October Events Around Denver & South Metro Denver

Can you believe it’s already October?!

Fall is officially here, which means cooler days, changing leaves, pumpkins, Oktoberfest, Halloween events and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy Colorado.I got a little taste of that this past weekend with a hike through Golden Gate Canyon. It’s such a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the trails.

There is a lot happening around Denver and South Metro Denver this month, so I pulled together a list of some of the events that caught my eye.

Denver | DIVA

October 4, 2026 – January 31, 2027 | Denver Art Museum

If you love music, fashion and pop culture, put this one on your list.

DIVA is a major exhibition from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum celebrating nearly 100 iconic performers, including Cher, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, RuPaul, Prince and Tina Turner. Denver is the exhibition’s only U.S. venue.

More details → DIVA at the Denver Art Museum

Denver | Denver International Festival

October 3 | 12:00–8:00 PM | 2736 Welton St.

Food, music and art from around the world come together at this free festival in Five Points.

The Denver International Festival features more than 25 international food trucks, cultural performances, live art and a kids village.

More details → Denver International Festival

Denver | Cinema Toast House Festival

October 2–4 | Denver

Part art installation, part film school and part block party, Cinema Toast House Festival is a free filmmaking-focused event in Denver.

If you’re looking for something a little different, this could be a fun one to check out.

More details → Cinema Toast House Festival

Denver | Great American Beer Festival

October 10–11 | Levitt Pavilion

The Great American Beer Festival is taking things outdoors this year at Levitt Pavilion.

The 2026 festival will feature hundreds of breweries and more than 2,000 beers, along with food and live music.

More details → Great American Beer Festival

Denver | Glow at the Gardens

October 15–18 & October 21–24 | 5:30–9:00 PM | Denver Botanic Gardens

This is one of those October events that feels very Colorado-fall.

Glow at the Gardens takes over the Denver Botanic Gardens with illuminated paths, live performers and thousands of hand-carved pumpkins.

Tickets are timed and the event tends to sell out, so this is one to plan ahead for.

More details → Glow at the Gardens

Denver | Oktoberfest – The Denver Wiesn

October 16–18 & October 22–25 | National Western Center

If you like Oktoberfest, Denver has another option in October.

The Denver Wiesn brings Bavarian food, beer, music and traditions to the National Western Center.

More details → Oktoberfest – The Denver Wiesn

Denver | Denver Film Festival

October 22 – November 1 | Various Denver locations

The Denver Film Festival returns for its 49th year with films from around the world, screenings, special events and more.

You don’t have to build an entire festival schedule. You can simply pick a movie that looks interesting and make a night of it.

More details → Denver Film Festival

Denver | Día de los Muertos

October 24 | Civic Center Park

Celebrate Día de los Muertos with music, art, cultural traditions and community activities at Civic Center Park.

More details → Día de los Muertos at Civic Center Park

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South Metro Denver

Lone Tree | Lone Tree Oktoberfest

October 3 | 2:30–6:30 PM | Schweiger Ranch

This is one I’m definitely putting on the list.

Lone Tree Oktoberfest brings Colorado craft beer, German food, live music, polka, games and a stein-hoisting competition to historic Schweiger Ranch.

The event is free to attend, and you must be 21 or older to purchase the tasting.

More details → Lone Tree Oktoberfest

Lone Tree | Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival

October 4 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM | Schweiger Ranch

If you’re looking for something more family-friendly, head back to Schweiger Ranch the next day for its annual Fall Festival.

There will be pumpkins, wagon rides, marshmallow roasting, storytelling, live music, food trucks, vendors and tours of the historic ranch.

More details → Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival

Castle Rock | Restaurant Week

October 2–11 | Downtown Castle Rock

This is a good excuse to try somewhere new.

Participating Downtown Castle Rock restaurants will offer special menu items created specifically for Restaurant Week. It’s also a nice way to support local independent restaurants while exploring downtown.

More details → Castle Rock Restaurant Week

Parker | Ghostbusters in Concert

October 3 | 7:30 PM | PACE Center

Yes, the original Ghostbusters movie.

On a big screen.

With a live orchestra performing the music.

If you’re looking for a movie night with a little something extra, this one caught my attention.

More details → Ghostbusters in Concert

Centennial | Sip in Centennial

October 17 | 1:00–5:00 PM | Centennial Center Park

Grab a chair, bring some friends and enjoy an afternoon of Colorado beverages, live music and food trucks.

More than 20 breweries, distilleries and cideries are participating. Admission is free, while the tasting card is available for guests 21 and older.

More details → Sip in Centennial

Littleton | Bones About Town

October 1–31 | Downtown Littleton

Downtown Littleton gets a little spooky in October with more than 25 skeletons displayed throughout downtown.

It’s basically a month-long scavenger hunt. Walk around, find the skeletons, explore local businesses and enter for a chance to win gift cards.

More details → Bones About Town

Littleton | Haunts of Littleton

October 16, 17, 23 & 24 | 7:00–9:30 PM | Downtown Littleton

For those who like their Halloween with a little history, Haunts of Littleton is a walking tour through downtown featuring some of Littleton’s darker stories and legends.

Bring comfortable shoes and a jacket. October evenings can get chilly!

More details → Haunts of Littleton

Castle Rock | Spooktacular

October 17 | 1:00–4:00 PM | Philip S. Miller Park

A family-friendly Halloween event with a not-so-spooky approach.

Spooktacular brings fall and Halloween activities to Philip S. Miller Park for an afternoon that’s geared toward families.

More details → Spooktacular

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There is plenty happening around Denver and South Metro this October, whether you’re looking for a night out, something to do with the kids, a good excuse to try a local restaurant or just a reason to get outside and enjoy the season.

Happy fall!