This is pumpkin weekend. Chatfield Farms runs its Pumpkin Festival Friday through Sunday, Hudson Gardens lights its jack-o'-lantern trail, the Littleton Museum holds its Harvest Festival on Saturday, and Lone Tree has a brand-new show in its first full weekend. Here are the things to do in south Denver this weekend, starting with a free Thursday at the Highlands Ranch Mansion.
October weather in Colorado can turn in an afternoon, so tap through to the organizer before you head out.
What is open on Thursday?
Free Open Hours at the Highlands Ranch Mansion
When: Thursday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Highlands Ranch Mansion, 9950 E. Gateway Dr., Highlands Ranch
Admission: Free. Tour reservations recommended.
Tour the historic Mansion on your own or with a volunteer docent. An easy midweek outing with a preschooler or visiting grandparents.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
What is happening Friday, Oct. 9?
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms
When: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 9 to 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton
Admission: Paid. Advance tickets recommended for your preferred date and entry time.
Chatfield's one pumpkin weekend of the year, three days only. The corn maze keeps its regular 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours all weekend, so you can make a morning of both. Outdoors, so check the organizer page the day of.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns
When: Friday, Oct. 9, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Admission: Paid. Tickets through the organizer.
An evening walk along a trail of lit, hand-carved pumpkins, with scenes that run from pirate ships to dinosaurs. A good one for kids who are old enough to stay up past eight.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
Parker Symphony Orchestra: Myths and Legends
When: Friday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Where: PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
Admission: Paid. Every child needs a ticket.
A program built on stories: the William Tell Overture, Danse Macabre, and Pictures at an Exhibition. The organizer lists it for all ages, and the music is familiar enough to hold a school-age kid's attention.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
Always...Patsy Cline
When: Friday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. Also Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
Admission: Paid. Free pre-show chat Sunday, 12:45 to 1:05 p.m.
The two-woman musical about Patsy Cline and the Houston fan who became her friend opened Oct. 8 and runs through Oct. 25. Sunday's matinee comes with a short free talk beforehand.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
Pumpkin Poles in Downtown Littleton
When: On display now through Halloween, while the pumpkins hold up
Where: Main, Alamo and Prince Streets, Downtown Littleton
Admission: Free to view
Downtown merchants stack carved and decorated pumpkins up the light poles. The organizer says go early in the month, so this weekend is the time.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
What is on for Saturday, Oct. 10?
G-Scale Garden Railroad Open
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Admission: Free
Model trains running through the Railroad Garden. Short, free, and a reliable win with train-obsessed toddlers.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
Harvest Festival at the Littleton Museum
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton
Admission: Pumpkins and some activities are paid.
The museum grounds turn into a fall fair for the day, with wagon rides, games, and Halloween pumpkins to take home. Outdoors, so check the organizer page the day of.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
Sunday, Oct. 11
Highlands Ranch Farmers' Market
When: Sunday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch
Admission: Free to browse. Free parking in the Town Center garage.
Colorado produce and locally made goods, rain or shine, with three Sundays left in the season after this one. Shop for the week and be home by lunch.
Organizer page · Last verified: 2026-10-07
Sunday is the last day of the Pumpkin Festival, and Always...Patsy Cline has a 1:30 p.m. matinee.
We could not confirm events for Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Centennial 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 Castle Pines Fall Festival, Trick or Treat Street and Pumpkin Race is Oct. 24. The full month, with what to register for now, is in our October 2026 south Denver events guide.
Spend the weekend out there
A pumpkin festival, a symphony, a Sunday market. None of it happens inside 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.
