This Halloween Weekend in Denver Has Bar Crawls, Parades, and Dog Costume Contests
Your guide to all of Denver's must-hit food and music festivals, events, movies, markets, deals, and concerts.
Denver may be best-known for its outdoorsiness, but the Mile High City is so much more than just a gateway to the Rockies. (Although the Rockies are pretty great.) There are loads of cool restaurants, bars, and breweries, not to mention museums, thrift stores, and farmers markets. And yes, of course we have stunning hikes, bike trails, and lakes to dive into. And if all that’s not enough, new events are popping up every single weekend. These are the best ways to spend your hard-earned days off in and around Denver.
Festivals in Denver
October 28, 11 am - 8 pm
Santa Fe/Civic Center Park, Free entry
Denver’s biggest Dia de los Muertos celebration is happening Saturday, starting with a parade at 7th and Santa Fe and continuing at the Civic Center Park festival. Don’t miss the awesome floats, catrina contest, live music, crowing of the festival queen, and incredible costumes, food, and drink.
Food & Drink Events in and around Denver
October 27 - 29
Boulder, Free entry
Boulder county restaurants have put together special menus for First Bite Boulder, running from October 20 - 29. Participating restaurants include Sugarbeet, River & Woods, Japango, and Basta, and some even offer special First Bite brunch menus.
October 27 & 28, 4 pm - 12 am
LoDo, From $20
Join 1,000 or so costumed Denverites as you drink your way through town at the 6th annual Halloween Bar Crawl. Starting at Icehouse Tavern, you’ll get food and drink deals at eight spots, including One Shot Back, Moo Bar, and Swanky’s. Just maybe don’t do pickle shots at all eight.
Arts & Entertainment Events in Denver
October 28
Denver metro, Tickets vary
It’s officially Halloweekend, and that means costume parties galore! Check out shindigs at Punch Bowl Social, Paranormal Palace, and Coloween for some of the most gruesome parties around. Be forewarned: You’ll probably see more fake blood than you’ve seen all season long.
October 28
Around Denver, Free entry
There might be as many dog costume parties as those for humans this year. And we are not complaining. Costume up that pup and hit the catwalk at Fire at the Art Hotel, Aloft Denver, and Union Station, all of which are hosting Howl-O-Ween costume parades and contests.
October 28, 1 - 5 pm
29th & Larimer, Free entry
Stock up on eclectic jewelry, psychedelic art, and handmade pottery at RiNo’s Halloweekend art market. More than 20 local vendors will be selling their wares, and there will also be live music and plenty o’ food and drink.
Sports Events in Denver
October 29, 2:25 pm
Empower Field at Mile High, Tickets: From $110
Come on, you’re dying to know if Taylor is going to show up, too. With the Broncos’ dismal season, she might just be the only reason to go to the game. But yeah, there will be football and Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson and that guy Tay-Tay is dating.
Outdoor Events in Denver
October 28, 10 am
Number 38, Tickets: From $35
Your Halloween weekend plans may not be, well, the healthiest, so do at least something good for your health by running this 5K Saturday morning. And it comes with free beer at the finish line, so yeah, back to the not-so-healthy.
Allyson Reedy is a Thrillist contributor.