Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, and Día de los Muertos follows Nov. 1 and 2. From family-friendly trick-or-treating to late-night costume parties, Boulder County has plenty of ways to celebrate.
Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, has roots in Indigenous Mexican traditions and incorporates Catholic observances. The holiday honors deceased loved ones. Families create altars (ofrendas) and offer food, flowers and cherished items as they welcome the spirits of the dead for a visit.
Boulder favorites such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the Munchkin Masquerade are returning, alongside smaller events you might not know about. Browse events by community below: Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons and Nederland. Check our events calendar for more offerings and to post your event for free.
Boulder
Halloween Synth Concert
Thursday, Oct. 22, Junkyard Social Club (2525 Frontier Ave., Suite A), 6-9 p.m.
Members of the Rocky Mountain Synthesizer Meet perform Halloween-themed electronic music and attendees have a chance to chat with performers about their sets. [ticketed] [18+]
Blair Witch Project
Thursday, Oct. 22, Canyon Theater (1000 Canyon Blvd.), 6:30-9 p.m.
The 1999 horror film “The Blair Witch Project” plays in the Canyon Theater at the Main Library as part of the Boulder Movie Club. [free] [18+]
Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Friday, Oct. 23-Sunday, Oct. 25, Macky Auditorium (972 Broadway), times differ by day
CU Boulder College of Music presents Stephen Sondheim’s iconic musical about a barber seeking revenge on the corrupt judge who destroyed his life. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Howl-O-Ween
Saturday, Oct. 24, Eldorado Canyon (9 Kneale Rd.), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Bark rangers, pup cups and a dog costume contest make for a howling good time at Eldorado Canyon’s Howl-o-ween bash. [free] [all ages]
Psychedelia Wild West Glowdown
Saturday, Oct. 24, The Spot (3240 Prairie Ave.), 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Psychedelia is the iconic black-light climbing competition with both youth and adult waves. [ticketed] [all ages]
Spooky Cabaret
Saturday, Oct. 24, Frequent Flyers Aerial Dance Studio (3022 E. Sterling Cir.), 6 and 8 p.m.
The fifth annual Spooky Cabaret features aerial artistry, playful and haunting performances, market vendors, a costume contest and more. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Haunted Library
Sunday, Oct. 25, Reynolds Library (3595 Table Mesa Dr.), noon-2 p.m.
The Reynolds Library transforms into a haunted destination with family-friendly activities. Costumes are welcome. [free] [family-friendly]
Witches Brew Tea
Sunday, Oct. 25, The Hotel Boulderado (2115 13th St.), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Victorian charm meets spooky magic with this themed tea service, including a three-tiered tower and options for adults and children. [ticketed] [all ages]
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Sunday, Oct. 25, Boulder Theater (2032 14th St.), 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The Boulder Theater hosts two screenings of the cult classic film. Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient, Denver’s iconic shadowcast, performs alongside the film for the early screening only. [ticketed] [18+]
Día de los Muertos exhibit
On view Tuesday, Oct. 27-Sunday, Nov. 1, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (1750 13th St.)
BMoCA presents its annual community installation of ofrendas created by community groups and artist Anthony Maes. A reception will be held on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2-5 p.m.
Halloween Skate Party
Tuesday, Oct. 27, Avalon Ballroom (6185 Arapahoe Rd.), 7-9:30 p.m.
Come dressed to thrill at the fourth annual Halloween skate party. Skate rentals are available. [ticketed] [18+]
Band of Toughs Presents: Five 5ths – Beetlejuice
Wednesday, Oct. 28, Junkyard Social Club (2525 Frontier Ave. Suite A), 6:30 p.m.
Five theater companies take the stage to reinterpret the cult classic Beetlejuice.
Movie Scare-a-thon Double Feature
Friday, Oct. 30, Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St.), 7 p.m.
Catch two classic horror screenings at the Boedecker Theatre: 1935’s “The Bride of Frankenstein” and 1976’s “Carrie.” Costumes are highly encouraged, and free popcorn will be served. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Deadphish Orchestra: The Ghost of PHISH Halloweens Past
Friday, Oct. 30, Roots Music Project (4747 Pearl St., Suite V3A), 8 p.m.
Colorado jam quartet Deadphish Orchestra brings the spirits of classic Phish moments to life for Halloween. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Halloween Musical Thriller
Friday, Oct. 30, Fiske Planetarium (2414 Regent Drive), 11:30 p.m.
Fiske Planetarium comes alive with classic Halloween hits reimagined through mind-melting visuals and a flight through the cosmos, transforming the planetarium into an otherworldly Halloween dance floor. [ticketed]
Halloween Dance Party and Costume Parade
Saturday, Oct. 31, Canyon Theater (1000 Canyon Blvd.), 11 a.m.-noon
Attendees are invited to come in costume, march in a lively costume parade and learn classic Halloween dances as part of Family Saturdays in the Canyon Theater. [free] [family-friendly]
Kids’ Halloween Party
Saturday, Oct. 31, Junkyard Social Club (2525 Frontier Ave. Suite A), noon-4 p.m.
Spooky crafts, tricks and treats bring Halloween fun to the whole family at Junkyard Social. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Boulder Magic Show: Halloween
Saturday, Oct. 31, Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St), 1 p.m.
Braden Carlisle performs a family-friendly magic show for all to enjoy. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Día de Muertos: a Living Tradition
Saturday, Oct. 31, Reynolds Library (3595 Table Mesa Dr.), 1-2 p.m.
Museo de las Américas leads a bilingual workshop where participants will learn about Día de Muertos, decorate sugar skulls and create paper marigolds and papel picado. [free, registration required] [aimed at ages 5-11]
Halloween Pick-a-Flick
Saturday, Oct. 31, Canyon Theater (1000 Canyon Blvd.), 1-3:45 p.m.
Rise & Shine Community Supports hosts Halloween Pick-a-Flick, a sensory-friendly film screening where guests are free to talk and move about during the movie. This event is open to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, support staff and the broader community. [free] [all ages]
Munchkin Masquerade
Saturday, Oct. 31, Pearl Street Mall, 3-6 p.m.
Children ages 12 and under are invited to dress up in their costumes and trick-or-treat at participating businesses downtown. [free] [family-friendly]
Halloween Undead Double Feature
Saturday, Oct. 31, Canyon Theater (1000 Canyon Blvd.), 5-9:30 p.m.
Boulder Public Library District presents a double feature of original zombie films, “Night of the Living Dead” and “Dawn of the Dead.” [free] [ages 12 and up]
6th Annual MoTown Haunted Prom
Saturday, Oct. 31, Roots Music Project (4747 Pearl St, Suite V3A), 7 p.m.
This legendary dance party features a live seven-piece band and three incredible vocalists that bring the golden era of Motown and Soul to life. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Magical Portal Party: Spooktopia
Saturday, Oct. 31, Junkyard Social Club (2525 Frontier Ave. Suite A), 7:30 p.m.
After dark, the Junkyard throws an adults-only Halloween party with costumes, cocktails, dancing and more. [ticketed] [18+]
Rave from the Grave
Saturday, Oct. 31, Roots Music Project (4747 Pearl St, Suite V3A), 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Charlie Wonder and other DJs play until the wee hours of the morning. [ticketed] [21+]
Film Social: Coco
Sunday, Nov. 1, Canyon Theater (1000 Canyon Blvd.), 2-4 p.m.
The family-friendly screening begins with a movie-themed activity. In honor of Día de los Muertos, the film is “Coco” and the pre-movie activity is making tissue paper marigolds. [free] [family-friendly]
La Muerta: a Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Sunday, Nov. 1, Junkyard Social Club (2525 Frontier Ave. Suite A), 3-11 p.m.
La Muerta is a vibrant Día de los Muertos dance party produced in partnership with Marcela Lay of Salsa-Tón Social and Juliana Reigal of Be Brazil Colorado. [ticketed] [all ages]
The 6th Annual 7th Annual Horror Film Festival
Sunday, Nov. 1, Muenzinger Auditorium (1905 Colorado Ave.), 7:30 p.m.
This Boulder-based indie film festival features 10-minute amateur horror films. Audience members will vote on who should win cash prizes and the infamous Goblet of Woe. [free] [all ages]
Erie
Anderson Farms Fall Festival
Daily through Saturday, Oct. 31, Anderson Farms (6728 County Rd. 3 ¼)
Anderson Farms is a one-stop destination for quintessential fall activities, including a 25-acre corn maze, a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, a pumpkin cannon and more. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Salem Speakeasy: Four-course dinner
Thursday, Oct. 22, 24 Carrot Bistro (578 Briggs St.), 4:30-9 p.m.
This intimate four-course dinner leans into the mystery and magic of the season while paying homage to New England’s rich culinary traditions. The 24 Carrot team will be dressing the part, and guests are encouraged to conjure up magical outfits of their own. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Terror in the Corn
Thursday, Oct. 22-Sunday, Oct. 25 and Thursday, Oct. 29-Saturday, Oct. 31, Anderson Farms (6728 County Rd. 3 ¼), 7-10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Terror in the Corn is an immersive haunted attraction featuring a mile-long journey through a twisted cornfield. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Boo! On Briggs Street
Saturday, Oct. 24, Briggs Street, 3-6 p.m.
This family-friendly event brings trick-or-treating and plenty of candy to downtown Erie. [free] [family-friendly]
Halloween Trivia at Erie Social Club
Tuesday, Oct. 27, Erie Social Club (105 Wells St. Suite 120), 7 p.m.
Halloween-themed trivia is free to play! [free] [family-friendly]
Eerie Erie
Saturday, Oct. 31, Coal Creek Park (575 Kattell St.), 9-11 a.m.
Eerie Erie features Halloween-themed 5K and 10K races that pass through historic downtown Erie and wind through the Coal Creek open space alongside Pleasant Hill Cemetery. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Lafayette
Dueling and Ghouling: A Night of Music, Mystery and Mission
Thursday, Oct. 22, Nissi’s (1455 Coal Creek Dr. Unit T), 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Dueling and Ghouling is an annual Halloween-themed fundraiser benefiting the Autism Society of Boulder County, featuring music, auctions and more. [ticketed] [all ages]
Pop-up Storytime at the Collective
Friday, Oct. 23, the Collective Community Art Center (201 N. Public Rd.), 10:30 a.m.
Kids and their caregivers are invited for a special Día de los Muertos storytime at the Collective. [free] [family-friendly]
Lafayette Creep & Crawl
Friday, Oct. 23, Odd13, Cellar West and Romero’s K9 Tap House, 3-10 p.m.
Three Lafayette businesses host simultaneous Halloween parties. Revelers can grab a punch card and hit them all to be entered in a prize drawing. [free] [all ages]
Bounce-o-ween
Friday, Oct. 23, Bounce Empire (1380 S. Public Rd.), 6-10 p.m.
Costumed kids can bounce out their energy at Bounce Empire, with an evening full of costumes, entertainment and family fun. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Day of the Dead Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 24, Lafayette Public Library (775 Baseline Rd.), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Lafayette Public Library hosts a day-long celebration of Día de los Muertos with activities, face painting and ofrendas on display. [free] [family-friendly]
Halloween Spooktacular
Sunday, Oct. 25, Coal Creek Bowling Center (1455 Coal Creek Dr.), 10 a.m.
Strike fear into the competition at the Coal Creek Bowling Center for a day-long bowling tournament. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Halloween at the Y
Wednesday, Oct. 28, YMCA Lafayette (2800 Dagny Way), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Lafayette YMCA hosts its annual Halloween party with an evening of costumes, candy, games and ghoulish good times. [free] [family-friendly]
Coloween at Bounce Empire
Saturday, Oct. 31, Bounce Empire (1380 S. Public Rd.), 9 p.m.-3 a.m.
Coloween is Colorado’s biggest 21+ Halloween party, featuring an open bar, 50 attractions and a $1,000 costume contest. [ticketed] [21+]
Longmont
Hocus Pocus: a Halloween Chalkboard Experience
Thursday, Oct. 22, St. Vrain Cidery (350 Terry St., Suite 130), 6-8 p.m.
Hilary King leads a beginner-friendly hand lettering workshop where participants will leave with a spooky hand-decorated Halloween chalkboard. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Ghostly Encounters: Terrifyingly True Hauntings with Richard Estep
Thursday, Oct. 22, Kuper Wine Bar (704 Main St., Unit 4), 7-9 p.m.
Paranormal investigator and master storyteller Richard Estep gives an author talk, book signing and Q&A surrounding his book, “Ghostly Encounters: Terrifyingly True Hauntings.” [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Friday, Oct. 23-Sunday, Oct. 25 and Thursday, Oct. 29-Saturday, Oct. 31, Longmont Theatre Company (513 Main St.), times vary by day
The Longmont Theatre Company presents its annual stage production of the cult classic. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Day of the Dead Family Celebration
Saturday, Oct. 24, downtown Longmont (4th Ave. and Kimbark St.), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Longmont hosts Colorado’s longest-running Día de los Muertos celebration, featuring traditional live music and dance, face painting, sugar skull decorating, a Gigantes Procession and more. [free] [family-friendly]
Haunt the ‘Mont Fundraiser and After Party
Saturday, Oct. 24, Longmont Elks Lodge (306 Coffman St.), 9-11 p.m.
The post-crawl after party at the Elks Lodge includes a live DJ and costume contest, supporting St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Spooktacular Scarefest
Sunday, Oct. 25, Butterscotch Studios (620 Kimbark St.), 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Spooktacular Scarefest is a Halloween concert and costume party featuring a lineup of local bands. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra: Fritz Lang’s Destiny
Thursday, Oct. 29, Longmont Museum (400 Quail Rd.), 7-9 p.m.
In this 1921 achievement of German Expressionism, a young woman confronts death to save her fiancé. The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra plays a live score to accompany the silent film. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Halloween Comedy Show and Costume Contest
Friday, Oct. 30, Parkway Food Hall (700 Ken Pratt Blvd., Suite #200), 6:30-9 p.m.
A costume contest and live stand-up comedy make this a special evening of laughs and fun. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Noche de Museo
Friday, Oct. 30, Longmont Museum (400 Quail Rd.), 7 p.m.
An evening of performances celebrates Día de los Muertos across generations. [ticketed] [all ages]
Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat Street
Saturday, Oct. 31, Roosevelt Park (700 Longs Peak Ave.), 9:30 a.m.
Lineup begins at 9:30 a.m., and anyone in costume can join the Longmont Main Street Halloween parade. [free] [family-friendly]
Spooky Village at Village at the Peaks
Saturday, Oct. 31, Village at the Peaks (1250 S. Hover St.), 1-3 p.m.
Village at the Peaks features hayrides, craft stations, face painting, goblin train rides and more. [free] [family-friendly]
Leftoween in the Garden
Saturday, Oct. 31, The Garden at Left Hand Brewing (1245 Boston Ave.), 6-9 p.m.
This year’s Leftoween is punk-themed, so attendees are encouraged to wear punk-inspired outfits and enjoy live music in the Garden. [free] [adult-oriented]
Axe Me Out Halloween Bash
Saturday, Oct. 31, Axe Me Out (2318 17th Ave. Unit F), 7-11 p.m.
Axe Me Out’s second annual Halloween Bash includes axe throwing, voodoo doll making, a rage room and a costume contest. [ticketed] [21+]
Día de Muertos Exhibition at the Firehouse Art Center
On view through Nov. 1, Firehouse Art Center (667 4th Ave.)
Two complementary exhibitions revolve around themes of identity, tradition, resilience and community. [free] [all ages]
Louisville
Stories in the Dark
Thursday, Oct. 22, Louisville Historical Museum (1001 Main St.), 7-8 p.m.
Boulder Valley Spellbinders share local mystery and suspense stories under the stars in the Louisville Historical Museum courtyard. [free, registration required] [6+]
Silent Disco: All Ages followed by 21+ Only
Friday, Oct. 23, the Louisville Underground (650 Main St.), 6-7:30 p.m. all ages; 8:30-11 p.m. adults only
Participants can come in costume, slip on headphones, and rock out to their favorite beats. [ticketed] [all ages] [21+]
Louisville Monster Dash: Movie Monsters
Sunday, Oct. 25, Louisville Community Park (955 Bella Vista Dr.), 9 a.m.-noon
Runners can choose from a 5K, 10K, half marathon or mile and will receive a finisher medal, pint glass and more at the finish. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Louisville Elementary Halloween Parade
Friday, Oct. 30, Main Street, 8:30 a.m.
Louisville Elementary students will head down Main Street for the annual trick-or-treat parade while local businesses hand out candy. [free] [family-friendly]
Nightmare on Main Street
Saturday, Oct. 31, the Jasmine Bar (836 ½ Main St.), 7 p.m.
The Jasmine Bar and /pôr/ wine house present a DJ-led dance party and costume contest, with an optional immersive Halloween photo experience. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Halloween Costume Group Bike Ride
Sunday, Nov. 1, e-bike of Colorado (544 Front St.), noon-2 p.m.
This BYOB (bring your own bike) event is one last chance to show off Halloween costumes before they get packed away for the season. The easy, scenic ride is followed by free food and a costume contest. [free, registration required] [family-friendly]
Lyons
Halloween Spooktacular and Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, Oct. 24, Main Street, 4-7 p.m.
Kids’ activities and games will take place at the Lyons Elementary School before the costume parade along Main Street at 6 p.m. Don’t miss the chili cook-off at 4 p.m. at Main Stage Brewing, presented by the Lyons Garden Club. [free] [family-friendly]
Nederland
Carousel of Spookiness
Saturday, Oct. 31, Carousel of Happiness (20 Lakeview Dr.), 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
The Carousel of Happiness transforms into a Carousel of Spookiness, with spooky jams on the Wurlitzer, animals dressed up in costumes and discounted rides for costumed carousel-goers. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Masquerade Ball at the Caribou Room
Saturday, Oct. 31, The Caribou Room (55 Indian Peaks Dr.), 7 p.m.
Banshee Tree and Cycles bring the music for this masquerade ball at the Caribou Room. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Ned After Dark
Saturday, Oct. 31, Ned General (112 E. 2nd St.), 8 p.m.
The second annual Ned Gen Halloween party has a Southern Gothic theme, and costumes are encouraged. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
