With Halloween this Friday and Día de los Muertos following close behind, Boulder County is gearing up for a week packed with celebrations. Because Halloween falls on a Friday this year, many festivities kicked off last weekend. The good news is, if you missed out, or are still looking for more spooky fun, there’s a full second week of events to join.
Día de los Muertos is also coming up this weekend. Also known as the Day of the Dead, this Mexican tradition, a blend of Aztec and other Indigenous cultures with Catholic influence, is observed Nov. 1 and 2. Families honor loved ones by creating altars (ofrendas) and offering food, flowers and cherished items as the spirits of the dead are believed to return for a visit.
Many Boulder staples are returning this year, including “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the Munchkin Parade. It’s also CU Boulder’s homecoming weekend, with Spirit Day, a parade, stampede, pep rally and football game on the agenda. Alongside those major events, there are plenty of —at least 25 — ways to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos across Boulder County that may have slipped under your radar. Jump to events in Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons and Nederland. Check our events calendar for more offerings and to post your event for free.
Boulder
Astronomy on Tap Boulder: Halloween Special
Monday, Oct. 27, The Rayback Collective (2775 Valmont Rd), 6 p.m.
Explore the cosmos with a spooky twist where costumes and curiosity are welcome, featuring an exclusive cocktail, speakers, trivia and a costume contest. All ages are welcome.
Band of Toughs Presents: Five 5th – Ghostbusters, a Haunted Stage Party
Monday, Oct. 27, Junkyard Social Club (2525 Frontier Avenue #Suite A), 6:30-9:30 p.m., $17.85
Five local theater, music, drag and burlesque groups take the stage at the Junkyard Social Club to inject new mayhem into “Ghostbusters.” The event includes drinks, snacks and a costume party. Proceeds support local artists and collaborators.
Día de los Muertos exhibit
Exhibit available through Nov. 2, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (1750 13th St)
Ofrendas by local artists Javier Flores and Lizeth Guadalupe are on display at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibit is funded in part by the City of Boulder Human Relations Fund.
Comedy Coven
Thursday, Oct. 30, Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St), 7 p.m., $28.75
The Comedy Coven’s group of women comedians, plus a token male, will be hosting a 90-minute show with the theme “Because the patriarchy is scary.”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (18+)
Thursday, Oct. 30, Boulder Theater (2032 14th St), 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $23+
The cult classic returns with Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient, the state’s longest-running shadowcast troupe, bringing the show to life. Admission is 18 and over.
Munchkin Masquerade
Friday, Oct. 31, Pearl Street Mall and beyond, 3-6 p.m.
It’s that time of year when Pearl Street fills with ghouls, princesses, dragons and superheroes. Participating businesses, from Apocalypse to the Hotel Boulderado to The New Local, will be handing out candy. Recommended for children 12 and under.
Buffs on Tap
Friday, Oct. 31, Koenig Alumni Center (1202 University Ave), 3-6 p.m., $30 per person, $45 at the door
CU alumni will be sharing craft beers, plus giveaways and a CU Boulder–themed costume competition as part of homecoming. Spirit Day events include food, games, a parade, stampede, pep rally and a football game against the Arizona Wildcats.
Trick or Treat Boo Bash at Lucky’s Market
Friday, Oct. 31, Lucky’s Market (3960 Broadway), 4-6 p.m.
Bring the family for a free Halloween celebration featuring games, cookie decorating, a jack-o’-lantern contest, trick-or-treating and more.
Vincent Antone Halloween Costume Party
Friday Oct. 31, Fox Theatre (1135 13th St), doors open 7 p.m., show starts 8 p.m., $32-35
Producer and performer Vincent Antone blends dance, funk, hip-hop and trap in his Halloween night show with Eliptek and DTTA, plus a costume party.
Motown Haunted Prom (A Halloween Dance Party)
Friday, Oct. 31, Roots Music Project (4747 Pearl, Suite V3A), doors open 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m., $30-35
Now in its fifth year, this annual spooky dance party features soul, dancing and classic grooves with the Roots Music Project. A seven-piece band and three vocalists will perform, with a full bar available on site. Tickets sell out every year so make sure you get one if you’re planning to go.
The Vampire Ball
Friday, Oct. 31, Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St), 8 p.m.- 1 a.m., $52-83
The Dairy Arts Center is hosting a night of “ballgowns and bloodlust” where friends and foes are welcome to dance to the death in the grand ballroom, meet the Vampire Queen, view vampire cinema screenings and enjoy Blood Bag cocktails. Attendees are encouraged to dress extravagantly and embrace the glamorous and nightmarish.
Super Science Saturday
Saturday, Nov. 1, NSF NCAR Mesa Lab (1850 Table Mesa Dr), 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The theme of this year’s Super Science Saturday is “Super Heroes Assemble,” with all ages invited for weather balloon launches, face painting and wizards performing earth science demonstrations. Superheroes and science-themed costumes encouraged.
The Official Halloween Bar Crawl
Saturday, Nov. 1, The Spotted James (1911 11th St), 4 p.m.-midnight, $24 for groups, $30 for singles
Crews and costumes are officially invited to haunt Boulder’s bars for the night. Tickets include 2–3 drinks or shots, exclusive drink and food specials and an afterparty.
Día de Muertos: A Living Tradition
Sunday, Nov. 2, North Boulder Library (4500 13th St), 1-2:30 p.m.
Museo de las Americas will lead a workshop to decorate sugar skulls, paper marigolds and papel picados in celebration of loved ones through art. Recommended for children ages 5 through 11.
Lafayette
Coloween 2025: Open Bar & Haunted Bounce Empire (21+)
Friday, Oct. 31, Bounce Empire (1380 South Public Rd), 9 p.m.-3 a.m., $100+
The Bounce Empire inflatable park is turning into a haunted adults-only playground for one night. Hop and dance on neon-lit inflatables to EDM, disco and hip-hop remixes. Costumes are highly recommended.
Halloween Rock!
Friday, Oct. 31, Nissi’s (1455 Coal Creek Dr, Unit T), 7:30 p.m., $25-30
Northern Colorado variety rock band Last Men on Earth will play hits from Journey, Toto, Van Halen, The Commodores, Golden Earring and more, complete with a costume contest and drink specials.
Día de los Muertos Closing Celebration
Friday, Nov. 7, The Collective – Community Arts Center (201 N. Public Rd), 3-7 p.m.
End your Día de los Muertos celebrations with the City of Lafayette at a festive event featuring Mexican dance solos, face painting, music and appetizers. The event is free and open to the public.
Longmont
Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
Thursday, Oct. 30, Longmont Museum (400 Quail Rd), 7-9 p.m., $15 members, $18 general admission
Experience the silent classic film with live orchestral accompaniment as the hunchback Quasimodo tries to protect the kind Esmeralda in an unforgiving world. The event is part of Thursday Nights @ the Museum, with weekly concerts, films and talks from Sept. 11 through Dec. 11.
Leftoween in the Garden
Friday, Oct. 31, Left Hand Brewing (1265 Boston Ave), 5-9:30 p.m.
A Halloween party complete with drinks, food trucks, hot whiskey ciders and music by Crick Wooder starting at 6. Costumes are encouraged, and guests are welcome to bring blankets and chairs.
Noche De Museo: Celebrating Day of the Dead
Saturday, Nov. 1, Longmont Museum (400 Quail Rd), 7 p.m., $18 for members, $20 general admission
The Longmont Museum presents an evening celebrating Día de los Muertos with Aztecan dance from Grupo Mexica Tlahuitzcalli, Lafayette Poet Laureate ZBassSpeaks and genre-bending rock band iZCALLi.
Louisville
Chili Cook-Off & Costume Party
Friday, Oct. 31, Juniper Village at Louisville (1078 S 88th St), 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
If you’re looking to add a little spice to your Halloween, several chili samples will be available from staff and family members. Attendees are also welcome to enter their own hot chilis. Bring costumes and an appetite.
13th Annual Halloween Costume Dance Party
Friday, Oct. 31, The Jasmine Bar (836 ½ Main St), 8 p.m., $20-25, 20% discount for couples
One of Louisville’s most beloved Halloween events is back for a ghoulish 13th year with a costume contest, haunted photo booth, exclusive cocktails and a dance floor. Tickets are recommended as the event often sells out.
Lyons
Halloween PreGame
Friday, Oct. 31, Spirit Hound Distillers (4196 Ute Hwy), 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Grab some drinks before the night begins. Goody bags will be available (as long as supplies last), plus to-go cocktails and mocktails, free drink cards for a next visit, bottle discounts and a costume contest for both the humans and their accompanying four-legged fiends.
Halloween Toga Party
Friday, Oct. 31, Oskar Blues Grill & Brew Lyons (303 Main St), 7-10 p.m.
Bands the 89s and MANOTAUR are putting on their first Halloween Spooktacular and toga party. Folks can wear whatever they want, but “togas and debauchery encouraged,” says the promotional poster.
Nederland
Ned Gen Halloween Party
Friday, Oct. 31, Ned General (112 East 2nd St), 8 p.m.-midnight, $30 early, $40 at door
It’s Nederland’s biggest, wildest Halloween party, with live music from Bear Hat and Something Slight, a burlesque show, a costume contest and late-night snacks. Tickets will only be available at the door if the event does not sell out.
