Things to Do in October in Summit County
October is such a fun time in Summit County!
If you’re lucky enough to live here, it’s the calm before the storm, the beautiful time of year when the leaves change and the area is not buzzing with visitors and skiers. But even though it’s the off-season, there is still plenty to do throughout Summit County. Whether you’re a family looking for a way to entertain the kids, or you’re retired and here for some relaxation time in your second home, there is something here for you in October
I’ll review some of the events coming up this month in each town, and hopefully give you a few ideas to help you keep busy.
In Frisco, you can start the month by heading to the Frisco Peninsula on Saturday October 6th. The annual FriscoCross cyclocross races start at 7am and run through late afternoon. You can bring a blanket and watch the competition, or if you’re a racer, register and see how you fare against the other bikers. Cyclocross is a fun event to watch, mixing road and mountain biking and requiring racers to be able to handle their bikes through obstacles and challenging terrain.
Later on in the month, take a tour through Frisco’s haunted house, a yearly tradition that scares the locals, makes money for the Mountain Mentors program, all while and lets kids have fun while learning how to run a business and handle money. You can head to the haunted house on October 26th, 27th, and 31st from 6-10pm, at 113 Third Ave, Frisco, CO 80443.
On Halloween, the 31st, make sure you visit Main Street for the annual Trick or Treat Main Street event. Little ones can trick or treat local businesses and gather sweets, all while in a safe area without concerns about traffic or safety. Businesses hang bright orange jack-o-lanterns outside to let you know which businesses are participating in this year’s trick or treat. If your children need to rest or warm up, there is a presentation of The Corpse Bride by Tim Burton in the log chapel in Frisco Historic Park. Remember though, Main Street will be closed to through traffic, so park off of Granite or a side street.
Visit http://www.townoffrisco.com/events/ for a complete list of events and happenings in Frisco during October.
In Breckenridge, you can start out the month by visiting the Craft Spirits Festival on the weekend of October 5-7th. The festival is meant to showcase handcrafted spirits and involves distilleries, restaurants, and bluegrass music. Activities include tours, spirit tastings, a fun poker run, and food from local restaurants. Visit this site for information on admission, events, and details about the festival.
Breckenridge offers a packed calendar for the rest of the month of October as well. You can participate in local Colorado Wine Tasting daily, or visit Breckenridge Cheese and Chocolate at 304 South Main Street for wine and cheese Wednesdays.
Visit the GoBreck site for all the planned Breckenridge events, including historic walking tours, haunted tours of Breckenridge, daily specials and happy hours throughout Breckenridge, and much more!
During the fall, the town of Dillon is fairly peaceful and the marina shuts down. While there are no planned town events, it’s the perfect time to take a walk along the Dillon Lake rec path, or let your kids play on the Dillon Marina playground. Park at the Dillon Marina parking lot and you’ll be within steps of a great playground and beautiful pavilion. Both sides of the parking lot are flanked by the rec path, which will connect you to miles of biking or walking. With the crowds away for the fall, Dillon feels more like a retreat, and you’ll have more time to yourself to enjoy the scenery and fall colors. While you’re there, visit the Arapahoe Café for good food in a fun atmosphere! They have a great breakfast and brunch menu, as well as daily specials and great barbecue for dinner. You can go downstairs to the Arapahoe Pub, where they offer nightly specials, such as Taco Tuesday and Burger Wednesday. It’s good food, a fun setting, and it’s a great place to run in to locals you haven’t talked to in a while.
Whether you want to enjoy the festival and spirits in Breck, or celebrate Halloween with your children in Frisco, there is something here in Summit County for you in October.