Halloween and Día de los Muertos are just around the corner, and Boulder County has a packed lineup of events to celebrate both.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that dates back thousands of years to Aztec and indigenous cultures and was later influenced by Catholicism when the religion was introduced to Mexico. Celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, the holiday honors deceased loved ones by creating altars (ofrendas) and offering food, flowers and cherished items of the departed. It’s believed that during these days, the spirits of the dead return to visit their families, who celebrate with music, food and decorations like sugar skulls and marigolds.
From Boulder to Longmont, dozens of Halloween and Día de los Muertos events cater to all ages. Highlights include public ofrenda displays at local community centers, a fall festival, costume contests and even a dog trick-or-treating event. While we’ve highlighted many festivities, note that we’ve excluded events that are full, sold out or no longer accepting registrations at the time of publishing.
Here are 15 events to add some fun and frights to your fall celebrations. For more options, check out our BRL events calendar.
Boulder
Boulder Magic Show: Halloween
Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27, The Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St.), varying showtimes, $15-$20
The Boulder Magic Show promises an “inspiring” and “hilarious” performance for the whole family at the Gordon Gamm Theater. Braden Carlisle, who performs across the country, returns to his home state for a night of “mini miracles.” Recommended for ages 6 and up.
BMoCA Día de los Muertos installation, reception and workshops
Opening reception Sunday, Oct. 27, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (1750 13th St.), 3 – 5 p.m., free to the public
The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) returns with a special display of community-made ofrendas for Día de los Muertos from Oct. 27 through Nov. 2. The exhibition’s opening ceremony will feature music, dance and refreshments. Workshops are available during the exhibition, including an Alegría candy-making workshop on Oct. 29 (waitlist available) and a community workshop exploring traditions on Nov. 2. Workshops are free, but RSVP is required.
Bewitching Halloween Extravaganza
Wednesday, Oct. 30, Macky Auditorium (1595 Pleasant St.), 6 p.m., $10 for kids 12 and under, $25 for adults, $40 for opera box
The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra presents a “bewitching” night of Halloween performances, featuring arrangements from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Beauty and the Beast, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more. Pre-show activities, including crafts, will be provided by Wow! Children’s Museum, HB Woodsongs and Boulder Public Library. Costumes are encouraged. An additional performance will be held in Northglenn on Oct. 27.
Munchkin Masquerade
Thursday, Oct. 31, Pearl Street Mall, 3-6 p.m.
Trick-or-treat around Pearl Street Mall, where a growing list of participating businesses will have treats for young superheroes, fairies, pirates, and other costumed visitors on the mall and beyond. The event is recommended for children ages 12 and under.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (18+)
Thursday, Oct. 31, Boulder Theater (2032 14th St.), 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $12 – $15
The Rocky Horror Picture Show returns with a shadow cast performance presented by Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient and KGNU. This cult classic event, featuring both early and late showings, is open to audiences 18 and over.
Halloween Night at The Colorado Club
Thursday, Oct. 31, The Colorado Club (1043 Pearl St.), 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
The Colorado Club saloon gets a spooky makeover for Halloween night. Drink specials will be available all night, including Aperol and Campari cocktails. The party heats up at 10 p.m. with Espolon margaritas and DJ Balec to bring the party past midnight.
Halloween and Día de los Muertos at Bellota
Thursday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 2, Bellota (4580 N. Broadway), 4-9 p.m.
On Halloween at Bellota in North Boulder, kids in costume get a free quesadilla with the purchase of an entrée. Return for Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2 for family-friendly sugar skull painting and food and drink specials. Reservations are encouraged.
Howl-O-Ween! A dog trick-or-treat event
Sunday, Nov. 3, Chautauqua Trailhead, 1-3:30 p.m., register here
Celebrate the end of spooky season with a trick-or-treat event for your four-legged friends. Doggy swag will be handed out at trick-or-treat stations, and dogs in costume will receive extra treats. All dogs must be leashed.
Lafayette
Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival
Saturday, Oct. 26, N. Harrison St. between E. Simpson and E. Geneseo, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Lafayette Fall Harvest Festival returns for its third year with live music, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, food and art vendors. A dog costume parade is scheduled for 11 a.m., with all registration proceeds going to RezDawg.
Longmont
45th Annual Halloween Parade
Saturday, Oct. 26, line up at Roosevelt Park (700 Longs Peak Ave.), 9:45 a.m.
Longmont’s annual parade continues its tradition of marching through downtown. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Roosevelt Park and ends at 1 p.m. Afterward, trick-or-treating will be available at participating businesses on Main Street. Evening trick-or-treating will be available on Halloween night.
Halloween with Cat Jerky
Thursday, Oct. 31, Bricks on Main (471 Main St.), 7-11:30 p.m., free admission, donations welcome
Downtown Longmont will host a spooktacular night with eclectic music from Cat Jerky, a costume party, silent auction and “plenty of treats.” Donations support the Flight 629 Memorial.
Noche de Museo: Celebrating of the Dead
Saturday, Nov. 2, Longmont Museum (400 Quail Rd.), 7 p.m., $15 for museum members, $18 for general admission
The Longmont Museum caps off its Día de Muertos celebration with a concert featuring genre-bending rock from iZCALLi, along with Aztec dancers. The event is a nod to Mexican traditions that have become part of Longmont’s cultural fabric.
Louisville
Louisville Monster Dash
Sunday, Oct. 27, Louisville Community Park (955 Bella Vista Dr.), race starts 3 p.m., late registration available: $45 for 5k, $50 for 10k, $15 for kids
This year’s MonsterDash Run theme is “Aliens and Astronauts.” A sports expo and post-race food will be available from 2:30 to 5 p.m., with same-day registration open from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Stuffed aliens will be hidden along the race course, and participants who find and return one to the finish line will win a prize. A morning run will also take place in Denver on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Lyons
Spooky Speakeasy
Begins Thursday, Oct. 24, Spirit Hound Distillers (4196 Ute Highway), 5-8 p.m., free general admission
Enter a Prohibition-era speakeasy with spooky cocktails, horror flicks, costumes and ghost stories at the original Spirit Hounds location. The speakeasy will be open in the evenings Oct. 24 through 27 and once again on Halloween night. Reservations recommended.
Superior
Monster Mash Party
Saturday, Oct. 26, Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Rd.), 5 – 8 p.m., free
Join Superior’s spooky Monster Mash, featuring live music, treats, and games for the whole family. Costume contests are available for kids 12 and under. A mac and cheese bar and adult beverages will be available for purchase.
