Hey downtown,
Kate here! I have had the pleasure of being the Downtown Boulder Partnership’s Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the last year (and counting!). Fall is my favorite time of year and with Halloween just around the corner, I wanted to give you the lowdown on all spooky season happenings this month…
If you spot me downtown in the mornings, you can almost always expect to see me with an iced latte in-hand. In my opinion, there is no better way to fully embrace the spooky season than with a little pumpkin spice (and other fall flavors) added to my cup of joe. Some of my favorite sips have been an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte or Vanilla Latte from Bitty & Beau’s Coffee and the Witches Brew (irish cream cold brew, vanilla foam and caramel drizzle) from Cristos Coffee. Not to mention, both spots have some delicious treats to kick off your morning!
It could be that I am always a little extra caffeinated, but despite loving the ambiance of Halloween thrills, traditional pop-out haunted houses are not my forte. I do, however, love real ghost tours and tales…meaning I will most definitely be joining a Boulder Ghost Tour to get my spooky history fix. For less frightening alternatives, some downtown activities I’ve also had my eye on are the Spooky Date Night Stained Glass Workshop at Colorado Glass Works and the Halloween Costume FunFlow at Yoga Pearl. You really can’t go wrong with any kind of spooky-themed function - and these don’t include the fake jump scares!
Any live music fans out there? If you are a Boulderite, I am sure that’s not even a question. This year, the Velvet Elk Lounge hosts two Halloween concerts featuring familiar faces from past downtown events. Check out Los Cheesies Creepadelic Halloween Concert on Saturday, October 26th and The Goonies Halloween Adventure Concert on Thursday, October 31st. Make sure to grab your tickets soon - you won’t want to miss out on these fun-filled concerts.
I am guilty of throwing together a last-minute costume, but this year I have the convenience of shopping at some of my favorite spots just a few blocks away from the office. That means, I will be heading over to The Ritz, Apocalypse and Ragstock to spark inspiration and find the perfect look for all my upcoming festivities. Not only is there a wide array of unique costumes, from vintage looks to charming accessories, I get the added benefit of supporting my local neighbors!
All dressed up with no party to go to? If you are 21+, check out License No. 1’s annual Speakeasy Halloween, Pedro’s Taco & Tequila Bar’s Costume Party and The Colorado Club’s Halloween Night Party. All are great opportunities to show off your one-of-a-kind costume while enjoying food and beverage specials. *As always, please remember to drink responsibly and get home safely using a safe ride option of your choice (i.e. RTD, Lyft, Uber).
In case you want to start the festivities early, Saturday, October 26th from 4 PM - 10 PM, get tickets for a special ‘Make Your Own Adventure’ Halloween Bar Crawl with stops at downtown’s Postino Boulder, Silver Vines Winery, The Post Chicken & Beer, The West End Tavern and The Spotted James.
All of the fun happenings this month lead up to one of my favorite signature events that my team puts on for families across Boulder County - the annual Munchkin Masquerade (happening Thursday, October 31st from 3 PM - 6 PM). While you are trick-or-treating at the participating treat stops, be sure to say hi to our Downtown Boulder Staff and Ambassador Team. You can find us handing out treats at the Visitor Information Center or at the free coloring activities tent. Pro Trick-or-Treating Tip: Treat stops extend past the Pearl Street Mall! Be sure to check out offerings from our friends on the West End, East End and Off the Bricks - all business participants are so excited to welcome you into their stores. Don’t forget, please thank your participating treat stops…I just know that will make their day!
Día De Los Muertos celebrations can also be found around downtown. Check out the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art’s Día De Los Muertos Community Exhibition Reception on Sunday, October 27th and The New Local and El Centro Amistad’s Día De Los Muertos Procession on Saturday, November 2nd (find additional details on their IG @thenewlocalboulder)!
In case you are looking for more happenings, I suggest checking out our extensive online event calendar. There are events popping up every day that are tailored to everyone’s preferred spooky experience. Also, if you know of any happenings throughout the downtown Boulder area that you don’t see there - be sure to let us know and send our team an email.
I can’t wait to share this spooky season with you all and wish you a fun-filled and safe Halloween!
See ya around downtown,
~Kate