Pumpkin Nights may be new to the Denver area, but already it is making a name as an immersive, family-friendly Halloween-themed experience without the gore and scares. As with some pricier events in town, we mention this one to you, because the family may want to spend a bit more on a special attraction. This year, it runs from Thursday, October 17 through Sunday, November 3 (closed Halloween) from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Adams County Fair and Regional Park Complex in Brighton.
At Pumpkin Nights, you will venture along a half-mile outdoor walking path, where you’ll discover the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins.
The path includes a few spooky elements, such as fog machines, giant pumpkin spiders, and skeletons, but you won’t find any jump scares. You can wander the route as many times as you wish.
Guests start their journey by walking through the Pumpkin Passage, a pumpkin tunnel with 600 hand carved jack-o-lanterns before embarking on their quest to discover seven immersive Pumpkin Lands. You won’t be able to miss “Jack-O-Lynn, a 9-foot-tall pumpkin, where you can get a photo opp.
Some of the highlights:
Forbidden Pumpkin City — A 40-foot Dragon made of pumpkins, who helps guests discover and share their passions. The land is filled with magical pumpkin Chinese lanterns and a reflective pond with pumpkin turtles.
Monster Mash — Kids and kids-at-heart are encouraged to teeter totter, hula hoop, play corn hole or pumpkin bowl.
Great Pumpkin Hall — Wander through the Great Pumpkin Hall full of owl pumpkins and pumpkin spice scented fog, you might even see a real live owl.
Maravilla Lane — A land representing Día de los Muertos. The land is filled with sugar skulls and flowers and guests can leave special tributes to loved ones near the ofrenda.
Pumpkin Pirate Cove — The Guardian Pirates guide visitors through the tropical island. Feast your eyes on The Pumpkin Pirate Ship and dig for treasure in the shadows of pumpkin palm trees.
Pumpkin Reef — Here, the giant Pumpkin Octopus watches over the reef. This UV black light underwater pumpkin wonderland is filled with bubbles, sea creatures, coral and jelly fish.
Enchanted Pumpkin Forest — Pumpkin Gnomes watch over the forest as the seasons change around the Pumpkin Gnome Village. Look for the Enchanted Wishing Well, where you can send a special wish down the well.
At Pumpkin Central, where you’ll be dazzled by The Spirit of Pumpkins Fire Show, watch live carving by professional pumpkin artists, play in a bounce house and catch a screening of “Nightmare Before Christmas.” Seasonal beverages both for kids and grown-ups are available.
Costumes are encouraged. You can wear masks, but leave props and weapons at home.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Limited tickets will be sold on-site at a higher price. If you show up without a ticket, entry is not guaranteed as most time slots sell out.
Tickets aren’t cheap, but you can save a few bucks if you are willing to visit on weekdays after 8 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $16 for kids (4-12) and free for kids 3 and younger. A family pack of four is $65. Night Owl Specials are available Monday to Thursday after 8 p.m. Adults are $17, seniors $16, kids $14 and a family pack is $60. Parking costs $6 per car.