Larger Than Life | November 2
Longmont Museum’s Día de los Muertos celebration familiarized Coloradans with the Mexican holiday’s affecting traditions long before Pixar made the tear-jerker Coco. As the free fiesta outgrew the venue—attendance has risen from 150 to 3,000 in less than two decades—the museum dispersed its many events to different dates and off-site locations. This year, the state’s largest Day of the Dead event consolidates in Longmont’s downtown. There, guests will nibble on tortas especiales from the Danny’s Tacos y Tortas food truck during a procession of locally made “gigantes” (colorful, enormous puppets) and performances by a local Azteco dance troupe. Visitors can then take a free shuttle to the museum, where they’ll peruse an exhibit featuring the holiday’s skeleton mascot, La Catrina, and see “ofrendas”—marigold-adorned altars lovingly designed by community members to honor their ancestors. Downtown Longmont, Fourth Avenue and Kimbark Street; 2–6 p.m.; free

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Earn Your Supper | November 9–March 21
If you’re the type of athlete who requires caloric enticement to get moving, the pie waiting at the finish line of the Park Hill Pizza Pie race might drive you to a personal record. After looping Denver’s City Park (choose between mile, 5K, and 10K distances), competitors can snag a piece of Pudge Brothers pizza—delivered in stages so even the slowest runner won’t suffer a cold slice—and check out 15-plus booths stocked with goodies. Be sure to make friends with your fellow runners: The Pizza Pie kicks off the seven-race City Park Winter Running Series. Should you choose to partake in all the events (many do), you’ll spend much of the holiday season together, singing carols during the Christmas Carol Classic (December 21), exchanging roses at the Cours de l’Amour (February 8), and drinking green beer at the Lucky Laces race (March 21). Registration starts at $40

5280 November 2019
More From The Issue

Stringing You Along | November 7–9
Danielle Anderson (stage name: Danielle Ate the Sandwich) began her ukulele career in Fort Collins nearly 15 years ago. She returns from November 7 to 9 to help lead the Wonderstruck Ukulele Academy workshop for intermediate pluckers at the Music District. Cap off lessons in songwriting and arrangement with jam sessions and a miniconcert. Music District, 639 S College Ave, Fort Collins; $225; Find more information on class schedule online

Author Lindy West. Photo courtesy of Jenny Jimenez.

Witch of the West | November 15
You may already be familiar with feminist writer Lindy West, whose memoir, Shrill, was adapted into a series by Hulu this past March. (The show stars Saturday Night Live’s Aidy Bryant as West, struggling to find respect as a writer and acceptance as a self-described fat woman.) This month, locals will get a double dose of the firebrand: The Witches are Coming, West’s critique of 21st-century misogyny, hits bookshelves November 5, and she’ll be giving a November 15 lecture at the Tattered Cover Book Store on Colfax Avenue to celebrate its release. Tattered Cover Book Store, 2526 East Colfax Avenue; 7 p.m.; $27

Noodles with Company | November 16
Mile High City chefs have grown hip to ramen, peeling back its college-food reputation to rediscover the original glory of the traditional Japanese dish. Taste the results at the inaugural Ramen-O-Rama festival, held in heated tents on the River North Festival Grounds in RiNo. Fill up on all-you-can-eat sheets of nori, poached eggs, and noodles from the likes of Ace Eat Serve, then vote for your favorite to earn your go-to spot serious bragging rights. RiNo Fairgrounds, 3715 Chestnut Place; 12:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.; From $55; Find more information on general and VIP sessions online