Leadville does not really do a quiet October. This year it is not even pretending. Leadville Main Street is turning the whole month into OctoberVille, a month long celebration of community, local business and mountain town magic running October 1 through October 31 in Leadville and Twin Lakes.
Think of it as two celebrations stacked on top of each other. OctoberVille by day – restaurant specials, lodging deals, live music, retail events and outdoor adventure. SpookyVille by night – haunted history, costumes and all the wonderfully weird ways a Victorian mining town at 10,152 feet celebrates the season.
Here is your sneak peek at what is taking shape, plus the one deal worth planning your trip around.
Starting Octoberville Off Strong: Favorite Annual Fundraisers
OctoberVille is getting started in a big way! Kick off the month with three of our favorite annual fundraiser events, each offering a unique experience while supporting the organizations that make our community so special.
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Friday, October 2 – Advocates of Lake County’s Empowerment Express
All aboard! Experience the train in a whole new way during Advocates of Lake County’s Empowerment Express on Friday, October 2.
Settle in for an evening train ride through the mountains featuring dinner, drinks, incredible views, and a relaxed night on the mountain, all while supporting a great cause. It’s a memorable way to enjoy one of Leadville’s most iconic experiences while giving back to the community.
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Saturday, October 3 – Cloud City Wheeler’s Pedal for the Park
Enter the enchanted forest and choose your quest – bike or run! See how many miles you can conquer on the Colorado Mountain College’s trails while supporting Cloud City Wheelers and the trails and outdoor bike park that make our community magical.
Costumes are highly encouraged, so grab your fairy wings, wizard robes, or gnome hat and join us for food, yard games, woodland mischief, and trail magic!
Pick your quest, dress the part, and come play in the forest!
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Saturday, October 3 – Leadville Main Street’s Live Auction
Then, keep the fun going Saturday night with Leadville Main Street’s annual live auction at the Tabor Opera House.
This is one of our favorite events of the year, and for good reason. Step inside the historic Tabor for an evening filled with delicious snacks, specialty drinks, a lively auction, and even a hidden bar tucked beneath the stage.
The auction itself is a celebration of Leadville’s creative spirit and history, featuring everything from repurposed pieces of Leadville’s past to original works of art. There’s always something unexpected to discover and plenty to bid on!
And this year, the entertainment gets even better. Illusionist Professor Phelyx returns to Leadville to blow our minds once again! Expect an evening of mystery, laughs, and plenty of moments that will have you wondering, “How did he do that?”
Two nights, two unforgettable events, and two great ways to start October by supporting the people and organizations that help make our mountain community thrive.
Come celebrate, have a little fun, and give back this OctoberVille!
The Next Week, Experience Leadville Like a Local
One of the best ways to experience Leadville is to celebrate alongside the people who call it home. Quieter times in Leadville are the best way to experience the magic that is this town. Get out, get involved, and experience two community favorites that capture the spirit of our mountain town.
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Thursday, October 8 – Banned Book Week Celebration
At the Lake County Public Library, we celebrate Banned Book Week by bringing nationally and internationally recognized authors to Leadville, authors who have experienced having their own works challenged or banned. This year, we’re excited to welcome author Gabby Rivera for an evening of conversation, connection, and a celebration of the freedom to read.
Thursday, October 8 join us at FREIGHT! Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a community dinner provided before the author talk begins at 6:30 p.m. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to be part of one of Leadville’s most meaningful community events.
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Saturday, October 10-11 – Leadfest Weekend at Ale Yak
Then, keep the local spirit going during Leadfest Weekend at Ale Yak Food & Beer Garden!
Celebrate Oktoberfest Leadville-style with live music, games, great food, and an unbeatable mountain-town atmosphere. And don’t miss Sunday’s chili cook-off, where the community comes together for a little friendly competition and plenty of delicious tasting.
Leadfest is one of those weekends where you can settle in, meet new people, cheer on your neighbors, and feel like you’re part of the community, even if you’re just visiting for the weekend.
Come celebrate OctoberVille with us and feel like a neighbor while you’re here!
Halfway There! We’re Going Big: Fireworks & Parade!
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Saturday, October 17 – Postponed 4th of July Celebration
We’re halfway through our month-long celebration, and we’re bringing the parade and fireworks to the heart of OctoberVille! Favorites that were postponed from Independence Day.
The Willow Fire kept our usual Fourth of July celebrations from happening. While July was slower than we’re used to, we’re not giving up on celebrating, and we’re not letting those traditions disappear.
The parade will make its way down Harrison Avenue, giving us a chance to come together, celebrate our community, and enjoy a little hometown tradition. Then, as the sun goes down, we’ll turn our eyes to the sky for a spectacular fireworks show high above town.
And honestly? Fireworks in October might be even better than fireworks in July.
Picture a crisp fall evening, with the sun setting earlier behind the mountains and the possibility of snow-capped peaks providing the backdrop. You don’t have to stay out quite as late to enjoy the show, and there’s something pretty special about watching fireworks light up a cool autumn sky.
Of course, there’s one important thing to remember: bring your warm layers! October in the mountains means beautiful days can quickly turn into chilly evenings, so bundle up, grab your family and friends, and come ready to celebrate.
The Fourth of July may not have gone as planned, but we’re making up for it in true OctoberVille fashion.
Finishing Strong
We’ve packed a lot into OctoberVille, but we’re not slowing down yet! We’re finishing the month with spooky fun, live entertainment, and a Halloween celebration you won’t want to miss.
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Thursday, October 22 – 24 – The Addams Family
Get ready for a delightfully dark and hilarious night at the Tabor Opera House as Lyric Theatre of Leadville brings The Addams Family to one of Colorado’s most historic stages!
Follow Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Uncle Fester, and the rest of the wonderfully eccentric Addams clan through a story filled with love, family, secrets, and plenty of macabre humor.
Featuring local talent and presented in the unforgettable setting of the historic Tabor, The Addams Family promises an entertaining evening of music, comedy, and spooky fun right in the heart of Leadville.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Addams clan or simply looking for a fun night out, this community production is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit.
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Sunday, October 25 – Trick or Treat Street
Then, bring the whole family to Harrison Avenue on Sunday, October 25, for Trick or Treat Street!
Dress up in your favorite costume, grab the kids, and enjoy an afternoon of Halloween fun right in the heart of town. It’s a chance to see the community come together, fill up those candy bags, and celebrate one of the most anticipated days of the year.
And just when you thought OctoberVille couldn’t get any better, we’re saving one more celebration for the end of the month – Halloween on the 31st!
From spooky performances to costumes, candy, and community traditions, OctoberVille is going out with a bang.
Come celebrate, get dressed up, and finish October strong with us!
SpookyVille – When The Sun Goes Down!
Just when you thought we were done, we’re stepping into SpookyVille for those who dare to venture out after dark!
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Take a Ghost Tour
Explore Leadville’s haunted history downtown or at the historic Evergreen Cemetery
Leadville by Lamplight – Step into the shadows of Leadville history. Explore Evergreen Cemetery by lantern light, hear stories of miners, witches, dance hall girls, and ghosts, or venture to some of Leadville’s most haunted historic locations downtown, including the old red light district. Tours available October 16-17 and 29 – 31.
Epic Happy Adventures – History, mystery, and a few chills included, take a 90-minute lantern-lit journey through Evergreen Cemetery, exploring the lives, legends, and stories of the miners, madams, lawmen, immigrants, and other characters who shaped the town. Discover forgotten tales, Victorian cemetery symbols, local lore, and a touch of ghostly mystery, all while reflecting on one haunting question: How do you want to be remembered? Tours available throughout October.
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Learn About Victorian Spirits at the Healy House
Friday, October 16, 5:30pm – Step inside the Historic Healy House and explore the fascinating world of Victorian and Edwardian mourning traditions and Leadville’s underground Spiritualist movement. Learn about the rituals surrounding death, beliefs about communicating with the departed, and ghost stories dating from the 1860s through the 1920s. Not recommended for kids under 13.
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Halloween Night
And we’re not done yet! Keep an eye on the OctoberVille calendar for live music, Halloween night festivities, and more spooky surprises throughout the month.
Grab your flashlight, bring your courage, and get ready to experience the darker side of Leadville.
Enter if you dare!
Want the real ghost stories while you are here? Start with our guide to the ghosts of Leadville.
Support Local and Get Rewarded -Buy A $100 Leadville Twin Lakes Gift Card and Get $50 Free!
This is the part locals and visitors both like. OctoberVille includes a local gift card promotion: buy a $100 gift card and another $50 is added at no cost, good at participating Leadville businesses.
Do the math on a weekend here. That is dinner covered, or a chunk off a new base layer from a shop on Harrison, or a head start on holiday shopping that keeps money in a small mountain town during its quietest season. Browse where to shop and where to eat and drink before you decide where to spend it.
Limited availability! Promotion will run October 11-24. Stay tuned for details!
How To Plan Your OctoberVille Trip
The full schedule lives on the OctoberVille page at Leadville Main Street, and it keeps growing as businesses add events, so check back as October gets closer. Our own events calendar is the other place to look.
Then handle the logistics: pick a spot on our where to stay page, pack layers, and remember that nights at 10,152 feet get cold fast in October.
Come for the fall colors. Stay for the fun. Shop local, eat local, and help keep this small business community strong all year long.
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