This weekend, there are parties to attend and amazing bites to eat. Start your weekend at The Wild Party, to watch an immersive performance. Later, get your game on at Harry Potter Trivia. If you want to get some great food and drinks, check out Denver food festival, Choctoberfest, Fourth Annual Grand Coffee Bazaar, Fresh Hop Festival, Breakfast Burrito Day, Drink4Pink Crawl and Oystoberfest. Then, go and see some films as Snowboard on The Block or Movie on the Field. Later, party at Starship Deviant! A Sci Fi Dance Party. If you want to attend some great festivals, check out Rocktoberfest Climbing Festival, Maker Faire, Pumpkin Festival and El Dia De Los Muertos. If none of those events tickle your fancy, you can check out Denver Retro Con, Drink RiNo Battle of the Bands, Heroe’s Day at Elitch Gardens or Black Sheep Friday Lucky 13. Whatever you end up doing this weekend, go and see what things are happening Denver.
Thursday, October 12
The Wild Party
Photo Courtesy of Wild Party Denver
When: October 12-31, 7:30-10 p.m.
Where: The Hangar at Stanley, 2501 N Dallas St., Aurora
Cost: $45, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Enjoy an immersive theater experience at The Wild Party. This party dives into 1920s as you indulge in the musical performances of wild guests. Solo performances fuel the drama and extravagance at this gin-infused jazz party.
READ: DCPA to Continue Immersive Theater Productions with ‘Wild Party’
Harry Potter Trivia
When: October 12, 7-10 p.m.
Where: Fiction Beer Company, 7101 E Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: Free, register here
The Lowdown: Are you a Harry Potter buff? If so, join Fiction Beer Company for Harry Potter Trivia. Test your knowledge through five rounds of trivia inspired by both the books and movies. Compete for Potter-themed prizes, along with $50 in free merchandise or beer. It’s free to join, however, there is limited registration, so don’t hesitate to get a spot to show off your wisdom of wizardry.
Oystoberfest
When: October 12-31, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Blue Island Oyster Bar and Seafood, 2625 E 2nd Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Celebrate the peak of oyster season at Oystoberfest. Blue Island Oyster Bar and Seafood hosts a month-long oyster extravaganza. There are new specials every week that feature new and rare oysters.
Friday, October 13
Cheesman Park Haunted Cemetery Tour
When: October 13, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park Pavillion, 8th and Franklin Ave., Denver
Cost: $15, Call (970) 316-5828 to reserve a spot
The Lowdown: Did you know Cheesman Park was once a cemetery? An estimated 2,000 bodies are thought to still remain beneath the park. It’s no surprise that many believe the park is haunted, including historians and paranormal specialists Sam Carstens and Karen Fischer. Join them on an extensive two-hour, after-dark tour of the park and surrounding areas for a thrilling night of tales of the dead.
READ: Five Places Near Denver That Might Actually Be Haunted
El Dia De Los Muertos
Photo Courtesy of Chac Gallery Denver
When: October 13, 6-9 p.m.
Where: CHAC Gallery-Denver, 772/774 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: Free and open to public
The Lowdown: Celebrate Denver’s October tradition of Dia De Los Muertos: A Celebration of Life. The celebration kicks off with a performance by Aztec dancers followed by a procession through the streets of Santa Fe Arts District to honor those who have passed. Learn how to make sugar skulls and paint faces while enjoying traditional refreshments.
Friday the 13th Flash Party
Photo Courtesy of Crimson Hilt Tattoo
When: October 13, 11 a.m.-11:59 p.m.
Where: Crimson Hilt Tattoo, 2907 E Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: $13 plus $7 tip
The Lowdown: Get tattooed at the Friday the 13th Flash Party at Crimson Hilt Tattoo. Tattoos are a fitting $13 (plus a mandatory $7 tip). It’s a first-come, first-served event, and the tattoo selection is limited to flash art designed by the artists— but no neck, face, hand or foot tattoos. Get there early to beat the crowd.
Starship Deviant! A Sci-Fi Dance Party
Photo Courtesy of Deviant
When: October 13, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Tracks Denver, 3500 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $5, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Join Deviant for Starship Deviant! A Sci-Fi Dance Party. Tracks hosts this sci-fi-centered party where all things out of this world are celebrated and encouraged. DJ Slave1, GSTV and Julian Black bring the beats to jam out to. Themed costumes are encouraged but not required.
Pumpkin Festival
Photo Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens
When: October 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens/Chatfield Farms, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton
Cost: $8, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Immerse yourself in Autumn at the Pumpkin Festival. The three-day festival at Chatfield Farms allows you to explore the 10-acre pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin. Once you find yours, there’s a pumpkin daycare for you to drop it off and enjoy the rest of the festival without lugging it around. Food trucks and beer vendors supply you with fuel as you take part in the many activities that the Pumpkin Festival has to offer.
Black Sheep Friday Lucky 13
Photo Courtesy of MCA Denver
When: October 13, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Denver Museum of Contemporary Art, 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: $5 at the door
The Lowdown: Join the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in making charms to keep evil spirits away at Black Sheep Friday Lucky 13. The craft-making is a first-come, first-serve opportunity, so head over early for your chance participate. Learn more about how to keep evil spirits at bay with charms that you can take home with you.
Movie on the Field
Photo Courtesy of Haunted Field of Screams
When: October 13, 6:45-9:45 p.m.
Where: Haunted Field of Screams, 10451 McKay Rd, Thornton
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Watch some Halloween classics at Movie on the Field. Friday The 13th and Texas Chainsaw Massacre are on the big screen for Friday the 13th. The Haunted Field of Screams gets you in the Halloween spirit with some frightful films. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs for the experience.
Saturday, October 14
Maker Faire
Photo Courtesy of Denver Maker Faire
When: October 14-15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: The Denver Mart, 451 E 58th Ave., Denver
Cost: $16-$28, tickets available here
The Lowdown: Get nerdy and creative at the Denver Maker Faire. Meow Wolf sponsors the Denver Maker Faire to make an awesome event for makers of all kinds to get their creative juices flowing. Scientists, crafters and engineers come together to present their works in an interactive space.
Breakfast Burrito Day
When: October 14, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Where: Illegal Pete’s, multiple locations 1744 E Evans Ave., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Come and join Illegal Pete’s in celebrating Denver’s first-ever Breakfast Burrito Day. The only thing better than a breakfast burrito is a free breakfast burrito. Stop by any Illegal Pete’s location from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to nab your free breakfast burrito.
Editor’s note: this entry was updated to reflect the correct address for the event. It does not include Santiago’s.
Snowboard on The Block
Photo by Austin Voldseth
When: October 14
Where: Sculpture Park,
Cost: $10-$50, get tickets here
The Lowdown: This one-day event presents the best film premieres for snowboarders and snow-lovers alike. The exclusive lineup of films includes Arcadia from TransWorld SNOWboarding, Pepper from Snowboarder, TURBO DOJO from Absinthe Films and more. Live music by bands including The Vandals and Murder City Devils rock throughout the night. A gear sale exhibits a wide array of snowboard brands offered at unbeatable discounts.
READ: Review – Denver’s Snowboard Block Festival Highlights Music, Film and Winter Sports
Drink 4 Pink Crawl for a Cause
When: October 14, 2-6 p.m.
Where: Golden Triangle, Denver
Cost: $20, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Help beat cancer at the Drink 4 Pink Crawl for a Cause. Sign up and get a complimentary drink at more than four different bars around the Golden Triangle area. Each bar has great music to jam out to, as well as chances to win prizes. All proceeds benefit Rocky Mountain Cancer Assistance.
Rocktoberfest Climbing Festival
Photo Courtesy of REI
When: October 14, 3-9 p.m.
Where: REI, 1416 Platte St., Denver
Cost: Free, register here
The Lowdown: Join REI in celebrating Rocktoberfest Climbing Festival. Get tips and tricks from leading competitive climber Lynn Hill. Free skill clinics and gear giveaways take place throughout the day. Denver Beer Co. brings the brews for, and all proceeds from beer sales benefit Front Range Climbing Stewards.
Fresh Hop Festival
When: October 14, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $.50 per glass
The Lowdown: Sip on great brews at the Fresh Hop Festival. More than 30 Colorado breweries feature their best brews for you to enjoy. Falling Rock Tap House hosts this hop-fueled festival. Instead of buying tickets at the door, $.50 from beer goes to the Colorado Brewer’s Guild. A handful of out-of-state brewers join our native breweries for extra flavor and selection.
Fourth Annual Grand Coffee Bazaar
When: October 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Oz Architecture parking lot, 3003 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $40, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Coffee lovers rejoice! Come and enjoy some amazing coffee at the Grand Coffee Bazaar. You get to meet roasters, eat delicious brunch bites from local food trucks and more. The Grand Coffee Bazaar is one of the largest coffee expos in Denver. Brunch cocktails and coffee beers will be available for you to enjoy while you peruse the coffee vendors.
Choctoberfest
When: October 14, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Where: Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E Quincy Ave., Aurora
Cost: $5-$50, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a celebration of all things chocolate at Choctoberfest. More than 70 vendors bring samples their chocolate confections to sample. Get some of the best chocolate in the country and pair it with local beer and wine. Don’t miss a chance to taste anything and everything chocolate.
Sunday, October 15
Drink RiNo Battle of the Bands
When: October 15, 12-7 p.m.
Where: Rackhouse Pub, 2875 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $15 at the door
The Lowdown: Join Rackhouse Pub in celebrating Drink RiNo Battle of the Bands. Different Breweries will form a band with their staff to battle the night out. Each brewery band will also feature their own special brews for you to enjoy. Vote for the band with the best brews and tunes. Tickets include two beers and a raffle entry for some awesome prizes.
Denver Retro Con
When: October 15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Ramada Plaza Northglenn/Denver North, 10 E 120th Ave., Northglenn
Cost: $6, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Come and enjoy entertainment and more at Denver Retro Con. Shop and stroll your way around live music, an ’80s fashion show and more. Cosplay is welcome and encouraged. More than 100 vendors are coming out for the nostalgic event, so don’t miss your chance for a taste of the neon decade.
Denver Food Festival
When: October 15, 12-3 p.m.
Where: McNichols Building, 144 W Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: $25, get tickets here
The Lowdown: Join Westword in celebrating the Denver Food Festival. More than 40 different local food purveyors are featured for you to nosh on. Don’t skip on a chance to taste Denver’s best drinks and eats.
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Mark Your Calendar
Glow at the Garden
When: October 18-26, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
Cost: $16, tickets sell out fast. Tickets available here.
Broadway Halloween Parade
When: October 21, 6 p.m.
Where: The parade travels down Broadway from E 3rd Ave. to Alameda Ave
Cost: Free
It’s not listed here, but Rocky Mountain Rollergirls play a home team championship double header at The Fillmore Auditorium, Saturday, Oct. 14, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. games! It will be some hard-hitting fun on four wheels.