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(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — Halloween is the time of year for all things terrifying, but for the little ones, haunted houses might be a bit too much. Here are some family-friendly spooky events across Southern Colorado that bring the fun without the horror.
Colorado Springs
Boo at the Zoo–Pick out your best costume and head to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for Boo at the Zoo! Boo at the Zoo gives your family an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, complete with your favorite animals! Set in a unique environment, attendees will feel good about collecting candy made with sustainable palm oil to help protect wild orangutans.
Time and dates: 4-8:30 p.m., Oct. 17-19, 24-26, 31
Tickets: Online pre-purchase only, no walk-up Boo at the Zoo tickets available. Click here to learn more and buy tickets.
Where: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Pumpkin carving party and Jack-O-Lantern Trail at Fountain Creek Nature Center–Help light up the evening Jack-o-Lantern Trail at Fountain Creek Nature Center by carving a pumpkin! You’ll receive a pumpkin, carving tools and designs. For each pumpkin you carve, you’ll receive a ticket to attend the evening event for free to see your Jack-o-Lantern light the way. After the carving party, trail visitors can learn about spooky animals, hear stories, roast a marshmallow, and walk the 0.7 mile Nature Trail lit by 200 jack-o-lanterns! Costumes encouraged!
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 25. Pumpkin carving party 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Jack-O-Lantern Trail 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Each pumpkin is $5 and funds raised support the Friends of El Paso County Nature Centers. Reservations are not required but highly recommended as they may run out of pumpkins. Jack-O-Lantern Trail is $5 per person for anyone 2 and over who did not carve a pumpkin during the carving party.
Where: Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
Downtown Candy Crawl in Downtown Colorado Springs–More than 20 Downtown businesses will fright and delight with candy, treats and maybe even a few tricks. This Downtown trick-or-treating event is open to all ages and costumes are encouraged. Share a picture of yourself or your family in your Halloween costume at any Downtown location and tag @downtown_cs on Instagram or Downtown Colorado Springs on Facebook for a chance to win a $50 Downtown gift card.
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-5 p.m.
Tickets: $7 for each person who would like to receive candy, click here to sign up.
Location: Downtown Colorado Springs
Divide
Howl-O-Ween at Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center–The wolf center will pass out meat-filled pumpkins to all the wolves and visitors can enjoy a bonfire and refreshments.
Date and time: Sunday, Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m.
Tickets: $40 ages 12+, $20 ages 6-11. Reservations are required and space is limited. Call (719)687-9742 for reservations.
Location: Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, 4729 Twin Rocks Rd., Divide, CO 80814
Pueblo
Fright Night on the Riverwalk–This year marks the 7th annual trick-or-treat event on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, and will include a costume contest, boat rides, and a mini pumpkin patch. Over 70 local businesses and organizations will be handing out candy, so come dressed to impress!
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 4-8 p.m.
Tickets: Admission is free, boat rides are $8 and can be purchased at PuebloRiverwalk.org or in-person the day of the event at 101 S. Union Ave.
Location: Historic Pueblo Riverwalk, 101 S Union Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
ZooBoo at the Pueblo Zoo–Head to the Pueblo Zoo for a night of trick-or-treating, crafts and games, costume contests, and parades with prize winners. Pueblo Zoo members can get a special sneak peak at the event on Friday, during a special members-only BooBonus.
Dates and times: Friday, Oct. 24 (members only) 3-6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 25 (public) 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tickets: BooBonus $5 for all member children ages three to 17, and adult members are free. Public ZooBoo is $6 for children and $14.25 for adults. Children two and under are free. Click here to purchase tickets.
Location: Pueblo Zoo, 3455 Nuckolls Ave, Pueblo, CO 81005
Puebloween at the Buell Children’s Museum–Families can stop by the Buell Children’s Museum in the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center for a full day of frightful fun, including pumpkin painting (one pumpkin per guest, thanks to Musso Farms), trick-or-treat stations, Storytime Crafts, Monster Mash Dance Party, crazy games, and not one, but two costume contests!
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tickets: Puebloween is included with admission to the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center. Come in costume for $1 off admission! Click here to purchase tickets.
Location: Sange de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, 210 N Santa Fe Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003.
