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Spook-tacular events for the Spooky Season: 

Victorian Death Experiences | Denver, Colo.

Center for Colorado Women’s History | Multiple dates

Victorian Death Experiences at the Center for Colorado Women’s History is returning for 2025! Now in its third year, Victorian Death Experiences provides an eerie and educational tour through the depths of time that contextualizes the practices of yesteryear through grisly artifacts, hair-raising rooms, and stories of death’s presence in Denver. Explore the mourning customs of the Victorian era, spiritual beliefs regarding death, and practices for preparing and burying the dead. This engaging experience focuses on the vital role women played in death practices of the past.

Victorian Death Experiences is recommended for adults only, with events scheduled from 6 - 7:15 p.m. every Thursday and Friday in October. There will also be daytime offerings on select Saturdays at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets ($20 for History Colorado Members and $25 for non-members) are limited, and likely to sell out, so make sure to purchase today.

Pumpkinfest Train | Georgetown, Colo.

Georgetown Loop Railroad | October 3 - 5, Multiple times

Bring the kids to enjoy outdoor games, Halloween treats, and all kinds of fall fun. Families will also get pumpkins to take home to keep the celebration going! 

Autumnfest Train | Georgetown, Colo.

Georgetown Loop Railroad | October 10 - 12, 17 - 19, Multiple times

Come out to celebrate this beautiful time of year at the railroad. Visitors will enjoy beer and root beer tastings from local micro-breweries and soak up the spirit of the season. 

Trick or Treat Train | Georgetown, Colo.

Georgetown Loop Railroad | October 24 - 26, Multiple times

Celebrate Halloween on board the Trick or Treat Train! Kids are encouraged to come in costume and collect candy and other treats.

Haunted Tea Party | Trinidad, Colo.

Trinidad History Museum | October 25, 1 - 3 p.m.

All are welcome to a spooky tea party in the Bloom Mansion, if you dare! Seasonal treats, tea sandwiches, and teas from the Trinidad Tea Company will be served. Reservations are required. To reserve space, contact Millie at emily.duren@state.co.us or 719-846-7217.

Meet the Collection: Messages from Beyond: Seances & Ghost Photography | Denver, Colo.

Stephen H. Hart Research Center | October 28, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Go beyond the veil to explore Colorado’s Spiritualism movement in the 19th and 20th centuries just in time for Halloween! History Colorado’s Collections Manager Amanda Vestal opens the archives to reveal artifacts like ghost photography and ritual objects that helped generations before us connect with spirits. Purchase tickets here.

Fright Night at the Fort | Fort Garland, Colo. 

Fort Garland History Museum & Cultural Center | October 31, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

Enjoy a family-friendly evening of Halloween fun with carnival games, festive concessions, and eerie after-dark tours through the historic Fort Garland Museum. Proceeds benefit the Sierra Grande School Pep Band and Spanish Club, so come in costume and celebrate a unique historic setting.  

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New Exhibitions and Featured Attractions in October:

Big Dreams in Denver’s Little Saigon | Denver, Colo.

History Colorado Center | Opening October 21

Big Dreams in Denver’s Little Saigon celebrates the resiliency, creativity and contributions of the Southeast and East Asian refugees and immigrants who relocated to Denver in the 1980’s. They settled in a pocket of Denver, creating a vibrant hub of culture and connection. Visitors will explore the sights, sounds and smells of Little Saigon and learn how this community continues to inspire and delight. Big Dreams in Denver’s Little Saigon is part of the Museum of Memory Initiative, a public history initiative that works together with Colorado residents to co-author a shared history.

Rosenberry Lecture Series: Tabemasho! Let’s Eat! The History of Japanese Food in America | Denver, Colo.

History Colorado Center | October 15, 1 and 7 p.m.

The Rosenberry Lecture Series continues with a mouthwatering look at how Japanese food has evolved from exotic to widely appreciated, with foods like sushi and ramen now enjoyed by people of all backgrounds. Author Gil Asakawa will guide guests through Japanese-American history and share from his book, Tabemasho! Let’s Eat! 

The Rosenberry Lecture Series brings speakers from around Colorado and the United States to shed new light on topics in Colorado history. This series highlights our state's rich and complex history and invites us to explore our shared past as we shape our collective future. Tickets can be purchased in advance of the lectures, so make sure not to miss all the inspiring scholars, historians, curators, journalists, and creatives exploring Colorado’s shared past and collective future.

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Additional October Events:

Traveling Exhibition – Americans | Ft. Garland, Colo.

Fort Garland History Museum & Cultural Center | Ongoing

A traveling version of the thought-provoking Smithsonian exhibition, Americans, will visit five History Colorado community and affiliate network museums across the state. Based on the major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Americans explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the history, popular culture and identity of the United States. Through a collaboration between the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street and History Colorado, the exhibition launched its tour in Colorado at the Fort Garland History Museum & Cultural Center in September for an eight-week run before moving to the Trinidad History Museum. The full tour itinerary can be viewed online. 

Paint Night at the Museum | Trinidad, Colo.

Trinidad History Museum | October 3, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Paint Night at the Museum returns to the First Friday art walk! Enjoy the Aultman Studio exhibition while you take part in a guided class taught by local artist Risa Phelps. Bring a friend and receive a discounted rate. Light refreshments will be provided, but outside beverages and food are welcome. To reserve your space please register here.

Colorado Black Equity Study Community Listening Session | Pueblo, Colo.

El Pueblo History Museum | October 4, 12 - 2 p.m.

Join the Colorado Black Equity Study team for a community listening session. Participate by providing input based on your own experience and learn about the Study’s progress so far.

History of Southern Colorado Panel Discussion | Ft. Garland, Colo.

Fort Garland History Museum & Cultural Center | October 4, 2 - 4 p.m.

Learn about the rich history of Southern Colorado, guided by local experts. This panel discussion is presented in partnership with the San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council. Register here by Wednesday, October 1.

The U.S. - Mexican War 1846 - 1848 with Paul Espinosa | Pueblo, Colo.

El Pueblo History Museum | October 9, 5 - 7 p.m.

The U.S. - Mexican War 1846 - 1848 is a PBS documentary series exploring the events surrounding the conflicts between two neighboring nations struggling for land, power and national identity. Despite its historical significance, the war is a historical chapter that few Americans know much about but few Mexicans will ever forget. Register for this free event here.

Honey, Health, and Heritage: Workshop and Talk | Denver, Colo.

History Colorado Center | October 9, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Sip your way to wellness and sophistication in the Honey, Health, and Heritage: Workshop and Talk. Lela Chilunga, owner of Lela’s Honey, will teach tips of mixing, muddling and serving drinks that balance delicious taste and wholesome benefits. Guests will make cocktails and take home a souvenir cup. There are ticket options with alcohol and without. Register here by October 6.

Movies on the Lawn | Trinidad, Colo.

Trinidad History Museum | October 10 & 24, 7 - 9 p.m.

Bring a blanket, food and drinks and get comfortable on the Bloom Lawns for free movie nights! The series kicks off with the cult-classic The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) on the 10th. Join us again on the 24th for a spooky double feature of Frankenstein, a short film, followed by The Devil Bat (1940), a classic starring Bela Lugosi. Popcorn and soft drinks are available both evenings for a cash donation.

Heritage Art Series | Trinidad, Colo. 

Trinidad History Museum | October 11, 10 a.m - 1 p.m. 

Learn about the art, history, and technique of Colcha embroidery from Southern Colorado artist and cultural advocate Sandy Dolak. Reserve your space by purchasing a ticket online here. This workshop is the first in our Heritage Arts series of classes exploring various folk arts and their history.

Benefits and Challenges of Rental Facilities at Your Museum | Online 

Zoom Video Conferencing | October 15, 9 - 10 a.m. 

Join museum professionals Kate Rich, Director of the Overland Train Museum in Sterling, and Kelly Willams, History Colorado’s Managing Director, for an inside look at the opportunities and challenges of hosting events in museum spaces. Free for History Colorado Affiliate Members. Register here. 

Uncompahgre Pow-Wow | Montrose, Colo.

Montrose County Event Center | October 18, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Join the Ute Indian Museum for the second annual Uncompahgre Pow-Wow. Visitors can enter a ceremonial dance contest and enjoy local food and even win prizes for their participation. More details about contest categories and how to be a vendor can be found here.

History Along Route 50 Overnight Trek | Leaves from Denver, Colo.

History Colorado Center | October 23 - 24

Highway 50 is much more than beautiful views of the Arkansas River and Rocky Ford. Learn about the rich history of the route, from when indigenous populations thrived here until colonization. Many major events that impact several groups of people occurred in this unassuming river valley. This fascinating overnight exploration of Route 50 is sold out but you can join the waitlist here. 

Family Free Day | Trinidad, Colo. 

Trinidad History Museum | October 25, 10 a.m - 3 p.m.

Join us for October’s Free Family Day for a day of fun that will delight all ages! Learn something new as you enjoy free museum admission, and then get creative with decorating a seasonal pumpkin. You can continue indulging your crafty side by creating paper marigolds and papel picado for our Dia de los Muertos altar.

Blaxplanation: Black Pride is Excellence: A Talk and Family-Friendly Celebration | Denver, Colo.

History Colorado Center | October 30, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

It’s a talk and party in one exciting event! For the first time, Blaxplanation and Black Pride Colorado are partnering for a family-friendly talk and Halloween party to celebrate the Black LGBTQIA2+ community in Colorado. Join renowned speakers and community members to reflect, honor and celebrate, and stay for a kid-friendly costumed dance party and spooky treats! Purchase tickets here.

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About History Colorado

History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 145-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado. 

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado