Reasons to Visit Aurora this Fall

Fall is a transformative time. Temperatures dip, flavors emerge, and our spirit of adventure and comfort takes priority. Spend an afternoon or a weekend in Aurora and capture that essence!

THE BEST FALL FESTIVITIES 

The Aurora Borealis Festival 
When: November 1 - 3
Where: Winged Melody Park at The Aurora Highlands | Directions

Dive into a weekend of wonder at the Aurora Borealis Festival! From a stunning recreation of the northern lights to interactive lighting installations, a global gift bazaar, and Flavors of Aurora Food Court, attend an unforgettable event unlike any other in Colorado.  So, mark your calendars and get ready to witness the magic of the Aurora Borealis Festival. Prepare to be amazed as light and art converge to create a transcendent spectacle, as Aurora stands united in our pursuit of creativity, community, and collective pride. Produced by Visit Aurora, join us November 1-3, 2024, at The Aurora Highlands Winged Melody Park.

Prairie Harvest Fest 
When: October 5
Where: High Prairie Park | Directions

Fall festivals are a fan-favorite in Aurora, and Painted Prairie's Prairie Harvest Fest is back for its fifth year! Join the Aurora community to participate in the best autumn activities, from hayrides, perusing through the pumpkin patch, enjoying sweet treats, warming up with coffee and food trucks, painting and carving with pumpkin, decorating, and more!

Stanley Fall Festival
When: October 6
Where: Stanley Marketplace | Directions

Stanley Marketplace's Fall Festival is back! One of the most popular events of the fall season, Stanley's Fall Festival promises lots of autumn fun to celebrate and commence sweater weather. Enjoy a fall market with local vendors, fall crafts, live music and performances, face painting, costume contests, and more to get into the fall mood. 

Fall into Fun Festival 
When: October 19
Where: Aurora Municipal Center | Directions

Dive into the spirit of Autumn at the Fall into Fun Festival! Venture to the Aurora Municipal Center for a day full of seasonal activities from pumpkin patches, apple bobbing, live entertainment, mouthwatering food trucks, and more fall-themed festivities. Don't miss out on this festive celebration of all things Autumn!

Celebrate Halloween in Aurora

It's beginning to look like spooky season! Aurora is buzzing with Halloween activities and events this season. From ghoulishly good festivals, oh-so-sweet trick or treating, and costumes galore, Aurora is a top spot to celebrate Halloween with friends and the kiddos!

• 2024 Halloween On Havana Street, October 26, Gardens on Havana | Directions
  
• Treat Street, October 19 - 20, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds | Directions
• Fall-O-Ween, October 19, Southlands | Directions
• Fall Into Fun Festival, October 19, Aurora Municipal Center | Directions
• Boo N' Brew Candy Crawl, October 26, Town Center at Aurora | Directions

Take A Trip To The Pumpkin Patch

Preparing for spooky season requires the perfect pumpkin for carving. For family fun, Mile High Farms in Bennett has something for everyone (corn mazes included)! Also, be sure to visit May Farms located just outside the Aurora city limits. Each weekend in October, they’re celebrating an annual harvest fest complete with pumpkin patches and more.

GET CLOSE TO CREEPY CRITTERS

It's not spooky season without costumes, creepy crawlers, and spooky critters! Get up close and personal with snakes and spiders at the Plains Conservation Center during their Family Workshops! Learn about these critters through various crafts and activities, and explore Aurora's flora and fauna through a guided exploration! Costumes are encouraged!

HAVE FAMILY FUN AT NICK'S FALL FEST

Nick's Garden Center & Farm Market transforms the first Saturday in October into Nick's Fall Fest. Visit their pumpkin patch to find every shape and size of pumpkin imaginable. You'll also find many FREE activities for the family, including a ring toss game, straw maze, kids' play area, and many great selfie stations. For a small fee, you can also enjoy tractor rides through the Tunnel of Terror, Nick's Garden Express Train Ride, Pedal Kart Track, kids jumping castles, and Hammer game.

ENJOY FALL FESTIVITIES AT THE FARMER'S MARKET

Embrace the autumn vibes by exploring Southlands Farmer’s Market! Get into the fall season by immersing yourself in local and seasonal produce while indulging in freshly crafted goods and unique creations from talented local artists!

Go On A Leaf Peeping Hike

Between the changing leaves and prairie grass, you’ll see Aurora’s fall colors in full swing. Places like the Morrison Nature Center and the Plains Conservation Center are great for observing Aurora’s natural landscape. Explore more of Aurora's fall foliage by making a trip to Cherry Creek State Park and checking out Quincy Reservoir for prime viewing and amazing autumn strolls. The unique features of Jewell Wetland Park make it an ideal place to check out wildlife while hiking around.

Discover Wildlife

Being in The Gateway To The Rockies means you’re never too far from wildlife. Explore Pronghorn Natural Area at sunset to look for pronghorn deer and red fox darting in between the tall grass. Spend an afternoon at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge to see American bison roaming the plains right from your car. Get up early and make the trip to The Wild Animal Sanctuary to view tigers and lions rescued from captivity.

Grab A Festive Treat

Take advantage of the PSL weather by enjoying some local treats! Báhn & Butter Bakey Café has beautifully designed sweets that pair nicely with their in-house teas. Or visit Paris Baguette or Tous Les Jours, your neighborhood bakery serving delicious pastries, cakes, breads, and expertly brewed drinks.

Try A Delicious Local Cider

You're sure to get into the fall spirit at Haykin Family Cider. This award-winning small-batch cidery produces a sparkling wine-like cider in a variety of sweetness levels. Elevating the apple the way wineries have elevated the grape, Haykin Family Cider highlights the flavor and complexity of exciting and unique apples. Open throughout the weekend. Stop by for a taste!

Have an Authentic Farm-To-Table Meal

For a transcendent fall dining experience, visit Annette inside Stanley Marketplace. Helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Caroline Glover, this modern gastropub combines the wholesomeness of farm-fresh ingredients with the creativity of a top-notch restaurant. Diners can expect a delicious menu based on a scratch-to-table mantra.

Get Your PSL Fix

Aurora is filled with fantastic coffee spots. From unique, festive creations to traditional hand-ground brews, you're sure to find the perfect warm beverage to fuel your spooky season. Try Jubilee Roasting Co. for classic caffeinated beverages in a decorated and cozy atmosphere. Their on-site small-batch roasting facility fills the space with the beautiful aromas of coffee sourced from around the globe. Logan House Cofee Company brings an artful approach to your coffee cravings with unique bakery offerings as well (try their pop-tart, trust us). Indulge your cravings at Coffee Story! From their classic brews and famous Croffles to unique lattes like Sweet Potato and Dalgona, it's a flavor journey! Legends Cofee is another bright spot, with a passion for coffee and a focus on sustainability.

Fulfill Your Fall Fashion Goals

Fall in Colorado can get a little chilly, so it’s best to be prepared! Goose & the Goat inside Stanley Marketplace offers unique hats, scarves, and even long socks in both men's and women’s styles. You can also visit Southlands if you’re looking to give your fall wardrobe a total makeover. They have everything from designer brands to clothing, shoes, and more. Bonus, there are even outdoor fire pits complete with seating outside a variety of the Southland stores.

Craft A New Fall Recipe

You'll feel perfectly at home in a class at Create Kitchen & Bar, regardless of your culinary skills. A chef-instructor will teach you something new. Whether it's how to burn toast just perfectly or how to make an authentic paella, you will be sure to connect over great food and cocktails. Be sure to reserve your space early because classes fill up fast!

Practice Your Swing

Coloradoans like to boast that our state has over 300 days of sunshine every year. Whether that is true is debatable, but you're sure to find plenty of fall days to hit a few golf balls around without losing them in snow. With links for all budgets & skill levels, Aurora is flush with golf courses open (weather permitting) to keep you entertained.

Explore the Taste of Fall with Wine Tastings at Mr. B's

Join Mr. B's annual Fall Wine Tasting on October 17th and explore the wines of the season! With 40 wines to try, explore your favorites and new finds! 

Visit Stanley Marketplace for FORTISSIMO: DYAO'S Fall Festival

The Denver Young Artists Orchestra's immersive fall festival is back at Stanley Marketplace on October 13 for its Fall Festival! The festival features great food, drinks, prizes, games, and other activities. Don't miss out on live music and performances from DYAO's young artists!

Bring your lederhosen for Oktoberfest

Aurora has become a prime destination for brewmasters and beer enthusiasts alike. With nearly two dozen local breweries (and growing), seasonal concoctions flourish. The fall season is marked by Dry Dock Brewing Company's "Docktoberfest"! Grab your steins and don your finest lederhosen and dirndls because it's time to raise a toast at Dry Dock Brewing on September 14! Enjoy phenomenal brews, German specials, music, games, and more on September 21.  

Continue the Oktober celebrations with Six Capital Brewing's Oktoberfest complete with German food, amazing beer, and more games. Then celebrate Barktoberfest with your four-legged friends with a whole day dedicated to good dogs and good beer at Second Dawn on September 21. 

Celebrate Cheluna's 8th anniversary with an Oktoberfest twist at its Oktoberversaryfest on September 21! There will be a Stein hosting contest, live music, a casual 5K run/walk, and hammerschalgen games! 

Check out Two22 for their Oktoberfest party on September 28th, and join the Aurora community for special brews for the season, music, pretzels, and more! 

For more festive fall activities, check out Visit Aurora's Event Page