Boulder is ready to celebrate Fall, with a ton of great events happening all month long. Fall festivals, pumpkin patches, Halloween parades, costume contests, Oktoberfest celebrations, and so much more! Scroll down to discover 31+ fun and festive October events happening in and around Boulder.
Frankenstein Theatre Hike at Chautauqua
Photo Courtesy Colorado Chautauqua
Set in the icy polar regions where scientist Victor Frankenstein has chased the creature he brought to life, this highly theatrical and emotional play traces Frankenstein’s path to the final confrontation with his intelligent, articulate, sensitive, and powerfully violent child. Due to adult themes, admission will be restricted to patrons aged ten and up. Check-in and meet at the picnic pavilion behind the Chautauqua Auditorium. Our hikes are usually at a moderate level/pace and last no more than 2 hours. When you first arrive, you will be greeted by your hiking guide, who will lead the way down the trail to each scene location. Once you arrive at a scene location, you can sit back and relax and watch a scene from the production. Once the scene is complete, we all gather our things and hike to the next location. More information and tickets here.
Manhattan Short Film Festival
Sept 29 – Oct 2 – MANHATTAN SHORT began in 1998, when founder Nicholas Mason gathered an audience of 200 people and showed 16 short films on a screen mounted to the side of a truck on Mulberry Street, Little Italy, New York City. A year later the Festival moved uptown to Union Square Park NYC, where audiences grew to love the annual event. From these humble beginnings, MANHATTAN SHORT has now transformed into a worldwide phenomenon. Celebrating its 25th birthday in 2022, MANHATTAN SHORT is the only film festival on the planet to unfold simultaneously, in more than 500 cinemas on six continents, bringing over 100,000 film-lovers in all corners of the globe together for one week, via the next generation of filmmakers.
When: September 29 – October 2, 2022
Filmgoers in Boulder can unite with over 100,000 film-lovers around the world at the MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival, screening at the Dairy Arts Center Boedecker Theater. MANHATTAN SHORT began in 1998 when founder Nicholas Mason gathered an audience of 200 people and showed 16 short films on a screen mounted to the side of a truck on Mulberry Street, Little Italy, New York City. A year later, the Festival moved uptown to Union Square Park NYC, where audiences grew to love the annual event. From these humble beginnings, MANHATTAN SHORT has now transformed into a worldwide phenomenon. Celebrating its 25th birthday in 2022, MANHATTAN SHORT is the only film festival on the planet to unfold simultaneously in more than 500 cinemas on six continents, bringing over 100,000 film-lovers in all corners of the globe together for one week via the next generation of filmmakers. The Boedecker Theater is located at 2590 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302.
Growing Gardens Farm Stand
Photo Courtesy Growing Gardens
When: Wednesdays throughout September & October from 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Join Growing Gardens every Wednesday at the Farm Stand! There will be a variety of items for sale from beautiful organically-grown produce from the farm to tasty food from local purveyors. More information here.
Estes Park Elk Fest
When: October 1 & 2, 2022
To celebrate the annual elk rut and learn about the “wapiti,” the Native American name for elk, Estes Park hosts the annual Elk Fest in Bond Park. The free festival features bugling contests, elk exhibits, the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, elk seminars, elk-inspired arts and crafts, live music, dancing and storytelling, a children’s area with elk-themed activities, and a craft beer garden. For safe & respectful elk viewing tips, please visit Estes Park’s Wildlife Watching page. Vendors will display artwork, and handmade elk-ivory jewelry, and food trucks will be on site. Elk Fest is held at Bond Park. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
YMCA of the Rockies Fall Festival
Photo Courtesy YMCA of the Rockies
When: Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 1 – 4 PM
Celebrate the fall season with traditional autumn activities at the Estes Park YMCA of the Rockies Fall Fest! Enjoy pumpkin painting and crafts, make pinecone bird feeders, hay rides to view the fall foliage, and more! Gather the family for a fun afternoon of live music! For more information and to reserve accommodations, click here.
Boulder Bike Night (Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride)
Photo Courtesy Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride
When: Thursday nights at 7:30 PM
Join Boulder Bike Night every week for the traditionally held and ever-evolving Thursday night cruiser ride! Rides begin at 7:30 PM, check Boulder Bike Night’s IG or the Happy Thursday Cruiser Ride FB for details on where the rides will begin. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch
There are a ton of great pumpkin patches in and around Boulder! Check out this blog post listing Boulder area pumpkin patches. The list includes an interactive map and detailed descriptions of each pumpkin patch and its fall festivities.
Erie Brewfest
Photo Courtesy Erie Chamber
When: Saturday, October 1, 2022 from 12 PM – 4 PM
Erie Chamber welcomes fall with the Erie Brewfest, featuring live music, amazing food, craft vendors, games and 15+ breweries in historic downtown Erie. For tickets and more info, click here.
Nederland Harvest Fest
Photo Courtesy Nederland Farmer’s Market
When: Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 10 AM – 3 PM
The 6th Annual Harvest Fest takes over downtown Nederland in the parking lots and on E. 2nd Street with so many attractions to celebrate this year’s bountiful harvest. Live music from Banshee Tree and Goldwagon, 80+ food and artisan vendors, five food trucks, and a Biergarten. For the kids, enjoy pumpkin patches, face painting, excavation games, yak rides, a petting zoo, live painting, and more! Full details are available here.
Golden’s Autumn Fest
Photo Courtesy Golden History Museum
When: Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 10 AM – 3 PM
Golden History Museum & Park is hosting its first Autumn Fest to celebrate all of the things that make Golden a bright and shining community. Free family activities include incredible chalk art, hourly puppet shows (plus hands-on stations to make your own show), craft stations, silent movie viewing, 4-H petting zoo, craft stations, BIG TRUCK demo (Streets, Fire, and Police Departments), costumed Civil War interpretation, and more. Held at Golden History Museum, admission is free.
NoBo First Friday
Photo Courtesy NoBo Art District
When: October 7, 2022, from 6 PM – 9 PM
NoBo First Friday is a FREE self-guided tour of artists’ studios and creative businesses in the NoBo Art District. Meet painters, sculptors, photographers, designers, and other artists while you stroll through the area. Featuring live music, demos, and special activities in many locations. Located along Broadway from Pine Street to Highway 36. Follow the colorful flags to find surprises around every corner. First Friday runs from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on the first Friday of the month. Please be respectful of COVID precautions, wear a mask and keep your distance. Please note that many locations have other opening and closing times, see the map or list to check the exact times. Details at NoBoArtDistrict.org Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
The Bee Hugger Farm
Photo Courtesy The Bee Hugger
When: Open daily, 8 AM – dusk.
The Bee Hugger Farm is open daily for summer farm fun! Animal feeding, tractor climbing, farm exploring, picnicking, and more. No entrance fee. Pony rides $10, cash or venmo. Max height 4 feet, max weight 60 lbs. Bring a helmet to save your place in line! For farm updates, check their Facebook page here.
Estes Park Pumpkins & Pilsners
Photo Courtesy Families for Estes
When: Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 11 AM – 6 PM
The Pumpkins and Pilsners Festival has activities and entertainment for all ages, with proceeds going to local non-profit Families for Estes. The festival is the perfect place to pick your pumpkins with live music and craft beer for the adults, as well as games, crafts and a bounce house for the little ones. Enjoy additional free children’s activities like pony rides, face painting, kids art activity booths, pumpkin patch, bounce house, and giant lawn games. There will also be food vendors and food trucks, as well as live music. More information available here. Pumpkins and Pilsners will be held in Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave, Estes Park, CO. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Longmont Dia de los Muertos Family Celebration & Exhibition
Photo Courtesy Longmont Museum and Cultural Center
When: Family Celebration October 8, 2022, from 11 AM – 3 PM, Exhibition daily from October 8 – November 6, 2022
The Día de los Muertos Family Celebration will open the season in downtown Longmont on October 8. This street festival will include music and dance performances, art and craft activities, cultural education, delicious food, downtown business altars, and the Fire House Art Center Gigantes Procession. Park downtown or at the Longmont Museum and take the free shuttle between locations so you can enjoy all the activities of the day. The Día de los Muertos exhibition returns to the Museum’s Swan Atrium through November 6, featuring ofrendas (altars) built by community members and the work of local artist Marcelo Fernandez.
Boulder Comedy Show
Photo Courtesy Boulder Comedy Show
When: Every Sunday night at Rayback Collective from 7 – 9 PM
The Boulder Comedy Show is the longest-running weekly comedy show in Boulder, CO. The live stand-up show happens every Sunday at the Rayback Collective. Every weekend a different comedian will be performing, headliners having been seen on Netflix, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, Fallon, Colbert, Letterman, Kimmel, MTV, and pretty much everything in between. Schedule and tickets here.
Pumpkin Pie Days: Vintage & Antique Market
Photo Courtesy St. Vrain Historical Society
When: October 8, 2022 from 10 AM -5 PM & October 9, 2021 from 11 AM -4 PM
Pumpkin Pie Days: Vintage & Antique Market will be held at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. The market features high-end dealers and collectors of furniture, books, primitives, décor, toys, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, vintage clothing, plus much, much more! The show also includes glass grinder, bake sale, and art show. Admissions and café sales benefit The St. Vrain Historical Society‘s mission of historic preservation and education in the community. Admission $10. Pumpkin Pie Days is held at Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Rd, Longmont, CO 80501.
2nd Annual Creative Nations Indigenous Arts Market
Photo Courtesy Creative Nations Arts
When: October 8 & 9, 2022
Creative Nations invites you to the 2nd Annual Creative Nations Indigenous Arts Market at the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder. Artists and community members will enjoy Indigenous People’s day weekend by viewing creations from Artisans representing various Indigenous communities across the United States. Creative Nations Indigenous Arts Market will feature artists’ booths, traditional/cultural dance performances, live music, a film festival, and panel discussions.
Open Studio at Boulder Public Library’s Makerspace
Sewing Rebellion, Photo All Things Boulder
When: Every Tuesday & Wednesday from 1 PM – 7 PM
Boulder Public Library and Building 61 offer Open Studio every week, giving free access to: 3D Printers, Sewing Machines, Electronics bench, Design Laptops, Vinyl Cutter, Screen Printing Equipment, and more are available for use at this time. More info here. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Growing Gardens Community Harvest Festival
Photo Courtesy Growing Gardens
When: October 12, 2022, from 4 PM – 7 PM
Join Growing Gardens for its FREE fall celebration at the urban farm! Featuring fun activities like pumpkin and face painting, lawn games, dairy goats, and more. A bluegrass band will be performing while you enjoy delicious food from local food trucks and grab a drink from the Biergarten. There will also be pumpkins, fall perennials, and Long’s Gardens Iris bulbs for sale! Walk, bus, bike, or carpool and be entered to win an alternative transportation prize. No dogs at this event, please, they might scare the goats. This is a free event with a suggested donation of $5-$10/family. Rain Date: October 19th.
Pearl Street Stampede
Photo Courtesy Downtown Boulder
When: September 1 & 23, October 14 & 28, November 4, 2022 at 7 PM
The Pearl Street Stampedes have become the kickoff celebration for CU home football games for over a decade. The night before each home game, hundreds of Buffs fans line the Pearl Street Mall as members of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band plays to the crowds’ delight. Members of the CU football team and coaching staff are greeted with cheers and high-fives from fans of all ages. The Stampedes are a joint collaboration between the University of Colorado, local businesses, the City of Boulder, and Downtown Boulder. Led by Stephen Tebo’s vintage 1948 fire truck, members of the Golden Buffalo Marching Band start performing at 7 p.m. on the 1300 block of Pearl Street (in front of the County Courthouse). The Stampedes move west, stopping on each block of the Pearl Street Mall To perform. More info here.
Boulder County Farmers Markets
When: In Downtown Boulder: Saturdays, April 2 – November 19, 2022, 8 AM – 2 PM & Wednesdays, May 4 – October 5, 2022, 4 PM – 8 PM. At the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont on Saturdays 8 AM – 1 PM, April 2 – November 19, 2022.
You can’t have a summer events post without the Boulder County Farmer’s Market! Offering fresh fruit, flowers, veggies, and delicious edibles, the Boulder County Farmers’ Market provides a place for locals to sell their products in a friendly, fun environment. One of the many FREE summer events in Boulder and beyond!
The Inland Ocean Coalition’s 2023 Masquerade Mermaid Ball
Photo Courtesy Inland Ocean Coalition
When: Friday, October 14, 2023 6 PM – 9:30 PM
The Masquerade Mermaid Ball will be a magical evening at The Riverside in beautiful downtown Boulder, Colorado. Guests will mingle with other ocean lovers and celebrate our connection to the ocean and the amazing ability we all have to make a difference – no matter where we live! There will be delicious sustainable food, specialty cocktails, and other drinks, live music by local band i.O. Underground, an online auction, a costume contest, and mermaids! All proceeds will support our mission of building land-to-sea stewardship. We do this by protecting our ocean, watersheds, and climate and working to prevent plastic pollution. More information here.
World Singing Day
Photo Courtesy World Singing Day
When: October 15, 2022, from 2 – 4 PM
The 7th annual World Singing Day Boulder is a community sing-along where people of all ages, backgrounds and singing abilities are invited. Sing along to popular songs, from the Beatles to Sinatra to current hits. Lyric booklets provided. No rehearsals or preparation necessary. Just show up and sing and experience the joy of singing together at this favorite annual Boulder event! To learn more about World Singing Day, click here.
Boulder Bach Festival Opening Concert: Journey to France
Photo Courtesy Boulder Bach Festival
When: October 15, 2022 from 4 – 6 PM
Kicking off the Boulder Bach Festival’s 42nd season is the opening concert, Journey to France with Jory Vinikour, held at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center. With multiple Grammy nominations, Jory Vinikour’s solo harpsichord recordings and performances in all of the world’s great concert halls have placed him as a leading interpreter of baroque music in our time. You’ll hear J.S. Bach’s own ideas about French style in his French Overture, followed by a grand virtuosic suite of Rameau—all contextualized with Vinikour’s fascinating musicological anecdotes.
Longmont Restaurant Week
Photo Courtesy Longmont Restaurant Week
Longmont Restaurant Week returns for its 5th year in October 2022! During the 10-day event, all participating fooderies and drinkeries offer a special menu designed by the business to showcase what they do best. More info here.
Friday Night Weird
Photo Courtesy Friday Night Weird
When: Every Friday night from 8:30 – 11:30 PM
Friday Night Weird is a weekly cult film series at the Boedecker Theater of the Dairy Arts Center and we’re here to make Boulder weird again by providing curated access to some of the best new and classic genre films and a proper theater experience to enjoy them in. For this week’s Friday Night Weird pick, click here.
Thorne Fall Fest
Photo Courtesy Jeff and Paige
When: October 17, 2022, from 10 AM – Noon
Looking for something fun and FREE to do with your children on BVSD’s Fall In-service Day? Celebrate the transition into Fall with Thorne Nature Experience at the Sombrero Marsh Environmental Education Center for the Thorne Fall Fest. We will have face-painting, nature explorations around the Sombrero Marsh with Thorne staff, pumpkin decorating, and dancing and singing in rainbow socks with our favorite nature performers Jeff & Paige! More information here. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
First Bite: Boulder County Restaurant Week
Photo Courtesy First Bite
When: October 20 – 29, 2023
First Bite is back for the 18th Annual Boulder County Restaurant Week! From October 20 – 29, 2023, diners will flock to locally-owned participating restaurants to check out what’s new on the menu. To learn more about First Bite and to view a list of participating restaurants, click here.
Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival
Photo Courtesy Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival
When: Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 1 – 4 PM
The Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival returns to Estes Park, celebrating Colorado’s homegrown distilleries. Showcasing the finest spirits the Colorado Rockies have to offer, this event will feature live music, bar games, talks featuring industry experts, and of course, craft spirit tasting. Admission includes a souvenir tasting glass. More information here.
Spooky Village at Village at the Peaks
Photo Courtesy Village at the Peaks
When: Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 1 – 3 PM
Spooky Village is a FREE family fun festival is a Halloween event complete with trick or treating at Village at the Peaks. This year’s free activities include hay rides, craft stations, pumpkin decorating station, face painting, balloon twisting, goblin train rides, portrait stations, petting zoo, stilt walkers, caricature artists, carnival games, live entertainment on the village stage, and a trick-or-treat bag giveaway (while supplies last). Don’t forget Chuck and Don’s Pet Parade starts at 12:30 PM over at Chuck and Don’s! Bring your pet all dressed up to walk the parade! A professional photographer will be present to capture photos of the pets. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Boo! on Briggs Street
When: Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 3 PM – 6 PM
The Town of Erie presents Boo! on Briggs Street, featuring ghouls, ghosts, and witches! Oh my! Enjoy a spooktacular time with the entire family at our trick-or-treat event. There will be plenty of candy to go around with additional activities, including music and a costume contest! This is a FREE event for all ages, but there will be a small fee for contest entries. This event is held in Downtown Erie, Briggs Street between Moffat and Wells, Erie, CO 80516. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Eerie Erie 5k & 10k
Photo Courtesy Optimist Club of Erie
When: Saturday, October 29, 2022
The world-famous Eerie Erie is a Halloween-themed 5k and 10k race that runs through historic downtown Erie and takes advantage of our beautiful trail system that weaves along Coal Creek open space areas. The 10k passes by scenic Pleasant Hill Cemetery with panoramic views and friendly spirits can’t wait to visit this year’s runners. Eerie Erie is the primary fundraiser for the Optimist Club of Erie, a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to benefit the children of our community by funding youth-specific events, programs, and activities throughout the year.
Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival
Photo Courtesy Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival
When: October 29, 2022
The Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival is a fun-filled fall event featuring a marketplace with vendors selling seasonal, farm-fresh produce, as well as other farmers market-type offerings such as handcrafted, artisan foods. Pick up honey, salsas, chocolate, bread, pies, pastries, and more! Stop by the food court for breakfast or lunch. Stroll the event and visit the petting zoo. Pick up a pumpkin or two, and feel free to dress up in costume. There will be a parade with pets in costume to benefit RezDawg. Register your pet. Enjoy live music! Hard cider, wine and beer will be available for consumption. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Niwot’s Great Pumpkin Party
Photo Courtesy Niwot Colorado Facebook Page
When: Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 10 AM – 1:30 PM
Niwot’s Great Pumpkin Party is a blast for the whole family! Costume up the kids, bring the kid-friendly dog, and head downtown for trick or treating, the parade, doggie costume contest, hay rides and more. View the full schedule here. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Longmont Halloween Parade
Photo Courtesy Visit Longmont
When: Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 10 AM
You are invited to join Longmont’s Halloween Parade, where ghosts and goblins will haunt downtown Longmont. After the parage, enjoy Longmont’s trick or treat street. Paraders line up at 9:45 AM in Roosevelt Park. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
Rocky Horror Picture Show at Boulder Theater
Photo Courtesy Boulder Theater
Join Denver’s award-winning & world record-holding rocky horror shadow cast for a screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show! A shadow cast is an ensemble of performers that act out the movie while it is playing and serves as the catalysts for the audience cues to participate in callbacks or use their props. During the show, YOU will be expected to dance, yell, throw stuff, and so forth. This is an audience participation movie!
Munchkin Masquerade
Munchkin Masquerade on Pearl Street
When: Monday, October 31, 2022, from 3 PM – 6 PM
The Boulder Fall Festivals list wouldn’t be complete without the Munchkin Masquerade! Each year, Downtown Boulder is invaded by thousands of tiny ghosts & goblins, dinosaurs & dragons, fairies & princes, superheroes and animals of every size trick-or-treating along Pearl Street for the Munchkin Masquerade. There will be over 100 places handing out treats along the Pearl Street Mall. Munchkin Masquerade will be held on the Pearl Street Mall, Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302. Another free event on our list of things to do in Boulder in October!
