This weekend features so many events that it will be difficult for you to choose which ones to attend!
Play with LEGO® at Brick Fest, enjoy carnival rides and pony rides at the Jeffco Fair & Festival and the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. Shop till you drop at the Jackalope Arts & Crafts Fair, Denver Flea and 16th Street Fair. Experience an authentic Italian circus show with the Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus. Make it day with animals with World Elephant Day, Honey Bee Day or Reptile & Bird Day, and even enjoy a dazzling laser light show at Centennial Under The Stars… plus so much more!
What to do with Kids in Denver this Weekend August 12 – 14, 2016
Events listed in chronological order
Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
Photograph courtesy of ©Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
When: Friday, August 12th through Sunday, August 14th, 2016
Where: Anderson Park, 4355 Field St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Time: August 12: 3pm–9pm; August 13th: 7am–11:30pm; August 14th: 9am–6pm
Cost: Free Admission
Ages: All ages
The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival will feature entertainment for the entire family and for all ages. The festival includes a carnival, parade, live music, speciality food events, the Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus, the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair, an Automezzi Italian car show, art shows, and a fireworks show!
Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus at Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
Photograph courtesy of ©Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus
The Zoppe’ Italian Family Circus, the four-generation European theatrical circus performed by the Zoppè family of circus artists, will take place at the festival and will feature an authentic circus act in a 600 seat tent with live acrobatics, stunts, comedy acts and more.
Performance times are 4pm & 7pm on August 12th, 1pm, 4pm & 7pm on August 13th, and 1pm & 4pm on August 14th, 2016. Ticket prices are $18–$22, and free for children 2 and under. Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/ZoppeWheatRidge.
Jackalope Art & Craft Fair at Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
Photograph Credit ©Gil Riego Photography. Photograph courtesy of ©Jackalope Art & Craft Fair
The Jackalope Art & Craft Fair will feature over 200 vendors at the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival. Shoppers to expect items for sale such as indie goods from original fashion and jewelry design, ceramics and paper goods, innovative home decor and housewares, art and photography, and more.
The fair will also include free Pinwheel crafting workshops for both kids and adults by the local Wheat Ridge art studio and Teller Street Gallery.
Jackalope Art & Craft Fair will take place on Friday, August 12th & Saturday, August 13th, 2016. The fair will take place from 4pm to 11pm on Friday, and from 12pm to 11pm on Saturday.
Psst… the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair was also featured in our 11 Things to do in Denver this August 2016 you Shouldn’t Miss article!
Jeffco Fair & Festival
When: Friday, August 12th through Sunday, August 14th, 2016
Where: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd, Golden, CO 80401
Time: August 12th: 12pm–10pm; August 13th: 10am–10pm; August 14th: 10am–8pm
Cost: $5 Adults and Children 13 and up, Free for Children 12 and under. Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/JeffcoFairFestival
Ages: All ages
The Jeffco Fair & Festival features immersive, educational and entertaining experiences for all ages. Attendees can expect multiple zones with many different entertainment options. Jeffco Fair & Festival highlights include live music, performances from the likes of magicians and history reenactments, attractions such as Mutton Bustin’, pony rides, a special kids zone, kids movies, rodeo, special events and themed days.
Psst… Kids will even get a chance to meet Spongebob Squarepants live!
Kids Discovery Day at Jeffco Fair & Festival
Photograph courtesy of ©Jeffco Fair & Festival
Friday, August 12th, is the Kids Discovery Day theme and additionally to all the kid-friendly entertainment available all weekend long, will feature experiences including The Spark City Bus and the Jefferson County Public Library Playground
Spark City Bus is a mobile children’s museum is complete with a farm, grocery market and cafe where children will be able to learn through role-playing. With music, bubbles, a slide, crafts and more, the Spark City Bus is the perfect place for children ages 2-6.
Jefferson County Public Library Celebrate the Library is an area where kids can connect, discover, and create (located at the Expo Plaza Zone). Climb onboard the Mobile Computer Classroom and read a TumbleBook, learn a language, play games, and discover homework help on the Library Web site. Play giant board games, make vegetable stamping art or penciled art pets, create a button, play with LEGOS© and Keva Planks. There will be face painting available from 12pm–4pm and blowing balloons until they are gone. Bring your smart phones, tablets, and iPads and get trained on educational and entertainment resources free from the library. Free Wi-Fi available. Become a friend of the library, and learn about volunteer opportunities and a Whale of a Sale Book Sale. Get a library card on site!
16th Street Fair
Photograph courtesy of ©Eric Richardson
When: Friday, August 12th & Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Where: 16th Street Mall, Denver, CO 80202
Time: 11am–7pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
The 16th Street Fair is an open market right in the middle of 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. The fair is a showcase of emerging artists and designers, producing original and unique handmade goods, in a wide array of media.
Colorado Brazil Fest
Photograph courtesy of ©Colorado Brazil Fest
When: Friday, August 12th through Sunday, August 14th, 2016
Where: Various locations, Boulder, CO
Time: Varies. Check out the full schedule of events at: coloradobrazilfest.org/schedule
Cost: Show prices range from free – $90
Ages: All ages
The 5th Annual Colorado Brazil Fest, presented by Boulder Samba School, is a four-day celebration of Brazilian music, dance, and culture. The event will take place at local theaters and venues and promises to excite, educate, and entertain. Colorado Brazil Fest is the only festival of its kind in the Front Range area, and brings together a diverse group of music and dance enthusiasts who share a passion for Brazilian culture. The festival showcases samba as well as choro, forró, and Afro-Brazilian styles of music and dance.
World Elephant Day at Denver Zoo
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Zoo
When: Friday, August 12th, 2016
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205
Time: 10am–4pm
Cost: Admission
Ages: All ages
Celebrate World Elephant Day this Friday at the Denver Zoo! Learn how the zoo takes care of its elephants, why they are endangered, how you can help elephants at home and the great conservation efforts that are being done to save them. They will also try to break the Guinness World Records™ title for the largest display of origami elephants.
Free Admission & Rides Day at Mile High Flea Market
Photograph courtesy of ©Mile High Flea Market
When: Friday, August 12th, 2016
Where: Mile High Flea Market, 7007 E 88th Ave, Henderson, CO 80640
Time: 7am–3pm (Rides open at 10am)
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
Visit the Mile High Flea Market this Friday and enjoy free admissions and free rides till 3pm. *Weather permitting.
Four Mile Historic Park Free Day
Photograph Credit: ©Mor Zucker
When: Friday, August 12th, 2016
Where: Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S Forest St, Denver, CO 80246
Time: 12pm–4pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
This Friday, experience the life of a pioneer for free at Four Mile Historic Park. Check out historic demonstrations, tour the Four Mile House Museum, explore the park’s 12-acre grounds, sample a treat from the summer kitchen, and say hello to their farm animals. Hay Bales & Tall Tales story time from 12pm–1pm. The Four Mile Historic Park Free Day is provided by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.
Brick Fest Live LEGO® Fan Experience
Photograph courtesy of ©Brick Fest Live LEGO® Fan Experience
When: Saturday, August 13th & Sunday, August 14th, 2016
Where: Denver Mart, 451 E 58th Ave, Denver, CO 80216
Time: August 13th: 9am–6pm; August 14th: 10am–5pm
Cost: Full Day Pass $22, Afternoon Pass $19, Children 2 and under are free. Purchase tickets at: bit.ly/BrickFestLive
Ages: All ages
Brick Fest Live LEGO® Fan Experience will feature over one million LEGO® bricks on display and ready for play. Brick Fest Live is full of hands-on fun for the entire family and includes a derby, a reading rest area, a theater, an inspiration station, golf, mosaics, a brick wall, models, video games and more.
Psst… the Brick Fest Live LEGO® Fan Experience was featured in our 11 Things to do in Denver this August 2016 you Shouldn’t Miss article as well!
Denver Flea at City Park
Photograph courtesy of ©Denver Flea
When: Saturday, August 13th & Sunday, August 14th, 2016
Where: Thatcher Fountain at City Park, Denver, CO 80206
Time: 10am–6pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
The 10th Denver Flea will take place this weekend at City Park in Denver and will feature 175 Colorado vendors selling a variety of goods, as well as live music and food trucks.
Psst… Check out our featured article for this event!
Honey Bee Day at Butterfly Pavilion
Photograph courtesy of ©Butterfly Pavilion
When: Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Where: Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W 104th Ave, Westminster, CO 80020
Time: 10am–2pm
Cost: $1 extra on top of museum admission
Ages: All ages
Celebrate Conservation Day: World Honey Bee Day at the Butterfly Pavilion! The Butterfly Pavilion will feature a special ‘Hive Zone’ for this event, that will feature games, experience cool presentations and crafts, meet a real beekeeper, an opportunity to taste delicious honey and more.
Reptile and Bird Day at Dinosaur Ridge
Photograph courtesy of ©Dinosaur Ridge
When: Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Where: Dinosaur Ridge, 16831 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Time: 10am–2pm
Cost: Museum admission
Ages: All ages
Dinosaur Ridge is hosting a Reptile & Bird Day this Saturday with live reptiles and birds! They’ll be celebrating the relationships between these groups of animals with special guests like the Denver Zoo, Wild Wings Environmental Education, and more.
Reptile & Bird Day will also include hands-on stations at the Visitor Center and scientists along the dinosaur trail will teach about the fossil footprints, bones, and the local geology.
Hot Rods in The Village at Castle Pines
Photograph courtesy of ©Vintage Car Club of Castle Rock
When: Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Where: Village at Castle Pines, 858 W Happy Canyon Rd, Castle Pines, CO 80108
Time: 10am–2pm
Cost: $15
Ages: All ages
The Vintage Car Club of Castle Rock, in association with the Merchants of The Village at Castle Pines, will host their 8th Annual Hot Rods in the Village Show & Shine Car Show. Hots Rods in the Village will feature classic vintage cars, food from the Village merchants, live music, dash plaques, and trophies.
Kids Consignment Sale by MOMS
When: Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Where: Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Time: 10:30am–2pm
Cost: $2 at the door. Register online for free admission.
Ages: All ages
The Kids Consignment Sale by MOMS (Mothers of Multiples Society) will feature thousands of gently used baby and children’s items, including children’s clothing, baby gear and activities, toys, books, games, bedding, sports equipment, backpacks, Halloween costumes, Christmas attire, furniture (including cribs), nursing equipment, maternity wear, and more. All items are priced at 50-90% off retail and tax-free.
2nd Saturday Street Festival
Photograph by ©Historic Olde Town Arvada
When: Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Where: Historic Olde Town Arvada, 7247 Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO 80002
Time: 4:30pm–10pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
Historic Olde Town Arvada is hosting its final 2nd Saturday Street Festival for this summer. The festival will feature live music by Ponder the Albatross, The Who Doos, and Wendy Woo, as well as food vendors, shopping, arts & crafts, and a variety of kids activities
Centennial Under The Stars Concert & Laser Show
Photograph courtesy of ©City of Centennial
When: Saturday, August 13th, 2016
Where: Centennial Center Park, 13050 E Peakview Ave, Centennial, CO 80111
Time: 6pm–10pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All ages
The 11th Annual Centennial Under the Stars Concert & Laser Light Show hosted by the City of Centennial, will feature live music, food trucks, kids activities such as bounce houses and face painting, and a dazzling laser light show! Live music will be provided by The Redlands and Chemistry Club between 6:15pm to 8pm, and the laser light show will take place in conjunction with a performance by Under a Blood Red Sky, The U2 Tribute Band.