Annually, there is never a shortage of things to do in Colorado. The Denver Relocation Guide has compiled a calendar of events to help you plan your weekends. We did our best to list all events and months, however please visit websites to double check dates.
January
Boulder Bach Festival
Various Boulder locations; 303-776-9666
www.boulderbachfestival.org
Listen to the sounds of Johann Sebastian Bach in this three-day festival.
Colorado Asian Pacific Cultural Festival/Chinese New Year Celebration
George Washington High School
720-529-0980; www.denverchineseschool.org
Celebrate Asian-Pacific culture with cuisine, dance, music, art, and children’s activities. This annual event attracts 4,000 visitors.
International Sportsmen’s Exposition
Colorado Convention Center
800-545-6100; www.sportsexpos.com
The area’s largest sportsmen show attracts hunting and fishing enthusiasts with expert demonstrations and the latest products and services.
National Western Stock Show, Rodeo & Horse Show
National Western Complex
303-297-1166; www.nationalwestern.com
One of Colorado’s biggest events, National Western draws more than 640,000 people each year. Livestock exhibits, cattle auctions, rodeo competitions and horse shows are some of the highlights.
February
Colorado Garden & Home Show
Colorado Convention Center; 303-932-8100 www.coloradogardenfoundation.org
The Rocky Mountain region’s oldest, largest and most prestigious garden and home show features the latest ideas, products, and services, as well as seminars and demonstrations.
Denver Silent Film Festival
King Center at Auraria Campus
303-759-5282; www.denversilentfilmfest.org
The Denver Silent Film Festival presents a broad spectrum of silent film by programming a lively and thought-provoking mix of educational and entertaining films annually. American and foreign classics, as well as lesser-known rare and restored films are presented. The festival’s first year was 2010.
March
Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show
National Western Complex
303-892-6800; www.bigasalloutdoors.com
Colorado’s largest display of RVs, boats, outdoor products, accessories, vacation spots, fun daily seminars and more can be found at the Colorado RV, Sports, Boat & Travel Show.
Denver Auto Show
Colorado Convention Center
303-779-0140; www.denverautoshow.com
The Denver Auto Show is the largest new car display between Chicago and Los Angeles, and North America’s second-oldest auto show, showcasing the hottest cars and trucks all under one roof. See concept cars, the latest in luxury cars, popular “green cars,” custom styling and accessories.
Denver March Powwow
Denver Coliseum
303-934-8045; www.denvermarchpowwow.org
Celebrate Native American culture with dances, contests, arts and crafts, and drumming.
Denver Spring Home Show
National Western Complex
303-892-6800; www.homeshowdenver.com
In this 3-day show, find innovative products, new ideas, practical advice and great deals in remodeling, home improvement and decor with hundreds of experts all under one roof.
Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade
27th and Blake Streets; 303-368-9861
www.denverstpatricksdayparade.com
Denver’s parade celebrating Irish heritage features colorful floats, marching bands and dancers.
April
Doors Open Denver
This free two-day event invites participants to seek out the architecture of Denver’s most interesting buildings, take special guided tours, bike to historic places or walk through several neighborhoods. Don’t miss the chance to see parts of Denver you wouldn’t normally be able to.
Earth Day
Denver Botanic Gardens
720-865-3500; www.botanicgardens.org
Enjoy free admission to the Denver Botanic Gardens on Earth Day, as well as special Earth Day activities.
Easter Sunrise Service
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
303-825-4910; www.redrocksonline.com
Ten thousand people gather for this annual celebration of the resurrection, in a non-denominational sunrise service is held in spectacular natural surroundings.
May
Bolder Boulder
Boulder; 303-444-7223;
www.bolderboulder.com
This annual 10K is held on Memorial Day and garners international attention and participation.
Denver Botanic Gardens Plant Sale
Denver Botanic Gardens
720-865-3500; www.botanicgardens.org
Celebrate the gardening season at the Spring Plant Sale at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The annual plant extravaganza offers more than 85,000 plants specific to Colorado gardening for sale.
Denver Chalk Art Festival
Larimer Square
303-534-2367; www.larimerarts.org
Festival artists create chalk masterpieces on pavement and sidewalks, celebrating a tradition started in 16th century Italy. Enjoy live entertainment, food specialties and the magic of chalk art.
Denver Day of Rock
Downtown Denver
303-605-2885; www.denverdayofrock.com
This free one-of-a-kind music event features five stages of live music throughout downtown Denver on Memorial Day Weekend.
Denver Public Schools Shakespeare Festival
Denver Performing Arts Complex
303-423-8278; www.denvershakespeare.org
The largest and oldest student Shakespeare Festival in the country features thousands of students from Denver Public Schools each year. The day-long festival is held in downtown Denver and gives students the opportunity to perform scenes and sonnets from the works of William Shakespeare as well as demonstrate the dance, and vocal and instrumental music of Shakespeare’s time.
Erie Town Fair and Balloon Festival
Old Town Erie and Colorado
National Golf Course
303-828-3440; www.eriechamber.org
Enjoy booths with hundreds of vendors, performances, a car show and carnival games throughout the day and evening. Hot air balloons are launched in the morning.
Indian Market and Powwow
The Fort Restaurant; 19192 Highway 8, Morrison; www.tesoroculturalcenter.org
Celebrate Native American culture during a weekend of tribal dance competitions, demonstrations and art.
June
Arvada Center Summer Concert Series
The Arvada Center for the Arts
and Humanities
720-898-7200; www.arvadacenter.org
The annual Summer Concert Series features an eclectic mix of music presented outdoors under the dazzling Rocky Mountain skies. The series provides an intimate setting where no audience member is farther than 100 feet from the stage. Concerts feature 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.com
With over 200,000 fair-goers and numerous exhibitors, vendors and volunteers, Civic Center Park becomes Colorado’s third largest city over the weekend of the festival.For two days, the streets are closed and filled with music, juggling, wonderful arts and crafts, delicious food, families, friends and laughter as the people of Colorado celebrate this annual Rite of Summer.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
I-25 South, exits 172 and 173, Larkspur
303-688-6010;
www.coloradorenaissance.com
Go back to the Renaissance period. This annual 16th century village and marketplace is recreated for eight weekends in June and July.
Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series
Denver Botanic Gardens
720-865-3500; www.botanicgardens.org
Enjoy concerts outdoors while picnicking on the lawn.
Golden Summer Street Fair
Historic Downtown Golden on
Washington Avenue
www.visitgolden.com
Discover the artistic side of Golden and enjoy a warm Friday every first Friday of the month from June through October. The Street Fair includes live music, beer garden and street entertainment. Retailers stay open late, offering discounts, host visiting artists and wine tastings.
Greek Festival
Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral
303-388-9314; www.thegreekfestival.com
Attend a three-day celebration of all things Greek, featuring Greek food, live music, entertainment and gift items.
Intendence Film Festival
Open Media Foundation
303-690-6269; www.intendence.org
Intendence features world-class talents from the Colorado film industry while recognizing emerging young filmmakers.
Juneteenth
Five Points Neighborhood; 303-832-3770
www.juneteenthmusicfestival.com
This longstanding cultural festival commemorates the end of slavery and celebrates African-American history.
KidSpree Aurora
Aurora Municipal Center
303-739-7000; www.auroragov.org/kidspree
Aurora’s fun outdoor festival for kids draws thousands of kids and parents each year in June. Families are drawn by free activities and performances, along with reasonably priced attractions. The event entices both local residents and visitors with fantastic food, BMX Stunt Team, Colorado Disc Dogs, crafts, booths/vendors, pony rides, live performances, face painting and so much more.
Parker Days Festival
Mainstreet in Parker;
www.parkerdaysfestival.com
Every June for the last 37 years, The Town of Parker closes Main Street and welcomes more than 120,000 visitors over a four day period for food, entertainment, local vendors and rides! This has become the premier event put on by the Parker Chamber of Commerce.
July
Buffalo Bill Days Festival
Golden; 303-279-3342;
www.buffalobilldays.com
Golden’s annual celebration dates back to the 1940’s as a trail ride up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill’s grave. The event draws many people from surrounding communities who enjoy bringing their families to a wholesome, small-town community event.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Cherry Creek North
303-355-2787; www.cherryarts.org
For more than twenty years Colorado has hosted what is now 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 Cherry Creek Arts Festival is a great way to spend a summer night in Denver.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Sloan’s Lake; 303-722-6852; www.cdbf.org
Ornate dragon boats race on the second day of this celebration of Asian culture.
Denver Black Arts Festival
Lawson (Sonny) Park
303-860-0040; www.colbaf.org/festival
One of the largest African-American arts festivals in the nation, the Colorado Black Arts Festival works to provide a venue for local, national and international African-American visual and performing artists to exhibit and showcase their talents.
Erie Brewfest
Old Town Erie
303-828-3440; www.eriechamber.org
Dozens of local brewers offer samples of their tasty drinks while visitors listen to spectacular music.
August
Adams County Fair & Rodeo
Adams County Regional Park, Brighton
www.adamscountyfair.com
Held the first weekend in August, the fair, which dates back to 1888, includes rodeos, artisans and top musicians.
Colorado Scottish Festival & Rocky
Mountain Highland Games
Highland Heritage Park, Highlands Ranch
303-238-6524; www.scottishgames.org
Celebrate all things Scottish at this annual festival with Highland games, dances, and bagpipes.
Denver County Fair
National Western Complex
303-308-9345; www.denvercountyfair.org
The annual Denver County Fair celebrates the creativity and personality of Denver, with events, exhibitors, blue ribbon competitions and more!
Douglas County Fair and Rodeo
Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock
www.douglascountyfairandrodeo.com
The Douglas County Fair and Rodeo is a traditional, family-friendly fair. Highlights include two entertainment stages, three rodeos, carnival, antique tractor pull, mutton bustin’, stick horse rodeo, pancake breakfast, and 4-H and FFA exhibits, including livestock, general projects and the Jr. Livestock Sale.
Golden Fine Arts Festival
Golden; www.goldenfineartsfestival.org
Featuring high quality artwork, a friendly atmosphere, a gorgeous setting adjacent to Clear Creek, and lots of complimentary and lively activities happening throughout downtown Golden, the Golden Fine Arts Festival is a summertime favorite for both locals and visitors alike. The Festival is a juried show and features more than 130 artists in a variety of media, including ceramic arts, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and 2D.
USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Throughout Colorado; 888-223-3351;
www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com
Referred to as “America’s Race,” the world’s top bicyclists race through the majestic Colorado Rockies for seven days. This is one of the largest cycling events in U.S. history and the largest spectator event in the state.
Western Welcome Week
Littleton locations; 303-794-4870
www.westernwelcomeweek.com
Littleton’s 10-day celebration each August boasts a variety of activities, food stands, arts and crafts, and more.
September
A Taste of Colorado
Civic Center Park
303-295-6330; www.atasteofcolorado.com
Colorado largest festival food is a culinary extravaganza, with demonstrations, entertainment, rides and arts and crafts booths.
AIDS Walk Colorado
Cheesman Park
303-837-0166; www.aidswalkcolorado.org
AIDS Walk Colorado is the Rocky Mountain Region’s largest and most successful HIV and AIDS fundraiser. More than 8,000 people from throughout the state come together as a community to raise money for vital services for HIV/AIDS patients.
Castle Rock Artfest
Wilcox Square
303-688-4597; www.castlerockartfest.com
This festival features artwork from around the country, as well as food, music, entertainment and a kids’ area.
Denver Gem and Mineral Show
Denver Merchandise Mart; 303-292-6278
www.denvermineralshow.com
Peruse rare and popular beads, fossils, gems, jewelry and minerals.
Old Town Erie Biscuit Day
303-828-4561; www.eriehistoricalsociety.org
Experience a tradition dating back to the 1800s, with biscuits and gravy, homemade stew, live music, a cakewalk, raffle drawing, craft booths, historic photos and more.
Festival Italiano Food andWine Festival at Belmar
Belmar, Lakewood
303-742-1520; www.belmarcolorado.com
Belmar’s annual Festival Italiano Food and Wine Festival features more than 70 of the finest Italian food, wine and artisan vendors from the area. Purchase 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.greatamericanbeerfestival.com
Famous around the world, Colorado’s Great American Beer Festival features 1,600 of the nation’s best beers from 320 American breweries. This is the biggest beer festival in the world.
Oktoberfest
Larimer Square; 303-685-8124;
www.thedenveroktoberfest.com
Denver’s Oktoberfest attracts over 350,000 people over six days. Maxim Magazine and USA Today have called the festival “The Best Oktoberfest” in the United States and “One of the country’s biggest and longest running traditions”.
October
Cider Days Harvest Festival
Lakewood Heritage Center
303-987-7859
www.lakewood.org/CiderDays
Celebrate the autumn season at the annual Cider Days Harvest Festival! Booths serve cider by the glass or gallon. Visitors use presses to make fresh apple cider with apples bought at the festival.
Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield
Chatfield Nature Preserve
720-865-3500; www.botanicgardens.org
Celebrate autumn by picking your favorite pumpkin. Then, enjoy food, rides, crafts, nature trails and more at this fall event.
November
Denver Botanic Gardens Holiday Sale
720-865-3565; www.botanicgardens.org
The annual holiday sale at the Denver Botanic Gardens features gifts for plant lovers, including herbal oils and unusual craft items and ornaments.
Denver International Film Festival
Sie Film Center
303-595-3456; www.denverfilm.org
Colorado’s largest film event features hundreds of films from around the world over eleven days.
Mile High United Way Turkey Trot
Washington Park
303-433-8383; www.unitedwaydenver.org
More than 10,000 people make this four-mile foot race and one-mile family fun part of their Thanksgiving traditions. The run raises funds for United Way.
December
Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light
720-865-3609; www.botanicgardens.org
The gardens are transformed into a winter wonderland of lights and winter plant arrangements.
Erie’s Country Christmas and Parade of Lights
Historic Old Town Erie
303-828-3440; www.eriechamber.org
A living nativity, choirs, wagon rides, vendors and a traditional parade with lights dazzle visitors to Erie’s Christmas festival.
Golden Christmas Candlelight Walk
Foothills Art Center
www.goldenvisitorsbureau.com
Experience the beauty of the holiday season while walking down Washington Avenue, candle in hand, singing holiday carols during Golden’s hometown Golden Christmas Candlelight Walk.
Parade of Lights
Downtown Denver
303-295-6330
www.denverparadeoflights.com
The two-mile parade route in Downtown Denver is the stage for Colorado’s brightest holiday tradition. The free holiday spectacular features marching bands, ornate floats, and a special appearance by Major Waddles the Penguin and Santa!
Yuletide Window Walk
Larimer Square
303-685-8143; www.larimersquare.com
Historic charm meets holiday cheer for the Yuletide Window Walk. Each retail boutique on Larimer Square showcases local professional artists who used the storefronts as canvases. The displays last throughout the holiday season.
Zoo Lights
Denver Zoo
303-376-4800; www.denverzoo.org
Experience a holiday light safari with more than 38 brilliantly-illuminated acres of lights, featuring more than 150 animated animal sculptures that swing through trees, jump across lawns, hide in bushes and appear in places where they’re least expected. Enjoy animated light sculptures, holiday music and seasonal treats.l
