This weekend we slip into October with a great series of fun and interesting events. Get excited about winter sports, preview submissions for Great American Beer Festival or dance the night away to the music of every decade since the ’80s. If you love tattoos, firefighters, stickers or zombies then we have an amazing event just for you.
Thursday, September 29
Colorado Tattoo Convention and Expo
When: Thursday, September 29 – Sunday, October 2
Where: National Western Complex – 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
Cost: $15-40 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: The Colorado Tattoo Convention and Expo is back to take over the weekend and it is not just for ink enthusiasts. The weekend will, of course, showcase tattooers and shops around Colorado and their human art but there is also a custom car show, a custom motorcycle show, a barber competition, a pin-up girl competition and much, much more.
Bent Gate Ski Season Kickoff Party
When: Thursday, September 29 at 5 p.m.
Where: Bent Gate Mountaineering – 1313 Washington Ave., Denver
Cost: $20 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Bent Gate Mountaineering is hosting their seventh annual ski season kick off party. There will be a huge winter sports expo, food trucks and beer served from 5-7:30 p.m. During this time you can purchase tickets for the raffle and sign up for the silent auction, as well as try your hand at avalanche awareness-themed games such as “timed bacon searches.” The evening will end with a movie at 8:30 p.m. presented by Icelantic about the 10th Mountain Division, America’s first activated light infantry specializing in mountain warfare on skis, and how they impacted the origins of the ski industry in the U.S. after WWII.
Friday, September 30
Denver Firefighters’ Chili Cookoff on Larimer Square
When: Friday, September 30 at 11 a.m.
Where: Larimer Square – Between 14th St. and 15th St. on Larimer
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: It is time for one of the best annual events on Larimer Square — the Firefighter’s Chili Cook-Off. Every year, hundreds of firefighters face-off to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association by slinging chili. This year the competition for best chili heats up with both red and green vying for the title which will be judged by local celebrity judges. The firefighter calendar models will be there as well as local craft beer and music. Check out all the goodies on the event page here.
Untitled: Stop Motion
When: Friday, September 30 from 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum – 100 West 14th Pkwy., Denver
Cost: $8-10 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: The Denver Art Museum has had a fantastic season of Untitled Final Fridays, which is a series of events for adults Friday nights at the museum that engage the community with art. With only two left, make sure to get down there for this week’s Stop Motion and get this: college students get two-for-one entry with valid student ID.
Saturday, October 1
Upslope’s Backcountry Taproom
Where: Vance’s Cabin
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: First tasting is free
The Lowdown: Put on your hiking boots and enjoy some cold brews. Hike 3.1 miles through the Ski Cooper Trail to Upslope’s pop-up taproom where you’ll enjoy their limited-edition release of Fresh Hop IPA. Once guests have hiked the trail, they will receive one 19.2 ounce can of Fresh Hop IPA and up to two more cans of 12-ounce year-round brews. Guests will also enjoy games and are encouraged to bring their own food to throw on the grill. Furry friends are welcome on a leash.
Sticky Situation
When: Saturday, October 1 at 8 p.m.
Where: Exdo Events Center – 1399 35th St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: Swing through EXDO this weekend for a huge sticker and alternative art expo hosted by Inkmonster CEO, Reed Silberman and hip hop legend Redman. The event is free but show up early to avoid the line as the event is more like a party than a conventional expo, with DJs and other musical acts and huge cash prizes.
Fresh Hop Festival
When: Saturday, October 1 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Golden Bell Press building, 2403 Champa St
Cost: $40 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: A precursor to the nation’s largest beer festival, GABF, check out Fresh Hop. This annual event takes advantage of the harvest season and brings together brewers, locally and nationally, to showcase “Fresh Hop” beer. What is a fresh hop beer? It’s a brew made with hops that have been picked in the last 24 hours. This process makes for a particularly special beer since most brews typically use hops that are dried before being used. Don’t miss out, as these beers don’t come around often.
SPONSORED
Joomla Day 2016
When: Saturday, October 1; Doors at 8 a.m., Event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: SpringHill Suites at MSU Denver – 1190 Auraria Pkwy., Denver
Cost: Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: JoomlaDay Denver is an open-source internet conference featuring a three-hour responsive web design workshop with Brad Frost, author of Atomic Design. The event also features Andy Miller, Sarah Watz, Sara Morris, Cliff Pfeifer and other industry pros, along with an official Joomla Certification Exam, an all-day Joomla Training Class, and all-day Joomla technical support. Registration price is a donation of your choice and includes: all sessions and workshops, lunch, refreshments, swag, giveaways and a networking reception. This is a community event and everyone is welcome to attend, but capacity is very limited. Register now to save your spot! Check out JoomlaDay on Facebook here.
BigWonderful’s Oktobergrass
When: Saturday, October 1 from 2-11:59 p.m.
Where: 2060 W. Colfax Ave, Denver
Cost: Free before 4 p.m., $7 online and $10 at the door – Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: TheBigWonderul is putting a spin on your traditional Oktoberfest by adding in a hint of Bluegrass. Come peruse the urban outdoor marketplace of 50+ vendors while drinking beer and listening to local bluegrass musicians including Jeff Austin. TheBigWonderful is even encouraging attendees to bring their own instruments for impromptu crowd jam sessions. But if you aren’t so musically inclined, the event is both kid and dog-friendly.
Decades Dance
When: Saturday, October 1 at 9 p.m.
Where: 3 Kings Tavern – 60 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: Cover at Door
The Lowdown: Join local DJs, DJ Digg and host DJ Rockstar Aaron, and dance the night away to all the best music from before 2010. South Broadway super-dive 3 Kings Tavern has an awesome dance floor and wonderful staff, so this event is guaranteed to be a hugely fun party with nonstop opportunities to grab your friend’s arm and yell, “I love this song.” RSVP on the event page here.
Bollywood Fashion Event
When: Saturday, October 1 at 7 p.m.
Where: City Hall Events Center – 1144 Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free Admission With RSVP Here. $25 VIP Seating Here.
The Lowdown: Divalicious-Indian Fashion Boutique will be putting their best styles on the runway for this one-night-only event. Following NY Fashion Week, if you are craving a well-crafted, colorful fashion show with great music, this event is for you. The fashion show will be followed by a Bollywood themed dance party and the evening’s festivities are 18+ so do not forget your ID.
Roller Derby Double Feature
When: Saturday, October 1 at 5 p.m.
Where: The Fillmore Auditorium – 1510 Clarkson St.
Cost: $17-22 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Grab tickets early to make sure you get a seat for this night jam packed with roller derby madness. At 6 p.m. check out junior league teams the Rocky Mountain Roller Punks take on the FoCo Spartans. For the main event raise a beer and start cheering as Project Mayhem goes skate to skate with the Castle Rock-n-Rollers.
Oktoberfest Beer Pong Tournament
When: Saturday, October 1 from 1-5 p.m.
Where: The Ginn Mill – 2041 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $25-30 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: The Village, the Autism Society of Colorado’s young professional’s group, is hosting an Oktoberfest-themed beer pong tournament to raise funds for the Autism Society. In a sea of Oktoberfest options and themed events this month, try one where you can celebrate for charity. Register with a partner to receive a discounted ticket.
Survive the Zombie Apocalypse
When: Saturday, October 1 at 11 a.m.
Where: Liniger Building at CU South Denver – 10035 Peoria St., Parker
Cost: $20-25 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Head over to Colorado University’s south campus in Parker this Saturday to learn basic survival skills for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Try your hand at archery, first aid, zombie evasion and self-defense. The day’s activities are kid friendly, the event is marked as ages 8+ welcome, but the cult classic movie is rated R and the college will be enforcing that rating by checking IDs, so 17+ only.
Sunday, October 2
Capitol Hill Ghost Tours
When: Sunday, October 2 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park – Franklin St and 8th St, Denver
Cost: $20-35 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: What better way to prepare for Halloween than by seeking the ghouls and ghosts in your in own city? Join the professional paranormal investigators of Denver as they guide you on a walking tour of some of the most notoriously haunted homes on Capitol Hill. Uncover real stores and haunting evidence while personally investigating these spooky locations that aren’t far from home. Check out Denver Ghost Tours for more information.
GABF Preview at RiNo Brewery
When: Sunday, October 2 from 12-7 p.m.
Where: RiNo Brewery – 6021 Washington St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: River North Brewery will let Denverites try their GABF submissions before the nation descends on the premier national beer competition hosted in Downtown Denver next weekend. River North understands that not everyone can take the time off work or afford tickets to GABF or remember anything they tried there so they are inviting us to the brewery to see what they will be submitting without having to attend the Great American Beer Festival. Check out the beers you can try on the event page here.
Want to get this list before everyone else?
Click here to have it sent to your inbox.
Mark Your Calendars…
Denver Fashion Week
When: Thursday, November 10 – Monday, November 14
Where: City Hall Event Center – 1144 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $15-225 – Get Tickets Here.
The Catalina Wine Mixer
When: Thursday, October 6
Where: Call to Arms Brewing – 4526 Tennyson St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
A Mercurial Garden Party at the MCA
When: Friday, October 7 at 7 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver – 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: $10-45 – Get Tickets Here.
GABF Collaboration Celebration
When: Friday, October 7 at 3 p.m.
Where: Denver Beer Co. – 1695 Platte St., Denver
Cost: $25 – Get Tickets Here.
Punkin Chunkin Competition
When: Saturday, October 8 – Sunday, October 9
Where: Arapahoe Park and Mile High Racing – 26000 East Quincy Ave., Aurora
Cost: $5 at the Gate
Article by Sarah Heath with additional writing from Brittany Werges, Peyton Garcia and Mary-Lynn Elliot.