Anytime Halloween falls on a weekend, and the world is not in full COVID restrictions mode, one can expect breweries to jump on board with a whole slew of parties, costume contests, and more. Well, Halloween is this Sunday, so the weekend is as chock-full as one would expect.

Here is just about every Halloween-themed event hosted by breweries this weekend. Did we miss any? Leave us a comment below, or on social media, or email us directly at nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com.

Thursday events

Boxing Bear is hosting Pumpkins and Pints at all taprooms save Firestone, but if you did not register before today, you are out of luck (at least until Saturday, so scroll down a bit).

Instead, pick a Tractor taproom for different events. Down at Wells Park, it’s the final Tractor of Terror film night of the season. Spectral Youth is back to present a screening of the Halloween comedy Hocus Pocus, and will be joined by fellow vendor Fizzy Bee Beauty. That kicks off at 7 p.m. and is free to attend.

Tractor Westside is teaming up with Kiln It for the Jack-O-Lantern Edition of Pints & Pottery from 6 to 8 p.m. Head over to the Kiln It website to register in advance. This one costs $30, with all supplies provided.

Friday events

Toltec is holding a costume contest Friday through Sunday, and the rules are fairly simple. All you have to do is take a picture of yourself in costume at the brewpub, tag Toltec in the photo, and you will be entered to win a $25 gift card. As an added bonus, all 16- and 20-ounce beers will be $1 off if you are in costume.

Lava Rock is bucking the trend with the Chris Dracup Funk of the West No Costume Dance Party. This one starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $10 if you purchase in advance, and $12 at the door.

Lizard Tail Industrial is hosting The Dirt Cheap Band from 6 to 9 p.m., with a costume contest being held at the same time.

Tractor Westside is following suit with a costume contest during DJ Fishbowl’s set from 6 to 11 p.m. The contest winners will be announced at 9 p.m.

JUNO has a slew of DJs performing during their Halloween Bash, which starts at 6:30 p.m. There is a $10 cover, but you will be competing for a $200 prize if you enter the costume contest.

Tractor Wells Park is bringing back its popular Halloween Goth Night from 7 to 10 p.m. There is no cover. DJ Riff Rat and DJ Ren will be spinning, with Spectral Youth back as the vendor.

Saturday events

You absolutely cannot say there is nothing to do Saturday. Because there is a lot to do. Almost too much. Good luck deciding where to go, and please, please consider Lyft or Uber or cashing that favor to get a friend or relative to be your designated driver.

Everything kicks off with the return of the Beer Premier at Nexus Blue Smokehouse from 1 to 4 p.m. We have already previewed this one extensively, but let’s just say that now that we have 19 of the 20 debuting beers listed, we are even more excited.

Boxing Bear Firestone hosts the Fall Fiesta from 2 to 8 p.m. There is no cover, and everyone will get a “spooky” coloring sheet from a local artist. There will be a pet costume contest, so bring your well-behaved dogs. There will also be a pumpkin carving contest. Call in advance (505-503-6341) to reserve your pumpkin, and please bring your own carving tools. Zia Bros Pizza will keep everyone well fed.

The Halloween Bar Crawl is a downtown-wide event, including three breweries. The crawl starts at The Library (bar) at 4 p.m. and runs until 10. Boese Brothers will have $4 pints of Oktoberfest, and a $6 chicken tenders and fries food special. Red Door will feature $1 off all beers, $4 cherry blood orange ciders, $5 baskets of fries or cheese curds, and $6 poison apple cocktails. Thirsty Eye will have happy hour prices all day on all beer and wine.

Ponderosa hosts a slew of local musicians for the Hallow’s Eve Pumpkin Drop from 5 to 10 p.m. There is no cover.

Up in Bernalillo, Kaktus will kick off its Halloween Party with music from Group Therapy from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by a Halloween Belly Dance Show from 8:30 to 10, featuring The Desert Darlings and Wicked Muse. There will also be a costume contest and complimentary appetizers.

Three of the Tractor taprooms will be busy with Halloween-themed music. DJ Wae Fonkey will perform at the Westside from 6 to 9 p.m. DJ Clout will be at Nob Hill from 7 to 10. A Very Synyster Vail Halloween will be at Wells Park from 8 to 10.

Brew Lab 101 hosts its Halloween Party from 7 to 10 p.m. DJ Batboy and DJ Ren will provide the music. There will be a two-fold costume contest, with prizes given out to the best 1920s-style costume and then to the best of the rest.

B2B Garden Brewery brings back its Masked Halloween Bash from 7 to 9 p.m. Anyone in costume gets a free chocolate bar, and will be eligible to win a $75 gift card in the costume contest. Beers are just $3 apiece, and there will be discounted margaritas as well.

Lizard Tail Nob Hill hosts DeNankius from 8 to 10 p.m., with a costume contest also in effect.

Marble Downtown will feature the Fright Night DJ Battle Dance Party from 8 to 11 p.m. Flo Fader takes on Justincredible, and there will be gift cards handed out to the best costumes.

Saturday events outside the Albuquerque metro area

Yes, there are some fun events if you would like to get out of town for the day and/or night.

Sierra Blanca is hosting its Halloween Party from noon to 3 p.m. in Moriarty. There will be costume contests, plenty of food and candy to eat (or take home), and pumpkins to take home. There is no cover.

Up in Santa Fe, Tumbleroot hosts Tech or Treat starting at 8 p.m., featuring DJ Melanie Moore, Bloodroot, Numbtron, and Spoolius.

Down south, Little Toad Creek hosts a Halloween Party in Silver City. There is a $10 cover to listen to The Gila Lobsters on the patio from 7 to 10 p.m., followed by DJ Thaitech indoors from 10 to 1 a.m. There will be a costume contest with prizes.

Over at the Little Toad Creek taproom in Las Cruces, there will be a costume party from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday events

For the most part, this day is for the kiddos, but grownups can recover at Sidetrack from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the Bagel and Pickle Pop-Up returns. There will be micheladas and mimosas, while Sunday Bagels & Spreads and Farm Shark will provide the aforementioned bagels and pickles. There will be a costume contest at 1 p.m., and you must be present to win prizes from Sidetrack, Zendo Coffee, and Sunday Bagels & Spreads.

Do take note, Differential Brewing is closing Sunday, so keep an eye out for other breweries deciding to call it a day, or calling it a day earlier than normal so parents can head home to wrangle all the little trick-or-treaters.

Have a great spooky weekend, everyone, and stay safe out there.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister