It’s officially sweater weather in the Springs! I’ve rounded up the best of this week’s fall and Halloween happenings to keep you up to date with what’s going on in the 719.
In addition to the top 5 events in the Springs this week, this week’s edition also has the concert of the week, a volunteer opportunity to get involved with in the community, and a new restaurant that’s made its way to town.
I’d love to start featuring local artists in this newsletter, so if you or anyone you know feel like you’d be a good fit, shoot me an email at [email protected]. If I missed any event you feel like should be up here or you have an exciting event in the future, let me know at the same email as above.
🗓️ Your Weekend in Colorado Springs
1. Villain Arts 2nd Annual Tattoo Arts Festival
Friday, October 17th, 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm (also runs Oct 18 & 19)
Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Price: $25 Day / $50 3-Day Pass. Admission is free for children under 12.
Villain Arts brings 300+ tattoo artists from around the world offering live tattooing, alongside vendors selling tattoo supplies, apparel, art, and more. The festival also includes sideshow performances, live human suspension, and interactive entertainment.
2. Boo at the Zoo
Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19, 2025, 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm each night
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Price: $24 for non-members
Enjoy family-friendly Halloween fun: trick-or-treat stations (20+ treat stops), haunted house (age 6+, strobe lights in use), select animal exhibits open late, lighted pumpkins, costume contest, and more.
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Ivywild
Friday, October 17, 2025 — two showtimes: 6:00 pm & 9:00 pm
Ivywild School Gym Auditorium, 1604 S Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Price: Free
A classic interactive showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, celebrating its 50th anniversary with dance, rock songs, and audience participation.
4. Fresh Brew Poetry Writing (Poetry719 Festival)
Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Rohr Coffee, 1020 E Jefferson St, #120, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Price: Free
Join Poetry 719 for a Saturday morning workshop featuring writing prompts, feedback on your work (optional), and a creative space to learn about writing styles. Enjoy coffee, tea, and pastries from Rohr Coffee. ALL AGES welcome.
5. Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival (38th Annual)
Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19, 2025
Colorado College, 825 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Price: Varies by pass / ticket.
For nearly four decades, the festival has showcased films by and about women (and others underrepresented), including documentaries, narrative films, shorts, and animations.
Schedule highlights:
Opening Night at 6:30 pm (live music, signature cocktails, sweets)
Screenings on Oct 18: e.g. All God’s Children (9:00 am), A Kind Favor (11:10 am), Magic & Monsters, Baby Doe, Searching for Augusta Savage, About Damn Time (4:45 pm), After Dark programs at 8:00 pm
Screenings on Oct 19: films like Speak., Coexistence, My Ass!, Arrest the Midwife, Bloody Mess, I’m Carl Lewis!, Four Mothers, etc.
🎶 Concert of the Week
The Black Jacket Symphony presents AC/DC’s “Back In Black”
Thursday, October 16, 2025, 7:30 pm
Pikes Peak Center, 190 S Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Price: Tickets start at $38
Relive the magic of Back In Black as The Black Jacket Symphony performs AC/DC’s iconic album note for note, sound for sound, followed by a set of their greatest hits in a full rock-and-roll spectacle.
Get Involved!
Colorado Parks and Wildlife - CPW Connect
When you volunteer with CPW, you can give back, get outside, meet people, and make friends. Volunteers serve in a variety of roles, such as camp hosting, education and outreach, community science, habitat and trail work, maintenance and construction, wildlife projects, customer service, and much more!
Opportunities at state parks, state wildlife areas, fish hatcheries, offices, and educational programs vary by season and by region.
Restaurant Happenings
El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco has finally landed in Colorado Springs! The Southern California–based chain, famous for its fire-grilled chicken and fresh Mexican flavors, opened last week at 825 E. Fillmore St. inside a renovated former KFC. This marks the 500th restaurant for the brand and its first in the Springs.
Thanks for tuning n everyone, hope you have a great time checking out some of these events. I’ll see you back here next week with more of Colorado Springs’ best happenings. Contact me at [email protected] if you have an event that you think would be perfect for this publication.
