ASK THE LADY ON A SWING

Your new guide to enjoying downtown Boulder!

You may have seen this beloved sculpture on the 1200 block of the Pearl Street Mall entitled "Hearts on a Swing" by artist George Lundeen. Overtime she has become a recurring face in our downtown Boulder social media feeds. In this new segment of our newsletter, Lady on the Swing will provide you with insider tips & tricks to downtown - ask her for recommendations, favorite selfie spots and more (using the button below).

Tune into our next bi-weekly newsletter to see if your question/suggestion/advice was featured!

This week's question is from Alex: I'm seeing 2027 Sundance Film Festival passes and packages going on sale this week. Do I need to buy one now to catch a movie in January?

Lady on the Swing: You have even more options coming in January! The passes and packages going on sale October 15 are geared toward those planning to attend many screenings, looking for priority entry and/or access to selected screenings.

If you’re a resident or visitor hoping to catch a film or two, mark your calendar for January 8, 2027 at 10 AM MT, when individual Single Film Tickets go on sale for $37, including fees. Enrolled students and young adults (18-25) are eligible for Ignite Ticket packages which features tickets at discount. Public registration begins December 8, 2026.

To learn more about available options, visit the Sundance Film Festival ticketing page.

News You Can Use

Inaugural Pearl Street SLAMpede

Friday, October 16 | 7 PM - 8:20 PM

Image courtesy of CU Athletics

Join the women’s and men’s basketball teams for the first-ever SLAMpede, a free community celebration on Friday evening ahead of the CU Basketball season and the Saturday football game against the Utah Utes.

The parade begins at 6:45 p.m. at 11th Street and travels east behind Stephen Tebo’s iconic fire truck to the Boulder County Courthouse. A 7:10 PM pep rally kicks off team introductions and remarks from coaches Tad Boyle and JR Payne, followed by shooting competitions and a dunk contest on a basketball court created right on Pearl Street.

Enjoy a DJ and giveaways throughout the evening, with opportunities for player autographs and photos as the event wraps up around 8:20 PM.

Remaining Stampede Schedule:

• Friday, Oct 16 (SLAMpede / Family Weekend)
• Friday, Oct 30
• Thursday, Nov 12
• Friday, Nov 27

World Singing Day

Saturday, October 17 | 2 PM - 3:30 PM

Join neighbors, friends and visitors for the 11th Annual World Singing Day Boulder on Saturday, October 17 from 2-3:30 PM on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall! This community sing-along welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds and singing abilities to connect through the joy of music.

Sing along to popular songs from the Beatles to Taylor Swift, with lyric booklets provided and no rehearsals or preparation needed. Part of a global celebration founded by Colorado musician Scott Johnson, World Singing Day brings communities around the world together through the simple act of singing.

(Please note that the No Kings Vote Earlier Boulder event begins at 12:00 PM and ends at 2:00 PM on October 17, 2026 at the Bandshell. Information about that event can be found at: https://www.nokings.org/.)

Munchkin Masquerade

October 31 | 3 - 6 PM

Costumes on, treat bags ready! Calling all little ghosts and goblins! Munchkin Masquerade returns on Saturday, October 31 from 3–6 PM, inviting children ages 12 and under to dress in their favorite costumes and trick-or-treat along Pearl Street and throughout downtown.

This beloved Halloween tradition is made possible by generous downtown businesses that volunteer as Treat Stops, offering goodies at no charge to families. Be sure to thank them for making the afternoon a little sweeter! Gather your little monsters and get ready for a sweet Halloween downtown! 

2027 Sundance Film Festival Packages

Packages and passes on sale October 15

Single film tickets on sale January 8

Planning to catch a movie when the 2027 Sundance Film Festival comes to Boulder? There are a few ways to join the fun during its January 21-31, 2027 debut!

Passes and packages go on sale October 15 at 10 AM MT and are a good fit for organizations and groups planning to attend many screenings. A pass offers unlimited screenings and priority entry during its valid dates. Have a watchlist in mind? A ticket package includes 10 movie tickets and early access to screening selection. New options include an Encore Package for repeat screenings and a Matinee Package for weekday screenings starting before 5 PM, January 25-29.

If you’re a resident or visitor hoping to see a film or two, mark your calendar for January 8, 2027 at 10 AM MT. That’s when individual Single Film Tickets go on sale for $37 each, including fees. Enrolled students and young adults (18-25) are eligible for Ignite Ticket packages which features tickets at discount. Public registration begins December 8, 2026. These tickets have their own sale in January, so a package selling out this fall doesn’t mean you’ve missed your opportunity to attend. We’re looking forward to welcoming a little movie magic to Boulder!

A Look Back, a Celebration Ahead

79 days and counting to our milestone year

Did you know Pearl Street once had a horse-drawn streetcar? Introduced in 1891, it required unhitching the horse and moving it to the other end for the return trip! With just 79 days until the Mall’s 50th anniversary year begins, our refreshed 50 Years on Pearl page invites you to explore how this beloved gathering place came to be. Explore the stories behind this beloved gathering place, then scroll to the bottom to browse historic photos, from the first bricks being laid to familiar scenes of life on the Mall.

We’re still accepting donations to support anniversary programming, including a community-wide celebration planned for August 6, 2027. Help us celebrate the place that has brought Boulder together for generations!

Shopping Specials

Fall is here and it's time to go shopping for fresh styles. Explore monthly shopping specials to discover deals at your favorite downtown stores.