Five Things to Do for Free in Denver This Weekend

Halloween is just a week away, and the weekend is full of spooky and spirited events, including Boo n' Brew in the Bluebird District and a bucketful of ice-scream activities courtesy of Little Man. But there are plenty of other activities around town, too, ranging from a musical look at Bach to the opening of a new collectibles store. Keep reading for five of the best free events in Denver this weekend, plus a bonus.

Rocky Mountain Collectibles Grand Opening
Friday, October 25, 5 p.m. through the weekend
4895 Joliet Street, Unit M/N
Joe Maddalena, Star of Hollywood Treasure and CEO of profilesinhistory.com, will be on hand at the grand opening of Rocky Mountain Collectibles, a new shop for all things gaming and collectible, from card games to comic books. The celebration will continue through the weekend, with a YU-GI-OH Chaos Impact Case Tournament on Saturday, October 25, and both a Magic the Gathering and a Pokemon Free Box tournament on Sunday, October 26. There will be food trucks from noon to 4 on Saturday, and the first hundred people in the doors will get free food coupons. Find out more here.

The Mathematical Bach
Friday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Church, 17701 West 16th Avenue, Golden
The Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, in collaboration with the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics of the Colorado School of Mines, present Dr. Daniel Forger, professor of mathematics at the University of Michigan, in a special concert/discussion. Forger has been involved in a UM project developing a library of digitized performances of Bach trio sonatas. Calling upon two disciplines, music and math, this program will include information from that project as well as Bach’s "Great Fantasia in G Minor," "Trio Sonata in C Minor," "Trio Sonata in E Minor," "Trio Sonata in C Major" and "Toccata in F Major." The free concert will be followed by a question-and-answer session and reception.
Ice Scream With the Little Man Fam
Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26
Various metro locations
Members of the Little Man family have a boo-tiful weekend planned, starting with a family-friendly, late-night, date-night costume ball at Sweet Cooie's, 3506 East 12th Avenue, from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, October 25. The action moves to Park Hill on Saturday, October 26, for the DANG & Esters Oneida Park Pumpkin Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., then back to Congress Park for the Sweet Cooie's and 12th & Madison Merchants Costume & Pumpkin Carving Contest & Trick or Treat Street from noon to 3 p.m.  In Stapleton, the Constellation & Eastbridge Town Center will host a BOO BASH Trick or Treat Street from 2 to 5 p.m., and then the action returns to where it all began, Little Man Ice Cream at 2620 16th Street in LoHi for the Pumpkin Carving & Costume Contest from 2 to 5 p.m. Admission to all events is free (and watch for another round on Halloween Eve and Halloween); find out more at littlemanicecream.com.

Boo n' Brew
Saturday, October 26, 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Bluebird District of East Colfax Avenue, between Josephine Street and Colorado Boulevard
The thirteenth annual Boo n' Brew promises both free family fun and adult activities, too. From 1 to 4 p.m., over forty businesses along this stretch of Colfax will be open for trick-or-treating; there will also be live music, pumpkin-decorating, face-painting, a haunted house and a ninja warrior obstacle course. The first hundred kids to check in in front of Middleman will each receive a one-of-a-kind pillow case to fill with loot. While the kids party, adults can pick up an Adult Boo n' Brew wristband at Middleman (before 9 p.m.) for more grown-up fun that runs from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., including a scavenger hunt and the anniversary/Boo n’ Brew party at St. Paul Tavern. Find out more at bluebirdbeat.com


Sam Prudden Pop-Up
Sunday, October 27, noon to 6 p.m.
Barta House, 6985 West 38th Street, Wheat Ridge
The Barta House, "a new concept owned by young investors and visionaries from this gentrifying city," will host a pop-up art display of work by Sam Prudden, who'll be showing with the Salvador Dali Foundation in Aspen in December. It's all part of a push to promote West 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge, and admission is free on Sunday after a private opening the night before. Find out more about the artist here.

And a bonus!

Jonathan Waterman, Chasing Denali
Tuesday, October 29, 7 p.m.
Lowry Student Center Theatre, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Photographer, author and explorer Jonathan Waterman will discuss his new book, Chasing Denali, which combines personal narrative and history to explore an enduring myth surrounding the Alaskan mountain. A book sale and signing will follow the talk. Part of the Morgan Library Evening with an Author Series, the event is free; no tickets are required.

Know of a great free event? Send information to [email protected].