Winter, spring, summer or fall — our city knows how to celebrate it all. From cultural celebrations to holiday festivities and craft beer festivals to art shows, Denver has an incredible lineup of annual events to keep the party going all year long.
Mark your calendars for these major events and festivals in Denver happening each and every year!
SKIP AHEAD TO:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
JANUARY
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens
The Denver Botanic Gardens transforms into a stunning holiday light extravaganza all throughout the holiday season, from the day after Thanksgiving all the way into January. This 360-degree immersive light experience is a family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families in the Denver area.
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo
Held every January for 16 days since it was established in 1906, the National Western Stock Show is the premier livestock, rodeo and horse show in the nation, serving agricultural producers and consumers throughout the world. This historic event was designed to “strengthen American agriculture through enrichment programs and youth education in livestock, equestrian, farming, ranching, animal awareness and appreciation.”
Colorado Indian Market and Southwest Art Fest
The Colorado Indian Market and Southwest Art Fest features the works of 200 talented artists and craftsmen, plus tribal dances, award-winning entertainers, artist demonstrations, culinary booths and interactive attractions. The festival is a celebration of Native American, Southwestern and Western culture and arts.
Martin Luther King Marade – March and Parade
Part march, part parade — the Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade is the largest of its kind in the country. Each year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, participants gather at City Park and travel to Civic Center Park for a rally commemorating the life of King.
Winter Brew Fest
This beer festival grants access to unlimited samples of beer, cider, kombucha and more, plus live music and food trucks! The event takes place both indoors and outdoors at the Mile High Station.
Winter on the Rocks
While Red Rocks Amphitheatre takes a break from concerts during the winter, they feature an annual Winter on the Rocks series with various hip hop and electronic bands and DJs playing each year. Bundle up for this unforgettable evening at the region’s most beloved outdoor venue!
FEBRUARY
Denver Restaurant Week
Lasting for several weeks in February and March, Denver Restaurant Week is a celebration of the incredible culinary scene in The Mile High City. Hundreds of Denver’s finest restaurants offer prix fixe multi-course menus at three different price points.
Denver FamilyFest
The Denver FamilyFest is an indoor family festival with vendor booths, kids’ activities and games, stage presentations, creative stations and much more. This kid-focused event is free for kids to attend, and all kids’ activities are free with paid adult admission!
MARCH
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Held on a weekend before or after the Irish holiday, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest celebrations in the state each year. Celebrate community and Irish culture with family and friends — and of course, plenty of green beer — in downtown Denver.
Denver Home Show
This annual marketplace is the perfect place to shop for home-related products and services to inspire your next project or renovation. Covering everything from windows to flooring and cabinets to landscaping, the Denver Home Show features more than 400 booths at the National Western Complex.
Collaboration Fest
Since 2014, Collaboration Fest has been uniting breweries and satisfying beer drinkers alike. The festival features more than 100 beer projects from more than 200 participating breweries, one or both of which are members of the Colorado Brewers Guild. What is a beer project exactly? It’s when two or more breweries come together to brew something special, resulting in some of the most exciting, rare and delicious beer tappings you’ll find anywhere!
APRIL
Colorado Rockies Home Opener
While pre-season games begin in March and opening day takes place at the end of the month, the Colorado Rockies Home Opener typically happens in early April. Kick off the spring season (and baseball season!) at Coors Field with the Rockies at their first home game. If you can’t make it to this game, check out the rest of their schedule!
Rodeo All-Star Weekend
Rodeo All-Star Weekend was established in 2013 to highlight the best in pro rodeo. For two days in April, the world’s best cowboys and cowgirls compete in rodeo performances for a chance to win prize money and the title of Rodeo All-Star Champions. Plus, attendees enjoy interactive games, mechanical bull riding, behind-the-scenes access, exclusive events and more.
MAY
Cinco de Mayo Festival
The Cinco de Mayo Festival is one of the largest cultural events in the state. Produced by NEWSED Community Development Corporation, the festival features live entertainment, hundreds of exhibitors and vendors, traditional food and drink, a parade, and more at Civic Center Park.
Five Points Jazz Festival
Taking place on the third Saturday of May each year, the Five Points Jazz Festival is a free festival celebrating the history of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Once known as the “Harlem of the West,” Five Points was home to several jazz clubs that hosted jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and many more.
Colfax Marathon
The Colfax Marathon is the largest running weekend in Denver. In fact, this is the only full marathon that takes place in the city! Choose from the full marathon that travels along Colfax Avenue, the half marathon that runs through the Denver Zoo, the urban 10-miler, or the 5K. Or skip the running altogether and cheer on these brave folks as they take on the longest commercial street in the country!
Denver Day of Rock
This one-day music festival benefits the work of Amp the Cause, a local nonprofit that improves the livelihood of children by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good of Colorado. This free event features several stages of live music and family-friendly entertainment along 16th Street Mall each Memorial Day weekend.
JUNE
City Park Jazz
From June through August, City Park Jazz hosts 10 free concerts in City Park. Held on Sundays, the event offers live jazz music, food trucks, and plenty of space to spend time with family and friends. We suggest you pack a picnic, bring yard games, and make a day of it!
Denver Chalk Art Festival
More than 200 artists transform the streets of Larimer Square with stunning chalk art creations during the Denver Chalk Art Festival each year. This free two-day event also features a kids’ corner, a photo contest, and live entertainment all weekend long.
Denver PrideFest
Considered one of the top pride events in the country, Denver PrideFest is a free two-day festival celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ community at Civic Center Park. PrideFest features activities and entertainment for all ages, parades, a 5K, music and live entertainment. Proceeds help support vital programs and services that positively impact the LGBTQ community in Colorado.
Juneteenth Music Festival
Juneteenth Musical Festival is one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic celebrations of Juneteenth in the country. Hosted in the historic Five Points neighborhood, the festival is an annual celebration of African-American culture, featuring a parade, concerts, a pageant, a car show, food and much more.
JULY
City Park Jazz (Cont.)
From June through August, City Park Jazz hosts 10 free concerts in City Park. Held on Sundays, the event offers live jazz music, food trucks, and plenty of space to spend time with family and friends! We suggest you pack a picnic, bring yard games, and make a day of it!
Independence Eve
Kick off the Fourth of July celebrations on the third of July with the largest free community fireworks event in the state! Independence Eve features an explosive finale with a light show and fireworks coming from the Denver City and County building.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Each Fourth of July weekend, Cherry Creek North hosts the annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival to celebrate visual, culinary and performing arts. Five full blocks in this upscale neighborhood are packed with artisans, vendors, activities, and stages for concerts and live performances.
Denver Pop Culture Con
Formerly known as Denver Comic Con, Denver Pop Culture Con takes over the Colorado Convention Center for three days of family-friendly fun. You’ll find the best in comics, sci-fi and fantasy TV shows, movies, Japanese animation, cosplay, gaming and celebrity panel presentations.
Underground Music Showcase
Since 2001, The Underground Music Showcase has evolved into the largest indie music festival in the Rocky Mountain region. The three-day celebration features more than 400 local and national bands across multiple venues along South Broadway.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is an annual celebration of Asian and Asian American heritage. The two-day event centers on the dragon boat competition, where more than 50 teams race colorful, intricately designed boats across Sloan’s Lake. Plus, enjoy dances and live performances, an Asian marketplace, delicious food, kids’ activities and more.
AUGUST
City Park Jazz (Cont.)
From June through August, City Park Jazz hosts 10 free concerts in City Park. Held on Sundays, the event offers live jazz music, food trucks, and plenty of space to spend time with family and friends! We suggest you pack a picnic, bring yard games, and make a day of it!
Colorado Classic
The Colorado Classic is the premier professional women’s cycling race in North America. In fact, in 2019, the event became the only stand-alone women’s professional stage road bike race in North America.
SEPTEMBER
A Taste of Colorado
Each Labor Day weekend, a Taste of Colorado takes over Civic Center Park and surrounding streets. Enjoy live music from more than 25 national and regional artists, 175 booths with arts and crafts, kids’ activities, and exceptional food varying from ethnic specialties to traditional favorites. The best part? Admission to A Taste of Colorado is completely free!
CRUSH Walls
Standing for Creative Rituals Under Social Harmony, CRUSH Walls is an art festival taking over the streets of RiNo each September. The event spotlights local, national and international artists with murals, immersive experiences, a block party, live music and more.
Denver Food and Wine Festival
The Denver Food + Wine Festival is a six-day extravaganza of food, wine and spirits events benefiting three community nonprofit foundations. Experience the best from local restaurants and local wines and spirits with tastings and other events, including the signature event, The Grand Tasting, which features more than 40 renowned restaurants and more than 700 wines and spirits.
Slow Food Nations
Slow Food Nations is a major international food festival from Slow Food USA, a grassroots nonprofit that inspires individuals and communities to change the world through food that is good, clean and fair for all. This multi-day culinary event invites attendees to join the global Slow Food movement and connect with 25,000 farmers, foodies and families.
Denver Beer Week
For nine days at the beginning of fall, Denver Beer Week celebrates all things craft beer with more than 160 beer-centric events, including tap takeovers, rare beer tappings, firkin nights, meet-the-brewer events, beer and food pairings, and more. The week’s festivities conclude with the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center!
Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival is the premier U.S. beer festival and competition — and it takes place right here in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. Each year, GABF represents the largest collection of U.S. beer ever served in both a public tasting event and a private competition. The event brings together the brewers and diverse beers that make the U.S. the world’s greatest brewing nation.
Denver Oktoberfest
For more than 50 years, the Denver Oktoberfest has attracted more than 250,000 people along Larimer Street for two weekends of beer-centric fun each fall. The event is free to attend, but tickets are required for access to beer and food. From keg bowling to stein hoisting, and live music to the “long dog derby,” there’s something for everyone at the Denver Oktoberfest!
OCTOBER
Denver Film Festival
Each year, the Denver Film Festival brings more than 250 titles, including local, national and international cinema, plus industry panels, achievement awards, tributes and more. This 12-day festival was designed to provide an opportunity for diverse audiences to discover film through creative, thought-provoking experiences.
NOVEMBER
Denver Arts Week
This nine-day celebration of all things art features more than 300 events throughout the city — at art galleries, museums, theaters, and concert halls. Many of the events are significantly discounted and some are even free!
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Cont.)
The Denver Botanic Gardens transforms into a stunning holiday light extravaganza all throughout the holiday season, from the day after Thanksgiving all the way into January. This 360-degree immersive light experience is a family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families in the Denver area.
Zoo Lights
Take a walk on the wild side at Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo! This spectacular light display features more than 2 million sparkling lights across 80 acres. Other festivities at Zoo Lights include a holiday tree show, a hula hoop dance party, animal demos and keeper talks, ice carving, holiday shopping and much more.
DECEMBER
Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens (Cont.)
The Denver Botanic Gardens transforms into a stunning holiday light extravaganza all throughout the holiday season, from the day after Thanksgiving all the way into January. This 360-degree immersive light experience is a family-friendly event that has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families in the Denver area.
Zoo Lights (Cont.)
Take a walk on the wild side at Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo! This spectacular light display features more than 2 million sparkling lights across 80 acres. Other festivities at Zoo Lights include a holiday tree show, a hula hoop dance party, animal demos and keeper talks, ice carving, holiday shopping, and much more.
Denver Parade of Lights
Each year, downtown Denver comes to life with the 9NEWS Parade of Lights, a free parade featuring marching bands, ornate floats, and a special appearance by Major Waddles, and of course, Santa!
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
End the year with a bang at the New Year’s Eve Fireworks in downtown. Two fireworks shows will take place during the evening, one at 9 p.m. and another at midnight. The best viewpoint is along 16th Street Mall, but you’re sure to see them wherever you are in the city!
Enjoy!
Let us know which annual events in Denver you’re looking forward to this year!