Every month brings something worth looking forward to. Ours is measured in new discoveries, old favorites and the wonderfully specific moments that make Denver, Denver. At the beginning of each month, the Dive team comes up with our favorite picks in music, food, art, style, outdoors and wellness. This is a glimpse of what we’re looking forward to this October.
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From Gen:
First Denver PorchFest
In case you haven’t heard the news, Denver PorchFest is a first-of-its-kind music festival coming to the Baker neighborhood this Saturday, October 3. The festival features nearly 200 local bands who’ll perform on 85 porches from 12 to 7 p.m., all for free. It’s a show put on by the people for the people to truly highlight Denver’s diverse and talented musicians and bands. Check out Dive‘s Thomas Rutherford interview with lead organizer Bradley Schwartz to find out what it really takes to put on a neighborhood festival. You can find information about PorchFest here, including how to get involved in the cleanup on October 4.
READ: PorchFest Lead Organizer Bradley Schwartz Talks Bringing the Festival to Denver’s Baker Neighborhood on October 3rd
Thee Oh Sees (Osees) at Ogden Theatre
On October 11, the Thee Oh Sees featuring Brigid Dawson and Traps PS will play at the Ogden Theatre for a night of transcendent rock’n’roll, garage and punk. Formed in San Francisco in 1977, the band consists of John Dwyer, Tim Hellman, Dan Rincon, Paul Quattrone and Tomas Dolas. Their wide range and iconic stage presence have made them an industry name in the psych rock scene. Tickets are available here.
From Evan:
Hermanos Gutierrez at Mission Ballroom with accompanying pre-show and post-show Cumbia vinyl sets from El Salvaje at the Peach Crease Club
If you’re looking for a night out filled with music and fun, look no further than Saturday, October 3. Hermanos Gutierrez at Mission Ballroom starts at 7 p.m., and creamy vinyl sets at Peach Crease Club (right next door to Mission) from El Salaje run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., continuing around 9:30 after the show. Enjoy a drink at one of Denver’s hidden gems, Peach Crease Club and pre-tune your ears to the Cumbia vinyl sets being played before the sound of the Ecuadorian-Swiss brothers of Hermanos Gutierrez centers you at Mission. Cap off your night back at Peach Crease and beat the lines of people trying to catch an Uber leaving the show. Tickets for the concert are available here, while entry to Peach Crease is free.
KETTAMA at Mission Ballroom
The high-energy electronic artist KETTAMA comes to Mission Ballroom on October 24 for a night of energy and dancing. The Irish producer, also known as Evan Campbell, began making tracks on SoundCloud as a teen and broke through in 2018 when bigger DJs took notice. This year, he embarks on his global tour, and tickets are still available here.
From Emily:
New movie releases
She’s always excited for movies, but October has extra-special ones in store. “Wildwood,” the stop-motion film from Laika Studios, and “The Social Reckoning” from Aaron Sorkin, director of “The Social Network,” hit screens on October 9 and 23. It wouldn’t be spooky season without a couple of horror films: “Other Mommy” (October 9) and “Clay Face” (October 23) are sure to get the thrill going. When you can support your local theater like the Sie FilmCenter and Mayan Theatre.
jigitz at Ogden Theatre
Brooklyn-based artist jigitz makes music for the dance floor. On October 10, he comes to Denver with his 50 Ballerinas Tour, featuring special guest Killen, for a night of high-energy electronic music mixed with future house and garage influences at the Ogden. Tickets are available here. Head to TOAD Kitchen, inside PIGEON Bar or Cheba Hut, for a quick pre-show bite, or Pete’s Kitchen for a post-show feast.
Spooky season
Denver leans into its spooky nature during the fall season and there’s no shortage of events happening this month. If you’re looking to get close to the dead, consider taking a History Mystery Tour at Fairmount Cemetery on October 16. Need something less deathly? Try a seasonal latte from your local coffee shop. Some of our top picks include the pumpkin spice cheesecake latte from Ti Cafe, pumpkin matcha pie from Vivid Minds Cafe and banana bread latte from Home Away. It wouldn’t be spooky season without pumpkin patches, corn mazes and apple cider, all of which you can find not too far north of the city. Some of the most popular ones include: Anderson Farms, Fritzler Farms and Maize in the City.
From Thomas:
Geese at Mission Ballroom
October is packed with great shows, including Geese at Mission Ballroom on Wednesday, October 28. Not to be confused with the other American rock band, Goose, although they both hail from the Northeast. Geese consists of Emily Green, Dominic DiGesu, Max Bassin and Cameron Winter, who all grew up in New York City together. In 2021, the young band quickly rose to fame after their debut studio album, which mixed rock, psych and punk influences. Tickets to the show are available here.
Georgetown Loop Ride
The Georgetown Loop Railroad is one of Colorado’s most iconic rides and is only about an hour away from Denver. Take in scenic views and let the good times roll as you traverse Clear Creek Canyon. Rides last from now through January 2027, so there’s something to see in every season. We recommend reserving your tickets ahead of time.
READ: Colorado Fall: Your Ultimate Guide to Sights, Bites & Hikes
From Kym:
The opening of Arc Thrift Store’s first outlet location
On October 5th, Arc Thrift Stores is opening its first-ever outlet location on Hooker Street on Monday, October 5, where you pay by the pound, a first for the brand. The West Alameda location and its first-of-its-kind pricing model for Arc reflect older outlet models still used today, such as Goodwill.
Haus of Horrors runway show
On Saturday, October 17, D3 Arts is hosting its scary-good fashion show, Haus of Horrors. The non-profit space celebrates community-driven art, music and culture in Denver’s District 3 neighborhood and this month they’re celebrating the best of spooky season paired with fashion from local designers. Local vendors will also be selling handmade goodies for you to shop and take home afterward. You can find tickets and all available information here.
Checking out Larimer Vintage Market for the first time on October 3
If you’ve ever walked past Denver Central Market and seen the adjacent parking lot filled with racks of clothes, you might’ve just stumbled upon Larimer Vintage Market, a monthly pop-up selling clothes, jewelry and more from local vendors. On October 3, the pop-up returns to RiNo from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for another month of goodies; this time, however, it coincides with the RiNo Art Festival, which features live painting of the mural in the same parking lot where the market is held. Be sure to get there early to beat the crowds streaming in from the fest. Entry is free, and don’t forget to bring a bag to hold your goodies from shopping around.
Spending Halloween at her alma mater (Purdue @ Penn State)
Purdue takes on Penn State (Kym’s alma mater) at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, October 31. Historically, Penn State has always beaten Purdue, so Kym will have to see how it ends up. Did you know the teams first played each other in 1951? The more you know.
From Colin:
DIVA opening at the Denver Art Museum
DIVA at the Denver Art Museum celebrates fashion, music, film and popular culture through the lens of nearly 100 iconic performers on October 4. The exhibit will feature looks from icons Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga and more, each showcasing how these artists used fashion as more than just a costume on stage, but as a voice to be heard. It also shows how designers worked with these artists to create era-defining fashion and demand social change. You can visit the exhibition starting October 2 for museum members and October 4 for the public. Get tickets and more information about the exhibit here.
Cool weather
We have officially entered fall. With that comes 60-degree days, gorgeous fall foliage, and fall flavors, whether that’s through food, drink, or even beer. While we wait for the 80-degree days to pass, here are some of our favorite places to savor the warm weather (if you’re not too fatigued from it yet): at your local brewery (Little Machine, 4 Noses) or visiting new shops (SecondLove Tennyson, Recital).
Counting down the days until The Stockton opens
Denver has deep roots in cattle heritage, and Bryan Dayton, behind Corrida and Oak at Fourteenth, saw an opportunity to bring back tradition with The Stockton. The new steak restaurant will open in the former bank at the Livestock Exchange at the National Western Center and represents more than a concept for Dayton, but a way to honor the ranchers who came before him. It’s set to open in November.
Traveling to Japan
Although Japan is quite a ways from Colorado, you can find pockets of it here in the city. Check out Tokyo Premium Bakery on South Pearl Street for authentic pastries that are not too sweet. Outstanding omakase and sushi from Uchi, Sushi by SYC, Sushi Den and Kizaki. Or visit Denver’s version of Little Tokyo at Sakura Square, home to the iconic Pacific Mercantile Company, which sells everything from cookware to Japanese snacks and fresh seafood. Looking for Japanese denim? Oka General Store in Sakura Square has that and more inside its cozy shop. A taste of Japan in Denver wouldn’t be complete without mentioning DOMO Japanese Country restaurant, a hidden oasis off Osage Street serving up homestyle fare.
