Pumpkin/chocolate festivals, Touch-a-Truck, Nuggets, Avs and more | What’s Up, Colorado

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Whether you’re ready to hunt for the perfect pumpkin, break out the Halloween costumes or cheer until you’re hoarse, there’s a little something for everyone. And yes, chocolate gets its own spot on the list!   

Find your perfect pumpkin at Chatfield Farms 

Denver Botanic Gardens’ Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms is back Friday through Sunday. Explore a 10-acre pumpkin patch, enjoy live music and make a day of the family activities. Festival admission includes the pumpkin patch and corn maze; pumpkins are purchased separately. Advance tickets are recommended, and bringing a wagon is a smart move for getting your picks back to the car.  

When: Friday–Sunday, October 9–11; entry begins at 9 a.m., last entry at 4 p.m., closing at 5 p.m.
Where: Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton.
Details and tickets: https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/public-events/pumpkin-festival 

Follow your sweet tooth to Choctoberfest 

Choctoberfest brings a delicious mix of fall festivities to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds on Saturday. Explore treats from vendors offering everything from truffles and fudge to brownies, cookies and cupcakes. There’s also live music and a chocolate pudding eating contest. Finally, a competition my snack habits have prepared me for! 

When: Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. 
Details and tickets: https://www.cochocolatefests.com/choctoberfest.html 

Big trucks, big smiles at Touch-a-Truck 

The annual Touch-a-Truck event brings fire trucks, police cruisers, construction rigs and specialty machinery to the Spring Creek Park parking lot for a free, hands-on outing. Kids and grown-ups can get an up-close look, climb aboard, take photos and learn how these vehicles help keep the community running. 

Whether your kiddo dreams of fighting fires or just loves anything with giant wheels, this is a chance to turn “Look at that truck!” into an entire morning of fun. 

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Spring Creek Park parking lot
Admission: Free; all ages welcome
More details: https://kosi101.com/event/touch-a-truck-2/

Give costumes a test run at Spooky Sweets Stroll 

Orchard Town Center’s Spooky Sweets Stroll offers a free, family-friendly Sunday outing in Westminster. Enjoy trick-or-treating, a live DJ, entertainment, free face painting and carnival-style games. You can also browse local artisans and unique finds at the Macabre Market, which continues after trick-or-treating wraps up. No RSVP is required. 

When: Sunday, October 11; trick-or-treating and related activities from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Macabre Market from 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Orchard Town Center, Westminster.
More details: https://theorchardtowncenter.com/event/spooky-sweets-stroll/ 

Bring the noise for the Avalanche 

The Colorado Avalanche host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Ball Arena on Saturday evening. Grab your favorite Avs gear and make it a hockey night.  

When: Saturday, October 10, 5 p.m.
Where: Ball Arena, Denver. 
Schedule and ticket information: https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/schedule 

Wrap up the weekend with the Nuggets 

The Denver Nuggets take on the Chicago Bulls in a preseason matchup Sunday night at Ball Arena. Consider it your chance to warm up that game-night cheering voice, too.  

When: Sunday, October 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Ball Arena, Denver. 
Schedule and ticket information: https://www.nba.com/nuggets/schedule