There is never a shortage of interesting things to do in Denver. Whatever your favorite activities are, you will enjoy the variety of events held each year.
JANUARY
Boulder Bach Festival
Various Boulder, Longmont, & Denver Locations • 303-776-9666 • www.boulderbachfest.orgThis festival celebrates the music of Baroque master Johann Sebastian Bach.
Colorado Asian Pacific Cultural Festival/Chinese New Year Celebration
George Washington High School • 720-529-0980 • www.denverchineseschool.orgApproximately 4,000 people and 15 organizations participate in this annual event. Enjoy Asian-Pacific cuisine, cultural displays, dances, music, art, acrobatics and games for children.
International Sportsmen’s Exposition
Colorado Convention Center • 800-545-6100 • www.sportsexpos.comHunting and fishing enthusiasts enjoy the latest products and services, expert demonstrations and a family fun center at the area’s largest sportsmen’s show.
National Western Stock Show, Rodeo & Horse Show
National Western Complex • 303-297-1166 • www.nationalwestern.comDrawing more than 640,000 people, National Western features livestock exhibits, cattle auctions, rodeo competitions and horse shows. The show was the first to host bucking bull and “Bell ringer Select” bred female sales and the Gambler’s Choice Opening Jumping.
FEBRUARY
Colorado Garden & Home Show
Colorado Convention Center • 303-932-8100 • www.gardeningcolorado.comColorado’s oldest and most prestigious garden and home show features home and garden products, services, displays, seminars, demonstrations and shows.
MARCH
Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show
National Western Complex • 303-892-6800 • www.bigasalloutdoors.com/cssOutdoor products, tips, presentations and activities are showcased by hundreds of exhibitors.
Denver Auto Show
Colorado Convention Center • 303-779-0140 • www.denverautoshow.comThe Auto Show features foreign and domestic vehicles, including futuristic prototypes.
Denver March Powwow
Denver Coliseum • 303-934-8045 • www.denvermarchpowwow.orgA weekend celebration of Native American customs through dances, contests, arts and crafts, demonstrations and drum groups.
Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade
27th and Blake streets • 303-368-9861 • www.denverstpatricksdayparade.comOnly New York City rivals Denver for the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Denver’s parade features colorful floats, marching bands and dancers.
Spring Home & Patio Show
National Western Complex • 303-892-6800 • www.bigasalloutdoors.com/psThis show exhibits the latest in home and garden products and offers how-to sessions.
APRIL
Doors Open Denver
Various Denver Locations • www.doorsopendenver.comThis free weekend event invites citizens to experience Denver’s built environment in a new way – from the inside. Tour Denver’s architectural gems and lesser-known treasures on your own or participate in expert tours led by members of the architectural community.
Easter Sunrise Service
Red Rocks Amphitheatre • 303-825-4910 • www.redrocksonline.comAs dawn breaks, a non-denominational sunrise service is held in spectacular natural surroundings.
Denver Public Schools Shakespeare Festival
Denver Performing Arts Complex • 303-423-8278 • www.shakespeare.dpsk12.orgStreet and stage performances by students from 81 schools focus on excerpts from the works of Shakespeare. Renaissance music and dance also are featured.
MAY
Bolder Boulder
Boulder • 303-444-7223 • www.bolderboulder.comUsually held on Memorial Day, this 10K race garners international attention and participation.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Civic Center Park • 303-534-8342 • www.cincodemayodenver.comOne of the largest cultural events in Colorado, Cinco de Mayo features live entertainment, art displays, food and drink, and many children’s activities—all with a Mexican flare.
Denver Botanic Gardens Plant Sale
Denver Botanic Gardens • 720-865-3500 • www.botanicgardens.orgMore than 85,000 plants specific to Colorado gardening are for sale with proceeds benefiting the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Indian Market and Powwow
The Fort Restaurant • 19192 Highway 8, Morrison • 303-839-1671 • www.tesoroculturalcenter.orgEnjoy a weekend of traditional Native American tribal dance competitions, demonstrations and art. Art experts will judge the submissions of the country’s premier Native American artists.
JUNE
Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities • 720-898-7200 • www.arvadacenter.orgThe Center presents its annual Summer Concert Series—an eclectic mix of music presented outdoors under the dazzling Rocky Mountain skies. Providing an intimate setting where no audience member is farther than 100 feet from the stage, the Arvada Center hosts multiple concerts featuring a variety of music styles, from Cajun to western swing and jazz to bluegrass.
CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair
Civic Center Park • 303-830-1651 • www.peoplesfair.comThis fair has been celebrating the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood for more than 30 years. It boasts arts and crafts, food and continuous entertainment.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
I-25 S., Exit 172 and 173 • Larkspur • 303-688-6010 • www.coloradorenaissance.comA 16th century village and marketplace is recreated for eight weekends in June and July.
Parker Days Festival
Parker • Colorado • • https://parkerdaysfestival.com/Parker Days has grown into a Colorado Home Town Festival. Offering rides, food and fun for the whole family. The festival happens over a course of 4 days, with music playing on three different stages with headliners such as Bret Michaels and Rick Springfield opening the festival.
Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series
Denver Botanic Gardens • 720-865-3500 • www.botanicgardens.orgThis outdoor concert series is a great way for families to listen to first-class music while picnicking on the lawn.
Greek Festival
Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral • 303-388-9314 • www.thegreekfestival.comDenver’s Greek community hosts this three-day celebration, featuring Greek food, live music, entertainment and gift items.
Juneteenth Music Festival
Five Points Neighborhood • 303-832-3770 • www.juneteenthmusicfestival.comThis cultural festival commemorates the end of slavery and celebrates African-American history.
JULY
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Cherry Creek North • 303-355-2787 • www.cherryarts.orgThis is one of the nation’s largest juried art festivals with great food, music, art shows, painting classes and hundreds of artists in all mediums, from ceramics, painting and digital art to jewelry, metalwork, photography and sculpture. The music continues on Saturday and Sunday until 10 p.m. So grab a cool beverage and spend a hot summer night at Cherry Creek.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Sloan’s Boat Festival • 303-722-6852 • www.coloradodragonboat.orgA celebration of Asian culture that includes a race of ornate dragon boats on the second day.
Denver Black Arts Festival
Lawson (Sonny) Park • 303-860-0040 • www.denbaf.orgLearn about all forms of African-American culture through artwork, ethnic foods, drum and drill teams, steppin’, oral storytelling and African, Caribbean and modern dance.
Independence Day Celebration
Four Mile Historic Park • 303-399-1859 • www.fourmilepark.orgAn old-fashioned Fourth of July is enjoyed in Denver’s living history park with music from the Denver Concert Band, visits from historical figures, food and rides in horse-drawn carriages.
KidSpree Aurora
Bicentennial Park • 303-326-8FUN • www.auroragov.org/kidspreeColorado’s largest free outdoor festival just for kids features more than 60 hands-on activities and entertainers.
AUGUST
Adams County Fair & Rodeo
Adams County Regional Park Brighton • www.adamscountyfair.comHeld the first weekend in August, the fair includes rodeos, artisans and top-name musicians.
Colorado Scottish Festival & Rocky Mountain Highland Games
Highland Heritage Park • Highlands Ranch • 303-238-6524 • www.scottishgames.orgHighland games, dances, bagpipes and all things Scottish are enjoyed at this annual festival.
Douglas County Fair and Rodeo
Douglas County Fairgrounds • Castle Rock • 303-688-4597 • www.douglas.co.us/eventscenterThis traditional county fair has food vendors, game booths, entertainment, rides and a rodeo.
Western Welcome Week
Littleton locations • 303-794-4870 • www.westernwelcomeweek.comLittleton’s 11-day heritage celebration boasts arts and crafts, food, live performances and fireworks.
SEPTEMBER
A Taste of Colorado
Civic Center Park • 303-295-6330 • www.atasteofcolorado.comEnjoy a culinary extravaganza, with demonstrations, entertainment, rides and arts and crafts booths.
AIDS Walk Colorado
Cheesman Park • 303-837-0166 • www.coloradoaidsproject.orgThis 10K walk benefits the Colorado AIDS Project and other AIDS organizations.
Castle Rock Artfest
Wilcox Square • 303-688-4597 • www.castlerockartfest.comEnjoy artwork from around the country, as well as food, music, entertainment and a kid’s area.
Denver Gem and Mineral Show
Denver Merchandise Mart • www.denvermineralshow.comRare and popular beads, fossils, gems, jewelry and minerals are exhibited.
Festival Italiano Food and Wine Festival at Belmar
www.belmarcolorado.comThe annual Festival Italiano Food and Wine Festival at Belmar features more than 70 of the finest Italian food, wine and artisan vendors from the area who sell ceramics, gelato, sausage, baked goods, pasta, flowers, herbs, sculpture, antique maps, produce, pizza and much more.
Great American Beer Festival
Colorado Convention Center • 303-447-0816 • www.beertown.org/events/GABF/index.htmThe Association of Brewers’ Great American Beer Festival features 1,600 of the nation’s best beers from 320 American breweries. The festival offers one of the largest array of beers, as well as the biggest selection of beers ever gathered together on the globe.
Oktoberfest
Larimer Square • 303-685-8124 • www.thedenveroktoberfest.comCelebrate all things German in Denver’s model of the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
OCTOBER
Cider Days Harvest Festival
www.lakewood.orgCelebrate the autumn season at the 33rd Annual Cider Days harvest festival! Cider Days includes booths serving cider by the glass or gallon. Festival-goers can also bring apples (or buy them at the event) and use our presses to make fresh apple cider to take home.
Denver Day of Impact
Metro Denver Region • 303-282-1234 • www.metrovolunteers.orgCorporations, families and individuals volunteer their time on this day to feed the hungry, build shelters, care for the environment and help those who need it most.
Denver International Film Festival
Starz Film Center and Denver Performing Arts Complex • 303-595-3456 • www.denverfilm.orgMore than 200 films representing some 40 countries unfold in this award-winning, 11-day event.
Jack-O-Launch at PumpkinFest
DeLaney Farm • 303-326-8FUN • www.auroragov.org/pumpkinfestIn this competition, teams use homemade launching mechanisms to hurl pumpkins hundreds of feet through the air. The festival also features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, live music and more.
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Nature Preserve
Chatfield Nature Preserve • 720-865-3500 • www.botanicgardens.orgPick your favorite pumpkin and enjoy food, rides, crafts, nature trails and more at this fall event.
NOVEMBER
Denver Botanic Gardens Holiday Sale
Denver Botanic Gardens • 720-865-3565 • www.botanicgardens.orgGifts for plant lovers are featured, including herbal oils and unusual craft items and ornaments.
Holidays on Larimer Square
Larimer Square • 303-685-8143 • www.larimersquare.comThe day after Thanksgiving, Larimer Square is magically transformed and adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. Activities include a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony and performances by local school choirs and bands.
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot
Washington Park • 303-433-8383 • www.unitedwaydenver.orgThis Thanksgiving four-mile foot race and one-mile family fun run raises funds for United Way.
DECEMBER
Art Market Show and Sale
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities • 720-898-7200 • www.arvadacenter.orgMore than 140 acclaimed Colorado artists feature original artwork and contemporary crafts in 6,000 square feet of gallery space. Items on exhibit and for sale include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, furniture, contemporary textiles and more.
Blossoms of Light
Denver Botanic Gardens • 720-865-3609 • www.botanicgardens.orgDenver Botanic Gardens turns into a winter wonderland of lights and winter plant arrangements.
Colorado Christmas
Boettcher Concert Hall • 303-292-5566 • www.coloradosymphony.orgMore than 300 performers from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus and Children’s Chorale perform favorite holiday music.
Parade of Lights
Downtown • 303-295-6330 • www.denverparadeoflights.comAn evening Parade of Lights transforms city streets and is a holiday tradition for many families.
Zoo Lights
Denver Zoo • 303-376-4800 • www.denverzoo.orgZoo lights is the largest lighting event in the state with more than 1 million colored lights illuminating more than 35 acres. Enjoy animated light sculptures, holiday music and seasonal treats.
