Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival

October 24, 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
2026 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, hoping the clean mountain air and healing mineral springs would cure her tuberculosis. After hiking up nearby Red Mountain, she made it known that, once she passed on, she wanted to be buried on the mountain. She died soon after and was laid to rest on Red Mountain. Many years later, heavy rainfall dislodged Emma’s coffin, and it raced 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, spooky activities throughout the Manitou Springs area.

Details

2026 Event Details

Date

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Time

  • 8:00 a.m. - Team Check-In
  • 10:00 a.m. - Coffin Staging and Fan Zone Opens
  • 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 2026 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 2026 races.

Submit your entry prior to the October 22, 202 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.

Joining the parade is free, but all participants must register in advance by October 22.

Sign Up Now

Road Closure Map

Road closures will occur during the Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival, 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

Free parking is available at the Citizens Service Center/DMV (1675 Garden of the Gods Rd), with continuous shuttles running from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for $5 round-trip, cash only. The shuttle drop-off/pick-up location is Hiawatha Gardens (10 Old Mans Trail), with service running every 15-20 minutes. Children 12 and under ride free.

Visitors can also park at Manitou Springs High School (401 El Monte Pl) for a $10 cash donation, use the designated rideshare area (484 Manitou Ave), or bike to Memorial Park (502 Manitou Ave) for free valet service.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival held?

The races and festival take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026 along the 900 block of Manitou Ave in Manitou Springs, CO.

Is there a cost to attend the event?

No. It is free to attend and spectate the races.

Can I participate in the race and the parade?

Yes! The parade is free to enter, and it costs $100 to sign up as a team to race. You must submit both registration forms by October 22, 2026.

Will this event be livestreamed?

Yes. You can catch a livestream on the Visit Pikes Peak YouTube channel.

Can I bring my dog to the Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Festival?

No, event organizers ask that four-legged friends stay home for this event.

Where can I buy festival merchandise?

Official t-shirts are sold each year following a design contest. The winning design for 2026 will be available for pre-order soon on the official event website.

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