Break out the cozy sweaters and mugs of spiced tea. Fall is on the way, and we are ready to celebrate the changing of the season. This time of year is not only when the leaves start turning color and the weather cools, but it’s time to also pick pumpkins, harvest apples and celebrate the annual Oktoberfest, Colorado style. These five events offer a great way to jump start fall and have fun at the same time.

CORN MAZE AT CHATFIELD FARMS

Every year the engineers at Chatfield Farms create an intricate corn maze for guests to explore, and it’s not easy. Take a picture of the map and then get walking, making sure to keep to the path, even when you want to crash through the dried corn stalks. Each maze is designed to look like something too, and this year it sports a prehistoric vibe.

For little kids visiting the farm there’s a pint-sized maze perfect for them to discover. Double the fun by visiting during the annual Denver Botanic Gardens Pumpkin Festival on October 7 through 9, when the farm is filled with vendors, extra activities, and pumpkin picking. Regular times are Friday through Sunday, September 16 to October 30, from 9am to 5pm.

Tickets for the maze and fete can be reserved online and run between $9 and $15. Visit the maze at the farm, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton.

Funded by citizen support of the SCFD

DENVER OKTOBERFEST

Photo courtesy of Denver Oktoberfest

Get ready for two weekends of Oktoberfest fun in Denver. Since 1969 the festival has featured German culture in the form of beer, soft pretzels with mustard, sausages, live polka music (and other music), keg bowling, and more. Don your best lederhosen, there’s a costume contest daily. And, if you happen to have an elongated pup like a dachshund, you can enter the long-dog race on the last day of the festival.

The event is free to enter and starts at Larimer and 21st streets in the Ballpark District. There are also VIP tickets available starting at $95, which can be purchased online. Toast the season starting September 16 to 18, and 23 to 25. On Fridays the festival runs 5 to 11pm; Saturdays 11am to 11pm; and Sundays from 11am to 6pm.

LAKEWOOD CIDER DAYS

The annual Lakewood Cider Days festival celebrates 46 years of all things apple this October. Expect a mix of local performances, food trucks and vendors, wagon rides, historical demonstrations, tractor pulls and more. Of course, that crisp fall fruit is the center of the fun, and guests can purchase apple cider by the glass or gallon, learn how to press apples, join an apple pie eating contest, and find so many ways to enjoy the actual fruit.

Get your apple-love on Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, from 10am to 5pm at the Lakewood’s Heritage Center, 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood. Tickets from $5 to $12 and can be purchased in advance online.

Funded by citizen support of the SCFD

ROCK CREEK FARM PUMPKIN PATCH AND CORN MAZE

Pick a pumpkin or five at Rock Creek Farm, which features one of the area’s largest pumpkin patches. Not only can you find the perfect squash for that jack-o-lantern, but there are three corn mazes. The largest covers five miles of maze over 30 acres of corn fields, so make sure to pack some water and good walking shoes.

Tickets can be bought in advanced starting Monday, September 19, and Rock Creek Farm is open all of October. 2005 S. 112th St., Broomfield; 303.465.9565.

PUMPKIN HARVEST FESTIVAL AT FOUR MILE HISTORIC PARK

Photo courtesy of Four Mile Historic Park

Pick your perfect pumpkin and inhale all the scents and energy of fall during this annual festival at Four Mile Historic Park. There will be face painting, ax throwing, tractor rides, build-your-own scarecrow, and plenty of vendors to buy food and handicrafts from. Also expect demonstrations on blacksmithing, the chance to learn to pan for gold, and fiber pulling from the farm’s Angora goats. It’s a great event for kids and adults alike.

The festival runs October 8 and 9 from 9am to 6pm. Tickets range from $10 to $18, with kids 6 and under free. Four Mile Park is located at 715 S. Forest St., Denver.

Funded by citizen support of the SCFD