CENTRAL CITY - With eleven 19th-century cemeteries and a reputation as one of Colorado’s most haunted towns, it’s no surprise that Central City is embracing its ghostly heritage with the first-ever Halloween Spooktacular. 

On October 19, 26, and 31, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Main Street will be transformed into a haunted Victorian village, offering a spirited celebration of all things eerie and fun for the whole family.

"This will really showcase Central City as the quintessential Victorian mountain town that it is," says Mary-Ann Yuthas, spokesperson for Main Street Central City, which is organizing the event. 

Steeped in ghost stories and legends, Central City’s authentic Victorian architecture and haunted landmarks will provide the perfect setting for this unique Halloween celebration.

They are going to transform the town into a haunted village, and they have many exciting elements coming together, from fire pits and s’mores to a “Thriller” dance lesson and performance.

The Halloween Spooktacular is shaping up to be a stellar affair, with festive décor designed by renowned scenic artist Sarah Talaba, known for her work on Denver’s Camp Christmas, which has drawn thousands of visitors in past holiday seasons.

Event Highlights:

Dance the Night Away: A live DJ will spin Halloween tunes on Main Street. At 7 p.m. each night, The Infamous Backroom Cabaret will teach Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” dance, followed by a group performance at 8 p.m.

Halloween Pop-Up Bars: Adults (21+) can enjoy themed cocktails at Dostal Alley Brewery and Easy Street Casino’s Gold Coin Saloon, including a special pumpkin porter and three Halloween-themed cocktails. These pop-up bars, fully decked out for Halloween, will remain open from October 19 through November 2.

Trick or Treat Street: Children can trick-or-treat along the west side of Main Street, collecting candy from various stations.

S’mores and Fire Pits: The Central City Volunteer Firefighters Foundation and KOA Campground are teaming up to sell s’mores kits, giving families the chance to make their own treats at fire pits set up along the street.

Candy Apples: Pastry chef Natalie Duplessy from Peace, Love and Cake will help guests dip and decorate their own caramel apples (fees apply).

The event will take place along the south end of Main Street, from Gregory to Spring Street, with the T-Lot or Century Casino available for parking. Though some decorations will be moved between event nights, most of the festive embellishments will stay in place, allowing visitors to enjoy the spooky atmosphere even on non-event days.

Costumes are encouraged, though there is no official contest. Volunteers are needed to help with candy stations and other activities, and anyone interested in lending a hand can reach out via email for more details.

Main Street Central City is looking for volunteers to assist with the Central City Halloween Spooktacular! You can volunteer for any or all of the nights and can choose what you would like to do: hand out candy at Trick or Treat Street, assist with set-up (arrive at 5 p.m.) or assist with breakdown (stay until 10 p.m.). If you are interested, please email CentralCityCO141@gmail.com. Visit https://www.visitcentralcity.com/blog/halloween for more information about the event.