Crystal Valley Blog

With Halloween fast approaching, you can get a head start on visiting haunted houses and corn mazes. For less scary seasonal fun, pumpkin festivals and non-haunted corn mazes are out there, too! A must-see event: the first-ever magic trail of jack-o-lanterns at Hudson Gardens!

TODAY/TONIGHT, October 14

GHOSTLY TALES OF CASTLE ROCK
Looking at Castle Rock today, you would have no idea of the ghostly and tragic events in the town’s history. Take a walking tour of downtown Castle Rock that revolves around ghostly tales of the Cantril School, the Old Stone Church, the B&B Café, Hangman’s Gulch and more. Donations are encouraged and reservations are required.

Castle Rock Museum, 420 Elbert St., Castle Rock
7:00 p.m.
Reserve: FREE (Donations encouraged)
Phone: 303-814-3164

Thursday-Sunday, October 14-17

CORN MAZE AT FLAT ACRES FARM
Little ones will love the giant hay-bale maze that’s perfect for kids 10 and younger. Designed for a positive and non-scary Halloween experience, the fall festival also features a petting zoo, bounce houses, and duck races. Everyone in the family can help to choose the perfect carving pumpkin! 

Flat Acres Farm, 11321 Dransfeldt Rd., Parker 
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $16
Phone: 303-805-1038

REINKE BROTHERS HAUNTED MANSION
This haunted house has been around for much longer than any other in the area—it’s the real thing! For 50 years, the Reinke Brothers have been delivering chills and thrills with their Haunted Mansion. There’s also a child-friendly daytime Lights-On Tour for kids who are not ready for the full effects of the Haunted Mansion. This is a movie studio-type guided tour with lights on and special effects off. Lights-On Tours operate every Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Reinke Brothers Haunted Mansion, 5663 S. Prince St., Littleton
Thurs., 6:00-10:00 p.m.; Fri., 6:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.; Sat., 3:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.; Sun., 3:00-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$35

JACK O’LANTERNS MAGIC
Be among the first to experience this magical new exhibit at Hudson Gardens. Children and adults alike will be enchanted by the “whimsical walking trail” along 7,000 illuminated hand-carved pumpkins and larger than life pumpkin displays. You’ll see a sparkling carnival, nautical seascape, and dinosaurs and dragons illuminating the grounds of the Gardens where magic can be found around every corner. Timed entry tickets must be purchased in advance.

Hudson Gardens, 6115 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Thurs., 6:45-10:00 p.m.; Fri., 6:45-10:30 p.m.; Sat., SOLD OUT; Sun., 6:45-10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10.99 – $29.99

Friday, October 15

REMEMBRANCE AND HOPE
Parker Symphony Orchestra opens its 2021-2022 “Season of Renewal” with music of remembrance for those that were lost to us in the past eighteen months. The community orchestra comprised of your neighbors and friends will give us the chance to come together and share our sense of loss. 

Then the second part of the concert will focus on hope, to remind us through uplifting music that we can also share in renewing our hopes for the future. Tickets are limited to six per transaction.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE but registration required
Phone: 303-805-6800

Friday-Saturday, October 15-16

HAUNTED FRIGHT ACRES 
If you are ready to be scared out of your senses, Colorado’s largest outdoor haunted attraction is for you! Four uniquely terrifying experiences are housed at Fright Acres on Flat Acres Farm. This is an adult attraction and not recommended for children 12 and under.

A creepy mausoleum is perched on the edge of Reaper’s Hollow Cemetery, giving you the urge to run away. Will you be brave enough to enter? Or maybe you’d rather stay safe and sound in the homey, family-owned Dead End Motel. The staff there will be EXTREMELY attentive—maybe too much so. You may find yourself fleeing into the dark  woods behind the motel. Don’t pay attention to those gruesome tales about people entering and coming out possessed—or never returning at all…

Flat Acres Farm, 11321 Dransfeldt Rd., Parker
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$45

STAND-UP TOM PAPA
Enjoy the stand-up show of 20-year veteran comedian, Tom Papa, followed by a “Mask & Ask” event with the comedian where you’ll have a chance to interact with him. Papa has had a long career in film, TV, radio and podcasts, with several critically-acclaimed specials. Papa appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant, Chris Rock’s film Top Five, and the Emmy Award-winning HBO film Behind the Candelabra. He also has a new podcast, Breaking Bread with Tom Papa, and co-hosts the daily Netflix radio show, What A Joke With Papa And Fortune, on SiriusXM.

Comedy Works South, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Fri., 7:15 and 9:45 p.m.; Sat., 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $33-$50
Phone: 720-274-6800

Friday-Sunday, October 15-17

CHATFIELD FARMS PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Spend a cheerful fall day picking out the absolute best carving pumpkin from the 10-acre pumpkin patch at Chatfield Farms! Bring the family along since there are also a bunch of children’s activities, craft and artisan booths, entertainment, live music, food vendors, and more. You must purchase a ticket online for a specific date and time. Discounted Corn Maze tickets can be added for an additional $8 per person.

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Entry Tickets (Advance Purchase Required): $7-$12
Phone: 720-865-3500

Saturday, October 16

CREEPY CRAWLIES
Just in time for Halloween, you can get acquainted with all kinds of creatures that creep and crawl in the night! This fall festival focuses on the darker side of nature, starring members of our local wildlife, including raptors, reptiles, bats, insects and other species. Local wildlife experts, organizations and wildlife rehabilitators, such as Nature’s Educators and Denver Audubon, will be on site to give you more information and dispel myths about the creatures that can frighten us. Find out what they eat, how they hunt, where they live, and how they benefit the local ecosystems.

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Information: $10 suggested donation

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY
With an iconic name from an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has been celebrating and revitalizing jazz and swing music for almost 30 years. They’ve sold millions of records and their music has appeared in hundreds of movies and television shows. The band has been playing sold-out concerts from the Hollywood Bowl to Lincoln Center because of their passion for America’s original musical art form.

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $69 — Phone: 303-805-6800

BROADWAY’S BEST
This special evening of Broadway-inspired music pairs two legends of the stage in an inspiring and uplifting musical showcase. Originating the role of “Annie” in one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals, Andrea McArdle has been belting out tunes since she was a kid. Over the years, she’s developed into a powerhouse interpreter of musical theatre and The Great American Songbook. 

Joining her for the evening is Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young, who originated the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. Young received rave reviews for his performance, including one of the most the most exciting New York Times reviews ever written for an actor making a Broadway debut.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $45 – $60
Phone: 720-509-1000

CONSTELLATIONS AND COCOA
The air is crisp and the skies are clear—it’s the perfect time of year to study the night sky! 

Head out to the backcountry on a guided hike with some astronomers and learn something about the constellations of the autumn sky. For example, in the fall, Pegasus, Perseus and Andromeda make their arrival in the night sky.  The dominant constellation is Pegasus, named after the winged horse in Greek Mythology. Bring along some picnic snacks and a camp chair and learn how to locate these amazing constellations!

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch
8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Register: $8-$12

Sunday, October 17

PUMPKINFEST
The kids will love dressing up and participating in the costume parade and trick-or-treating at sponsor booths! This annual Halloween event features lots of pumpkins, music, rides, arts and crafts, giveaways, concessions, and more! Entry wristbands include rides and inflatables.

The Grange, 3692 Meadows Blvd., Castle Rock
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Tickets: FREE to $10
Phone: 303-814-2358

SEVEN FALLS DANCERS
In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, the Seven Falls Indian Dancers will be performing traditional dances including the Hoop Dance, Eagle Dance, Grass Dance, and more, explaining the origin of each dance with a story. This is a family dance troupe representing four generations of dancers from the Pawnee, Flandreau Santee Sioux, and Crow Creek Sioux tribes.

Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree
1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 —Phone: 720-509-1000

ROCKIN’ CLASSICAL MUSIC
The crossover string quartet, Spinphony, breaks down barriers between classical, rock, and pop music. Four talented and creative classical musicians have mixed and mashed melodies you know and love, creating such unique arrangements as Bach in Black and Don’t Stop Beethoven. Spinphony is more like a rock band than a string quartet with added choreography and beats. 

Their high energy show and refreshing one-of-a-kind sound will leave you with a whole new appreciation for instrumental music. Whether you’re a fan of AC/DC, Vivaldi, or Bruno Mars, the Spinphony show is music that everyone will love!

PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker
2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $29
Phone: 303-805-6800

Family-friendly activities in the Crystal Valley area!

There’s always something to do near the family-friendly community of Crystal Valley! Enjoy the  relaxed lifestyle of Castle Rock and surrounding area where cultural and entertainment activities abound! Tour the nine amazing models from Richmond American Homes, D.R. Horton, Century Communities, and Kauffman Homes and and find out why our community is among the top five fastest-growing in the state with new homes priced from the low $400s.