Fall is upon us and Halloween is creeping ever-closer. This week Denver has several eerie events to get you in the Halloween spirit, including Denver’s Annual Zombie Crawl, Chatfield Farm’s Great Pumpkin Hall and live bats at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. But if you’re not quite ready to embrace Halloween you can enjoy less spooky events at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado Plus Brew Pub and more. Read below for all the cool events to check out this week.
Tuesday, October 18
Hometown Habitat
When: October 18, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver
Cost: $10
Tickets: Available here
The Lowdown: There has long been a battle between humans and the land’s natural ecosystem, but there are experts out there who believe in a world where plants, animals and humans can exist within a mutually beneficial relationship. The Denver Botanic Gardens is hosting a panel of “habitat heroes” who will discuss why native plants are critical to the survival of the local ecosystem and how you can support wildlife near your home. “Hometown Habitat, Stories of Bringing Nature Home” is a 90-minute documentary that discusses locations throughout Colorado and how to deal with plants and nature native to this state.
Thursday, October 20
Powder x REI Monumental Movie Tour
When: October 20, 6-9 p.m.
Where: REI, 1416 Platte St, Denver
Cost: Free
Tickets: Available here
The Lowdown: Ski season is almost upon us, and what better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service than by hitting the slopes? Powder – The Skier’s Magazine and Recreational Equipment, Inc (REI) are coming together for the Monumental Movie Tour, which aims to remind skiers “where we came from and that we belong to something greater than ourselves.” This ski film follows a numbers of legendary skiers through Yellowstone National Park.
The Science Lounge: So, You’re Dead
When: October 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver
Cost: $13 members, $15 nonmembers
Tickets: Available here
The Lowdown: This evening includes everything awesome about the Denver Museum of Nature and Science that you can experience during the day, except it’s an adult-only, booze-friendly, zombie-themed event. In the spirit of Halloween, dress up in your “best undead attire” and study exhibits of mummies and mammals that long ago roamed the earth.
Great Pairings
When: October 20, 4:30-7 p.m.
Where: Colorado Plus Brew Pub, 6995 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: What if there was a magical realm where you spent all of your time drinking beer and playing with puppies and kittens? Sounds great, right? Well you don’t need to just imagine it because you can experience it this Thursday at Colorado Plus Brew Pub. The brewery is hosting the Dumb Friends League, which has just launched its Great Pairings campaign. You can enjoy tasty brews while also enjoying the company of adorable, adoptable pets. Ten percent of the proceeds from select beers will be donated to the Dumb Friends League.
Friday, October 21
Live Bats!
When: October 21, 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
Where: Ricketson Auditorium, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver
Cost: $12 members, $15 non-members
Tickets: Available here
The Lowdown: Halloween is coming up, so what better time to get up close and personal with our friends that fly in the night. Join the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to learn about some of the rarest bats in the world. The Live Bats! event on October 21 is an adult-only experience, but showings for all ages can be attended on October 22. Also check out Bat Encounter: Live! at the Denver Botanic Gardens on Sunday October 23. Both events will be hosted by Rob Mies, the director of the Organization for Bat Conservation.
Saturday, October 22
The Denver Adventure
When: October 22, 10 a.m.
Where: Denver and surrounding areas
Cost: $29.99+
Tickets: Available here
The Lowdown: This certainly isn’t your typical weekend 5k. The Denver Adventure is scavenger hunt meets rat race. Create a team and compete against others in real time to see who knows Denver the best. Tracking your progress and the progress of the other teams, you will work your way across Denver completing challenges. There will be prizes to find along the way and the winning team will get to spend the weekend in a luxury condo in Snowmass.
The Great Pumpkin Haul
When: October 22, 9 a.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton
Cost: $50
Tickets: Available here
The Lowdown: It’s about time to get your pumpkin carved up for Halloween, but why just pick out your pumpkin and load it in the car when you can haul it through the woods for a fun and festive two mile “race”? Registration for the race includes your pumpkin (of course, you won’t haul two miles for nothing!), a t-shirt and a 120z pumpkin brew or hot apple cider.
Zombie Crawl
When: October 22, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Skyline Park, 16th St, Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: If you make your way into Denver on October 22 you might feel like you wandered into an episode of The Walking Dead. Saturday is Denver’s 11th Annual Zombie Crawl. Hundreds of participants dress up as their best brains-hungry zombie and head downtown to see the incredible spectacle that is the Zombie Crawl.
Sunday, October 23
Denver Retro Con
When: October 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Ramada Plaza Denver North,
Cost: $6-$8
Tickets: Available here
The Lowdown: Can you say blast from the past? Check out the Denver Retro Con, where children of the ’80s and ’90s gather together to buy and sell everything from records and joysticks to lava lamps and action figures. It’s going to be totally rad.
Mark Your Calendar
Haunted Denver
When: October 24, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $4 members, $5 nonmembers
Zombies R Us
When: October 27, 8-10 p.m.
Where: Voodoo Comedy Playhouse, 1260 22nd St, Denver
Cost: $15
Tickets: Available here
Crimson and Cobalt
When: October ??, 5-9:30 p.m.
Where: Sally Centigrade Art Gallery, 1423 Larimer St, Suite 080, Denver
Cost: Free
Halloween Makeover Bar at L Style Bar
When: October 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: L Style Bar, 1423 Larimer St, #30, Denver
Cost: $30-$75
Halloweird
When: October 28, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St, Boulder
Cost: $5
Tickets: Available here
Halloween Bar Crawl
When: October 28, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Begins at The Tilted Kilt, 1201 16th St, #120, Denver
Cost: $10-$15
Tickets: Available here
Halloween Burlesque Show: BOO-LESQUE
When: October 28, 29, 8 p.m., 11 p.m.
Where: The Clocktower Cabaret, 1601 Arapahoe St, Denver
Cost: $30
Tickets: Available here
Riverside Cemetery Tours
When: October 28, 29
Where: Riverside Cemetery, 5201 Brighton Blvd, Denver
Cost: $20
Tickets: Available here
Speakeasy Halloween
When: October 28, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Cluster Studios, 3881 Steele St, Denver
Cost: $47
Tickets: Available here
Howlin’ Halloween Pet Costume Party
When: October 28, 7-9:30 p.m.
Where: Woof in Boots, 719 W 8th Ave, Denver
Cost: $10 suggested donations
Monsters Dance Convention
When: October 28-30
Where: Westin Westminster, 10600 Westminster Blvd, Westminster
Cost: $190–$280
Tickets: Available here
Carnevil! – Halloween Party and Costume Contest
When: October 29, 6 p.m., 9 p.m.
Where: Dickens Opera House, 300 Main St, Longmont
Cost: $20
Denver Halloween Costume Ball
When: October 29, 9 p.m.
Where: Mile High Station, 2027 W Colfax Ave, Denver
Cost: $65+
Tickets: Available here
Halloween at Howl at the Moon
When: October 29, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: How at the Moon, 1735 19th St, Denver
Cost: Free admission with costume
Creatures in the Night
When: October 30, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation
Cost: $10
Tickets: Available here