The changing leaves and the cooler temperatures not only signal that fall is here, but that one of our favoritest holidays is approaching. Halloween is Tuesday, October 31. Do you have your scary costume yet? If so, here are some places around town to show off that costume and enjoy a beverage or two. As always, DrinkDenver would like to remind you, don’t drink and drive.

Dinos After Dark at Denver Zoo, though October 31  
While this event has delighted children all summer and fall, Thursdays at the zoo is 21 and over only. Both October 19 and 26 adults can enjoy this dinosaur-themed event all to themselves. The event features jack-o-lantern sculptures and the traveling exhibit DINOS featuring 21 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. For this special Thursday night party there is also a beer garden, live entertainment, pumpkin carving and more. Costumes encouraged (see costume policy on website). Tickets are $15 per person for entry, or purchase Taster Tickets for $25 per person and receive 10 beer tasting tickets with entry. (2300 Steele St.; 720-337-1400)

Coloween at The Curtis Hotel, October 28 
Billed as Denver’s largest Halloween party, this event takes over The Curtis Hotel with several floors of fright, fun and open bar. The 10^th annual Coloween on Saturday, October 28, includes two levels of haunted hallways with two dozen bars scattered about and three separately themed ballroom dance parties. If that’s not enough, there is a Coloween Costume Contest with a $1,500 grand prize. Tickets are $89 per person, $99 for VIP, and get yours soon because this extravaganza sells out every year. Save some money by purchasing tickets at any Sweet Leaf location for only $80. Hotel room specials are also available. (1405 Curtis St.)

Denver Halloween Bar Crawl, Downtown and South Broadway, October 28
Dress up for this Halloween Bar Crawl on Saturday, October 28. Tickets are $17.36 per person and you have your choice of neighborhood bar crawls, one in LoDo and one in South Broadway. Downtown bars include Burnt Barrel, Gaslamp, Howl at the Moon, Society, The Refinery, Scruffy Murphy’s, Sidecar, and The Retro Room. SoBo bars include SoBo 151, Gary Lee’s Motor Club, Lil Devil’s Lounge, and Venues. More bars to be announced soon. Tickets include two $5 promo cards, $3, $4, and $5 drink specials and no cover at any of the aforementioned bars. Crawls start at 8 PM. (Lower Downtown and South Broadway)

Denver Halloween Costume Ball at Sheraton Denver Downtown, October 28
Party with the spookiest people in town at the Denver Halloween Costume Ball on Saturday, October 28. Enjoy two DJs, go-go dancers, laser lights and more at this cash bar party. Get in on the $1,000 grand prize costume contest and dance it off to today’s best dance, hip hop and soul music. Tickets start at $39 per person, only $34 per person if you buy five or more at once. At that price, tickets will go quickly. (1550 Court Pl.)

Dia de los Muertos Party at Larimer Square, October 27
Celebrate the Day of the Dead in downtown Larimer Square on Friday, October 27, beginning at 5 PM. This 21 and over event is a Mexican take on Halloween as you enjoy live music, sugar skull mask decorations, flower crowns, skull face painting and tequila tastings. The tastings will feature Colorado-owned Suerte Tequila and Colorado-made Blue Agave spirits from State 38 Distillery. The event takes place in the creepy alley between Market and Larimer Streets. Entry is free, but food and drinks are PAYG. (1450 Larimer St.; 303-534-2367)

Haunted Mansion Halloween Party, Grant-Humphreys Mansion, October 27-28
Join 200 of your scariest friends at the 2^nd annual Haunted Mansion Halloween Party at the Grant-Humphreys Mansion on Friday and Saturday, October 27-28. Tickets are $75 per person and include open bar, hors d’ oeuvres, live DJ, and a chance to explore this historic and possibly haunted building. Party starts at 8:30 pm both days. (770 Pennsylvania St.; 303-984-2505)

Paranormal Palace, McNichols Civic Center Building, October 28
Back for a ninth year, the Paranormal Palace is at McNichols in downtown Denver. This year’s theme is A Rocky Horror Experience so work on your Dr. Frank-N-Furter accent. Party includes open bar, two full Rocky Horror casts, over 50 unique performances and three floors of haunted décor and interactive booths. There is also a $2,000 grand prize costume contest. Tickets begin at $69 per person for general admission. Group tables and VIP tickets are also available. Check the website for details. (144 W. Colfax Ave.)

Pumpkin Carving Night at Lowry Beer Garden, October 30
Bring the kids and bring your friends to the annual Pumpkin Carving Night at Lowry Beer Garden Monday, October 30, starting at 5 PM. Enjoy food and drink specials and there will be prizes for best pumpkin. Pumpkins and carving tools provided, however, the bar asks you to leave your creation onsite so they can show them off for Halloween. (7577 E. Academy Blvd.; 303-366-0114)

Photo via Flickr user B Rosen