, cash only after the parade from 1 to 3 p.m.
