Mid-October is the sweet spot: the leaves are still up, the Halloween crowds have not peaked, and most of the big fall events are running. Here are the things to do in south Denver this weekend, from a corn maze in Littleton to a free afternoon in Centennial Center Park.
Outdoor plans in a Colorado October can change with one cold front, so tap through before you load the car.
What is open on Thursday?
Free Open Hours at the Highlands Ranch Mansion
When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Dr., Highlands Ranch
Admission: Free. Tour reservations recommended.
Walk the historic Mansion on your own or join a volunteer docent for a free tour. A good weekday stop if you have a preschooler, a visiting parent, or a long lunch break. The Mansion is not open Friday through Sunday this week.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
What is happening Friday, Oct. 16?
Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms
When: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16 to 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton
Admission: Paid. Advance tickets recommended.
The Pumpkin Festival crowds are gone, but the maze stays open every weekend through Nov. 1. Go Friday morning or Sunday afternoon if you want the paths to yourself. Outdoors, so check the organizer page the day of.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
Pumpkin Poles in Downtown Littleton
When: On display through Halloween, while the pumpkins hold up
Where: Main, Alamo and Prince Streets, Downtown Littleton
Admission: Free to view
Carved and decorated pumpkins stacked up the downtown light poles. Pair it with dinner on Main Street before the pumpkins start to sag later in the month.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
Always...Patsy Cline
When: Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Also Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 and 7 p.m.
Where: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Admission: Paid
The two-woman musical about Patsy Cline and a Houston fan who became her friend. It runs about two hours with an intermission. The run closes Oct. 25, so this is the second-to-last weekend.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
What is on for Saturday, Oct. 17?
Sip in Centennial
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Centennial Center Park, 13050 E. Peakview Ave., Centennial
Admission: Free entry. Tasting cards are paid, for ages 21 and up.
Local breweries and distilleries set up in the park with live music and food trucks. Entry is free for everyone, so the kids can run the playground while the adults sample. Tasting cards go up on the day, so buy ahead if you plan to taste. Outdoors, so check the organizer page the day of.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
Spooktacular in Castle Rock
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 1 to 4 p.m. Sensory-friendly hour 1 to 2 p.m.; 2 to 4 p.m. entry times are split by last name.
Where: Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
Admission: Free
A free outdoor Halloween afternoon with games, prizes, food, candy, and a Trick-or-Treat Street. New this year: a Children's Entrepreneur Market where young residents sell things they made. Costumes welcome, not required. Dress for the weather and check the organizer page the day of.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
Zak Mirz: Kid at Heart
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Where: PACE Center, Parker
Admission: Paid
An evening magic show from a performer who has appeared on America's Got Talent and fooled Penn & Teller on Fool Us. A solid Saturday night out that does not involve a corn maze.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
Sunday, Oct. 18
Highlands Ranch Farmers Market
When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch. Free parking in the Town Center garage.
Admission: Free to walk through
The Sunday market runs through Nov. 1, so there are a few weeks left. An easy morning before the afternoon plans.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-13
Sunday is the easy day: the Chatfield corn maze is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Always...Patsy Cline has a 1:30 p.m. matinee in Lone Tree. Both are listed above.
We could not confirm events for Castle Pines or Sterling Ranch this weekend on an organizer page. If your neighborhood has something on, tell us and we will check it for next week.
Coming up this month
Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and the biggest dates are still ahead: Castle Pines' Fall Festival and Pumpkin Race on Oct. 24 and Castle Rock's Fangtastic Festival on Oct. 30. The full list, with what to register for now, is in our October 2026 south Denver events guide.
Spend the weekend out there
The best part of a fall weekend happens outside the house. We keep the inside ready for when you get back. Meet CompanyClean.
About the author. Ronnie Kendrick founded CompanyClean in 2022 in Highlands Ranch, where he lives with his wife and two kids. He built the company around two customers: the families whose homes it cleans and the technicians who do the work. He runs it day to day and sets the standard every visit is held to.
