Everything is a little different in 2020, and Halloween festivities are no exception. Some municipalities across the country have canceled trick-or-treating this year, but Denver has opted to keep the candy collecting tradition alive with guidelines and suggestions in place to keep everyone happy and healthy. No matter your comfort level regarding Covid-19, there's Halloween fun to be had in Denver! From activities you can do at home to events around town, there's something on our list for everyone to celebrate a safe and spooky Halloween.
2020 Trick-or-Treating in Denver
Denver's modified Halloween guidelines for 2020 include restricting trick-or-treating groups to household units and remaining six feet away from other groups as you make your way from house to house. Beyond that, masks and gloves are suggested and encouraged and can easily be part of the costume! Don't forget to stash a bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket as you head out the door and make sure all your ghosts and goblins wash their hands thoroughly when they return home with their sugary loot.If you're open to the idea of trick-or-treating but still a little spooked by it, here are some other ways to turn the safety factor up:
- Get creative with costumes that are so large that social distancing is built into the disguise
- Stick to your own neighborhood and don't hit up as many homes this year
- Make sure masks and costume face & head coverings fit properly so that kids aren't constantly touching their face to adjust them.
- Stay with yourkids to ensure they're maintaining the appropriate distance from other trick-or-treaters.
2020 Halloween Events around Denver
While there won't be any candy this year, there is still plenty of fun to be had every day in October at the Denver Zoo, from costumed character sightings, to Lego statues, themed concessions and decorations, and of course the incredible creatures that live at the zoo. Guests are encouraged to get into costume and because face coverings are required, costumes with masks will be allowed for the first time ever.
Glow at the Gardens | Denver Botanic Gardens
For just five days, from October 20-25, the Denver Botanic Gardens transforms into a pumpkin covered, spooky forest with mood lights and live performers. Trick-or-treat stations, crafts, and cash bars will be absent from this year's event, but it is still a marvel to walk the mysterious path through the gardens at night. Masks are required and costumes are encouraged!
Bug-A-Boo- | Butterfly Pavilion
Starting October 18th and running through the end of the month, the Butterfly Pavillion in Westminster is hosting indoor trick-or-treating amongst the tarantulas and other creepy, flittery critters, with limited guest capacity to maintain social distancing. Costumes are welcome and face coverings are required.
Trick or Treat Cinema | Alamo Drafthouse in Sloan's Lake
Get into character and head to the movies for a spooky flick. Each weekend in October features a different Halloween movie for all ages to enjoy.
Trick or Treat Train | Golden Railroad Museum
They've kept the name of the event, but nixed the trick-or-treating this year due to Covid-19. However, the Trick or Treat Train is still open for train rides departing every 30 minutes on Saturday, October 24th and running through Sunday the 25th with live entertainment, snacks, and family photos. The event is operating at a reduced capacity this year so advance tickets are encouraged in order to reserve your spot and masks are required on premises.
Quarantine Halloween
If trick-or-treating and attending public events seems too scary to tackle this year, there are still ways to make Halloween special for your kids!
- Carve or paint pumpkins
- Put candy in a bowl or individual bags on the front porch so that you don't have to greet trick-or-treaters
- Arrange trick or treat stations throughout your home and yard for your own family or pod
- Hide candylike easter eggs
- Fill a pinata with Halloween candy and have fun in the backyard
- Create your own haunted house in your basement or let the kids create one for you to tour at your own risk
- Tell scary stories every night until Halloween (age appropriate of course)
- Make mystery boxes with squishy food and give them creepy labels
- Bake Halloween themed treats
If Halloween isn't your thing, you can always check out one of these pumpkin patches for some fall themed fun: Anderson Farms Fall Festival in Erie, Cottonwood Farms Pumpkin Patch in Boulder, Flat Acres Farm Fall Festival in Parker, Maize in the City in Thornton, or the Corn Maze in Littleton.
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