2018 Guide to Fall Festivals in Colorado Springs

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The kids are back to school, the temperatures are dropping, the leaves are starting to turn colors, and if you’re like me Fall is a fun season to enjoy with the family!  I’ve scoured the area and put together the most thorough list of fun things to do and places to go in our area for fun with the family. Whatever your family enjoys about fall-you can find it here!

From carnivals to pumpkin patches, geeky science festivals to scary haunted mines, or a 5K run dressed like Waldo, there is something for everyone no matter how old or what your interests are, so join me in heading out to enjoy that crisp fall air!!  

Did we miss a festival? Please email full details to [email protected] & we will add it in.

Open Friday the 7th: 5-11 PM, Saturday the 8th: 9 AM-11 PM, and Sunday the 9th: Noon-6

Located at: St Gabriel the Archangel, 8755 Scarborough Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Briarfest is a community festival featuring a carnival midway, games, food, music, art, silent auction, wine, and a beer garden. Something for everyone!  All of the rides and carnival company games take tokens only, which can be purchased at machines throughout the midway and all carnival food areas. Or an all-day wristband can be purchased in advance online for $25.  After Thursday the 6th, and at the festival the wristbands may be purchased for $30.  Outside food vendors accept cash.
For additional information and a complete schedule of all the events, please see their website.

The 9th Annual What If Festival takes place in the Pikes Peak Center, the Pioneers Museum, the Plaza of the Rockies and 6 city blocks of downtown –Tejon and Cascade are closed from Colorado Ave to Vermijo for this celebration of imagination and innovation featuring sustainable engineering, hi-tech fitness, geeky gadgets, tiny houses, local foods and indy music.  Come and check out hands-on activities, music, dancing, films, ninja obstacle courses, festival food, a beer and wine garden, and high-tech to low-tech fun! Check their website for a full map of events and their locations.

We are excited for our Second Annual Kick-Off to Fall Family Festival-an ALL-INCLUSIVE event for the whole family! Come out and celebrate the start of the Fall season at the Long Neck Pumpkin FarmCheck out all the details below.

Who :: All Colorado Springs area families!

What :: Kick-Off to Fall Family Festival 

When :: Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 10:00 am-3 pm

Where :: Long Neck Pumpkin Farm Property

 7595 California Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80923

Tickets include ALL games & activities at the Pumpkin Farm (see list below), lunch and dessert, live music, cute photo ops with Fall decor, and games & swag from local sponsors for even more fun! **Please Note: The only things that cost extra once you are inside are pumpkins & professional photos. Pumpkins will be sold on-site separately & unfortunately there is no access inside the actual pumpkin patch this year (to protect the livelihood of the Pumpkins growing). A professional photo (with $2 ditigal download available later) staging area will be set-up & photography will be available with Life Photography by Melissa.

Long Neck Pumpkin Farm activities include:: hayrides, farm animals (NO petting zoo), hay bale slide, duck races, bean bag toss, building blocks, corn boxes, bowling, tractor swings, tether ball, puppet theater, tic tac toe, checkers, water pump station, little library, story time, wagon train, children’s market, photo ops, and MORE!)

PLEASE NOTE: This event will happen rain, snow or shine! There is no backup date for this event. For our guests comfort and safety please adhere to the following: There are no pets allowed. Smoking and vaping is prohibited. No open carrying of firearms.

TICKET INFO/PRICES::

Early Bird GA Tickets:: $12/person (25 months and older)
Regular GA tickets:: $15/person (25 months and older)
Littles Ticket (24 months and younger):: Free
**Please Note: If you would like your “littles” to have their own food ticket, you will need to purchase them their own General Admission ticket. Otherwise they are welcome to snack from your plate.
***When purchasing your tickets, you will be prompted to select a timeslot for lunch. This ensures all guests receive food, and cuts down on the time spent waiting in the food line.

September 22th from 10 Am to 5 PM

Admission: Adults (18-54) $8, Seniors (55+) $5, Students (6-17) $4, Under 6 and LHA Members are free.

Rock Ledge Ranch, across from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center at 1401 Recreation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 (719) 578-6777

The Living History Association comes together with the 8th Annual Garden of the Gods Rock Ledge Ranch Powwow Committee to celebrate America’s indigenous nations with a program representing many Native American Tribes in a traditional Powwow.  The day’s activities will include dancing, drumming, and singing. Guests will also be able to enjoy native foods, arts, crafts and exhibits.

 

After a one-year hiatus, the Haunted Mines are back!  They are promising lots of new and old scares to thrill and entertain you!

Minimum age: 10.  Check their website to up-to-date times and ticket prices.

October 6th from 10 AM-3 PM.

Admission: Adults (18-54) $8, Seniors (55+) $5, Students (6-17) $4, Under 6 and LHA Members are free, pumpkins are $5 each.

Rock Ledge Ranch, across from the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center at 1401 Recreation Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 (719) 578-6777

Come enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, old-time music, pick a pumpkin, scramble for candy, and tour the restored 1880s Rock Ledge House and 1907 Estate House.  There will also be a silent auction and food vendors on site.

October 6th from 10 AM-3 PM.

Admission: Free

High Prairie Library, 7035 Meridian Rd, Peyton, CO 80831

Free family fun event for all ages. Arts and Crafts, Games, Poetry, Face Painting, Cookie Contests, Costume Contest, Prize Drawings and more.

October 12-14, 9 AM-5 PM daily.

Admission: Non-Members: $10 Adult, $9 Student, Seniors, Military, $8 Members or Child (3-12), $6 Member Child, Under 2 are free.  Advance tickets are available at a discount online. Discounted Corn Maze tickets can be purchased for $8. Pumpkins are an additional cost.

Admission includes: entry to the pumpkin patch, antique tractor exhibit, tractor-pulled parking shuttles, hay ride, pony rides, photo booths, barrel train rides (for 12 and Under), mini maze for under 10, jumping pillow, 5 carnival game tickets for each paid child admission, corn hole and jenga games, and live music. For an additional fee: the Corn Maze, Xtreme obstacle course, food, drinks, and additional carnival game tickets.

There are many other themed events happening at the Botanic Gardens: Corn Maze (Sept 21-Oct 28), Glow in the Gardens (Oct 17, 18, 23 & 24): fun-filled nights with jack-o-lanterns, luminarias, and larger-than-life pumpkin displays and many fall-themed activities; Dia De Los Muertos Festival Nov 3rd.  Please see the Botanic Garden’s website for more information on each of these fun-filled events!

At various locations around the city of Colorado Springs, this eight day science festival is a collaboration of national and local science organizations working together to facilitate and enhance science literacy in our region through informal learning experiences.

There are events for kids, events for adults and events for all ages at various locations around the city.  The event kicks off October 13th at UCCS with the family-friendly Cool Science Carnival Day with free admission and parking.  

For a full calendar of events, their locations, and any possible fees, please check their website

 

October 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 31.  Hours 4-8:30 PM, the last ticket sold at 7:30 PM

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, located at: 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 (719) 633-9925

The zoo will close early for day visits at 3 PM on those dates. The last ticket of the day will be sold at 2 PM on those days, guests must exit and then the Zoo will open for Boo at the Zoo at 4 PM.

Tickets: check the zoo website for updated ticket pricing information

Don your costume, bring your trick-or-treat bag and flashlight for a frightfully good time! Activities will be posted on the Zoo’s website in October 2018.

Saturday, October 20th, events starting at 7:30 AM

Registration in advance is $35, day-of the event is $45, and includes a Waldo or Wenda kit that includes a shirt, hat and glasses.

The event will take place mostly on Tejon street between Costilla and Cache La Poudra Street.

For the last time downtown Colorado springs will be taken over by thousands of Waldos and Wendas in the seventh annual 5K fundraiser.  Registration includes a Waldo or Wenda costume and entry in to the 5K. This is a family-friendly event to raise fund for the local community.  Runners of all ages and abilities are welcome-walkers and strollers too! For more information please see the event website.

Oct 27th, 12-4 PM, in Downtown Manitou Springs

Teams of five, one Emma and four runners, push their coffins 195 feet to the finish line. The fastest times earn trophies as well as a chance to win Best Emma, Best Entourage, and Best Coffin. There is even a separate fire department division that competes for their own traveling trophy. The event starts off with a parade of all the coffins and teams as well as authentic hearses at 12:00pm.  The parade is followed by 70 teams racing coffins down Manitou Avenue. To race, registration are due by Friday October 19th at 5 PM.  If you’re interested in entering, the fee is $75 plus a coffin that meets the required specifications.  See their website for more details on entering.

 

 COSMB’s Guide to Fall & Halloween!

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Kristin, Senior Writer
Once Upon A Time, in another life, Kristin graduated from the University of Michigan with a plan to teach high school math. But then, life happened when she wasn’t looking…. She married an Army guy and 23 years, 3 kids, a few dogs, 7 homes, and 2 continents later she’s now a single mom living here in Colorado Springs. Along the way she volunteered for the Army, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and several schools; managed volunteer organizations, coached judo, trained to be a whitewater rafting guide, biked down Pike’s Peak and even managed to teach some high schoolers a little math before forging new trails writing, teaching and financial planning. She never knows what’s coming around the bend, but she’s learned to handle whatever life (and the Army!), throws at her with a smile and a laugh. She’s pretty sure you can get through anything with those, even if you have to fake it occasionally!!