Happy birthday, Colorado!
This state turns 148 today, and Celebrate Colorado runs through August 4, with hundreds of free and discounted activities (find Celebrate Colorado details here). Meanwhile, Denver Days continues through August 3, with plenty of neighborhood festivities on the calendar. And there's a big First Friday coming up!
For more entertainment options, check our roster of events worth the price of admission and our concert calendar. For events running into September, see our Summer Guide. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver this weekend:
Free things to do in Denver...ongoing
Most museums charge admission, but there are exceptions on SCFD free days. (The next free night at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, for example, is August 21.)
In the meantime, Civic Center Park is a great place to visit for free, with Civic Center EATS on Wednesdays and Thursdays (although the McNichols Building won't have exhibits again until fall). And the Denver Public Library wrote the book on useful free services and other amenities.
In Boulder, you can visit "Ascent: A Boulder Soundwalk" in Scott Carpenter Park and check out the free public art installation by Ars Nova Singers that celebrates nature, music and Boulder with the Echoes app.
If you're stuck between planes, or waiting for someone who's stuck in summer travel glitches, head to DEN’s Park on the Plaza at Denver International Airport. The 82,000-square-foot open-air plaza, located pre-security between Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel, will offer free entertainment options now through September 30, including a Sunday concert series.
Free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week
Governor's Residence Tours
Thursday, August 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
400 East Eighth Avenue
On Colorado Day, you can tour the Governor's Residence at Boettcher Mansion! Get the detailshere.
Adams County Fair
Thursday, August 1, through Sunday, August 4
Riverdale Regional Park, 9755 Henderson, Brighton
This year's Adams County Fair has a special attraction: the Mustang Summit. Learn about wild horses and meet representatives from the Wild Animal Refuge and Wild Horse Refuge, including founder Pat Craig; get details on the Mustang Summithere. And yes, you'll find all the other usual county fair attractions. Admission to the fair is free, with add-ons for concerts and other events; find more infohere.
Lincoln County Free Fair and Rodeo
Thursday, August 1; and Saturday, August 3, through Saturday, August 10
Lincoln County Fairgrounds, 33747 County Road 2W, Hugo
Yee-haw! “Country On” is the theme of this year's Lincoln County Fair, which runs for ten days at the start of August. Activities range from a parade to 4H displays to county fair contests to mutton bustin'. And don't miss the traditional Ranch Rodeo on August 6! Admission to everything is free; find complete details here.
Breckenridge Art Festival
Thursday, August 1, through Saturday, August 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Main Street Station, 535 South Park Avenue, Breckenridge
The 23rd annual art festival will feature over 100 artists, as well as live acoustic music. Admission is free; learn more here.
This Ordinary Stardust: A Scientist's Path From Grief to Wonder
Thursday, August 1, 7 p.m.
Boulder Book Store, 1107 Pearl Street, Boulder
Dr. Alan Townsend's memoir is an exploration of scientific wonder that offers “a fresh perspective on life, death and the bittersweet consequences of impermanence,” according to Jon Krakauer, illuminated through the tragic dual cancer diagnoses of the author's wife and daughter. Registration to the program is $5, but nets you a $5 discount on a book purchase that day. Learn more here.
Silverthorne First Friday Block Party
Friday, August 2, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Fourth Street Crossing and the Outlets at Silverthorne, Silverthorne
Heading for the hills to beat the heat? Silverthorne will host a two-location block party on First Friday, with local bands on five stages, forty artist booths and free activities at the Family Fun Zone. Get the details here.
Visible Planets: World-Renowned Rappers and Their Visual Art
Friday, August 2, 6 to 9 p.m.
Bitfactory Gallery, 851 Santa Fe Drive
After a big inaugural year, Visible Planets returns with an art show opening on First Friday and a free outdoor jam session Sunday with creatives who carry messages of social justice, peace, respect, self-worth and community. The show includes artwork by Georgia Anne Muldrow, Del the Funky Homosapien, Quelle Chris, Deca, Fresh Daily, Oddisee, Lily Fangz, Kristina Johnson and Mick Burson and Natalie del Villar (Homeboy Sandman’s sister). Admission is free; learn more here.
Celebrate Colorado's 148th Birthday With History Colorado
Saturday, August 3
Around Colorado
While Colorado's birthday is August 1, History Colorado will be celebrating on August 3, when more than fifteen attractions across the state combine to create a free celebration. Visitors can go to the Center for Colorado Women’s History in Denver, El Pueblo History Museum, Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin in Leadville, Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center, Trinidad History Museum, or the Ute Indian Museum in Montrose and explore Colorado's history for free. At the History Colorado Center, festivities will include a performance by the Colorado Inter-Tribal Dancers and the Colorado Youth Mariachi Program, as well as a traditional Chinese Lion Dance from Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu,face painting and sidewalk chalk stations, gold panning with the Georgetown Loop Railroad, a Colorado Proud produce booth and green chile roaster, a Max Fund pet adoption event, artifact tables displaying objects from History Colorado’s collection, and information and activity booths from partnering organizations such as Pop Culture Classroom and Tesoro Cultural Center. The museum's exhibits will also be open for free. Learn more here.
Horseshoe Summer Market
Saturday, August 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Breckenridge Brewery!, 2920 Brewery Lane, Littleton
The Horseshoe will be on the Breckenridge Brewery campus with over 65 local makers and vendors. Family-friendly activities include tarot readings, face painting and live music starting at noon. There will be plenty of food and drink, and admission is free. Learn more here.
Air N Space-A-Palooza
Saturday, August 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wings Over the Rockies, Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood
Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, Colorado Space Business Roundtable, City of Centennial and the South Metro Denver Chamber host this family-friendly aerospace and aviation fair, an immersive day of discovery with interactive exhibits, speakers and a chance to try a flight simulator. There will be food trucks on site, and you can also catch the Breakfast Fly In hosted by Wings over the Rockies. Admission is free, but you must register here.
Visionary Village
Saturday, August 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer Street
Join Made By Us at Denver Central Market for Visionary Village, a curated lineup of creative community vendors. Admission is free; learn more here.
Castle Marne Grand Reopening
Saturday, August 3, 2 to 6 p.m.
1572 Race Street
Castle Marne, a landmark 1889 mansion built by renowned architect Wiliam Lang, is reopening as an exclusive Airbnb experience under new owners Nate Jones and Jessica Abegg. It's hosting a grand-reopening event on August 3, complete with tours of the mansions and grounds. Admission is free, but RSVPs are required here.
Tiana Longmire and DJ Malc G
Saturday, August 3, 5 to 7 p.m.
Skyline Beer Garden, 1601 Arapahoe Street
The Downtown Denver Partnership opened Skyline Beer Garden for the summer to activate the city center, and has added some extra attractions to the pop-up with free movies and concerts. Take in R&B from Tiana Longmire and DJ Malc G on Saturday, August 3, or dance along to hits courtesy of DJ M’n'M on Saturday, August 17. The ethereal pop of Grace DeVine will be highlighted on Saturday, August 31, along with DJ DesiredAdmired, while it'll be a hip-hop party on Saturday, September 28, with Ason Yugen and ReSrface. Admission is free; find out more here.
Shakedown Street
Saturday, August 3, 7 p.m.
Levitt Pavilion, 1380 West Florida Avenue
For over thirty years, Shakedown Street has been performing the immense catalogue of the Grateful Dead. The ever-shifting repertoire draws from homegrown idioms steeped in traditional Americana, folk, blues, jazz, and rock and roll, with a healthy dose of the avant-garde. Admission is free; learn more here.
Arts & Community Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2 to 6 p.m.
Mestizo-Curtis Park, 32nd and Arapahoe streets
PlatteForum is hosting this free, family-friendly Arts & Community Fair celebrating the diverse work of Denver's nonprofit community. There will be more than twenty artist vendors, live performances by El Sistema Colorado, games, food and demonstrations by community partners, including Community Strategies for Change and Art Garage. Admission is free; learn more here.
Concerts on the Fly
Sunday, August 4, 2 to 6 p.m.
Park on the Plaza, Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport summer concert series runs Sundays through September 1; the lineup on August 4 is Ambrosia, The Petty Nicks Experience (Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks tribute band) and DJ Lil Joe. Admission is free, but tickets are limited. RSVP here.
City Park Jazz: Jakarta
Sunday, August 4, 6 p.m.
City Park Pavilion
Head to City Park on Sunday for a Denver tradition: City Park Jazz. Admission is free; get info here.
Jurassic Park
Sunday, August 4, 6 p.m.
Skyline Park, 1601 Arapahoe Street
The fun continues at Skyline Park with a screening of Jurassic Park. Admission is free; learn more here.
Plan ahead:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Free Day
Monday, August 5
Across Colorado
To celebrate Colorado Day, there's no entry fee at any Colorado state park on August 5. Although Colorado Day is technically August 1, the CPW always celebrates the occasion with free admission on the first Monday of August. Learn more here.
High Plains Chautauqua: Game Changers
Monday, August 5, through Friday, August 9
Aims Community College Welcome Center, Greeley
The annual High Plains Chautauqua will focus on Game Changers: individuals who had an enduring impact on society. Evening events start at 5:15 p.m. with live music on the patio, along with an on-site food truck, followed by performances from a Young Chautauquan from Greeley-Evans District 6 and portrayals of two historical characters ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt to Albert Einstein, Rachel Carson, Louis Armstrong and many more. Admission to all events is free; get a complete schedule here.
Washington Park 125th Anniversary Jubilee
Wednesday, August 7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Washington Park
Denver was a dusty cowtown in 1899 when City Landscape Architect Reinhard Schuetze drew up the plans for Washington Park. Today, 125 years later, this urban forest is filled with greenery and activities, including a big free birthday bash with everything from yoga to a concert capping off the day. Learn more here.
48 Hours Summit: Stories_UnderScored
Friday, August 16, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, August 17, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
RedLine Contemporary Art Center: 2350 Arapahoe Street
RedLine's 48-hour Summit returns with programming that includes ten-minute talks, hands-on workshops, performances, socially engaged art projects, a block party, the opening reception for The Other Side of the Tracks exhibition and more. It's all free; find the schedule here.
Global Fest
Saturday, August 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn, 15151 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora
Aurora bills itself as “The World in a City,” and it lives up to that billing at Global Fest, the city’s signature event showcasing international cultures. Now in its eleventh year, the family-friendly fest will include two stages of musical and dance performances, a variety of local food trucks, an international marketplace, the Parade of Nations, a fashion show, art displays, creative activities for children, and much more. Admission is free; learn more here.
Read more at Westword.com
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