Denver Marks Halloween and Día de los Muertos With Free Events Across the City

Thornton will host a free Día de los Muertos observance Sunday, Nov. 1, from noon to 5 p.m. at McAllister Park Center, 750 W. 96th Ave. Organizers said the program honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead through art, music, dance, food, and cultural traditions for all ages. The day's schedule includes face-painting, arts and crafts, magic, storytelling, a mercado, and food and drink trucks. Colorado Mestizo Dancers and Myriad DF will perform on the main stage, joined by Chicano Heat and Las Dahlias. Attendees may bring photos and notes for an ofrenda. Organizers also plan to show the Broncos-Chiefs game.

The East Colfax Bluebird District will hold its Boo and Brew Colfax Halloween Block Party on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. The 20th edition of the trick-or-treat crawl runs along 12 blocks between Monroe and Elizabeth streets. More than 35 boutiques, restaurants, bars, and other businesses will hand out candy and serve drinks. The route will feature 15 bands and DJs, clowns, magic, and a photo booth. A dog parade is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in front of the Bluebird Theater. Parking is free and first-come, first-served at 3300 E. Colfax Ave. The corridor spent years under construction for bus rapid transit work that at times forced business closures, and sidewalks and chain-link fencing disrupted access.

Opera Colorado opens its production of Giuseppe Verdi's Macbeth on Nov. 7 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. The run includes performances on Nov. 7, 10, 13, and 15 at various times. Tickets are priced from $39 to $299, and Pay What You Wish tickets are available for every performance. Conductor Patrick Summers makes his Opera Colorado debut with the production.

A book on Denver's 1980s punk scene returns to print on Nov. 7. Wax Trax Records, 638 E. 13th Ave., will mark the release of the second, updated edition of Bob Rob Medina's Denvoid and the Cowtown Punks: A Collection of Stories from the '80s Denver Punk Scene with live sets from Hex Cassette, The Disposable Icons, and Cheap Wigs from 1 to 4 p.m. A second free event runs 7 to 9:30 p.m. the same day at Mutiny Comics & Coffee, 3483 S. Broadway. Wax Trax Records supported production of the updated edition.

Denver's current music scene includes acts such as The Lumineers and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. Medina's book documents the performers and venues that preceded them.

Details on the Thornton program are available at thorntonco.gov. Boo and Brew posts updates at boonbrew.com. Opera Colorado lists performances at operacolorado.org. Wax Trax Records and Mutiny Comics & Coffee post event information at waxtraxrecords.com and mutinycomics.com.