Spirits, Spooks, and Scare: October Events in Cortez
- Helen West
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 4
Celebrate Spooky Season in Cortez! October 2025 is packed with fun, spooky, and family-friendly Halloween events! Here are a couple you will need to be at!
Family-Friendly Haunted House
This family-friendly haunted house is back for the 2025 season, taking place Friday and Saturday nights from October 18 to November 1.
Entry is $10 per person. All children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult!
Cortez Tours has teamed up with the folks at Squirrel Congress to bring you a weekend of history-filled, spooky ghost tours! (And the return of the cooky and mysterious Doctor Pops!)
This is a Halloween haunt that you simply must experience! Only October 23, 24, and 25 at 6 PM.
Tickets are $25 per adult, and all proceeds benefit High Desert Devo, a nonprofit empowering youth through cycling.
Remember for little ones that spook easily - while the tours are family-friendly, ghosts can be a little scary. (No jump scares - check out the Haunted House at Off the Bench for that!)
Community Bike Ride
Dress up and grab your bike for this community bike ride with KSJD and High Desert Devo! Meet in Montezuma Park at 5 PM on Saturday, October 25th for a family-friendly bike ride!
Then hit the Cortez Ghost Tour at 6 PM and the Haunted House at 7:30!
Halloween Concert
Listen to seasonal music, including favorites from Star Wars, the Addams Family, and more! The concert is free and open to the public! It takes place on Wednesday, October 29 at 7 PM.
Trunk-or-Treat Events
There are several trunk-or-treats planned around Cortez, so get your costumes and kids ready!
Saturday, October 25
2 - 4 PM
2310 E Empire St, Cortez
Friday, October 31
4 - 6 PM
1311 N Mildred Rd, Cortez
Annual Pumpkin Fest
The annual Pumpkin Fest is jam-packed with activities on Saturday, October 25. Start the day with the Zombie Run (make sure to dress for the occasion!) at 9 AM. Registration begins at 8 AM.
Then there will be a costume contest from 9:45 AM to 11:30 AM in the park. The Downtown Trick-or-Treat Loop to local businesses (Cortez Tours will be there!) goes from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, and the Cake Walk is planned for 1-2 PM.
There will be a $5 entry fee for the Carnival from 12:30 to 3 PM.
Adult Costume Party
Transform into a monster and dance the night away at this adult-oriented costume party from 7 to 10 PM on Friday, October 31. The Zu Gallery will host this party with live DJ sets, a costume contest, door prizes, a photo booth, and FREE admission! Cocktails and mocktails will be served!
Join the Zu on Halloween for a ghoulish good time!
Summary Table of October Events in Cortez, Colorado!
Event | Date/Time | Cost | Best For |
Haunted House @ Off the Bench | Friday & Saturday Oct. 18 - Nov. 1 @ 7:30 - 10 PM | $10 per person | Adults, Teens, and not easily scared Kids (accompanied by parents) |
Cortez Ghost Tours | Oct. 23, 24, and 25 @ 6 PM | $25 per adult | Adults and Families |
Costume Bike Ride | Saturday, October 25 @ 5 PM | Free | Everyone |
Pumpkin Fest | Saturday, October 25 @ 8 AM - 3 PM | Free (Carnival is $5) | Kids and Families |
Halloween Concert | Wednesday, October 29 @ 7 PM | Free | Adults & Families |
Monster Dance Party @ the Zu | Friday, October 31 2 7 - 10 PM | Free | Adults |
Why These Events Matter – for Visitors & Locals
This lineup is a great snapshot of what makes Cortez such a vibrant place in autumn: you’ve got family-friendly outdoor fun, fitness & community connection, and historical/spooky evening entertainment. As your own tours with Cortez Tours showcase the heritage and natural beauty of southwest Colorado, these events help round out a stay or weekend visit with variety: something for kids, something for adults, and something to tie into the local rhythm (downtown, parks, historic walks).
It also helps for visitors planning a trip: maybe the day is spent hiking in nearby canyons or at Mesa Verde National Park, then an evening ghost tour or haunted house, or a morning bike ride in town. And for locals, these events strengthen community ties while offering seasonal fun.
Join in the festivities and make the most of this spooky season in Cortez!
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