We Have Bats In Our Belfry, As The One-Day Holiday Is Now A Month Of Freakish Parties, Spooky Street People, Ghoulish Shows
by Glen Richardson
Hoot And A Scream: Spooktacular displays such as Wild Fall and Glow at the Gardens are among Halloween events that create vocal expressions of creepy feeling from attendees.
Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and shortage, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition.
It has become a month of ghoulish, hilarious fun in the Cherry Creek Valley. An amusing, exciting month when people project their fears in a safe and playful way.
Here’s the Chronicle’s monster month list of bewitching places to go and things to do to have a “fang-tastic” time while keeping “spirits” bright:
Sweet & Scary Cherry Creek Shopping, Oct. 1-31 — The spirit of Halloween once again lurks in this popular business district, pressing families to prowl among more than 300 stores for fall fashions, home furnishings, and accessories. The district is lined with pumpkins and decorations, plus food trucks selling treats and hot cocoa. Information: 303-394-2904.
Fright Fest, Oct. 1-28 — Elitch Gardens is transformed weekly on Sat.-Sun. from a day theme-water park into a family Halloween Fright By Night escapade. Information: 303-595-4386.
Denver Horror Story Cabaret, Oct. 5-26 — The most haunted room in town presents a burlesque tribute to the characters of American Horror Story, 7-8:30 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Halloween Howls: October begins a month-long list of ghoulish, hilarious Halloween events for families to celebrate the holiday in a safe, playful way.
Mile High Horror Film Festival, Oct. 6-12 — In its unlucky 13th year, enjoy terrifying tales, performances by actors and actresses, plus horror-sci-fi films at various spots around Denver. Information: mhhff.com.
Oddities & Curiosities Expo, Oct. 7 — Shop Halloween artwork, antiques, skulls, bones, and funeral collectibles at the Convention Center, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: 303-447-0816.
The Twi-Fright Zone, Oct. 11 — Indigo Moon & Soul Penny Circus does Science Fiction Tales, Horror Tropes, at the Clocktower Cabaret, 7 p.m. Information: 303-293-0075.
Ghosts In The Gardens, Oct. 12-15 & Oct. 26-29 — Conjure up your courage as you walk Denver Botanic Gardens’ dimly lit paths after hours and listen to haunting stories. Feeling bold, visit the Beaux-Arts style mansion, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Friday The 13th, Oct. 13 — Canadian group Aerialists entertains followed by Halloween movies at Wings Over the Rockies Museum, 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. Information: 303-369-5360.
Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 14-15 — Pick pumpkins, shop vendor market, while enjoying music and performances at Four Mile Historic Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Bigfoot Forward: The Denver Zoo is swapping Boo at the Zoo for Wild Fall this year. Event has Bigfoot and costumed creatures, but focus is on education and connecting guests with nature.
Glow At The Gardens, Oct. 17-22 — The Denver Botanic Gardens will once again glow in a one-of-a-kind incandescent spectacle filled with family Halloween fun. Lined with a spooktacular display of massive, glowing jack-o’-lanterns that light up the night, guests will get the full creepy feeling of the Halloween season. Bands and performing artists play classic Halloween favorites during shows which are accompanied by food and drinks, 6-9 p.m. Information: 720-865-3500.
Wild Fall, Oct. 18-28 — The Denver Zoo is replacing “Boo at the Zoo,” — celebrated since the 1990s — with a jamboree titled “Wild Fall” this year. Albeit somewhat similar, the new zoo-sanctioned event will have a stronger focus on education and connecting attendees with nature. In the spirit of Halloween, the event will include costumed creatures, Bigfoot, professional pumpkin carvings, and animal demonstrations. Children can also enjoy face painting and pumpkin decoration stations. The event, however, won’t have trick-or-treat stations. Information: 720-337-1400.
Parade On Broadway: As Halloween hoots intensify, the 6th annual Broadway Halloween Parade drums-up excitement for the holiday. Spooky floats, bands, and marchers trek from 5th Ave. to Alameda on Oct. 23, starting at 6 p.m.
Broadway Halloween Parade, Oct. 23 — Costumed spectators are again expected to line up along the stretch of Broadway from 5th Ave. to Alameda Ave. for the Broadway Halloween Parade. Hosted by the Broadway Merchants Assn., the 6th annual procession will feature assorted spooky floats, ban
ds, and marchers. The parade is expected to start at approximately 6 p.m. Once the parade ends everyone is invited to join the marchers on the street. An assortment of local merchants, restaurants, and theaters offer post events to complement and enhance the festivities. Information: 303-282-0377.
Harvest Hoot, Oct. 27-28 — Wear costume while enjoying fall activities, fang-tastic bites, and games at the Children’s Museum at Marsico Campus, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 303-433-7444.
Halloween Haunt, Oct. 28 — Evening of creepy crafts, pumpkin decorating, crawly critters, and games for kids & adults hosted by Four Mile Park, 4:30-8:30 p.m. Information: 720-865-0800.
Coloween, Oct. 28-29 — The biggest among dozens of h
Fantasy And Fashion: Coloween, city’s biggest Halloween party, has a fantasy- fashion theme this year. Event moves to the 50,000-sq.-ft. Stockyards Event Center, Oct. 28-29.
uge Denver Halloween parties, this year’s Halloween Ball moves to the 50,000-sq.-ft. Stockyards Event Center, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. This year’s “Fantasy and Fashion” themed party will feature club and EDM DJs, local talents, plus mind-bending immersive installations. Dressed attendees compete to win $2,000 in costume cash prizes. Information: 720-663-1414.
Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 29 — Concert for all boys and ghouls, features music from films & TV. Wear costumes for a ghostly-good time at Boettcher, 2.30 p.m. Information: 303-623-7876.
Protect The Hero, Oct. 31 — Ontario’s Canadian progressive metal band celebrates Halloween with the Moon Tooth band at the Bluebird Theater, 8 p.m. Information: 303-377-1666.