🎃 The only Boulder County Halloween guide you need

This week’s Culture Club is sponsored by Bank of Colorado, a family-owned bank serving Coloradans since 1978. Learn more.

Hi there, Boulder, and welcome back to Culture Club! It’s Thursday, Oct. 22. I’m McKenzie, here with your weekly guide to arts, culture and things to do across Boulder County.

Halloween is just over a week away, and we’ve got you covered. From trick-or-treating and haunted houses to costume parties and Día de los Muertos celebrations, we’ve rounded up 66 events in this week’s Spotlight. Consider it your definitive guide to Halloween and Día de los Muertos festivities across Boulder County.

Plus: three standout picks, more than 40 things to do across Boulder County, a chance to design a bear sculpture, an opportunity for local artists to display their work in Boulder’s rec centers and a lecture on listening to the natural world celebrating 30 years of CU Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism (sponsored).

As always, you can submit your own event and check out more offerings on our community calendar.

See you out there,

McKenzie

Bank of Colorado is a family-owned, community-focused bank that has been serving the needs of Coloradans since 1978. Throughout our 45 locations across the state, our values of honesty, integrity and clarity guide our every decision. We’re deeply rooted in Colorado’s history and fully invested in its future. Strong, Stable & Local Community Banking — reach out today at 303-476-7282 to experience the best service in banking.

1. Boulder Jewish Film Festival

Sunday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Nov. 1 • screening times differ by day • Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St.)

The 14th annual Boulder Jewish Film Festival features over a dozen distinctive films spanning themes of culture, female empowerment, moral and physical courage, family bonds and more. Get tickets and peruse the films here.

2. Boulder Ballet Dancers’ Choice performance

Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25 • Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. • Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St.)

Dancers’ Choice is a living laboratory, created, produced and led by the artists of Boulder Ballet. This performance features a world premiere by guest choreographer Morgan Sicklick alongside new works and excerpts developed by company artists and collaborators. Find out more and get tickets here.

3. BETC’s “The Weir”

Thursday, Oct. 22-Saturday, Oct. 31 • 7 p.m. evenings; 2 p.m. matinee on Saturdays and Sundays • Carsen Theater at the Dairy Arts Center (2590 Walnut St.)

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company presents “The Weir,” a haunting Irish play recognized as a New York Times Critics’ Pick. When bachelors at a remote country pub attempt to entertain a woman with their ghostly tales, she reveals a startling story of her own. Several nights are already sold out, so get your tickets here. Suitable for ages 14 and up.

Your 2026 Boulder County guide to Halloween and Día de los Muertos: 66 ways to celebrate

From trick-or-treating and haunted attractions to costume parties, live music and Día de los Muertos celebrations, find festivities for all ages across Boulder County. Continue reading…

Talking Turtles and Singing Ice: An evening with Amy Martin (sponsored)

Join CU Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism for an evening with Amy Martin, Peabody Award-winning audio journalist and host of the “Threshold” podcast, as the center celebrates its 30th anniversary. Through stories from the field, Martin explores how listening to the more-than-human world can reconnect us with our planet — and one another.

The event is Wednesday, Oct. 28, at CASE Chancellor’s Hall & Auditorium at CU Boulder. A reception runs from 6-7:30 p.m., followed by the lecture from 7:30-9 p.m.

Design a bear at Chautauqua

Front Range artists are invited to decorate one of 27 fiberglass bear statues for a public art installation at Chautauqua on view from Dec. 11-April 22. The bears will be auctioned off in April, with funds shared among the artists, Colorado Chautauqua and a nonprofit partner. Artist submissions are due Thursday, Oct. 29. Find details and submit your design here.

Exhibit your artwork in a Boulder rec center

The City of Boulder is seeking artists interested in showcasing their artwork on the walls of the North Boulder, South Boulder or East Boulder rec centers. Artists working in any medium are welcome to apply, and applications are accepted until Friday, Oct. 30. Find details and apply here.

East Boulder Community Center on Aug. 6, 2026. Credit: Por Jaijongkit.

Looking for more to do? Explore our community calendar for dozens more events happening around Boulder. It’s free to browse and free to post. Many of the events featured in Culture Club come from the calendar, so be sure to add yours.

Visual Arts & Literature

Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-7 p.m.: Artist Susan Taylor Glaslow talks about her sewn-glass sculptures at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 23, 6-9 p.m.: Bus Stop Gallery hosts a closing reception for Cassandra Chalfant’s solo exhibition, “Eternal Return.”
Saturday, Oct. 24, 1-4 p.m.: Studio Hum hosts a handmade art journaling workshop. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Oct. 25, 1-3 p.m.: The Art-Bathing series at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is a guided art-making session focused on mindful creativity. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m.: CU Boulder Associate Professor Aun Hasan Ali delivers a lecture on the Sufi poet Rumi as part of the world literature series at the Boulder Book Store. [free] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.: Author Paula Arai speaks about her new book, “Of Mud and Lotuses,” at Boulder Book Store. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6-7:30 p.m.: “Art in the Wild” at Yellow Barn Farm hosts a special candlelit pumpkin painting session. [ticketed] [all ages]

Theater, Dance & Film

Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Eurythmy Spring Valley Ensemble interprets “The Storm” through choreography and music at the Nomad Playhouse. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: A.R.T. Through the Wake is an evening of dance exploring Black futures through movement, ritual and technology. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Oct. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: “Dear Steve … it’s Allie” is a theatrical autobiography by a trans composer and artist addressing her younger self. [free] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Oct. 25, 6-8 p.m.: Tongueless Theater presents a silent film with live musical accompaniment curated by Tyson Bennett at Trident Booksellers & Cafe. [free] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.: “YUJA,” a new documentary by director Lorna Tucker about acclaimed pianist Yuja Wang, will be screened at the Chautauqua Community House. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Music & Nightlife

Thursday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m.: upnow! and open letter present an underground punk show. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.: Megan Burtt and Sarah Golden are both singers recognized for their vocal performances and will perform at Butterscotch Studios. [ticketed] [all ages]
Saturday, Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.: Jason Hardy curates the music for a listening experience at Top Hat Supply for Journeys. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m.: The Muse jazz jam is open for musicians to play and listeners to enjoy. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m.: Anyone can join the open bluegrass jam at Oskar Blues Grill and Brew in Lyons. [free] [all ages]
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7-8:30 p.m.: Casey Balsham, a New York City-based comedian, brings her observations on womanhood and everyday life to the Louisville Underground. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]

Food & Drink

Thursday, Oct. 22, 5-8 p.m.: William Oliver’s Publick House hosts Skalloween, a pumpkin-carving contest with Ska Brewing Co. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Friday, Oct. 23, 4:30 p.m.: Farm to Crag’s “Vote with Your Fork” is a get-out-the-vote event featuring happy hour, a panel discussion, a silent auction, a regenerative farm dinner and inspiring films. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Saturday, Oct. 24, 1-5 p.m.: Old Elm Farm hosts an Oktoberfest gathering with traditional Bavarian food and beverages. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Sunday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Rosetta Hall hosts a fall festival with face painting, pumpkin decorating, local vendors and more. [free] [family-friendly]
Monday, Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m.: Language Exchange Night happens on the back patio at Trident Booksellers & Cafe, where attendees can grab a beer or coffee and chat away in the language of their choice. [free] [all ages]
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6-10 p.m.: Buy a drink at 300 Suns Brewing and get a commemorative Longmont Museum glass plus a buy-one-get-one museum admission coupon. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Weekly pub trivia at Left Hand Brewing is a great way to grab a drink with friends. [free] [adult-oriented]

Outdoors & Recreation

Thursday, Oct. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Ocean First founder Graham Casden shares stories from his adventure tracking snow leopards through the Himalayas. [free] [all ages]
Friday, Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m.: Lafayette After Dark offers telescope viewing and guided stargazing, perfect for anyone curious about the night sky. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8:30-11 a.m.: Women Who Explore Denver leads a moderate guided group hike along the Rattlesnake Gulch Loop. [free] [adult-oriented]
Sunday, Oct. 25, 1-5 p.m.: Learn to make a pine needle basket using coil basketry techniques at the Lyons Farmette. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 4-5 p.m.: A ribbon-cutting celebration marks the opening of CyclErie Bikes and Service Longmont. [free] [all ages]
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6-9 p.m.: Legends of the snow and art worlds DCP and Mark Kowalchuk headline an evening at Zeal Optics. [free] [adult-oriented]

Family & Community

Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:30-9 p.m.: The weekly Boulder Cruiser Ride takes off from Greenleaf Park. [free] [all ages]
Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Relish hosts “Pickleball for Parkinson’s,” benefiting the Davis Phinney Foundation. [ticketed] [all ages]
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8-10 p.m.: Live wrestling brings a night of athletic spectacle to Romero’s K9 Club & Tap House. [ticketed] [adult-oriented]
Monday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Families and children are invited to “Crawl-o-ween,” a safe, indoor trick-or-treating experience at the Butterfly Pavilion. [ticketed] [family-friendly]
Monday, Oct. 26, 4:30-6 p.m.: The Colorado Women’s Childfree group is a monthly supportive gathering for women embracing a childfree lifestyle. [free] [adult-oriented]
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 5:30-7 p.m.: “Resilient Roots” is a presentation and community conversation exploring Boulder County’s Latine and Chicano history at the Museum of Boulder. [free] [all ages]

Know about an exhibit, concert, festival or creative person we should feature? Reply to this email or submit it here. Culture Club exists to help people discover what’s happening across Boulder County, and we’d love your ideas. Thanks for reading, and if you make it out to something fun this weekend, let us know.

🎃 Your Boulder County Halloween guide + 40 other things to do