Tonight is the first night that Pumpkin Nights officially opens to the public at Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton, Colorado and last night 303 got a sneak peek of the Halloween attraction that everyone is buzzing about. Pumpkin Nights, an outdoor “interactive Halloween experience” features 3,000 hand-carved synthetic and real pumpkins along a 0.5-mile walking path decorated with light displays and decor. This is the first year that the event is in the Mile High City and people are already buying tickets like mad so make sure you don’t miss it. The festival will be open every night except Halloween through Sunday, November 4 from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Each of the eight themed “Pumpkin Lands” is an amazing spectacle, and clearly took a lot of time to build. From an underwater themed display with a giant octopus and pumpkin jellyfish to a Chinese inspired-pumpkin land with a pumpkin dragon and hanging lanterns, the walkway is filled with surprises around every corner. The Harry Potter-themed pumpkin land has the floating candle pumpkins overhead as promised (similar to those in the Great Hall at Hogwarts) but we were also surprised to find live owls courtesy of HawkQuest, an environmental education program located in Parker, Colorado that teaches people about large birds of prey and how to protect them and their habitat. You can even take pictures with the little guys.

At the end of the illuminated pumpkin walk, attendees have room to play on the giant pumpkin seesaws and jump castle, buy delicious chili and hotdogs from a food truck, drink tasty seasonal brews, hot chocolate, mulled wine and other beverages, watch fire dancers and more. Festival-goers also can earn a prize at the end of the walk if they correctly find all the hidden pumpkin symbols along the way and decipher a word using a code.

If you get the chance, make the drive up to Brighton. Trust us, it’s a good time and not just for kids.

Pumpkin Nights Denver is located at Adams County Fair and Regional Park Complex at 9755 Henderson Rd., Brighton, CO 80601. Tickets are $20 for general adult admission and can be purchased here.

All photography by Heather Fairchild.

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