From treat streets and haunted houses for kids to ghoulish grown-up parties and pub crawls, Denver is known for its haunted days and nights of fright. To get you screaming back into the Halloween scene, here are our suspenseful, spooky choices for fang-tastic fun:
Halloween — 2022
Dance
Cult Classic: Treat the family to Colorado Ballet’s captivating, colorful Dracula playing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the DCPA complex, Oct. 7-16.
Dracula, Oct. 7-16 — Back by bloodthirsty demand, Colorado Ballet opens the season at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House with Bram Stocker’s legendary gothic love story set in 19th Century Transylvania. Ballet features choreography by Michael Pink plus Philip Feeney’s original score. Spotlighting the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, haunting ballet promises goosebumps. When: Oct. 7-8 & 14-15, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 8, 15 & 16, 2 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Family Events
Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 30 — The Colorado Symphony plays film-TV music at Boettcher. Costumes encouraged, with the best invited on stage at spooktacular event for boys and ghouls. Scott O’Neil conducts the orchestra. When: 2:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 8-9. Enjoy sights-sounds, smells of fall at Four Mile Historic Park. Select perfect pumpkin and enjoy live music. There’s face painting, craft stations for kids, plus private bar for adults. When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Glow at the Gardens™, Oct. 18-23. Wander through spooky Denver Botanic Gardens at nighttime with luminous carved pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns with grins and grimaces. Performing artists bring spirits and specters to life. When: 6 to 9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500,
Harvest Hoot, Oct. 28-30 — Dress in your favorite costume to enjoy fang-tastic bites and fall activities at the Children’s Museum on the Marsico Campus. Enjoy carnival games and boo-tiful crafts, but no trick or treating. When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: 303-433-7444.
Ghost & Garden Tours
Ghosts of Capitol Hill, Oct. 1-Nov. 11. Visit the sights that inspired the movies The Changeling and Poltergeist, plus Colorado’s most haunted home. You also visit haunted mansions with paranormal activity. When: Thur.-Fri.-Sat., 8 to 10 p.m. Information: 720-372-3849.
Cheesman Park Ghost Tour, Oct. 1-31. Hear hair-raising accounts of paranormal activity at the Cheesman Park Pavilion. Uncover how bodies were moved from the cemetery and decide if park is haunted. When: Weekdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Information: 720-778-1170.
House Of Horrors: For spine-tingling excitement, creep through the Molly Brown House, Oct. 14-29. Visits with spirits played by actors last for 45-60 minutes.
Victorian Horrors, Fri.-Sun., Oct. 14-29 — Creep room to room in the spine-tingling Molly Brown House, hearing horror tales by actors. The 45-60-minute spirit visits enliven their existence. When: Entry times from 6 to 9 p.m. Information: 303-832-4092.
Music
Spooktacular XII, Oct. 15-16 — The “Director Strikes Back” with the 12th Mile High Freedom Bands’ haunting of Historic Grant St. Symphonic band musical has an all-age matinee followed by a show with alcohol. When: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Information: 720-515-6432.
Disney’s Hocus Pocus, Oct. 21-22 — Musical about deserted house, witches, and mystic cat at Boettcher. Exploring house, the brother-sister awaken witches. They steal the witches’ book of spells to stop from becoming immortal. When: 7:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-4220.
HalloQueen 2022, Oct. 22 — Two sets at the Ogden Theatre: Jukebox the Ghost, then a costume contest. Second set as Queen, has Ben Thornewill on piano/vocals; Tommy Siegel, guitar/bass/vocals; and Jesse Kristin on drums/vocals. When: 9 p.m. Information: 303-832-1874.