Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Denver this week: we found 46 free outings, including Mall-O-Ween at Town Center at Aurora, Trick or Treat Street in Olde Town Arvada and Boo and Brew on Colfax, plus 19 library programs. 18 free days and events are coming up, including two museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And six places never charge admission, like Central Library and Green Valley Ranch Branch Library.
This week
Every free outing on this week’s Denver list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.
Empower Field at Mile High, Lot C · 1701 Bryant St., Denver, CO 80204
Trunk-or-treat in the stadium’s Lot C, hosted by the Far East Center and Denver Police, with music, dancers, circus acts, pumpkin decorating, a movie and a costume contest at 6:30pm. Park in Lots D and B.
Central Library (Denver Public Library) · 10 W. Fourteenth Ave. Pkwy., Denver, CO 80204
Trick-or-treat on every floor of the Central Library, with candy and non-candy treats. Free, no registration.
Green Valley Ranch Branch Library · 4856 N. Andes Ct., Denver, CO 80249
Stories, songs and play for young kids and their grown-ups. Free, no registration.
Anythink Huron Street · 9417 Huron St., Thornton, CO 80260
Little ones parade the library in costume right after the Thursday Music & Movement session. Drop in.
Anythink Nature Library, Loop Trail · 6811 E. 136th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602
An evening walk on the trail behind the Nature Library to look and listen for the animals that come out after dark.
Tallyn's Reach Library · 23911 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora, CO 80016
Hands-on STEAM play for preschoolers and a grown-up.
Pauline Robinson Branch Library · 5575 E. 33rd Ave., Denver, CO 80207
The after-school kids club turns to ghost stories from the Black West, with art and games.
Golden Library · 1019 10th St., Golden, CO 80401
A bilingual family sugar skull workshop for Día de los Muertos.
Broomfield Library, Children's Story Room · 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield, CO 80020
Kids in kindergarten through 5th grade read aloud to trained therapy dogs.
Broomfield Library · 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield, CO 80020
A community altar for Día de los Muertos. Families can bring a photo or keepsake to add, or just visit.
Parker Library · 20105 E. Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138
Stories, snacks and art projects for the whole family, in Spanish and English. Registration is preferred but not required.
Standley Lake Library · 8485 Kipling St., Arvada, CO 80005
Stories, dancing, singing and rhymes for the whole family, a good pre-bedtime outing.
Olde Town Arvada · Olde Town Arvada, Arvada, CO 80002
Dozens of Olde Town businesses hand out treats, with a costume contest and trunk-or-treat in classic vehicles.
Decker Branch Library · 1501 S. Logan St., Denver, CO 80210
Halloween stories, then practice trick-or-treating around the library. Free.
Ford-Warren Branch Library · 2825 High St., Denver, CO 80205
Stories, songs and play for young kids and their grown-ups. Free, no registration.
Lakewood Library · 10200 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215
Wear a costume and join the library’s Halloween parade for little ones. Free.
Standley Lake Library · 8485 Kipling St., Arvada, CO 80005
A costume parade for toddlers and preschoolers right after Family Time. Free.
Eloise May Library · 1471 S. Parker Rd., Denver, CO 80231
Play-based learning for ages 1–3 with a grown-up, with toys, art and local family experts. Free; registration required.
Aurora Central Library · 14949 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora, CO 80012
An autumn storytime, then a candy parade around the Central Library. Costumes are optional.
Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock · 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock, CO 80104
A storytime for preschoolers with a hands-on activity.
Bemis Public Library, front lawn · 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton, CO 80120
Halloween storytimes and songs, then a costume stroll down the park path collecting treats.
Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales Branch Library · 1498 N. Irving St., Denver, CO 80204
Early learners decorate a pumpkin with tissue paper at the Friday Learning Lab.
Hadley Branch Library · 1890 S. Grove St., Denver, CO 80219
Decorate a sugar skull and learn about Día de los Muertos.
Ford-Warren Branch Library · 2825 High St., Denver, CO 80205
Open play time for little ones and their grown-ups right after Family Storytime in the same room.
Town Center at Aurora · 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora, CO 80012
Mall-wide trick-or-treating with costume contests and dance performances. Indoors, so it works in any weather.
Bluebird District, East Colfax Ave. · 3317 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206
The Bluebird District’s 20th annual family scare fest: trick-or-treating at 35+ shops and restaurants along 12 blocks of Colfax between Monroe and Elizabeth, with live music, haunted basements and face painting.
Ford-Warren Branch Library · 2825 High St., Denver, CO 80205
Bring a flashlight for spooky-but-not-scary stories. Free.
Central Library (Denver Public Library) · 10 W. Fourteenth Ave. Pkwy., Denver, CO 80204
Songs, rhymes and short stories for babies and their grown-ups. Free, no registration.
Golden Library · 1019 10th St., Golden, CO 80401
Trick-or-treat between Golden Library, Golden History Park and the Foothills Art Center–Astor House. Free.
Belmar Library · 555 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226
Jefferson County Public Library’s Saturday Family Time: stories, songs and play for kids of all ages with a grown-up. Free.
Columbine Library · 7706 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, CO 80123
Jefferson County Public Library’s Saturday Family Time: stories, songs and play for kids of all ages with a grown-up. Free.
Southglenn Library · 6972 S. Vine St., Centennial, CO 80122
Stories and songs for all ages with a grown-up. Free.
Anythink Brighton · 327 E. Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601
Kids pull paint across paper with a squeegee and turn the shapes into goofy ghost paintings. Drop in.
Tallyn's Reach Library · 23911 E. Arapahoe Rd., Aurora, CO 80016
A Halloween storytime by the fireplace, then a costume parade through the library with treats at the end. Two sessions, and space fills.
Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock · 100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock, CO 80104
A weekend storytime for the whole family.
Parker Library · 20105 E. Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138
A weekend storytime for the whole family.
Westwood Branch Library · 1000 S. Lowell Blvd., Denver, CO 80219
A bilingual sugar skull workshop for Día de los Muertos. Kids take home the skull they decorate.
Lakewood Library · 10200 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215
A bilingual family sugar skull workshop for Día de los Muertos.
Pearl Street Mall, downtown Boulder · 1300 Pearl St., Boulder, CO 80302
Kids 12 and under trick-or-treat at participating downtown Boulder businesses along Pearl Street.
Highlands Ranch Mansion · 9950 E. Gateway Dr., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Trick-or-treat at the mansion's front door, with a DJ outside. No reservations. Parking is limited and pets aren't allowed.
Aurora Central Library · 14949 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora, CO 80012
Saturday morning stories and songs for young kids, a calm start before a busy Halloween.
Anythink Nature Library · 6811 E. 136th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602
Stories, songs and activities in the Sun Room for ages 2 to 8. Space is limited and registration is required.
Lakewood Library · 10200 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215
Stories, dancing, singing and rhymes for the whole family on Saturday morning.
Smoky Hill Library · 5430 S. Biscay Cir., Centennial, CO 80015
Stories, songs and rhymes for babies 0–24 months. Free.
Anythink Wright Farms · 5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602
Make amaranth sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos with Mandy from Yolotl Rising and learn the history and meaning behind the holiday.
Central Library (Denver Public Library) · 10 W. Fourteenth Ave. Pkwy., Denver, CO 80204
A bilingual Día de Muertos performance in Spanish and English for kids and families. Free.
Green Valley Ranch Branch Library · 4856 N. Andes Ct., Denver, CO 80249
Stories and songs in Oromo for kids and families. Free.
McAllister Park Center · 750 W. 96th Ave., Thornton, CO 80260
Thornton's 10th annual celebration, with face painting, crafts, storytelling, a community ofrenda, an Anythink book table and food trucks.
Nothing free on this day yet. Try an always-free place.
Mark the calendar
Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free. For regular free days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts all year, see free museum days in Denver.
Denver Art Museum · Golden Triangle
FlatIron Crossing, entrance by Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn · 1 W. FlatIron Crossing Dr., Broomfield, CO 80021
9:30–11am
Orchard Town Center · 14697 Delaware St., Westminster, CO 80023
3:30–7:30pm. Santa's grand arrival, the tree lighting, new LED Winter Wonderland trees, performances, crafts and an artisan market.
Outlets at Castle Rock · 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock, CO 80108
4–7pm. A concert, a holiday drone show and the lighting of what the outlets bill as Colorado's tallest Christmas tree, with Santa arriving for the night.
Town Center at Aurora · 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora, CO 80012
5–7pm. Santa's first photos of the season, carolers, crafts and a reindeer petting zoo.
Downtown Castle Rock · Downtown Castle Rock, Castle Rock, CO 80104
2–6pm. Caroling, Santa and kids' activities downtown, then the star on Castle Rock is lit and fireworks follow. A chili supper runs at the Firehouse.
Schweiger Ranch · 10822 S. Havana St., Lone Tree, CO 80134
After dark. View the lit historic ranch buildings from your car in the parking lot or along Havana Street.
Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street and Chatfield Farms) · Denver
Main Street, Downtown Littleton · Main St., Littleton, CO 80120
5–8pm. Performers and a tree lighting with Santa, then a drone show.
McGregor Square · 1901 Wazee St., Denver, CO 80202
1–8pm (tree lit at halftime of the 1pm Broncos game). Photos with Dinger in a Santa suit 2–4pm; Elf on the big screen after the game.
Washington Ave., downtown Golden · Washington Ave., Golden, CO 80401
About 6:30pm. A candlelit walk down Washington Avenue that switches on 45,000 holiday lights downtown.
Downtown Denver · Downtown Denver, Denver, CO 80202
Evening. The 52nd annual lighted parade downtown.
Highlands Ranch Mansion · 9950 E. Gateway Dr., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
10am–3pm. Free Santa visits, horse-drawn hayrides, mansion tours, reindeer games, face painting and choirs. Park off-site and take the shuttle.
Aurora Municipal Center · 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora, CO 80012
5–7pm. Santa and the Aurora Dance Hearts join the city tree lighting. The Merry Makers Market runs 4–8pm inside the Central Library next door.
Thornton Active Adult Center · 11181 Colorado Blvd., Thornton, CO 80233
5–7:30pm
Washington Ave., downtown Golden · Washington Ave., Golden, CO 80401
10:30am parade; free carriage rides 12–2pm. Santa rides in the parade on Washington Avenue between 10th and 13th streets.
Broomfield Library – inventHQ Makerspace · 6 Garden Center, Broomfield, CO 80020
11am–12:30pm. A family-friendly crafting party with a countdown to noon. Kids under 12 need an adult with them.
Any day
Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.
Every week
Free baby, toddler and family storytimes at branches across the city.
Weekday mornings
Baby and family storytimes at branches like Smoky Hill and Southglenn.
Weekday and Saturday mornings, plus some afternoons
Baby play times and storytimes west of Denver, like Baby Play Time at the Golden Library on Wednesday mornings.
Weekly, mostly mornings
Every weekly storytime by day and branch: library storytimes in Denver.
Keep planning
November: things to do in DenverEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in DenverEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free museum days in DenverFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in DenverIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in DenverBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in DenverHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in DenverParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in DenverKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in DenverParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in DenverPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in DenverBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in DenverChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in DenverWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in DenverDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
This week we found 46 free outings for ages 0–6, including Mall-O-Ween at Town Center at Aurora, Trick or Treat Street in Olde Town Arvada, Boo and Brew on Colfax and Mile High Trunk or Treat. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.
Denver Art Museum SCFD Free Day: Sat Nov 7. Mile High Tree: Fri Nov 20. Denver Botanic Gardens free day: Fri Nov 27. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.
Santa’s Arrival & Breakfast at FlatIron Crossing, Winterfest and Santa's Arrival at Orchard Town Center, Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival at Outlets at Castle Rock, Santa's Grand Arrival at Town Center at Aurora and Castle Rock Starlighting and 10 more are free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.
Central Library, Green Valley Ranch Branch Library, Hudson Gardens, Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street) and Denver Art Museum and 1 more don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.
Yes: Central Library. See all of them on indoor play places in Denver.
Yes. Denver Public Library, Arapahoe Libraries and Jefferson County Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Denver that weekend, free ones flagged.
