The Ten Best Shows on Halloween in Denver

Halloween is almost here, and in honor of a roster of events ending in "ween," we've compiled a list of the ten best. From hell-raising metal to '90s cover bands, there are plenty of places where you can show off this year's costume. If you could find a way to make it to all of them, you should. Maybe hop on a broom. 
10) 106.7 KBPI Saints and Sinners Halloween Ball
1st Bank Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield 
October 31

We hope you got tickets to this one early, because it just sold out. The awesome 2015 lineup for Saint and Sinners includes Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin and Nothing More. But you could still win tickets to the all-ages show by listening to KBPI this week. Find out more on the 1st Bank Center's website. 
9) Lotus
The Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson Street
October 31

Lotus always puts on a funky Halloween show,and it will be jamming all night at the Fillmore Auditorium this Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 16-and-up show. Buy tickets here.  
8) GWAR
Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake Street
October 31 (and in Colorado Springs October 30)

Gwar will christen Denver with a show (and buckets of fake blood) on Halloween night at Summit Music Hall. It will have played The Black Sheep in C Springs the night before, so you have two chances to catch some insane moshing this weekend. Check out our slideshow from last year. 
7) Twisted Tales Halloween
Tracks, 3500 Walnut Street
October 29-31

Tracks is taking fairy tales to the next level with this spooky weekend that mixes music with terrifying Grimms tales acted out on the main stage. The party runs Thursday through Saturday, and on October 30, you can join Nina Flowers, Trixie Mattel and Manila Luzon of RuPaul's Drag Race fame to explore the dark side of drag at Drag Nation, which happens to come with a $500 cash prize for best costume. Then, on Halloween night, enjoy music by Dave Audé and compete for a $2,000 cash prize for best costume. Tickets start at $5 per night and cost more at the door. 
6) Hallowmass
Paddock Pavilion, National Western Complex
October 31

 When it's not plotting world domination, Itchy-O can be found playing local venues and romping through the streets; the group was voted the best experimental band in our 2015 Westword Showcase awards. On October 31 you'll find the group at Hallowmass,  Itchy-O's first Halloween show in Denver in five years, with special guest Andrew Novick. Tickets begin at $35 (includes free parking); buy yours here before the show sells out!
5) Coloween
1144 Broadway and 1405 Curtis Street
October 31

For the first time, this annual event — put on by Collective 360 and now in its eighth year — will be in two places at once. The party-goer's choice is between T-Pain at City Hall or an open-bar takeover at the Curtis Hotel. The City Hall Halloween party sold out last year; the 2015 edition features four themed rooms and DJ sets throughout the night, including Grammy Award-winning T-Pain's club DJ performance.  Right now the City Hall show is priced at $29 and the Curtis Hotel Open Bar party is priced at $79, but ticket prices will be going up soon. 
4) Helloween
Casselman's Bar and Venue, 2620 Walnut Street
October 31

Casselman's invites you to the spookiest party on the RiNo block, one that will be very metal. Helloween features a costume contest with cash prizes as well as performances by Velvet Acid Christ and the Siren Project,  go-go dancers setting the mood, and $3 drink specials from 8 to 9 p.m.  Tickets start at $20. 
3. Ultraween 5
3595 Wynkoop Street
October 31

Ultra 5280 will host a dope Halloween show this year: Ultraween 5. The hip-hop-meets-electronic lineup has a heavy local roster including CRL CRRLL, Sur Ellz, DJ E-Train and Jilly.FM. Tickets are $15 now, $20 the day of, and come with several drink tickets for beer and cocktails. The party comes to an end at 2 a.m. 
2. Halloween '99
hi-dive, 7 South Broadway
October 31

It smells like teen spirit. This alt-show at the hi-dive will bring out the coolest costumes on South Broadway, where people will undoubtedly be tipping their hat to the glorious '90s with three epic local cover bands. The Third Eye Blind band will consist of the Dirty Few, Rootbeer and Mermentau, and Bud Bronson & the Good Timers. The Nirvana cover band is Dr. Neptune, Single File, The A-OKs and Heart and Soul Radio. And what great '90s trifecta would be complete without a Pixies cover band? Enter Blanket Empire featuring Matt Herrebout. Tickets are $5, 21 and up. 
1) First Ever Halloween Show at Red Rocks
Red Rocks Amphitheatre 
October 31

Thanks to the teams at AEG and Cervantes, Denver fans are being treated to the first-ever Halloween show at Red Rocks this year. Headliners Mac Miller and Action Bronson have drawn the crowds for the nearly sold-out show, and openers Flatbush Zombies will grace the Red Rocks stage for the first time. Other acts include Goldlink, Domo Genesis and Tory Lanez. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door.