Just in time for Halloween season, Stinky the Corpse Flower is back for a hopeful bloom number two. Heads up Denver nerds, how cool is it to see and smell the 18-year old plant that only blooms every 3-8 years, and actually smells like decaying flesh! Not something we see every day.
Nerds can also look forward to some Halloween events at the Gardens including a Carving and Cocktail Hour where each couple will get a pumpkin, a pattern and a mini-kit of professional carving tools. Día de los Muertos Celebration, a Ghosts in the Gardens Tour, and of course the annual Corn Maze are perfect for ringing in the spooky season.
Horticulturists at the Denver Botanic Gardens are predicting an early of mid-September event so stay tuned to the garden’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. In the meantime, start filling up that calendar with the Denver Botanic Gardens’ list of Halloween events.
The York Street location:
Thursday, October 11, 7-8 p.m.
$49, $46 member for two participants
Each duo receives one pumpkin, a pattern and a mini-kit of professional carving tools. Barry Brown, master pumpkin carver, guides the group through simple tips and techniques. A lighting ceremony ends the evening. This event is BYOB. Please bring your own drinks and snacks. This is a 21 and over event, please have your ID with you.
October 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
$18 adult; $16 adult member; $14 child (Ages 3-15); $10 child member; Free for children 2 or younger
The Gardens dresses up for Halloween with luminaria-lined pathways, spooky lighting displays and hundreds of carved, glowing gourds. Using all real pumpkins harvested from local farms, our pumpkin artists push the boundaries of traditional pumpkin carving to create larger-than-life sculptures, dense displays of jack-o-lanterns and ornately detailed showpiece pumpkins. Enjoy spooky storytelling, hands-on crafts, games, cash bars, seasonal café specials and of course trick-or-treating. Seasonal food and beverages are available for purchase.
Friday-Sunday, October 19-21 and 26-28, 6-8 p.m. and 8:30-10:30 p.m.
$31, $27 member
Guides share haunting stories of the Gardens’ one hundred years of history, inside and outside of what used to be called “The Boneyard.” Each tour features staff ghost stories, real overnight security ghost encounters and intriguing history – including access to the haunted Waring House that is not open to the public. Enjoy this creepy opportunity to walk dark paths throughout the Gardens after hours.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Saturday, November 3, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free Gardens and event admission
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday traditionally observed on Nov. 1 and 2. A holiday with ancient roots combining Mexican indigenous customs and European traditions, Día de los Muertos is a lighthearted and joyful tribute to the memory of family and friends who have passed away. Families celebrate by creating ofrendas (offerings) – elaborate displays commemorating loved ones – decorating sugar skulls and more. The Gardens’ event includes outdoor live art demonstrations and lucha libre (weather permitting), performances, face painting (for purchase) and a mercado with local art, jewelry, apparel and prints for sale. Día de los Muertos costumes are encouraged.
Chatfield Farms Location
Friday-Sunday, September 21 – October 28, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Fri-Sat), 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sun)
$14 adult; $13 student, senior, military; $12 adult member; $11 child (ages 3-12); $9 child member; Free for children 2 and younger.
Pony rides and hamster balls are available for an additional fee.
Get lost in our 7-acre Corn Maze at Chatfield Farms. The maze can be viewed from two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges. Visitors under the age of 10 can explore the mini corn maze. The design this year thanks emergency first responders.
Fridays & Saturdays, October 5-27, 7-11 p.m.; Thursdays, October 18 and 25, 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, October 14, 21 and 28, 7-10 p.m.
$14 adult; $13 student, senior (65+), military; $12 adult member; $11 Child (ages 3-12); $9 child member, free for children 2 and younger.
The lights are out in Corn Maze and brave visitors can find their way through with only the light of a glow stick. Note: This maze is not haunted.
Fridays & Saturdays, October 5-27, 7-11 p.m.; Thursdays, October 18 and 25, 7-10 p.m.;
Sundays, October 14, 21 and 28, 7-10 p.m.
$27, $37 Fast Pass
Dead Zone Scream Park includes admission to Corn Stalkers Haunted Maze, After Dark Maze and a haunted hayride. Corn Stalkers exits into After Dark Corn Maze, where you will have to find your way back through in the dark. Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Friday-Sunday, October 12-14, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$8 adult, $7 student, senior (65+) and military, $6 member adult, $6 child (ages 3-12), $5 member senior (65+), $4 member child (ages 3-12), children ages 2 and younger are free
Ticket price includes access to the 10-acre pumpkin patch and family and children’s activities. Pumpkin prices vary by size; the average price is $8. The Festival includes live music, local craft and artisan booths, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, antique tractor exhibit by Front Range Antique Power Association, tractor-pulled parking shuttles, pony rides, horse-drawn hayrides, photo booths, five carnival game tickets per child’s paid admission, mini-maze for kids 10 and under, jumping pillow, obstacle course, express face painting, kids crafts and corn hole. Additional costs include Corn Maze, pumpkin golf cart shuttles directly to your car, Xtreme Obstacle Course, hamster balls, stunt jump and additional carnival game tickets.