Denver Weekend: Free Festivals, Halloween and Verdi's Macbeth

Residents looking for low-cost outings this weekend and next can choose from a free cultural festival in Thornton, a Halloween block party on East Colfax Avenue, and a series of performances and book events in Denver. The city of Thornton is holding a Dia de los Muertos event from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at McAllister Park Center, 750 W. 96th Ave. Organizers describe it as a way to honor the Mexican tradition of remembering people who have died through art, music, dance, food and cultural practices, and they are asking visitors to bring photographs and notes to place on the ofrenda. Details are posted at thorntonco.gov.

The Thornton program includes face painting, arts and crafts, magic, storytelling, a mercado, and food and drink trucks. The main stage will host performances by the Colorado Mestizo Dancers and Myriad DF, along with Chicano Heat and Las Dahlias. The Broncos-Chiefs game will be shown live. Admission is free, and the event is scheduled for all ages.

On Saturday, Oct. 31, the Boo and Brew Colfax Halloween Block Party runs from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Bluebird District. It marks the 20th year of the trick-or-treat crawl. The route along East Colfax Avenue was affected by years of bus rapid transit construction, including business closures attributed to the disruption, and the sidewalks and chain-link fencing along the corridor have since been cleared. More than 35 boutiques, restaurants, bars and other businesses plan to hand out candy and serve drinks across the 12 blocks between Monroe and Elizabeth streets. The sidewalk parade includes 15 bands and DJs, clowns, magic and a photo booth. A dog parade is set for 2:30 p.m. in front of the Bluebird Theater, and free parking is available first come, first served at 3300 E. Colfax Ave. Information is at boonbrew.com.

Opera Colorado will present Giuseppe Verdi's "Macbeth" from Nov. 7 through Nov. 15 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. in Denver. It is the company's first production of the work. Performances are scheduled for Nov. 7, 10, 13 and 15, with daytime and matinee shows. Conductor Patrick Summers will make his Opera Colorado debut. Tickets run from $39 to $299, and officials said Pay What You Wish tickets are available for every performance. Details are at operacolorado.org.

Wax Trax Records, 638 E. 13th Ave., will mark the return to print of Bob Rob Medina's "Denvoid and the Cowtown Punks: A Collection of Stories from the '80s Denver Punk Scene" on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. The store helped support the second, updated edition. The free event includes live sets by Hex Cassette, The Disposable Icons and Cheap Wigs. A second free event runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. the same day at Mutiny Comics & Coffee, 3483 S. Broadway. Information is at waxtraxrecords.com and mutinycomics.com.