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As we inch closer to the beginning of October into spooky season, fans of Halloween are preparing for a month-long celebration of boos, ghouls and monsters.

With Halloween being the fourth most celebrated festivity in the U.S. — respectively behind Christmas, Thanksgiving and Independence Day — towns and cities across the U.S. begin preparations for events early, and northern Colorado is no exception.

From creepy corn mazes and trick-o-treat streets to Halloween bar crawls and scary movies and books, there’s plenty of ways to get the most for your money out of the Halloween costumes you bought for the family and celebrate.

A&E Spotlight has comprised a list of some events, activities, books and movies that you won’t want to skip this Halloween season.

•Learn how to paint a cute bed sheet ghost at a free acrylic painting tutorial at noon Sunday, Oct. 9 online. The program will take viewers step-by-step through the painting process to create a fun and festive piece of Halloween décor that can be enjoyed throughout the years. All ages are welcome to view the program. For more information, including a list of supplies, go to https://bit.ly/3dwf9ZD.

•The Creepy Walk in the Woods is set for 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday beginning Oct. 14 through Oct. 29 at 1750 Savage Road in Loveland. The event takes visitors along a path filled with chills and thrills. Due to the scary nature of the event, children ages 11 and younger are discouraged from attending. Tickets are $30 per person and can only be purchased at the gate. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3UqeQjV.

•The 3rd annual Pumpkins on Parade will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 at The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins. The event features hundreds of different sized, colored and carved pumpkins and gourds arranged around the grounds as well as activities for all ages. Costumes are encouraged for all and admission is $10 for guests ages 12 and older, $5 for youths ages 5-11 and children ages 4 and younger are free. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3xAHJA7.

•Glow at the Gardens at 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 27-30 at the Denver Botanical Gardens features walkways illuminated and decorated with a variety of spooky props and pumpkins. The event also features performing artists. All ages are welcome to attend. Timed pre-purchase tickets are $25 for guests ages 16 and older, $23 for seniors ages 65 and older, $23 for students with an ID and $21 for youth ages 3-15. Veterans and family members of veterans get discounted admission. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3BRSBvZ.

•University Schools Trunk or Treat is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at 6525 W. 18th St. in Greeley. Children of all ages are invited to come and take part in fun activities and safe trick-o-treating. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3DF82c2.

•Howl-o-Ween at Centennial Village is back from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at 1475 A St., Greeley. All ages are invited to come and tour the museum grounds while collecting goodies from volunteers and local businesses and organizations. Admission is $4 per visitor age 3 and older and children age 2 and younger are free. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3BNJ8Wl.

•Head over to downtown Greeley for the city’s annual Trick-or-Treat Street from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 along the 8th and 9th street plazas. The free event, open to all ages, will feature over 40 local businesses opening their doors for some safe and fun trick-o-treating. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3BMkwfF.

•The Halloween Hullabaloo will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Chilson Center, 700 E. 4th St. in Loveland with a variety of activities for kids ages 7-12, including jack-o-lantern 4-square, a zombie NERF area, carnival zone, spooky graveyard and more. Admission is $15 per person. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.kidsniteout.org.

•The Pumpkin Plunge is set for 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at the Community Recreation Center’s indoor pool, 250 N. 11th St., Windsor. Participants can swim through the water in search of the perfect pumpkin to decorate. The event is for kids ages 2 to 12 and the cost is $6 per child. Registration is required and can be done by going to https://bit.ly/3DFbaoi.

•Get in some early trick-o-treating at Harley-Ween at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at John Elway Harley Davidson, 3010 W. 29th St., Greeley. The event will include a costume contest for all ages, trunk-o-treating and more. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, contact the dealership at (970) 351-8150.

•The town of Windsor is hosting a Halloween Carnival from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Windsor History Museum, 100 N. 5th St. The free event will include trick-o-treating, performers, face painting and more. All ages are welcome to attend and there no registration is required. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3f2eNdz.

•Get your drink on at the 5th annual Halloween Bar Crawl at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 beginning at Brothers Bar and Grill, 147 S. College Ave., Fort Collins. More than 500 people are expected to attend the event that will take participant to a variety of breweries, bars and distillers around town. The event is open to adults age 21 and older and costumes are highly encouraged. Tickets are $18.41 per person or $12.78 per person for groups of four or more. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to https://bit.ly/3xygypC.

•Osborn Farm, 1230 S. Boise Ave., Loveland features a petting zoo, hayrides, a barrel train and of course, pumpkins. All ages are welcome to visit. For more information, go to www.osbornfarm.com.

•The Haunted Fields of Screams is located at 10451 McKay Road in Thornton and offers enthusiasts of the creepy and crawly the scare they are looking for and much more. Check out what this haunted attraction has to offer by going to www.hauntedfieldsofscreams.com.

•Hometown Harvest Pumpkin Patch, 7710 Weld County Road 62 in Windsor offers fun for everyone in the family with a mini corn maze, pumpkin bowling, photo opportunities and more. For more information, go to www.hometownharvestpumpkinpatch.com.

•Fritzler Farm Park, 20861 County Road 33, LaSalle. Fritzler Farms is well known for its annual corn maze, games, activities and more for all ages. For more information, go to fritzlerfarmpark.com.

•Hankins Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, 26745 Weld County Road 17, Johnstown offers visitors of all ages the opportunity to explore the farm’s corn maze, fire a corn cannon, race peddle cars and pick pumpkins from the field. For more information, go to www.hankinsfarms.com.

•The Empty Grave Haunted House, 218 Kimbark St. in Longmont is a new attraction offering an immersive and interactive experience. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.theemptygrave.com.

•The Bartel’s Farm, 3424 E. Douglas Road, Fort Collins. The farm offers free admission and parking and pumpkins starting at $1. Families with children of all ages can enjoy a petting zoo, hayrides and more. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3Se04e2.

•Mazzotti Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch is located at 2628 Weld County Road 49 in Hudson and features a scare-free corn maze, farm animals, scarecrow crafts and more for all ages. For more information, go to www.mazzottifarms.com.

•The 13th Floor Haunted House, 3400 E. 52nd Ave., Denver has been named one of the five top haunted houses in the U.S. by USA Today. If the photos on the event’s website doesn’t cause you to quiver, seeing it in person sure will. For more information, go to www.13thfloorhauntedhouse.com.

•Garden Sweet Farm, 719 W. Willox Lane, Fort Collins, offers pumpkins and gourds of all sizes and shapes. For more information, go to www.gardensweet.com.

•Jack Lantern’s Northern Colorado Corn Maze, 2318 S. County Road 5, Fort Collins. Activities for all ages offered in the day as well as the evening. For more information, go to www.nococornmaze.com.

•“Rosemary’s Baby” (1968) is an iconic horror movie that will make you think twice about having kids. Actress Mia Farrow is a young woman whose husband makes a deal with the devil without her knowing which results in the birth of demon…and not the cute kind.

•“Hocus Pocus” (1993) is a family-friendly comedy about three quirky witches living in Salem, MA. It’s a must-see for all ages.

•“The Haunted Mansion” (2003) is based off of the popular Disney ride by the same name and stars Eddie Murphy. The movie does have some scary scenes but is mostly family-friendly.

•“Us,” (2019) written and directed by Jordan Peele follows a young woman and her family who are stalked by a violent group of doppelgangers. If you liked “Get Out,” this one is right up your alley.

•“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966) has been an annual classic flick for people of all ages. It’s definitely one movie you can’t pass up this Halloween season.

Thrills and chills for young adults

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