Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival

October 2026

The Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival in Manitou Springs is an entire day of spooky fun and one of Colorado Springs' can't miss Halloween events.

Each year, Manitou Springs hosts the Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival to commemorate a local tale and bring the community together in celebration of Halloween!

History
2025 Event Details
Register for the Race & Join the Parade
Road Closure Map
Parking

The History of Emma Crawford

In 1889, a young woman named Emma Crawford moved to Manitou Springs hopeful that the clean mountain air and healing mineral springs would cure her tuberculosis. After accomplishing a hike up nearby Red Mountain, she let it be known that once she passed on, her wish was to be buried on the mountain. She died soon after and was laid to rest on Red Mountain. Many years later, heavy rainfall caused Emma’s coffin to dislodge, and it came racing down the mountain, inspiring the Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival — the first such races in the nation. Emma supposedly still haunts Red Mountain today.

The Coffin Races & Other Spooky Activities

The story of Emma Crawford lives on in the wacky Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival up Manitou Avenue.

Costumed impersonators of Emma ride on coffin-like contraptions pulled by teams of four “mourners.” A Parade of Coffins and awards for the "Best Emma," "Best Coffin," and "Best Entourage" complete the day-long event.

Stay in town for the pre- and post-event festivities! Enjoy fun and spooky activities happening throughout the Manitou Springs area.

Details

2026 Details Coming Soon

2025 Event Details

Date

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Time

  • 8:00 a.m. - Team Check-In
  • 10:00 a.m. - Coffin Staging
  • 11:00 a.m. - Parade Line-Up
  • 12:00 p.m. - Parade Begins
  • Upon Conclusion of Parade - Coffin Races Begin
  • Upon Conclusion of Races - Race for Coffin Cup Begins, immediately followed by the award ceremony
  • 2:00 p.m. - After Party Entertainment with RADO in Soda Springs Park

Location

Along the 900 block of Manitou Ave in Manitou Springs

Cost

FREE

More Information

Join the Coffin Race

Register for the 2025 Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival!

Do you have a creative team idea? Do you also have four — preferably fast — friends or family members willing to race alongside you? Assemble your team and submit your entry (along with the $100 entry fee) for a chance to participate in the 2025 races.

Submit your entry prior to the October 17 deadline!

Sign Up Now

March in the Parade

Take Part in a One-of-a-Kind Tradition

Not the racing type? Join costumed revelers on a leisurely stroll along Manitou Avenue before the signature Coffin Races begin.

There is no cost to join the parade, but all parade participants are asked to register in advance by October 17.

Sign Up Now

Road Closure Map

Road closures will take place during the Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival, running from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on certain streets. Plan ahead by checking out the Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival road closure map here.

Parking

Event-goers can park for free at The DMV Parking Structure (1675 Garden of the Gods Rd) and take one of the shuttles that operate on race day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for $5. The drop off/pick up location for the shuttle will be located at Hiawatha Gardens (10 Old Mans Trail), with services running every 15 - 20 minutes.

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