Axios Denver Weekender

October 17, 2025
👋👋 It's Thursday, and John and Esteban are here. Let's get after it this weekend with fall and Halloween amusements.
🎧 Sounds like: "Thriller" by Michael Jackson
Today's newsletter is 648 words — a 2.5-minute read.
1 big thing: 10 spots to scream this Halloween
It's spooky season, and Denver haunts deliver frights and delights.
What to expect: Here are 10 Halloween events across town to embrace the season.
- The 13th Floor Haunted House promises a serious scare, with three primary attractions, themed bars and terrifying add-ons. The nightmare is open through Nov. 9 and tickets start at $19.99.
- Fright by Night transforms Elitch Gardens into a fear-themed park with creatures stalking about and rides running after dark. Open weekends through Nov. 2, starting at 6pm. Tickets start at $40 and park admission is $49.99.
- If you like spooky corn mazes, Scream Acres in LaSalle, Terror in the Corn in Erie and Haunted Field of Screams in Thornton will raise the hair on the back of your neck. Ticket prices vary.
- Head to Meow Wolf, where trick-or-treaters of all ages can interact with friendly costumed aliens in the multiverse from noon to 6pm Oct. 26. Tickets start at $45.
- Coloween is a 21+ Halloween party with a costume contest, DJs, open bar and more. It starts at 9pm on Oct. 31 at Bounce Empire in Lafayette. General admission starts at $118.15.
- Monster Mash at the Ramble Hotel will serve up boozy and bone-chilling Death & Co. cocktails and spin beats from a live DJ starting at 3pm Oct. 31. Costumes are encouraged.
- Jazz club Nocturne promises a "fun and freaky treat of a show" on Halloween from pianist Adam Bodine. Guests can enjoy a three-course dinner with the show or snag a bar reservation.
- The Brown Palace is hosting a Gilded Masquerade Ball on Oct. 31 with live music, cocktails and dancing starting at 7pm. This is a black tie event (or refined cocktail attire) with masks encouraged. Tickets start at $45.
2. Fall fun in Denver this weekend
🎆 DroneArt Show tomorrow and Saturday goes down at the Colorado National Speedway, set to a live performance of classical music favorites. Tickets start at $40
🍺 Hops & Pie will host the Pumpkin Beer Fest on Saturday, boasting 10 pumpkin beer varieties. Free
🎃 The Pumpkin Harvest Festival at Denver's Four Mile Historic Park Saturday and Sunday brings activities for children, live music, dance performances, apple cider churros and snacks. Tickets start at $15
🍁 Tennyson Fall Fest takes over the North Denver corridor on Saturday with retail, live music, food trucks and a pet parade. Free
🍂 Cloud 9 Fall Fest at 9+Co will have a pumpkin patch, sweet treats and family-friendly carnivals and lawn games Sunday afternoon. Free
Editor's note: This roundup was corrected to show that the Pumpkin Harvest Festival will serve apple cider churros (not apple cider).
3. "Starting 5" and more streaming premieres
Here's what's new on Netflix, Peacock, Apple TV+, Hulu, BET+, Prime Video, HBO Max and Tubi.
What we're watching: The second season of "Starting 5," a dramatic series following serial killer John Wayne Gacy and a documentary about Martin Scorsese.
"Starting 5" Season 2 available now on Netflix
The intrigue: Kevin Durant, James Harden, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Haliburton star in this episodic docuseries that follows the players on and off the court during the 2024-2025 season.
"Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy" available now on Peacock
Zoom in: This eight-episode series starring Michael Chernus ("Severance") follows the life and crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy while weaving in stories of his victims.
"Mr. Scorsese" available tomorrow on Apple TV+
State of play: This five-part series examines the life and career of legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
What's inside: The doc features commentary from Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger, Steven Spielberg, Jodie Foster, Margot Robbie and Cate Blanchett, along with his children and wife, Helen Morris.
🍫 John is buying full-size candy bars for trick-or-treaters so he can be the cool house on the block.
😎 Alayna is back next week.
🍷 Esteban is excited to attend Colorado Uncorked 2025 on Saturday.
Thanks to our editor Gigi Sukin.
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