Fun Things to Do in Denver This Weekend

Summer festivals and more.

Just how grand are the events in Denver this weekend? I used the word ‘animatronic’ twice in this write-up, so yeah, it’s gonna be a big weekend. From Boulder’s biggest summer festival to Babe Walls painting Arvada red (and blue and green and probably lots of colors) to a Monster World downtown, it’s all about sunshine and animatronic —three times! — aliens this weekend. 

Live your best summer life at the Boulder Creek Festival

Friday - Sunday
Boulder
It’s not like you could ever get bored at the Boulder Creek Festival, what with all the free concerts, strolling through the artisan marketplace, filling up on the food vendors, and then making yourself sick on the carnival rides, but this year there’s even more to do with the introduction of a new beer festival. The Creekside Beer Fest will feature unlimited tastings from Boulder-area breweries like Avery, Oskar Blues, Four Noses, and more. 
Cost: Free entry

Get gruesome at Distortions Monster World

Friday & Saturday, 11 am - 8 pm, Sunday, 12 - 6 pm
Downtown
Have a thing for zombies, aliens, vampires, and other things that go bump in the night? Scare yourself silly at Distortions Monster World, an interactive artainment experience featuring life-sized animatronic monsters running at Denver Pavilions through the end of the year. Pics or it didn’t happen.
Cost: $25

Explore the world at the Mile High Global Bazaar 

Friday - Sunday, 11 am - 7 pm
Downtown
It’s like Disneyland’s “It’s a Small World” ride at Skyline Park this weekend, but without the annoying song and animatronic dolls. Celebrate the foods, arts, music, and dances of cultures from around the world as various exhibitors from all over the globe share their offerings with our city.  
Cost: Free entry

Step into a work of art at Van Gogh Alive 

Friday - Saturday, 10 am - 9 pm, Sunday, 10 am - 8 pm
Aurora
Immerse yourself in Vincent Van Gogh’s world at Stanley Marketplace as the world’s most visited multi-sensory art experience comes to Colorado. Walk into his grander-than-grand masterpieces and smell the irises; just don’t go cutting off your ear afterward.
Cost: From $35 

Mural it up at Babe Walls

Friday - Sunday
Arvada
Arvada’s Ralston Creek Trail is the most badass place to be this weekend, as the women and non-binary artists of Babe Walls collaborate to create stunning, larger-than-life works of art along the trail. This year’s festival will feature 26 artists working together on 13 installations; catch them in action all weekend long. 
Cost: Free

Eat BBQ, listen to blues, & promote affordable housing

Saturday, 11 am - 7 pm
Edgewater
Help Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver and other programs promoting affordable housing raise $100k, all while listening to nine bands and chowing down on barbecue. You could definitely do worse things with your Saturday afternoon. 
Cost: From $10

Hunt for bargains at Cherry Creek’s sidewalk sale 

Friday - Sunday
Cherry Creek
Look for the red balloons at Cherry Creek North’s 51st annual sidewalk sale, where dozens of stores and restaurants take to the streets with sales and specials. Besides clearance pricing of up to 75% off at participating stores, the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation will set up a pop-up for used books on Friday and Saturday. 
Cost: Free entry

Spend the weekend at a free concert series

Friday, 5 - 10 pm, Saturday, 6 - 10 pm, Sunday, 4 - 8:30 pm
Ruby Hill Park
Camp out—but not literally; you have to sleep at your own home—all weekend at Levitt Pavilion’s free concert series. Friday night’s show is the lively Fiesta Colorado Dance Company with ArtistiCO and Mariachi Sol de mi Tierra; Saturday features Chali 2na with The Reminders and Claygo; and Sunday will have you dancing to upbeat and alternative pop with Pandas & People.
Cost: Free