One of Denver’s best venues, Denver Botanic Gardens, always has something going on, from nature exhibitions to summer blooms, alongside their normal (and gorgeous) gardens. But it’s fall and winter when the botanic gardens really shine, offering up to 6 different and unique family friendly events. We’ve got them all listed for you here, so return to this page throughout September, October, and November to see what’s going on.
1. Chatfield Farms’ Corn Maze
On select weekends in September and October, you can wind your way through this 7-acre corn field or view it from above on top of the 15-foot-tall bridge on the premises. Plus, this year even has a theme, paying homage to the dinosaurs of pre-history’s past. Theres’ also a mini corn maze for children under 10 incase the main one is a little too much (it’s an hour long, after all). There will also be food vendors, mini train rides, and fun escape rooms for an additional fee. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $11 for children ages 3-15. Free admission for children under 2.
2. Fall Plant & Bulb Sale
Looking to plan ahead for your spring garden? There’s a special Fall Plant & Bulb Sale taking place at Denver Botanic Gardens that you can peruse, and best of all, they’re grown right there in the Gardens, so you know how high quality they are. The sale will be located under the UMB Bank Amphitheater and they suggest you arrive early for the best selection. The event starts at 9am and ends at 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, plus it’s free to attend.
3. Pumpkin Festival
The Pumpkin Festival returns to Chatfield Farms to celebrate October’s most favorite gourd. From entertainment and live music to artisanal craft booths, food trucks and vendors, and of course, the main events, which are the corn maze and pumpkin patch. This includes hay rides, carnival games, and so much more. Tickets are only $15 for adults and $9 for children, and the event takes place October 7th-9th from 9am to 4pm.
4. Ghosts in the Garden – Open Air Scare
Wander into Denver Botanic Gardens after hours to hear chilling tales from the history of the gardens; 100 years worth. Taking place October 13th-15th and 28th-30th, the tours take approximately 1.5 hours, and you can speak with storytellers who regale tales from real staff encounters with the paranormal. Plus, learn about the weird history of a place known as “The Boneyard,” and, for the brave, head into the mysterious Waring House for an exclusive visit to the Beaux-arts style mansion. The tour is self guided and you can speak with any of the storytellers on-site to learn more. Tickets cost $34.
5. Glow at the Gardens
A luminous nighttime celebration to kick off the end of Halloween and maybe even the start of Christmas, is Glow at the Gardens. The gardens are decked out in their finest and you can take a tour of amazing pumpkins harvested from the farm, transformed by artists into larger-than-life sculptures and jack o’ lantern displays. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $21 for children ages 3-15.
6. Día de los Muertos Festival
Denver Botanic Gardens is holding a special festival to celebrate Día de los Muertos with alters and a mercado where Colorado-native artists will be selling everything from jewelry to candles to clothing and more. There’s also a really unique short film competition if you’re a filmmaker and are interested in showcasing what the holiday means to you. The festival is on Saturday, November 5th from 9am to 3pm and costs $15 for adults. Kids 15 and under are free.