Elitches Fright Fest: 2025 In-Depth Guide

Every autumn, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park transforms into a haunted playground of cobweb-covered coasters and roaming monsters for its legendary Elitch Gardens Fright Fest. Located in downtown Denver, right beside the South Platte River, this annual theme park extravaganza delivers a perfect mix of fun by day for little goblins and bone-chilling scares after dark. It’s a must-visit for families, thrill seekers, and anyone craving and planning spooky excitement.

Centrally Spooky: Where the Fear Lives

Urban adventure meets eerie excitement right in the heart of the Mile High City.

Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park takes place at Elitch Gardens’ famed location at 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204—just steps away from Ball Arena and Union Station—making it easy to combine your roller coaster thrills with big-city sights. The park’s unique dual identity as both a water park and a classic amusement park means you can conquer twisting water slides and towering coasters by day before zombies even clock in for work.

Fall Weekends of Fear: When to Go

Split your day between sweet treats and spine-chilling tricks across weekends packed with thrills.

For 2025, Fright Fest runs on weekends from September 28 through November 3. The park opens for Fun by Day activities from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm, offering family-friendly Halloween fun like costume contests, candy stations, and kids’ activities in KiddieLand, including the famous Trick-or-Treat Trail and hay maze.

Afterward, Fright by Night takes over from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, unleashing haunted houses, scare zones, and nighttime thrills suitable for older guests and adrenaline seekers.

Who Should Brave the Boo?

From little pumpkins to haunted house heroes, everyone has a scare level to love.

Daytime is perfect for families and younger children seeking gentle frights and fun. With the Trick-or-Treat Trail, hay mazes, and pumpkin-themed pathways, little ghouls and goblins leave smiling. Meanwhile, the evening’s Carn-Evil and haunted attractions draw thrill-seekers, teens, and adults craving a pulse-pounding experience.

Season pass holders enjoy extended access to both the rides and special Fright Fest features. Parents, couples, and groups alike create lasting memories amid the spooky yet festive atmosphere.

Hair-Raising Highlights You Can’t Miss

Epic coasters, haunted hideaways, and creepy carnivals promise nonstop adrenaline.

• Signature Rides: Face iconic coasters like Twister III, Mind Eraser, and other thrilling attractions cloaked in eerie autumn ambiance.
• Haunted Houses: Three terrifying haunted houses—Carn-Evil, Lock Up: No Escape, and Séance—deliver varied horrors to test even the bravest visitors (Note: These are additional charge attractions).
• Terrortories: The park streets transform into “Terrortories” filled with chainsaw-wielding fiends, creatures, and interactive scare actors who roam and terrorize.
• Live Shows: Experience thrilling Insidious Circus performances featuring fire acts, aerial stunts, and macabre circus horrors.
• Family Fun: By day, Booville’s Pumpkin Pathway offers pumpkin decorating, costume contests, and plentiful candy stations ensuring pint-sized guests enjoy themselves safely and merrily.

Park, Then Prepare to Scream

Strategic parking means less stress, quicker entry, and more time for screams and sweets.

Avoid pre-fright stress by parking in Elitch Gardens’ main lot (approximately a five-minute walk to the gates) where parking costs around $30 per vehicle (free with select season passes). Overflow parking is available at nearby Auraria Campus and Speer Boulevard garages for $15–$20, both about a 10-minute walk away—great options to decompress before entering the fray.

Book the Boos Without the Bother

Why juggle bookings when Tripster makes it easy to bundle your Elitch Gardens tickets with Denver hotel stays and top attractions—all in one smooth checkout?

With exclusive discounts, flexible vacation packages, and 20+ years of trip-planning expertise, Tripster helps you scream harder while planning smarter. Grab your Fright Fest 2025 tickets today and turn your Denver weekend into a full-on scare-tastic escape.