After Halloween: COS Family Events to Put on the November Calendar

Halloween closes tonight, and November opens tomorrow. Colorado Springs has its own distinct November calendar — and given how military-connected this city is, Veterans Day week is one of the bigger community moments of the fall. Here's what COS families should put on the radar now.

November 8 — Veterans Day 5K

The Colorado Springs Veterans Day 5K runs on Sunday, November 8, starting at 9:00 AM. The race includes both an adult 5K and a kids 5K for runners 15 and under — it's one of the more family-friendly race options in the fall calendar.

Early packet pickup is at Colorado Running Company. The start location is confirmed with the race organizer; check the RunSignup listing for current logistics. This race runs a week before Veterans Day itself, which gives families a way to mark the occasion even if they can't participate in November 11 events.

November 11 — Veterans Day in Colorado Springs

Veterans Day on November 11 is a significant community event in Colorado Springs. The city is home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and NORAD/NORTHCOM — making it one of the most veteran-dense cities in the country. Many COS families have a direct personal connection to the military, which gives Veterans Day a different weight here than in most places.

The annual "In Their Honor" Veterans Day parade has run in previous years along Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs, typically starting at 11:00 AM. The 2026 parade details have not yet been officially confirmed as of this writing — check the Gazette and VisitCOS.com in early November for the confirmed schedule.

Many Colorado Springs museums and attractions historically offer free or discounted admission to veterans and their families on November 11. Call ahead to confirm 2026 offerings before planning a visit. Common past participants have included history museums and science centers — check the websites of the venues your family wants to visit.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday, and D11, D20, and D49 typically observe it as a school day off. Check with your specific school or district for the 2026 calendar if you're not sure.

The Rest of November — What to Watch For

Beyond Veterans Day, November in COS typically brings a few other family calendar notes worth watching:

• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo transitions to its fall and winter hours in November — check cmzoo.org for November operating times before heading up the mountain
• Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show typically runs mid-November at the Colorado Springs Event Center, and the Kids Markets event there is open to young vendors aged 5–17
• School Thanksgiving breaks vary by district — confirm your calendar with D11, D20, or D49 directly

Quick Reference: November Events

What's Next

We'll update the November calendar as Veterans Day parade details and other events are confirmed. Follow COS Parenting on Facebook and X for event announcements as they come in. VisitCOS.com and the Colorado Springs Gazette are the best sources for confirming 2026 Veterans Day event details in early November.