City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 1007 York St.
17. Furry Scurry
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 751-5772
Description: This annual 2-mile walk/run for humans and their canines benefits the Denver Dumb Friends League. Participants register for a fee and collect pledges as well. Dogs on leashes are welcome if they are at least 6 months old, have been spayed or neutered, and have current ID and rabies tags. Treats are available for people and their pets along the route and at the finish line. The event is usually held the first weekend in May.
18. Capitol Hill People’s Fair
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 830-1651
Description: Capitol Hill is one of Denver’s most colorful and historic neighborhoods. The annual festival that raises money for its neighborhood organization has, for more than 30 years, been held on the first weekend in June. Organizers claim this event is Colorado’s largest arts and crafts festival, with about 500 exhibitors as well as food, dance, and entertainment on six stages, and kids’ activities such as minigolf, face painting, and more. In past years it has attracted crowds of 275,000; admission is free.
19. Cherry Blossom Festival
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 295-1844
Description: This celebration of Japanese culture is held at Sakura Square, the heart of Denver’s Japanese community. If you love Japanese food, check out the food made by volunteers in the adjacent Denver Buddhist Temple. Also watch martial arts displays, bonsai demonstrations, taiko drumming, poetry singing, and traditional folk dancing. The festival, held in late June or early July, is free and open to the public. Food and beverages may be purchased.
20. Colorado Renaissance Festival
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 688-6010
Description: Renaissance festivals are ripping good fun, and this is truly one of the best. Spread out across a huge site beneath the trees, the festival re-creates a 16th-century marketplace filled with costumed characters and ruled by King Henry and Queen Anne. More than 200 costumed crafters sell handmade goods. One of the main attractions is the battling, strutting, and jousting by knights on foot and horseback. You’ll also enjoy strolling minstrels, jesters, jugglers, medieval food, rides, and games galore for 8 weekends in June and July. From Metro Denver, take I-25 South to the Larkspur exit, then follow the signs to the festival.
21. Denver Chalk Art Festival
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 534-2367
Insider Pick:
Description: More than 200 artists transform the streets of Larimer Square into a colorful museum of chalk art. Lasting 2 days, the festival gives attendees the opportunity to see art being created while they watch. Vivid pastel chalks bring the drawings to life and the end result is an amazing mix of old-master styles, modern, and the surreal. The festival is free of charge.
22. Denver Pridefest
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 733-7743
Description: The fourth-largest pride festival in the US, the 2-day Denver Pridefest celebrates Colorado’s gay and lesbian community with a large parade, live entertainment, cultural programming, dancing, arts, crafts, food, and plenty of celebrating. Everyone is welcome.
23. Elephant Rock Cycling Festival
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 282-9020
Description: With bike tours of various lengths—from the 8-mile family loop to the 25-mile fat-tire course to road bike routes of 32, 50, 65, and 100 miles—the Elephant Rock festival is a bicyclist’s paradise. Held the first Sunday in June, the event begins and ends in the Douglas County Fairgrounds and sends participants down country roads and through rolling hills, across ranch lands, and through the Black Forest. The free Kids’ Race is held on a special loop around the area. Entry fees vary by the length of the course. To reach the Fair Grounds, take I-25 south from Denver to exit 181 east.
24. Estes Park Wool Market
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (970) 586-6104
Description: Sheep ranching is a big part of Colorado’s history and economy. This event, held in mid-June, is dedicated to those who raise and shear them. You’ll find spinning and weaving classes; dyeing classes; showings of sheep, llamas, and alpacas; spinning and weaving demonstrations and contests; spinning wheels for sale; and commercial exhibits related to the wool industry. All events are free, but you’ll pay to park.
25. Greek Festival
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (303) 388-9314
Address: 4610 E. Alameda Ave.
Description: Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, with its gold dome, is a familiar landmark. Denver’s Greeks and Grecophiles convene on the church grounds each year in mid-June for “wonderful food prepared by the ladies of our church,” live music, and Greek dance shows done by groups ranging in age from children to adults. Calamari, moussaka, baklava, Aegean beer, wine, and beverages are served, and there is usually a gift shop and a small carnival area for kids. All proceeds benefit the church and its charitable partners.
26. Greeley Stampede
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 982-2855
Description: Held for 2 weeks in late June and early July (around July 4th), this long-running rodeo began in 1922. It features the usual events: bronc riding, bull riding, team roping, barrel racing, and a kid’s rodeo, along with a demolition derby, entertainment, and food. There’s also a Western art show, carnival midway, and other free stage entertainment.
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
28. Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: June 24 is midsummer in the Scandinavian countries, which prompts their biggest celebration next to Christmas. Estes Park’s version of the big, traditional Scandinavian festival features arts and crafts, ethnic foods, educational mini-seminars and demonstrations, and the raising of the maypole with appropriate Scandinavian folk dancers every hour. At least one dance group usually comes from Scandinavia. There’s also a bonfire, which is how Norwegians celebrate midsummer. Not surprisingly, this free festival is held the Friday and Saturday closest to June 24. There’s no phone number; so use the website listed or write to info@estesmidsummer.com for more information.
29. Summer Concert Series
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (720) 898-7200 (box office)
Address: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd.
Description: For a mixture of country, Big Band, jazz, and Cajun music, come to the Arvada Center’s outdoor amphitheater. You can picnic on the grounds before the shows and browse the art gallery. If you’d like, you may bring your picnic inside for the concert. The center also stages a musical every summer.
30. Summer Concert Series
City: Denver, CO
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (866) 468-7624 (tickets)
Address: 1007 York St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Sitting on the grass in the midst of the Denver Botanic Gardens on a summer evening is a great way to listen to world-class artists. Past performers have included Shawn Colvin, Al Green, Arlo Guthrie, k.d. lang, Diana Krall, Gipsy Kings, Los Lobos, Natalie Merchant, Nanci Griffith, and Keb Mo. This series of outdoor concerts is aimed at families in an informal setting. Bring an elegant picnic and a blanket and you’re set for a fun evening. Tickets go early, so buy them in the spring if you intend to go.