Scary Good: The Kooky & Spooky Season in Boulder

Halloween is a frame of mind. It’s a holiday you can come at from many different angles, and you’ll get out of it whatever you make of it. Some people enjoy sitting on the edge of their seat and being kept awake at night by the latest horror movie. DIY enthusiasts have the opportunity to flex their creative muscles with Mike Wazowski-inspired monster cookies to spooky decorations, clever costumes, and more. Others will adhere to the cute factor the holiday opens the door for, from getting the kids dressed up for Halloween to visiting pumpkin patches and participating in other kid and family-friendly activities the season calls for.

These last two frames of mind are the Halloween experiences I prescribe to. No gore for me, please. No zombies or mummies or monsters unless they have big googly eyes and come in the form of a huggable decoration I can smile at on my mantle, not be terrified of. This year there are plenty of local spots in Boulder to get this kind of Halloween fix with creative décor, adorably spooky treats, and opportunities to celebrate with the family.

Not-So-Haunted Decorations

Leave it to the ever-eclectic shops on and around Pearl Street Mall to boast some of the cutest and unique Halloween décor around. From festive coloring books, seasonal cookbooks (such as Lily Vanilli’s A Zombie Ate My Cupcake!), pumpkin and monster-themed kitchenware, cookie cutters, ornaments, and plenty of other items that celebrate both Halloween and Day of the Dead, Peppercorn is always a sure bet to find that cute decoration or accessory you didn’t know you had to have. They also have plenty of Halloween candy and sweets available to satisfy your seasonal sweet tooth.

Bliss on the East End of Pearl Street also boasts a large selection of Day of the Dead-inspired cookware, autumn candles and décor, and Halloween greeting cards and accessories sure to boost your kitchen or home’s festivity level.

All the Sweets

Piece, Love & Chocolate on Pearl Street’s West End never fails to disappoint with seasonally appropriate and exciting treats. From Candy Corn Bark to a selection of truffles in shapes like pumpkins, ghouls, mummies, and aliens, this is a shop that promises to give you something deliciously spooky to sink your teeth into.

With a selection of caramel apples to get your mouth watering, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory also provides plenty of opportunities to kick your sweet tooth into high gear in this sweets-heavy season.

For a straight-to-the-source sugar kick, check out Rocket Fizz and have fun perusing their huge candy selection, including a wall of taffy with flavors ranging from Golden Pear to Caramel Apple to Chicken & Waffles and much more.

Thrilling Activities

Fulfill your festive creativity kick at POSHsplat on Broadway in Downtown Boulder for a variety of instructor-led group painting classes to create your own personalized seasonal décor. Set up a private party for you and your family and friends or stop by for one of their pre-scheduled classes open to the public. Seasonal and sometimes just spooky enough classes available include “Red Moon” on October 22^nd, “Boo!” for Family Day on October 23^rd, “Nightmare Before Christmas” for Kid’s Night on October 24^th, “Lady Sugar Skull” on October 29^th, and “Nightmare Before Christmas” again on October 30^th.

So get out there, Boulder, and enjoy shifting Halloween from a scary to sweet holiday during this festive season!