Rides, a carousel, Fright Fest scares after dark, and millions of holiday lights, with a Calming Room right by the gate. The park names its strobe rides and its scare zones. Here is the quiet way through it, in its own words.
Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park
2000 Elitch Circle, Denver 80204 · Open only on event dates this season. Fright Fest: Oct 23 and 30 (Fridays) 6 to 10 pm; Oct 24, 25, 31 noon to 9 or 10 pm; Nov 1 noon to 9 pm, the last day. Elitch Holidays: Nov 27 to 29, Dec 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 18 to 23, 26 to 31, Jan 1 to 3, mostly 5 to 9 pm (some Saturdays 4 pm). No hours listed for Dec 24 and 25. No re-entry after 6 pm.
The Calming Room “is located at the Season Pass Services center inside the Entry Pavilion” and “is equipped with items such as a teepee, weight blankets and noise cancelling headphones.” “Available on a first come, first served basis.”
“Fun By Day festivities take over Booville every Saturday, every Sunday” “from 12:00pm to 6:00pm!” “Booville and all children's attractions close nightly at 6:00pm in preparation for Fright By Night.”
Our note As of Oct 20 2026, the Elitch Holidays details on the park's site are placeholders. The page says “Stay tuned for more information!” Ticket price, which rides run, and anything about music or flashing lights are not stated. Re-check in November.
Our note The park names no quieter time and no sensory-friendly dates. For Fright Fest, the daytime on a Saturday or Sunday is the park's own family window; the scare actors start at 6 pm. A $5 No Boo Necklace asks monsters to steer clear, but the park says it “does not guarantee a scare-free evening.”
Our note Re-entry needs a hand stamp and stops at 6 pm. Elitch Holidays opens at 4 or 5 pm, so under the stated rule leaving means leaving for the night.
Three things to know
There is a Calming Room near the gate, at Season Pass Services inside the Entry Pavilion, with a teepee, weighted blankets and noise cancelling headphones. First come, first served.
Re-entry needs a hand stamp and stops at 6 pm.
Fright Fest changes at 6 pm: scare actors come out and Booville and all children's attractions close.
More: tickets, parking, the ride pass, food, first aid
Named by the park; it publishes no noise scale
Louder, brighter or scarier, in the park's words
Boomerang, Brain Drain, Kaleidoscape (the park's guide lists “Sensitivity to Strobes” as a reason not to ride)not stated
Fright By Night scare zones: Nightshade Woods (near Big Wheel), Containment Breach (near Tea Cups), Deadman's Canyon (near Troika), Dolls of the Dead (near Sea Dragon) (Fright Fest only, from 6 pm; “contains scares not recommended for children”)not stated
Haunted houses: Port of the Damned, Redcliff Ridge, CARN-EVIL (Fright Fest only, open at 6 pm, extra charge; “an intense experience”)not stated
Elitch Holidays lights and displays (“4+ Million Sparkling Lights”; music and flashing: not stated)not stated
Quieter
Calming Room, Season Pass Services inside the Entry Pavilionquiet zone
Tickets: $64.99 regular; $57.99 online any day in the 2026 season. 2 and under free. Non-refundable. Haunted houses at Fright Fest cost extra. Elitch Holidays price: not stated yet.
Parking: $30 Monday to Thursday, $35 Friday to Sunday and holidays, card or phone pay only. Accessible parking is near the main entrance.
Ride Accessibility Pass: stop at Guest Relations, next to the Carousel just inside the main entrance. It works as a reservation based on the ride's current wait.
Everyone goes through metal detectors at the main gate; strollers use the Accessible/Stroller Entrance. Staff may look in bags.
No outside food or drinks except clear sealed water bottles. Special dietary needs: see a Security Agent.
First aid is between the Big Burger restaurant and Mind Eraser. Lost children are taken to Guest Relations by the Carousel.
Strollers and wheelchairs rent for a fee at the Entry Pavilion Service Center. Lockers are for rent around the park.
Transit: RTD bus and Light Rail both stop at Elitch Gardens.
What the park doesn't say
not stated elitch holidays price, rides, or music and flashing lights
not stated whether the calming room is open during evening events
not stated headphones or sensory bags to carry around the park
not stated quiet areas inside the park
not stated fog, strobe or sound warnings for fright fest
Paid parking, then metal detectors at the main gate; staff may look in bags, and strollers use the Accessible/Stroller Entrance. The Calming Room is just inside, at Season Pass Services in the Entry Pavilion, with a teepee, weighted blankets and noise cancelling headphones. The park says Boomerang, Brain Drain and Kaleidoscape are not for riders sensitive to strobes. At Fright Fest, scare actors come out at 6 pm and the kids' area closes. Elitch Holidays details are still placeholders on the park's site. Change anything.
One tip from a dad who's been there
For Fright Fest, go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and plan to be out before 6 pm, when the scares start and Booville closes. For Elitch Holidays, check the park's page the night before, since prices and rides were not posted yet. Find the Calming Room on the way in. Leaving early still counts as an Elitch day.
Common questions
What if my child won't look at the schedule or story?
That is common at first. Leave it where the moment happens, point to one picture at a time, and keep it low-pressure. Many kids warm up to it after a few calm tries, in their own time.
Can I make this in Spanish?
Yes. Every tool and this page exist in Spanish, and the printed page comes out in the language you choose. Use the language switch at the top.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no signup, and we don’t keep what you type; anything you save stays on your device. Make it, print it, done.
