Your COS Family Weekend: Art Downtown Tonight, Pumpkins Saturday, and More
October arrived this week, and Colorado Springs is ready for it. This weekend (October 2-4) has a strong lineup of family-friendly activities across the city — from free public art downtown tonight to pumpkin farms and science education running through the weekend. Here's what's happening and what's worth your family's time.
Advertisement
Advertise hereTonight (Friday, October 2): Art Downtown and D11 Murals
First Friday Arts Month opens tonight at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 South Tejon Street, from 5 to 8 PM. Admission is free. Families can explore current museum exhibits, see new art installations, and participate in hands-on art-making stations appropriate for kids.
What makes tonight extra worth the trip: D11's Chalktober project has covered Acacia Park — right next to the museum — with large-scale chalk murals created by more than 1,500 D11 students today. The murals line the surrounding sidewalks and are accessible to anyone in the area. It's a genuinely beautiful display of student work in a public space.
Parking is available on Tejon Street and in nearby downtown garages. The museum and park are walkable from most downtown spots.
Saturday, October 3: Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Picking
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site holds its Harvest Festival from 10 AM to 4 PM at 3105 Gateway Road. Horse-drawn wagon rides, cider demonstrations, old-time live music, blacksmith tours, a candy scramble, and pumpkins to take home for $6 each. Admission: $6 for youth ages 3-17, free for children 2 and under, $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and military. Call (719) 578-6777 for accessibility questions.
Venetucci Farm, near Fountain and the shadow of Pikes Peak, is also open Saturday and Sunday for Pumpkin Fest. The cost is $5 per person for ages 8 and up, with pumpkin picking in the fields. It's a different vibe than Rock Ledge Ranch — more open farm, less historical — but both are worth knowing about depending on what your family is in the mood for.
All Weekend: Cool Science Festival Continues
The Cool Science Festival runs through October 18, with events at venues across Colorado Springs. This weekend's programming includes activities at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry (WMMI), Ivywild School, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. The festival is designed for K-8 families and is built around hands-on STEAM programming. Check coolscience.org for the full weekend event schedule and times.
Quick Reference: Weekend at a Glance
| Event | When | Where | Cost | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Friday Arts Month | Fri Oct 2, 5–8 PM | Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St. | Free | All ages |
| D11 Chalktober Murals (Acacia Park) | Fri Oct 2, all day | Acacia Park, downtown COS | Free | All ages |
| Rock Ledge Ranch Harvest Festival | Sat Oct 3, 10 AM–4 PM | 3105 Gateway Rd | $6 (youth 3-17), free (under 2), $12 (adult) | All ages |
| Venetucci Farm Pumpkin Fest | Sat–Sun Oct 3-4 | Near Fountain, COS | $5 (ages 8+) | 8+ |
| Cool Science Festival | Ongoing through Oct 18 | WMMI, Ivywild, USAFA | Varies / free options | K–8 |
What's Next
October keeps stacking up from here. Coming later in the month: D49's fall break runs October 12-23, D11's fall break is October 19-22, and D20 has a short break October 15-16. Boo at the Zoo opens October 20-22 and runs again October 27-29. The Fossil Day Celebration at Garden of the Gods is October 10 from 10 AM to noon — free, family-friendly, and a great science hook for curious kids. There's a lot coming, and the full list of things to do with kids in Colorado Springs this weekend is always at springsdaily.com/events/this-weekend-with-kids.
What locals are saying
Be the first to share your thoughts
Start the conversation about this article.
Leave a reply
More from Colorado Springs
Academy District 20 Earns 18th Consecutive Top Accreditation — October Events for D20 Families
Academy School District 20 has earned Colorado's highest district accreditation rating for the 18th consecutive year, the district announced this fall. The milestone is notable precisely because of its consistency — 18 y
CPSC Recalls Magnetic Toy Sets — Stop Use Immediately, Risk of Death
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued urgent recalls for two magnetic toy sets this week, both posing a risk of serious injury or death to children. Parents should check their homes immediately for these
D11 Students Take Over Acacia Park for Chalktober — Plus First Friday Tonight
More than 1,500 Colorado Springs District 11 students are transforming Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs this morning, chalking sidewalks and creating large-scale murals as part of the district's annual Chalktober