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. Discover African American art at the Colorado Black Arts Festival
What: The Colorado Black Arts Festival, now in its 33rd year, will bring an art and cultural experience like no other in Colorado. There will be a Kuumba stage, a film pavilion, an African-American visual arts row, a youth fest, a scavenger hunt, a community mural, an art garden, a food court and more.
Where: Denver City Park West
When: Friday, July 12 from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge
More info: https://www.colbaf.org/
2. Wine and Jazz combined into one? It's happening in Keystone
What: If you enjoy wine and jazz, head over to Keystone’s Wine and Jazz Festival, which annually brings more than 300 varieties of wine – red, white, bubbly and everything in between – as part of the festival’s Village Grand Tasting event, not to mention the Warren Station Reserve Wine Tasting on Friday evening to kick off the weekend’s festivities. Top it off with educational wine seminars and smooth (and free) jazz shows all weekend.
Where: River Run Village, 100 Dercum Square in Keystone, Colo.
When: Friday, July 12 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 13 from noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge for most activities, but others range in price. Find tickets here.
More info: https://www.keystonefestivals.com/festivals/wine-and-jazz/
3. Get your Irish on at the Colorado Irish Festival in Littleton
What: Come celebrate all things green at Clement Park in Littleton! The annual eclectic gathering brings tens of thousands is one of the biggest Irish festivals in the West, and it’s known for its outrageous display of kilts and bagpipes and Irish step dancing, and the best Irish rock and classic music this side of the Emerald Isle.
Where: Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Ave. in Littleton, Colo.
When: Friday, July 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, July 14 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: $10 general admission on Friday, $15 on Saturday and Sunday – though seniors, activity military and students ages 13-18 get in for $12. Kids ages 12 and under get in free. Find tickets here.
More info: https://coloradoirishfestival.com/
4. Enjoy all things "truck" at the TruckIt Country Fest
What: Celebrate all things truck – lowered, lifted, vintage, custom, off-road and beyond at the Pikes Peak International Raceway TruckIt Country Fest. There will be a truck show, dirt and asphalt drags, a truck tug of war, burnout contest, go karts, a swap meet, food and merchandise vendors and more.
Where: Pikes Peak International Raceway, 16650 Midway Ranch Rd. in Fountain, Colo.
When: Friday, July 12 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 13 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $15 for people 16 and up (if bought in advance); kids under 15 get in free; Otherwise, prices range from $30-$135. Check the full pricing here.
More info: https://truckitlife.com/
5. Jam it out at the Bobstock Music Festival
What: If you’re a fan of pop rock band Sugar Ray and its lead singer, Mark McGrath, you better head out to Fort Morgan this weekend! He won’t be the only headlining the event – Firehouse and Lita Ford will also be performing at this festival. There will also be activities for the whole family, as well as food vendors and 16 different music acts on three stages.
Where: City Park in Fort Morgan, Colo.
When: Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13
Admission: Free of charge
More info: https://bobstockmusicfestival.com/
6. Head out to Grand Lake for the Buffalo Days Festival
What: Join Grand Lake for their annual Buffalo Days festival featuring music, activities, a 5K Buffalo Stampede, a parade with a water zone water fight and of course delicious buffalo food!
Where: Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce, 1400 US Highway 34 in Grand Lake, Colo.
When: Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge
More info: https://gograndlake.com/event/72nd-annual-buffalo-days/
7. Drum along with thousands of performers at Mile High
What: Considered the state’s premier marching musical event, Drum Along the Rockies is one of the best and most popular events of its kind in the world. Come see as the world’s top drum corps entertain an enthusiastic crowd and battle for top honors at Drums Along the Rockies. Performing groups will come from Utah, Texas, California, Washington, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and of course, Colorado.
Where: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St. in Denver
When: Saturday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $22-$85. Check ticket options here.
More info: https://www.dci.org/events/2019-drums-along-the-rockies
Looking for more? Check out these other fun events:
Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival
What: Celebrate brews, views and great live music at the 14th annual Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival! Over 40 breweries from different parts of the region and the world will have tastings for festival goers. There will also be live music, a VIP area and wonderful food and retail vendors.
Where: Copper Top Plaza, 620 Village Rd. #3 in Breckenridge, Colo.
When: Saturday, July 13 from noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: $10 for general admission, but $30-$75 for other ticketing options. See them here.
More info: https://summer.breckenridgebeerfestival.com/
Sashay away at the Colorado Springs PrideFest
What: Colorado’s largest pride event took place last month in Denver, but if you missed it, you have one more chance to celebrate the state’s LGBTQ+ community as the continue to fight on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots in New York. The event is family friendly. The parade takes place on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Where: America the Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Dr. in Colorado Springs, Colo.
When: Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge
More info: https://www.cospridefest.com/
Love quilting? There's a show for you in the Western Slope
What: The Black Canyon Quilt Show, now in its 24th running, returns to Montrose to promote the art of quilting and educate people on the artform.
Where: Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive in Montrose
When: Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free, unless you want to participate in the raffle this year – it costs $1 to enter.
More info: http://www.blackcanyonquiltshow.com/
Go to the cemetery... for a car show
What: Love cemeteries and car shows? Why not enjoy both – at the same time? That’s what’s happening at the Fairmount Cemetery this weekend. All types of vehicles and visitors are welcome. There will also be a tour of the cemetery at 11 a.m. There will be also be food trucks and much more.
Where: Fairmount Cemetery, 430 South Quebec St. in Denver
When: Sunday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge
More info: Find more information about the Fairmount Cemetery Car Show here.
Oh, hey there! We see you've made it to the bottom of the article - that's awesome! You might guess it from the name, but Voodoo Doughnut isn’t your typical doughnut shop. From the famous bacon maple bar (they did it first) to their cereal-topped doughnuts and namesake voodoo doll, Voodoo’s selection of one-of-a-kind pastry creations makes 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.
