Where to Get Your Fright for Halloween 2015 in Denver
Halloween revelers are in for a special treat this year. That’s because, after a seven-year wait, Halloween 2015 falls on a Saturday. Denverites always go all out on Halloween and with the event on a weekend, there will be some big bashes this time around. Here are some of the biggest,
Coloween
Colorado’s homegrown Halloween party has turned into TWO big bashes this year. Coloween City Hall (1144 Broadway) will have 2,000 people jamming to the sounds of hip-hop megastar T-Pain. This even at the City Hall Event Center will have four separately themed rooms with live musical acts, DJS, and performance artists. Other performers include Pres, Vinnie Maniscalco, BBPi Boss Goodie, and more. There is also a $1,000 grand prize costume contest. Tickets are $29 per person and include an open bar. VIP packages with bottle service are available.
Coloween will also take over The Curtis Hotel (1405 Curtis St.) with two levels of twisted entertainment. Party in three ballrooms of music and get a good spook as you move through the hotel via haunted hallways. Live music and DJs will be on hand to keep the hotel rocking, and come dressed in your best for a shot at the $1,000 prize in the costume contest hosted by Fox 31 Anchor Chris Parente. Tickets are $79 per person and include an open bar with 28 bartenders to give guests fast, convenient service. VIP and bottle service are also available. To reserve a hotel room along with the party, visit the website for details. Both parties start at 9 PM.
The Denver Halloween Costume Ball
Held at the Sherman Events Center, the Denver Halloween Ball is an upscale spookfest featuring a “Best of the Ball" costume contest with a $1,000 prize. The party includes live music and DJs, and the best part is all guests are treated to an open bar. Tickets are $65 per person and can be purchased online. Tickets will not be sold at the door. (1770 Sherman St.; 720-319-8441)
The 7th Annual Paranormal Palace
This Halloween bash at McNichols Civic Center just gets better with age as the 7th Annual Paranormal Palace returns to Denver. The party is a feast for the senses with multiple rooms featuring multiple DJs, light shows, and entertainment acts. This year, the event has partnered with the Colorado Ballet, and troupe members will be performing excerpts from this season’s hit performance, Dracula. The Colorado Ballet will also be the charitable beneficiary this year. Tickets are $79 per person and include the open bar. VIP tickets with early entry and a private party room featuring top shelf liquors are $129 per person. Tables and couch pits for parties of four to eight can be reserved in advance, and group discounts are also available. Check the website for details. The spooky fun starts at 9:30 PM on Halloween night, October 31. Ticket prices will go up 20% the day of the event. (144 W Colfax Ave.; 720-936-2999)
Denver Botanic Gardens
Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos at the beautiful and spooky Denver Botanic Gardens at the Calavera Ball on Friday, October 23. This “Day of the Dead” celebration is a 3,000-year-old Mexican tradition that honors and commemorates the departed with offerings of flowers, candles, incense, and photos. Come dressed in your finest Catrina or Catrin attire (see website for info) and enjoy live music and performances along with cultural food and adult beverages. Guests must be 21 and over to attend, and tickets are $75 per person. The party starts at 7 PM but
Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
Enjoy several shows of ghoulish, giggly Halloween fun at Lannie’s. The zombie zaniness starts this weekend with the Zombie Crawl Grotesque Burlesque show, two shows Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17. Tickets are only $25 per person. Then, starting Thursday, October 29, the big BOO-
Jackson’s Denver
The party across the street from Coors Field starts at 9 PM with a $40 cover that gets guests to the open bar. DJ, dancing, and a $1000-prize costume contest await. (1520 20th St.; 303-298-7625)
Lala’s Wine Bar
Join Lala’s for a Halloween dinner and ghost tour on Halloween, October 31. Enjoy a 3-course dinner followed by a guided ghost tour of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. There are two times that evening, 6 PM and 8 PM. Cost is $35 per person, and reservations must be made in advance by calling 303-861-9463. (410 E 7th Ave.; 303-861-9463)
Punch Bowl Social
On Halloween, join Punch Bowl Social for a Dead Celebrity Party. Dress as your favorite dead celebrity and dance the night away with a DJ and costume contest. Prizes are for Best Dead Celeb, Best Costume Overall, Best Female Costume, and Best Couple/Group Costume. Enjoy the complimentary photo booth with your friends. (65 Broadway; 303-2695)
Stoney’s Bar and Grill
Enjoy a Halloween party on October 31 with no cover. Enjoy live music by Transdermal Celebration, a Ween tribute band, starting at 10 PM. There will be a $1000 costume contest at 12:30 AM. Enjoy $4 Jager shots and $6 Jager Bombs. (1111 Lincoln St.; 303-830-6839)
Tamayo
The folks at Tamayo are conjuring up a hauntingly good time. Scare Us on the Terrace happens on Halloween from 9 PM to 1 AM. A $52.80 ticket (5280, get it?) will get guests bottomless Coors Light and Tecate beer, house red and white wine, house margaritas, blood orange mimosas, a tasty taco bar, chips and salsa, assorted quesadillas, a DJ with lots of dancing, and a costume contest with the winner receiving an Arta Tequila helicopter ride. Tickets can be purchased online. (1400 Larimer St.; 720-946-1433)
ViewHouse Ballpark
The ViewHouse is turning Halloween night into Halloween weekend. At the downtown location, enjoy Ghouls Night Out on Thursday, October 29 featuring a ladies-only complimentary Skyy Vodka bar from 9 PM to midnight. The ViewHouse of Horrors will also host movie night by showing Annabelle at 8 PM on the 147-inch LED TV in the courtyard. Friday, October 30 is Nightmare of Market Street with a costume contest that offers up a $1,000 grand prize. The courtyard will morph into a giant dance floor with beats by DJ ESCAL8. Finally, on the big night enjoy the Sexy House of Horrors as the venue transforms into three dancefloors and another epic costume contest. Call 720-306-9008 for table reservations.
ViewHouse Centennial
Down south, the ViewHouse DTC will host their own Ghouls Night Out on Thursday, October 29, featuring a complimentary Skyy Vodka bar for the ladies from 10 PM to midnight. Dance the night away to DJ Izer. Friday, October 30 is Nightmare on Clinton Street with a costume contest featuring a $1,000 first prize. Dance to Beats by DJ Soup. Saving the scariest for last, enjoy the View(Horror)House featuring live music by Funkiphino. Another costume contest will cap the evening.
Drink Denver encourages everyone to be safe this Halloween. Don't drink and drive. Some events have hotel packages and/or discounts on Uber and taxi services. Don't forget RTD Light Rail. Check websites for details.
Pumpkin photo via Flickr user
