Halloween Party at Avanti
8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, Avanti F&B, 1401 Pearl St., Boulder. Free
Get ready for the spookiest (and longest) happy hour of the year at Avanti. Bartenders will be serving up spooky drink specials all night long while you tear up the dance floor with nonstop monster-mashing. Dress to impress if you want a chance at first place in the costume contest.
Stargazing: The Hunter in the Sky
5:45-8:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain, 15140 N. 55th St., Longmont. Free
Learn all about Orion, aka The Hunter, with volunteer naturalists and astronomers from the Longmont Astronomical Society. Stargazing in the parking lot will follow a brief presentation at the picnic shelter. Telescopes will be provided; bring a chair or blanket, light jacket and red flashlight. Registration required: bit.ly/OrionStargazingBW.
Funky Foods
6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, Louisville Historical Museum, 1001 Main St. Free
Start your weekend off with some hot soda and other staples that graced the tables of our ancestors during winters that were a lot longer and colder than ours. Sample dishes at this open house-style event and take home recipes for whatever tickles your taste buds. The first 20 guests can participate in a sauerkraut-making demonstration.
First Friday
6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, NoBo Art District, 4929 Broadway, Boulder. Free
Combat the creeping darkness of early sunsets and brighten up your Friday night at this monthly exhibition of Boulder creatives. Stop by the NoBo tent for a map and meander your way into artist studios, the Bus Stop Gallery and the NoBo Art Center while enjoying live music, wine, snacks and activities.
Trick or Beat Silent Disco
9-11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, /pôr/ wine house, 836 1/2 Main St., Louisville. $18
Throw on a pair of headphones and get ready to groove at this silent graveyard smash. With three different music channels to tune into and a lineup of “eerie elixirs,” this 21+ party promises a spooktacularly good time.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2, Backdoor Theater, Nederland Community Center, 750 CO-72. Free
What’s this? A Halloween weekend double feature sure to get you in the holiday spirit — which holiday is up to you. This 1993 Tim Burton classic follows Jack Skellington as he discovers the joy of Christmas and rediscovers the delights of being Pumpkin King.
Sanitas Brewing Ski Swap
Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, Sanitas Brewing Company, 3550 Frontier Ave. Suite A, Boulder. Free
We may still be holding on to the last days of spooky season, but snow is falling on the mountains, and ski season is here. That means it’s time to level up your setup and get ready to shred. Sell or swap your own gear, or visit the vendors selling both new and used skis, boards and more.
Noche de Museo: Celebrating Day of the Dead
7-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road. $18
Bring the night alive at the Longmont Museum for one last Day of the Dead celebration. Travel from ancient Mexico with live Aztec dance performances by Grupo Azteca Tlahuitzcalli, to the here and now with genre-bending Latin rock from iZCALLi, in one unforgettable night. Eat your heart out, Ben Stiller. Tickets: bit.ly/NocheMuseoBW
Día de los Muertos Community Workshop
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, BMoCA, 1750 13th St., Boulder. Free
Remember lost loved ones and learn how to put together an ofrenda at this hands-on Day of the Dead workshop, which includes making ancestral amaranth skulls and tiny catrinas. The event will be conducted in both English and Spanish and is open to ages 5 and up. (Anyone under 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult). Secure your spot at bit.ly/OfrendaBW.
East Boulder County Artists Autumn Market
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3, Boulder County Fairgrounds, Barn A, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Free
Support your favorite creatives from Longmont, Niwot, Erie, Louisville, Lafayette, Gunbarrel and Hygiene at the first annual EBCA Autumn Market. More than 30 artists will be featured, offering jewelry, paintings, pottery and more — the perfect opportunity to get all your holiday shopping done early, because crowded stores are for suckers.
First Sundays Bird Watching
1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, Greenlee Wildlife Preserve, 1600 Caria Drive, Lafayette. Free
Take a break from the Halloween festivities and find some peace and tranquility at this monthly, drop-in bird watching event. Hosted by Lafayette’s open space department, experienced watchers will be available with binoculars, spotting scopes and other tools. Families are encouraged to attend, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Mystery Menu - Blind Tasting Night
6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, The Passenger, 300 Main St., Longmont. $50
Put your taste buds to the test during this curated meal at The Passenger. Trust your senses as the chef turns out the lights and guides you through a four-course meal in total darkness. Take a stab at the mystery ingredients, and see how fine-tuned your palette really is. Reservations required: bit.ly/BlindTasteBW
Looking for more Boulder County events? Here you go.