Stanley Marketplace Fall Festival

Stanley Marketplace is the converted aviation factory that became Aurora's food-and-shopping hub, and its Fall Festival turns the whole hall and yard into a free family afternoon of pumpkin picking, face painting, a costume contest, and a market of local makers. It is the east metro's easy, no-ticket fall outing.

With dozens of resident shops and restaurants under one roof, the festival doubles as a reason to graze. Admission is free; individual activities and food are pay-as-you-go.