Denver is resurrecting their spookiest Halloween traditions, parties, and tours this year, and we’ve got the full scoop. Attend bewitching classical concerts dedicated to horror fans’ favorite films, visit a monster museum, take a boozy walking tour of Denver’s darkest and most scandalous secrets, and attend a Western-themed Halloween Ball. Keep on reading for the 11 most bewitching events happening this Halloween in Denver.
1. Attend this hauntingly beautiful candlelit concert
Be transported into your favorite Halloween movies, like the Exorcist and Nightmare Before Christmas, at this candlelit concert that’s as chilling as it is beautiful. The historical Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, rumored to be haunted, is the perfect spine-tingling venue to immerse you in the spooky mood come Halloween. The concerts will take place from Friday the 28th to Monday, October 31st (Psst, the Thursday concert has already sold out so don’t miss your chance to get tickets). The witching hour happens twice each evening, one at 6:30 and one at 9:15, and concerts last 60 minutes, with the doors opening 75 minutes prior to the start time.
2. Twilight Ghost Tour
Lovers of dark history, ghosts, and the paranormal will die over this twilight Halloween ghost tour that takes you down the most macabre streets of Denver. Be taken back in time through the streets’ seedy histories and learn some of the city’s most scandalous stories. Groups will meet at Archer Tower Apartments on the Sherman side of the building, and you’ve got from now until Saturday, October 22nd to get your tickets. Tours start at 8:30pm and last 2 hours.
3. Denver Halloween Bar Crawl
Get ready to paint the town red for a night of debauchery this Halloween. Get dressed up in your best costume, grab your crew, and hit the town with this Halloween Bar Crawl through some of Denver’s best bars. El Tejano, Smashface Brewery, and Terminal Bar are just some of the stops that’ll offer booze, DJs, and live music. Plus, participants get to be a part of a spooktastic scavenger hunt and a Halloween contest where the winners can win $1,000. The event takes place on October 29th at two different time slots: 8pm and 9pm, so buy your tickets before it sells out.
4. Get up close with your favorite monsters
This unique immersive museum, Distortions Monster World, brings guests up close and personal with some of Hollywood’s favorite monsters. Make contact with aliens for the first time or catch sight of the elusive Bigfoot. The museum is unique in that it invites guests to be a part of the installations themselves by placing them inside immersive sets designed by Denver artists. Learn all about the making of these monsters from our favorite Creature Features and pose for a picture with them. The museum is only open through Monday, Halloween, and after that, it’s closing its door for good.
5. Enjoy a ghoulish gastronomic tour of the city
Searching for ghosts can work up an appetite, so that’s where this Haunted Denver Food Tour comes into play. This weekend on Saturday, October 15th at 2:30pm, guests start at The Market in LoDo where they can enjoy 5 tastings in 3-4 unique locations across the city, covering about 3/4 mile of walking. The tour lasts 2 and a half hours which is plenty of time to eat unique and delicious food, grab a beer or two, and listen to some fascinating and dark history of the Mile High City.
6. Paranormal Palace 13th Annual
One of Denver’s biggest celebrations is back for another year, this time with a Western spin. This Halloween ball will let you fly your inner freak flag for a night of abandon. Get dressed up in your best Western attire (though any costume will do) for a night f DJs, drinks, and a chance to win $2,000 if your costume rises above the rest at the competition.
7. Hocus Pocus 90s Halloween Opus
This year, Denver Union Station is hosting a spellbinding bash dedicated to one of Halloween’s best films. The venue will transport you to 1990s Salem, where the black candle is lit and the Sanderson Sisters are running the streets making amok of everything. The party takes place on Friday, October 28th from 8pm to midnight. Be bewitched by your Drag Hosts playing the three sisters before the DJ spins some of the hottest music from this bygone era. Tickets cost between $25 and $30.
Head to their website to learn more.
8. Visit this haunt in Denver that tells the story of a historic mine
A small home haunt in Denver is telling the story of a haunted, historic mine, and has completely transformed the space to replicate a real underground mine shaft. Enter, if you dare, and be haunted by the souls of the miners trapped underneath when the greed of the Herman brothers caused their unfortunate demise. Note: The experience has scares along the way, but there are two kid friendly nights available!
Learn more about calendar dates here.
9. Grab the kids for one of these spooky events at Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the most unique venues to attend a spooky event this Halloween, most perfectly suited for the entire family. From a haunted corn maze to their Open Air Scare, Ghosts in the Garden scare tours, you’ll be in for a chilling and spooky evening.
10. Have a wild Halloween at the Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo recently replaced their ‘Boo at the Zoo’ event with their new ‘Wild Fall’ event that’s happening the whole month of October, starting October 1st and lasting until Halloween, October 31st. Enjoy festive autumn eats and spooky, themed cocktails while you mingle with costumed creatures, a creepy crawly meet-and-greet, pumpkin carving, and even Trick or Treating (a separate ticketed event).
11. Head to Dairy Block for an adult trick or treat cocktail experience
From October 21-31st, head to Dairy Block for a 21+ event where you can try specialty, themed Halloween cocktails from seven different establishments on the block. Each drink is uniquely made and inspired by a horror film. Here’s a list of all the participating spots and what they’re serving:
- Deviation Distilleries with “Zombie Tiki” inspired by Zombieland
- Seven Grand with “All Work No Play” inspired by the Shining
- Westbound & Down with “Back Off Man, I Am a Scientist,” inspired by Ghostbusters
- Denver Milk Market with “Dead but Delicious,” inspired by What We Do In the Shadows
- Kachina Cantina with “Un Poco Loco” inspired by Coco
- Poka Lola Social Club with “Mystery Machine” inspired by Scooby Doo
- Blanchard Family Wines with “Apple Cinnamon Cranberry Autumn Dance” inspired by Hocus Pocus