Calling all Jack Skellingtons!
The mornings have turned crisp, the leaves have gone golden, and pumpkin spice everything has made its way to store shelves. It can only mean one thing: it's fall, y'all!
If you're looking for activities to celebrate autumn all month long, let My Greeley be your guide. Below is our 2022 roundup of all the fun things to do in Greeley for a family-friendly fall season.
Looking for something specific? Skip to a particular section by clicking the links below:
- Leaf Peeping in Greeley
- Where to Pick Pumpkins in Greeley
- Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at the UCCC
- Greeley Recreation's Halloween Themed Events
- Where to Go Trick-or-Treating in Greeley
Leaf Peeping in Greeley
Leaf peeping—it's a thing. If your family is anything like ours, convincing your kids to hop in the car for an hour-long ride to the nearest canyon to look at mountain leaves is a tough sell. Instead, we recommend you pick up some cider or hot chocolate, and walk, run, or ride your way by the gorgeous fall foliage at one of these local spots. In the mornings, you'll find cooler temperatures and plenty of wildlife (if you're quiet). In the evenings, you'll soak up the last of the warm weather and catch the leaves during golden hour, which is ideal for snapping pics.
Poudre River Trail
The Cache la Poudre River is rich in history and is the lifeblood for water resources in the Northern Colorado Region. The Poudre River Trail allows access to the section of the river corridor between Greeley and Windsor (eventually, it will run all the way to Fort Collins).
The trail is a wide paved path with gentle grades away from road noise and busy intersections. It allows those that use the trail to enjoy the natural beauty of the meandering river and the stands of cottonwood trees and wetland meadows that line its banks. All the cottonwoods make this east-to-west Greeley amenity perfect for peeping.
The entire trail is lovely, but for this assignment, we like the sections near Island Grove Regional Park, Poudre Ponds, and Signature Bluffs Natural Area best. (But, hey, investigate the Poudre Trail Map and choose your own adventure!)
Shur View Open Space
Shur View (to be renamed later this year) is Greeley's newest open space, and at 978 acres, it's one of the last large parcels of land suited for open space in western Greeley.
The property supports habitats for a wide range of plants and animals, providing shelter, food, and water for deer, songbirds, game birds, and small mammals. The property also supports several prairie dog colonies, a food source for predators.
This space is brand new and in-progress. The city is hosting a kick-off event 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Missile Site Park (10611 CO-257 Spur) to celebrate the launch of a community process to create a shared vision for the natural area. Perfectly timed for leaf peeping!
All are welcome to attend the Shur View sneak peek; just RSVP by Oct. 3. Can't make the kick-off? Throughout the month of October, there will be periodic site tours offered at the site.
Where to Pick Pumpkins in Greeley
Greeley is an "ag" community after all. We have pumpkins o' plenty!
Tigges Farm
Family-owned Tigges Farm (12404 County Rd. 64 1/2) is open Thursdays-Sundays from 10 a.m.-6p.m. through October. In addition to their pick-your-own pumpkin patch, Tigges hosts special events and activities all month long. From face painting to alpaca petting, Tigges has much to deliver in one local place.
The farm is also stocked with roasted chilies, fresh produce, and pink pumpkins (yes, really!) to raise money for breast cancer research. While there, grab a snack from the food trucks, take your kids on a wagon ride, and (speaking from personal experience) snap a few Instagram pics next to the old school farm equipment. It's a great way to spend a couple hours as a family!
Follow the full Tigges Farm calendar to learn which activities are available on specific weekends.
Pope Farms Produce and Garden Center
Listen, not everyone needs to pick their own pumpkin. It's a position we can respect.
If this sounds like your family, support your local farmers with a stop by Pope Farms (6501 W. 28th St.). Pope Farms specializes in growing, buying, and selling local. Their produce selection features Rocky Ford melons, Palisade peaches, potatoes, peppers, and pumpkins. Plus, they stock Colorado Country Kitchen canned goods, Village Pie Maker frozen pies, Colorado Cherry Company ciders and juice, Fire Mountain jams and jellies, Clark's honey and more.
If you prefer fall flavors to fall activities, Pope Farms is the place for you.
The Greeley Farmers' Market
Grab your coziest sweater and a hot coffee and head to the Greeley Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m.-noon to soak up the very best in fall weather.
Voted the best farmers' market in Colorado (two years running!), the vendor fair, which is open at the Union Pacific Depot through October and indoors during the winter months, often features live entertainment in addition to local produce and handcrafted goods from makers in and around Greeley.
During harvest season, you'll be able to snag peaches, potatoes, and baked treats, plus pumpkins, corn stalks and other rustic pieces—perfect for decorating your porch!
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the UCCC
Sugar Skull! The Musical
“SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure” is a touring bilingual/bicultural musical featuring traditional, regional music and dance from Mexico. It tells the story of 12-year-old Vita Flores and her magical journey to understand the true meaning of Día de Muertos. It's playing downtown at the Union Colony Civic Center (701 10th Ave.) on Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
This joyous, heartfelt adventure delves into the rich, tuneful traditions of this Mexican holiday and is perfect fall entertainment for both youth and older audiences. Tickets are just $5 per person, making this a relatively affordable way to spend a fun evening with your whole family.
Attend the Día De Los Muertos Exhibit at Tointon
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with a stroll through the Tointon Art Gallery (located inside the UCCC). Running from Friday, Oct. 21 through Nov. 12, this community art exhibit features installations that reflect on the spirit of Día De Los Muertos community. The gallery will participate in a Día De Los Muertos community celebration on Nov. 2. The exhibit is free and open to the public during normal Greeley Rec Center hours and before UCCC performances.
A Greeley Rec Halloween is a Real Treat!
Zombie Zumba
Get moving for Halloween with Zombie Zumba at the Rec Center and the Family FunPlex. Dress up in your Halloween costume and prepare to Monster Mash (there will be costume prizes!). Take Zombie Zumba on Oct. 24 from 6-7 p.m. at the Rec Center (651 10th Ave.) and at the FunPlex (1501 65th Ave.) Oct. 25 from 6-7 p.m. This event is for ages 12+ and is free for Greeley Recreation members or you can pay the daily admission to attend.
Cosmic Costume Skate
The annual Cosmic Costume Skate will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Greeley Ice Haus (900 8th Ave.). Enjoy a ghoulish celebration, ice skate with your friends and family, and take selfies at the photo booth. Be sure to get in on the group photo-op on the ice and participate in the prize-eligible costume contest at 7:45 p.m. All ages and abilities are welcome. Admission: $6, skate rental $3.
Trick-or-Climb
If you have a family who loves the Rec Center climbing wall, this event is for you! At Trick or Climb, costumed families can enjoy their usual ascent with a twist—there's candy waiting at the top of the wall! Trick or Climb is hosted on Halloween from 4-8 p.m. (651 10th Ave.). Like Zombie Zumba, this event is free for Greeley Recreation members, or you can pay a daily admission fee to use the wall.
Where to Trick-or-Treat in Greeley
Costumes. Candy. Community. What's not to love?
This year there are two weekends worth of candy-themed events in Greeley, which is great for kids (and kids at heart). Bonus: Halloween is on a Monday this year, so if you had concerns about trick-or-treating on a school night, this list will help.
Howl-o-Ween
Kick off the historic holiday at Centennial Village Museum (1475 A St.) Oct. 22-23 with their Howl-o-Ween event. It’s a great way to explore their historic buildings while scooping up some treats. Plus: participate in the costume contest, visit the not-so-scary haunted house, play carnival games, and go on wagon rides.
Trick-or-Treat Street
A Greeley classic! If you're new to town (or new to trick-or-treating), here's the scoop. Head to downtown Greeley along the 8th and 9th Street Plazas, where over 40 local businesses open their doors to visitors and hand out candy to costumed community members. Trick-or-Treat Street is an all-ages event hosted on Oct. 28, from 4-6 p.m.
Family Fright Fest
On Halloween evening, from 5-8 p.m., the Family FunPlex (1501 65th Ave.) is offering is a fantastic trick-or-treat event on their miniature golf course. Trick-or-treat by putting your way through the course, play yard games, participate in a costume contest, visit the pumpkin painting station, and try the decoration competition. Family Fright Fest costs $5 for anyone attending who is ages 3 or older. Toddlers 2 and under attend for free.
Try Something Scarier
If you have older kids (or brave young ones), we recommend taking a deep dive into Greeley's haunted history. Enjoy an eerie walking tour through our most haunted spots in town (like the UNC campus, the Union Pacific Depot, and our city's courthouse), or book a haunted guide through Greeley Ghost Tours.
With a list like this, fall in Greeley is sure to be one of your favorite times of the year. When you're out and about celebrating the changing season, tag us with #MyGreeley and we'll share your story online!
