The Gardens on Spring Creek, Fort Collins’ community botanic garden, invites guests to celebrate the season at Pumpkins on Parade, presented by Ace Hardware, 5-9 p.m. nightly from Oct. 23-26, 2025. Entrance gates close at 8 p.m.
This annual Halloween and harvest celebration transforms The Gardens into a glowing wonderland where gourds and spooky fun light up the night. Guests can wander through whimsically themed zones, snap photos with larger-than-life pumpkin art and enjoy festive games, dazzling seasonal displays and nightly live entertainment from TimFoolery the Magician, Amy and the Good Little Witches Dog Troupe and music from Zach Visconti and Friends.
With a new (earlier) start time of 5 p.m. that’s perfect for young ghosts and goblins, families can celebrate before bedtime, while night owls soak in the sparkle under the stars. A full bar will be available each evening for adults to enjoy seasonal beverages, and candy-free prizes will be awarded to game participants.
“Pumpkins on Parade is one of our favorite ways to celebrate the season,” says Kate Knospe, The Gardens’ senior supervisor of events. “It’s a joy to see families and friends making memories together amid the lights, laughter and engaging displays.”
Carved pumpkin contest
The Gardens’ annual carved pumpkin contest invites community members of all ages and skill levels to showcase their creativity. There’s no entry fee—participants simply bring their own carved pumpkin—and they’ll receive a 50 percent discount on their Pumpkins on Parade admission ticket.
Entries will be judged in two age groups (youth: 14 and under; adult: 15+) across the following categories: best overall, funniest, best garden-themed and most original. Participants can find full contest details, including rules, registration and the ticket discount, at fcgov.com/gardens/pumpkins.
Pumpkins on Parade tickets
Tickets are $12 ages 12+, $8 for children ages 5-11 and free for children 4 and under. Advance purchase is strongly encouraged, as several time slots are expected to sell out. Tickets are available online at fcgov.com/gardens/pumpkins or onsite during event hours, pending availability.
