Your October Family Calendar: COS Events Not to Miss This Fall

September is still in full swing, but October tends to arrive faster than anyone expects — especially once the school year settles into a rhythm and weekends start filling up. Colorado Springs families have a genuinely strong fall lineup this year. Here's what's worth putting on your October calendar now, before things sell out or schedules get locked in.

Western Museum of Mining and Industry — Saturdays in October

This is one of those places that Colorado Springs families who've visited once tend to return to every fall. On Saturdays throughout October, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry offers pumpkin picking, cider press demonstrations, vintage steam engine runs, and hay rides — all with views of the Rampart Range in the background. It's low-key, uncrowded, and the kind of fall activity that's easy on the logistics.

The museum sits at the base of I-25 at the Gleneagle exit, which makes it convenient for families in northern Colorado Springs and Monument. Admission rates apply; check the museum's website for the specific Saturday schedule and any timed-entry requirements.

Monster Jam at the Broadmoor World Arena — October 23-25

Monster Jam returns to Colorado Springs for three nights at the Broadmoor World Arena October 23-25. If you have kids who are into vehicles, speed, or anything that makes noise at high volume, Monster Jam delivers. The trucks weigh 12,000 pounds, the drivers are athletes who compete in both speed and freestyle skill, and the Broadmoor is one of the better venues in the state for this kind of show — close enough to feel the bass in your seat.

This event tends to sell tickets early, particularly for the Saturday night show. A three-night run means more options, but October weekends fill quickly in Colorado Springs. Plan ahead.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races — October 24, Manitou Springs

The Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs are one of the stranger and more beloved fall traditions in the Pikes Peak region, and they run October 24 from 10 AM to 5 PM on Ruxton Avenue. Teams build coffins, one team member plays "Emma" (lying inside), and they race down the avenue while crowds line the street. It's completely absurd, genuinely fun, and the kind of community event that sticks in kids' memories.

Emma Crawford is a historical figure from Manitou Springs who requested to be buried atop Red Mountain in the 1890s. The race honors — loosely — the story of her coffin eventually sliding down the mountain. The event is free to watch, downtown Manitou is worth exploring on its own, and the whole experience runs kid-friendly throughout the day.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Other Ongoing Options

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has fall programming running through October, including the Zoo Boo event series that typically runs in late October. If your family has a membership, October is one of the better months to use it — crowds thin out from summer peaks and the cooler weather makes walking the hillside trail sections more comfortable. Check the zoo's event calendar for specific dates and ticketing for Zoo Boo.

Garden of the Gods remains free all fall, as does Monument Valley Park, the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, and Fountain Creek Regional Park. September light turns gold by October, and all of these outdoor spaces look genuinely different — and worth revisiting — once the aspens start turning and the summer crowds are gone.

What's Next

We'll be back with a more detailed weekend roundup every Thursday through October, including updated picks as event details finalize and any last-minute additions to the calendar. The full events listing at visitcos.com and Springs Daily's event hub are both good bookmarks for tracking what's coming up week by week. October in Colorado Springs rewards the families that plan a little — and forgives those who show up last minute, because there's usually something worth doing.