DENVER – Every weekend, Denver7 compiles a list of some fun events you might enjoy. Here are our picks for the 7 best things to do in the Denver metro area and beyond this weekend.
1. Hunt for mushrooms at the Telluride Mushroom Festival
What: Just as the name suggests, the Telluride Mushroom Festival is about all things fungal. You’ll find yourself in the great company of mushroom enthusiasts, experts, and scientists. Interests range from the scientific to the culinary, from the curious to the investigative. Some activities of the festival include lectures by renowned experts, cooking with mushrooms, and guided hikes that focus on mushroom hunting and identification.
Where: 725 W. Colorado Ave. in Telluride, Colo.
When: Thursday, Aug. 15 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 16 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission: $225-$300
More info: https://www.telluride.com/festivals-and-events/telluride-mushroom-festival
2. Get peachy at the Palisade Peach Festival
What: If you like peaches, you might want to head over to the Palisade Peach Festival this weekend! The event starts Thursday with a free ice cream social and street dance at the downtown plaza. Over the weekend, enjoy orchard tours, cooking demos, a peach eating contest, music, the Peach Festival parade, a peachy 5K run, the biggest peach contest and much more. Note: No pets are allowed during the event.
Where:
When: Thursday, Aug. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Admission: $0-$20; get tickets here.
More info: https://palisadepeachfest.com
3. Jam out at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
What: Join other bluegrass lovers at the “summit on the song” for the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. About 5,000 people are expected to show up to the town’s celebration of songwriters from around the world. Headliners include The Oh Hellos, The Steel Wheels, Ben Folds, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Ani DiFranco, and much more. Many of the festival performers will also teach the art, craft, and business of songwriting for several hundred aspiring songwriters at The Song School.
Where: Planet Bluegrass Ranch, 500 W. Main St. in Lyons, Colo.
When: Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $75-$235; buy tickets here.
More info: https://bluegrass.com/folks
4. See dinosaurs (or rather, what’s left of ‘em) for free this weekend
What: Billed as the no. 1 ranked dinosaur track site in the U.S.A., Dinosaur Ridge has some of the most famous paleontological and geological spots in the west – and you’ll be able to see them for free this Saturday. The free day includes the Trek Through Time and The Dinosaur Ridge exhibit hall. The organization’s 45-minute guided bus tours are discounted as well ($6 and $8, respectively).
Where: Dinosaur Ridge Main Visitor Center, 16831 W. Alameda Pkwy., in Morrison, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: http://dinoridge.org/
5. Celebrate diversity at Global Fest in Aurora
What: Head out to Aurora to celebrate the cultures and communities that call Aurora home. Global Fest is a celebration of diversity and inclusion, and there will be music and dance performances, a fashion show, a parade of nations, an international marketplace, food, vendors, a beer market and much more.
Where: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway in Aurora, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://www.auroragov.org/things_to_do/events/global_fest
6. Ride the bull at the Steers and Beers Brew and Whiskey Fest
What: Nearly 100 distilleries and breweries will converge in Colorado Springs for the 4th annual Steers and Beers Brew and Whiskey Fest. There will also be silent disco, and you’ll get the chance to win a 2019 New Belgium Cruiser Bike. The event is 21 and older.
Where: The Antlers, a Wyndham Hotel Colorado Springs, 4 South Cascade Avenue in Colorado Springs, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 17 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: $10-$150; get tickets here.
More info: https://www.steersandbeersbrewfest.com/
7. Tired of beer? Head to the Front Range Wine Festival
What: The 8th Annual Front Range Wine Festival will feature hundreds of wines from over 35 Colorado Wineries, including Reds, Whites, Ciders and Meads, along with Live Music, Food and retail vendors. Ticket includes a commemorative wine glass, wine tote and unlimited tastings
Where: Main Park, 300 Locus St. in Windsor, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: $20-$75; Get tickets here.
More info: http://www.frontrangewinefestival.com/home.html
Looking for more? Check out these other fun events:
Enjoy local art at the Golden Fine Arts Festival
What: The Golden Fine Arts Festival is a prestigious juried art show located in the heart of historic downtown Golden. Over 35,000 visitors are expected in the two-day art event, where there will also be live music, entertainment, beer and wine gardens, as well as food vendors.
Where: Historic Downtown Golden, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free of admission
More info: https://www.goldenfineartsfestival.org/
Have a monstrous time at Monster Day in Greeley
What: If you love all things monster, head over to Greeley for Monster Day, where you’ll get the chance to meet famous monster makers, see a performance of “Alien Elvis,” dance performances, vendors, food trucks, fire spinners, a monster puppet show, and much more.
Where: Downtown Greeley, Colo.
When: Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under; kids 3 and under get in free.
More info: http://monsterdaygreeley.com/
Oh, hey there! We see you've made it to the bottom of the article - that's awesome! Ever heard of Illegal Pete's (duh, who hasn't?!)? It started out as a tiny burrito shop catering to the late-night Boulder crowd, but Illegal Pete’s is now a staple of the Colorado food scene — making it a Mile High Must!
Have an event you’d like for us to tell viewers about? Send an email to oscar.contreras@thedenverchannel.com at least a week ahead of the event and make sure to title it "7 best things to do" so he can put your event on the list.
