Rock the Shelter
6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce St., Boulder. $50
Jam out for a good cause at this benefit concert raising money for All Roads (formerly the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless.) A supergroup of local musicians will keep you dancing to ’80s and ’90s covers, and silent auction items ranging from a mountain town getaway to club-level Buffs football seating will be up for bid.
Fall Craft Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. $5 / $12 (VIP)
Explore more than 150 booths featuring local handmade crafts during this seasonal celebration at the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Ticket price gets you entry into raffle drawings held all weekend, with a VIP option for early entry and a free tote bag.
Oskar Blues Jamtoberfest
1-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Oskar Blues Brewery taproom. 1640 S. Sunset St., Longmont. Free
Food trucks, live music all day and special beers on tap are on the docket this Saturday to celebrate 22 years since Oskar Blues became the “original craft beer in a can.” The canniversary collides with the annual Fest Bier release, and the brewery promises other crowd favorites will make a surprise return too. Bottoms up!
Youth Cultures Festival
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, North Boulder Library, 4500 13th St. Free
This multicultural celebration for teens features a spoken word poetry workshop (10 a.m. to noon) by Denver-based Words to Power and a free wrap-up party (noon to 4). Step up to the open mic to share your talent, or bust a move at the dance battle. Free food and prizes. All ages welcome.
Catrina Ball
4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Firehouse Art Center. 667 4th Ave., Longmont. Free
Dia de los Muertos doesn’t stop in Longmont. Join the community for another night of dancing, food and fun for the Firehouse Art Center’s annual auction and fundraiser benefiting free art education. Come dressed as a Catrina, or get your face painted there by a local artist. Bid on clay masks and art made by local creators at bit.ly/CatrinaBallBW.
Bluegrass Jam
6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, The Wheel House, 101 2nd Ave., Niwot. Free
Bring yourself, your instrument and a folding chair, but leave the music stands, books and tablets at home for this freewheelin’ acoustic jam sesh, hosted by “jam poobahs” Roz Weller and Brian Blaser. All skill levels welcome.
Marshall Fire Pet Memorial Unveiling
2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, Louisville Arboretum, W Via Appia and Eldorado Lane. Free
“A pet is never truly forgotten until it is no longer remembered.” – Lacie Petitt
Residents of Louisville are invited to remember the beloved pets who were lost in the 2021 Marshall Fire with the unveiling of a statue by artist and firefighter Michael Garmen. Attendees can contribute to the memorial through a craft activity at the event.
A Musical Trip with the Boulder Phil
2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, Erie Community Center, 450 Powers St. Free
Take “an interactive musical journey” with the Boulder Philharmonic String Quartet. The live, family-friendly performance includes a lesson about string instruments and instruction from a conductor. Pre-registration required: bit.ly/BoulderPhilBW.
Fall Fest + Chili Cookoff
5-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, Hope Boulder, 4705 Baseline Road. Free
Competition, costumes and crafts collide at this autumnal extravaganza in Boulder. Enter the fray with your homemade chili or just sample the goods and cast your vote. Who will be crowned chili royalty? Your ballot could decide.
Cider Tour at Acreage
4:15-5:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, Acreage by Stem Ciders, 1380 Horizon Ave. Unit A, Lafayette. $44
See how the cider is made at Stem Cider’s hilltop ciderhouse and eatery. Take in the beautiful sunset views while you sample soft pretzels and ciders straight from the barrel on this behind-the-scenes tour. At the end, you’ll head home with October’s custom glass. Visit @stemciders on instagram to check out this month’s design.
Black Bears in Our Backyard
1-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, Betasso Preserve, Betasso Road, Boulder. Free
It ain’t over ‘til the fat bear sleeps. While Boulder County’s bears are still bulking on berries, join volunteer naturalists from Parks and Open Space on a three-mile hike to learn about our native furry ursines and how we can safely share our wild spaces with them. To register, visit bit.ly/BearHikeBW.
Ska-lloween Pumpkin Carving Contest
6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, William Oliver’s Lafayette, 201 N. Public Road. $16
Break out your checkered Vans for a skankin’ good time at William Oliver’s Lafayette. Ska Brewing Co. presents this second annual fall bash in partnership with Louisville’s 7th Generation Farm. Ticket price gets you a gourd, a beer and the tools you’ll need to compete for prizes in the coveted top three slots.