10 Fresh Ideas to Celebrate the Fall Season

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Swanson

Snowmass’ Inaugural Oktoberfest, Sept. 27-28

To kick off the fall season, Snowmass Village invites locals and visitors to join its inaugural Oktoberfest, Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon-8 p.m., to Sunday, Sept. 28, from noon-6 p.m. Taking place on the Snowmass Mall and in Base Village, the lively, German-inspired festival features traditional Oktoberfest classics, including appearances by Manuela, the Oktoberfest Queen. Guests can enjoy steins of beer, pretzel and sausage eating contests, food specials, live music, joyous jigs on tabletops, costume contests with lederhosen and dirndls and more. The festival is free and open to all ages. For more information, visit gosnowmass.com.

Photo courtesy of The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa 

Autumn in the Atrium Tea Series at The Brown Palace, Sept. 28 – Nov. 3

A treasured Denver tradition, Afternoon Tea at The Brown Palace is made unforgettable with Devonshire cream from England, delicate pastries and the sounds of live piano beneath the hotel’s stained-glass atrium. This October, the experience takes on a whimsical new twist with the Autumn in the Atrium Tea Series – four weeks of immersive, themed teas. Step into fantastical worlds with the Alice in Wonderland Tea (Sept. 28-Oct. 5), journey down the yellow brick road with The Wizard of Oz Tea (Oct. 6-12), wander through enchanting florals at the Gothic Garden Tea (Oct. 13-19) or stir up some Halloween magic at the spirited Witches Tea (Oct. 20-Nov. 3). The unique tea experiences will be available weekdays from noon-4 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable or phone: (303) 297-3111.

Boys & Ghouls Club, Oct. 1-31

At B&GC, the spirits aren’t just in the bottles. Tucked beneath the surface of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, B&GC lives in a space revived from the ruins of the former Cherry Creek Post Office. Over the decades, guests and team members have come and gone, yet their presence remains. Each guest is drawn to B&GC for a reason, and they can uncover that reason with an interactive cocktail experience filled with hidden messages, forgotten faces, tarot card readings every Thursday night and drinks that seem to know you before you know them. More information and reservations can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Town of Frisco

Mystery at the Museum in Frisco, Oct. 11

On Saturday, Oct. 11, Frisco Historic Park and Museum presents a free clue-styled mystery party at the Schoolhouse Museum where guests can solve a Summit County mystery through a series of interactions with historical characters, clues and puzzles. Doors open at 2 p.m. with the last players sent out at 5:30 p.m.; the mystery takes approximately 60 minutes to solve. This year’s mystery is recommended for ages eight and older. More information can be found at townoffrisco.com.

Photo courtesy of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek

Spooky Cinema in the Sky, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

This fall, join Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, under the stars for a Spooky Cinema Series at the open-air rooftop theatre with poolside screenings of iconic films. Enjoy complimentary popcorn floating in the heated pool or curl up on a chaise lounge to experience a haunted film under the Colorado skyline. The series includes Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Oct. 3), Smile (Oct. 10), The Exorcism of Emily Rose (Oct. 17), The Conjuring 2 (Oct. 24) and The Ring (Oct. 31). Tickets are $25 per person, including the film screening, complimentary popcorn and access to the pool. (The pool opens to ticket holders at 8 p.m., and movies begin promptly at 8:30 p.m.). More information and tickets can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Four Mile Historic Park

Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Historic Park, Oct. 18-19

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Four Mile Historic Park offers guests of all ages to pick the perfect pumpkin, discover a one-of-a-kind keepsake at the fall artisan farmers market or create their own with fall-inspired crafts and activities like a build-your-own scarecrow. The event will also feature live entertainment from local dance troupes, bands and cultural organizations. Additional activities include fall fun exclusive to Four Mile, including prairie games; live demonstrations from Four Mile Makers, like blacksmithing, fiber pulling from Angora goats and more; panning for gold; and tractor rides through the 12-acre Park. Guests can enjoy it all in-style with face painting and decorations or while sipping seasonal cocktails, ciders and local favorites indulging in apple cider churros from The Aguilar Four—which are exclusive to Four Mile Historic Park. More information and tickets can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Four Mile Historic Park

Spirits & Spirits, Oct. 25

On Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6-10 p.m., the 21-plus Spirits & Spirits at Four Mile Historic Park offers the chance to explore the Park after dark with craft cocktails, haunted history and shadowy celebration that embraces the darkness and toasts to the macabre. From 6-8 p.m., enjoy spirit tastings from Opici Wines, Cutwater Spirits, Elysian Brewing and Poppi. Then, ride a haunted tractor, browse crystals and curios at the Metaphysical Marketplace and enjoy entertainment including drag performances by Jessica L’Whor, LuLu Krystals and LaLa Queen, as well as costume contests, live music and a fashion show from Alicia Rau of Bête Noire. Plus, take part in a Victorian mourning ceremony, offering a glimpse into historical rituals of grief, as well as the age-old tradition of telling ghost stories. Extra chills and thrills include flash tattoos by Ian Rice of Love Struck Tattoos, vintage tin-type photos, tarot card readings and a séance at the historic Four Mile House – Denver’s oldest standing structure – and participate in rituals rooted in 19th-century spiritual practices. More information and tickets can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek

Halloween Bird Dog Happy Hour, Oct. 29

Raise the “woof” eight flights up at Rare Bird, located atop Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, for the last Bird Dog of the season. A dog-friendly happy hour, guests can enjoy cocktails while four-legged friends chow down on house-made peanut butter treats, puppy poke bowls and shepherd’s pie. Special to the Halloween Bird Dog, guests – including dogs! – are encouraged to wear costumes and can enjoy music from a live DJ, costume contests and more tail-wagging fun. A portion of all proceeds go to MaxFund. No tickets are required, though RSVPs are encouraged here.

Photo courtesy of Nocturne 

2025 Halloween Spooktacular at Nocturne, Oct. 31

Join Nocturne for a hauntingly special evening of music with the inimitable pianist and bandleader Adam Bodine and his band to celebrate the spookiest night of the year. Adam returns for the fifth year of Halloween at Nocturne for a fun and freaky treat of a show. This night will hold tricks, many treats and creative interpretations of a wide variety of sounds. Guests can expect a haunting and humorous concoction of funky surprises and psychedelic soundscapes from a bubbling cauldron of rock and pop Halloween tunes, as well as theme songs, all with a slight improvisational accent. Enjoy the spooktacular show alongside a three-course Dinner and a Show or with an a la carte bar reservation. More information and reservations can be found at nocturnejazz.com.

Photo courtesy of Joe Kusumoto

Frisco’s Trick-or-Treat on Main Street, Oct. 31

This Halloween from 5-7 p.m., the Town of Frisco invites ghouls, goblins, witches, princesses and all characters to enjoy its Trick-or-Treat on Main Street event. In addition to gathering treats from storefronts along Main Street and in Frisco Historic Park, guests can participate in train rides at the park and a dog parade hosted by the Summit County Animal Shelter. More information can be found at townoffrisco.com.