Free Family Events in Colorado Springs This Weekend (Oct 17–18)
The Thursday weekend roundup covered some of what's happening this weekend, but a few solid free events weren't in the mix. Here's what's still on the calendar for today and Sunday — no admission, no tickets, no reason to stay home.
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Advertise hereToday (Saturday, October 17)
Family Fun Festival — Family Worship Center
The Family Worship Center is hosting a free family event today from noon to 4 PM. The lineup includes a bounce house, games, escape rooms, and activities for kids of all ages. It's fully free to attend — no registration required, just show up.
This is a solid option if you're looking for something that'll keep kids entertained for a few hours without costing anything. The mix of activities means it works for different age groups, and the indoor/outdoor setup gives you flexibility if the weather is variable.
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Mingle — The Citadel Mall
The Citadel Mall is running its Halloween Trick-or-Treat Mingle today from 11 AM to 3 PM. It's free, indoors, and lets kids trick-or-treat through the mall's stores and vendors. This is one of the better options if your kids want the trick-or-treating experience before the actual holiday, or if you want a low-pressure way to test out a costume.
The indoor location makes it a reliable pick regardless of what the weather does today — and it starts earlier than the Family Fun Festival, so you could realistically do both if you're up for it.
Tomorrow (Sunday, October 18)
Barks and Boos Fall Fest
Barks and Boos is a free fall festival running Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. It's oriented around dogs and families — the event includes a pup parade, a costume contest, and fall activities for the whole family. If your household includes a dog, this is genuinely worth going to. If it doesn't, it's still a fun community event.
Costume contests at this kind of event tend to be a highlight, especially if your kids are already excited about Halloween. It's a lower-key, community-feel event compared to the bigger ticketed options of the season.
Fall Festival — Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Cheyenne Mountain State Park is hosting a Fall Festival on Sunday from 2 to 4 PM, featuring trunk-or-treat with local organizations. The park setting makes this a good fit for families who want the Halloween feel combined with some time outdoors — and at two hours, it's a manageable stop rather than a full-day commitment.
Note that Cheyenne Mountain State Park has a day-use fee for vehicle entry, so factor that in. The trunk-or-treat itself is free.
Quick Reference
| Event | Day | Time | Cost | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halloween Trick-or-Treat Mingle | Saturday | 11 AM–3 PM | Free | The Citadel Mall |
| Family Fun Festival | Saturday | Noon–4 PM | Free | Family Worship Center |
| Barks and Boos Fall Fest | Sunday | 11 AM–3 PM | Free | TBD (see event listing) |
| Fall Festival / Trunk-or-Treat | Sunday | 2–4 PM | Free (park day-use fee applies) | Cheyenne Mountain State Park |
What's Next
Fall break starts Monday for D11 and D49 families — so this weekend is the last chance to get out before the week-long break begins. Check individual event pages for any updates on locations or changes before heading out. The Citadel and Family Worship Center events are confirmed via Eventbrite and visitcos.com; the Barks and Boos and Cheyenne Mountain State Park events are confirmed via visitcos.com and springsmag.com.
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