Denver Botanic Gardens

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Labor Day Weekend & Summer Finale

Denver is packed with outdoor activities, blockbuster museum exhibitions and family-friendly fun before and after this Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4–7, 2026. Check out these hotel deals and plan a dream getaway. Also, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park will be featuring fireworks at 9 p.m. (as the park closes for the day) on Sept. 6, 2026.

 

Can't-Miss Events

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Civic Center EATS

WHEN: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (mid-May through mid-October​)
WHERE: Civic Center Park

Civic Center EATS transforms Civic Center Park into a lunchtime extravaganza with Denver's best food and fashion trucks and live music. It's your chance to savor a variety of cuisines while supporting our city's small local business scene and the Civic Center Conservancy's mission to restore and enhance Civic Center Park, Denver's only National Historic Landmark.

Denver Food + Wine Festival

WHEN: Aug. 26–29, 2026
WHERE: 1000 Larimer St.

Don't miss a multi-day extravaganza of food, wine and spirits. Festival events feature the best of metro Denver’s restaurant community, the finest wine and spirits, educational seminars, and the culminating signature Grand Tasting.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival 

WHEN: Aug. 29–30, 2026
WHERE: Sloan's Lake

Celebrate Asian culture with food, shopping, art and thrilling dragon boat races across Sloan’s Lake.

The Denver Gem Show

WHEN: Sept. 11–20, 2026
WHERE: Denver Coliseum

Explore a dazzling array of gemstones, fossils, minerals and jewelry from around the globe. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, this event at the National Western Complex offers something for everyone, including unique pieces, expert vendors and educational exhibits.

Music, Movies & Performing Arts

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Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre Concerts

No summer in Denver is complete without at least one — or two, or five — trips to the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Amphitheatre, just 15 miles from downtown Denver. More than 70 million years in the making, the 9,450-seat venue is flanked by enormous 300-foot red sandstone rock formations and always boasts a star-studded musical schedule.

  • Sept. 4 & 5, 2026: Maná
  • Sept. 6 & 7, 2026: Gregory Alan Isakov
  • Sept. 8, 2026: Five Finger Death Punch


Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre Concerts

Grab a blanket and take a seat on the lawn or buy a reserved seat at this beautiful venue just south of Denver in Greenwood Village. Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre has a variety of acts coming up this spring and summer.

  • Sept. 2 & 3, 2026: Jack Johnson
  • Sept. 12, 2026: Rob Zombie & Marilyn Manson


Arvada Center Outdoor Amphitheater & Front Porch Concerts

The Arvada Center's  Outdoor Amphitheater offers exceptional acoustics in an intimate setting perfect for enjoying live music featuring national and local artists. The amphitheater features a weather-friendly covered seating area with close-up views of the stage and delicious concessions, including burgers, sandwiches, beer and wine. And on Wednesday evenings from July to September, the Front Porch Series presents local solo and duet musical acts, food and brews in a shady, beer-garden setting on the front plaza. ​

  • TBA 2026


Levitt Pavilion Concerts

The Levitt Pavilion is a state-of-the-art amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park that was created as a gift to the community. This outdoor venue hosts a slew of free concerts every summer, and a few ticketed events, too. Bring a blanket and a picnic, kick back on the lawn and enjoy artists from a wide range of genres.

  • TBA 2026


​​Movies in the Park in Westminster

This summer, bring the whole family and watch your favorite movies on a giant, outdoor screen in various parks across Westminster. Live music, pre-show activities and food concessions start at 7 p.m. and movies begin at dusk. Bring your chair or blanket and enjoy the show!

  • TBA 2026


Avanti Presents: Summer Movie Series

Join the film buffs at Avanti F and B  every Thursday during the summer at 8:30 p.m. Head to the patio for themed specialty drinks, food specials, costume contests and free movies under the stars!

  • TBA 2026 

Museum Exhibitions

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38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State 

WHEN: Thru Sept. 6, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
On August 1, 1876, Colorado became the Centennial State—but we almost didn’t. It took five tries and more than 15 years for Colorado to become a state. This exhibition explores Colorado’s long road to statehood. Our first four attempts at statehood throughout the 1860s were derailed by questions like who should be allowed to vote and what policies the government should adopt. Southern Coloradans found themselves in a new territory they had never asked to be in, and Native people living across Colorado were displaced from their homelands. Each attempt at statehood faced challenges of politics and power as factions sought to build consensus for a new state.

Moments That Made US  

WHEN: Thru Oct. 18, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
See more than 40 artifacts that shaped the United States, including ceramics made by Ancestral Puebloan people long before Europeans arrived in North America, tobacco pipes used by the colonists in Jamestown, the spurs George Washington wore at Valley Forge, the inkwell used by Grant and Lee to sign the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House, Jackie Robinson’s bat, moon rocks from Apollo 11 and more.

Big Dreams in Denver’s Little Saigon 

WHEN: Thru Oct. 5, 2026
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Beginning in the 1980s, Southeast and East Asian refugees and immigrants transformed a pocket of Denver into a vibrant hub of culture, commerce and belonging. Bustling markets offered a taste of home with familiar ingredients and goods. Restaurants introduced phở, the popular Vietnamese noodle soup, and other beloved dishes to Colorado. This exhibition, created in partnership with Colorado Asian Pacific United, showcases the experiences and memories that make the Little Saigon Business District unique. Visitors can appreciate the sights, sounds, and smells that define Little Saigon and see how this dynamic community continues to inspire, delight and bring people together.

Guest of Honor: Rembrandt  

WHEN: Thru Feb. 6, 2027
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
A masterpiece by Rembrandt van Rijn titled A Woman Holding a Pink and an additional portrait of Rembrandt, likely painted by his studio, are on view in the European Art Before 1800 galleries (on the 6th level of the museum’s Martin Building) as part of the National Gallery’s “Across the Nation” program. The collaboration, which brings some of the most important and beloved works of art to communities across the country, is part of the NGA’s program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America in 2026. 

Catalysts  

WHEN: Thru March 1, 2027
WHERE: Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
The Denver Theatre District (DTD) presents Catalysts, a community artwork by renowned British-American artist Jann Haworth. Catalysts features a collage of 34 stenciled portraits of behind-the-scenes individuals who are integral to the success and vibrancy of Denver arts and culture, as selected by participating arts organizations. Each participating arts organization selected an honoree to be recognized and submitted an essay highlighting their remarkable contributions. See it on the side of the Buell Theatre on Champa Street between 13th Street and 14th Street.

Colorado Rockies Baseball at Coors Field

  • Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants, Aug. 31–Sept. 2, 2026
  • Colorado Rockies vs. St. Louis Cardinals, Sept. 4–6, 2026

Outdoor Fun

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Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

Head to the only downtown theme and water park in the country for roller coasters, water slides, family entertainment and much more! Look for fireworks at 9 p.m. (as the park closes for the day) on Sept. 1, 2024.

Water World

Beat the heat, relax in the park's beautifully landscaped 64 acres — and ride some serious waterslides.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Carved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison is one of the world's most renowned concert venues. The surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.

Farmers' Markets

The Mile High City's more than 20 farmers' markets aren't just about locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and prepared foods — though you'll find those in abundance! Each market is a festive, weekly street fair, many with live entertainment and family-friendly activities. 

Denver Zoo

With over 3,500 animals on 84 gorgeous acres, Denver Zoo is an amazing experience year-round. Your donation helps to provide world-class care for the lions, giraffes and elephants, as well as other wild animals and wild places, from the Rockies to Mongolia.

Denver Botanic Gardens

One of the top five botanic gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city, offering year-round events, a children’s garden, lifelong-learning opportunities and research to preserve Colorado’s precious natural resources. Meanwhile, Chatfield Farms, located in nearby Littleton, takes pride in its exemplary nature preserve and gardens. Located on 750 acres, this picturesque site includes display gardens and a historical farm with a rustic barn.

City Parks

No matter where you find yourself in The Mile High City, you’re likely only a few steps away from a lush and relaxing green space. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to explore Denver's more than 5,000 acres of traditional parks and parkways, as well as an additional 14,000 acres of spectacular mountain parks in neighboring counties that are maintained by the City and County of Denver.

Lesser-Known, Hidden-Gem Parks

If you’re looking for a quiet spot to have a picnic, take in great views or experience a different side of the city, check out these lesser-known Denver parks.

How to Explore the South Platte River by Bike

Take a two-wheeled tour through the heart of the city along this beautiful river. You'll cruise by some of the city's biggest attractions. 

Denver's Best Urban Hikes

Denver is a city with boundless outdoor fun and has an ideal location next to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. While The Mile High City is conveniently close to major peaks for hiking, there's actually no need to head into the mountains when Denver's regional trail system encompasses hundreds of miles for all ages and abilities to explore. 

How to Explore the Colorado Trail in Waterton Canyon

Many people think that Denver’s prettiest, closest and most accessible bit of mountain scenery is Waterton Canyon. This is the start of the famous Colorado Trail, one of the great long-distance hikes (or mountain bike rides) of the Rocky Mountains.   

Pet-Friendly Denver

Denver is home to dozens of pet-friendly activities and destinations, including dog-friendly hotels and dog parks. Find the best on-leash and off-leash fun for your best friend. 

Urban Exploration

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Street Art

Denver street artists have been busy brightening (and enlightening) the urban landscape for decades by making canvases of the city’s alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garage doors and storefronts. Grab your camera and take a stroll past some of the city's favorite murals. 

Outdoor and Patio Dining

There’s no better way to soak up summer than on one of The Mile High City’s splendid patios. From skyward rooftop terraces to lushly landscaped gardens, these are the ultimate spots to eat and drink alfresco in Denver.

Denver Beer Trail

Denver is a mecca for craft beer. But with 100 brewpubs, breweries and tap rooms in the metro area, where do you begin? Let the Denver Beer Trail be your guide with this sampling and interactive map.

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These Denver hotels double as art destinations, blending design and creativity into every stay.