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. Head west and enjoy a weekend of family fun at Gypsum Daze
What: Gypsum Daze is a community event that brings friends and families together to celebrate Colorado and rural mountain fun! There will be free fishing for kids on Thursday, a pickleball tournament, youth talent show, the Gypsum Daze Stampede on Friday, and other events such as the Gypsum Daze Parade, a car show, a shooting sports BBQ, a jalapeño eating contest and more on Saturday.
Where: Lundgren Amphitheater, Lundgren Boulevard in Gypsum, Colo.
When: Thursday, July 18 at 5 p.m.; Friday, July 19 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, July 20 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $20
More info: http://townofgypsum.com/playexplore/events/gypsum-daze\
2. Take a stroll and enjoy art at the Pearl Street Arts Fest
What: A celebration of visual art in Downtown Boulder, the 41st annual Pearl Street Arts Fest includes a variety of art, from whimsical and modern sculptures to traditional watercolors, oils & more. More than 100 artists will showcase their craft between 11th and 15th Streets, turning the Mall into one huge outdoor gallery.
Where: Pearl Street Mall, in Boulder, Colo.
When: Friday, July 19 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge
More info: https://www.boulderdowntown.com/arts-fest
3. Jam it out at the RapidGrass BlueGrass Festival
What: Celebrate the heart of summer with two days of mountain music along Clear Creek in Idaho Springs! If you love acoustic music, cold beer, a laidback festival environment, then this might be the festival you’ve been waiting for.
Where: Shelly/Quinn Baseball Fields, 101 Idaho Springs Road East in Idaho Springs, Colo.
When: Friday, July 19 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Admission: $20-$200; get tickets here.
More info: https://rapidgrassfestival.com/
4. Travel back in time at the Life at Chimney Rock Festival
What: Step back in time as volunteers and artisans demonstrate ancient tools and crafts. You’ll learn how to make a pot, throw an atlatl (a type of throwing spear), pound yucca leaves to release their fibers, paint your own pictograph, grind corn with a mano and metate, see an expert flint knapper create hand tools, and learn how Native Americans make flutes. There will also be a Native American arts and crafts market.
Where: Chimney Rock National Monument, 3719 CO 151 in Chimney Rocky, Colo.
When: Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge
More info: http://www.chimneyrockco.org/event/life-at-chimney-rock/
5. Celebrate Latino culture at the Westminster Latino Festival
What: Join nearly 25,000 other people as the City of Westminster celebrates Latino culture with music, food, dance, performances and much more.
Where: RTD Westminster Station, 3200 Westminster Station Drive, in Westminster, Colo.
When: Saturday, July 20 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: Free of charge
More info: https://www.westminsterlatinofestival.com/
6. Head out to Colorado Springs’ largest outdoor beer festival this weekend
What: It’s going to be hot this weekend in Colorado Springs, so why cool off by going to the city’s largest outdoor beer festival? The event features unlimited samples of beer from over 50 craft breweries, live music and vendors.
Where: America the Beautiful Park Fantasy Playground, 126 Cimino Drive in Colorado Springs, Colo.
When: Saturday, July 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: $30-$50
More info: https://www.springsbeerfest.com/
7. Witness the magic of light and water at the Water Lantern Festival
What: If you’ve ever wanted to witness a water lantern festival but haven’t had the opportunity to travel abroad, you’ll get the chance to drive just a few miles north to witness an event filled with fun, happiness, hope and great memories. Not only will you be lighting the water, but the magical night also includes food and live music.
Where: Carpenter Park, 3498 E. 112th Ave. in Thornton, Colo.
When: Saturday, July 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: $35 (until Friday) then $40 the day-of.
More info: https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/denver.php
Looking for more? Check out these other fun events:
Sweat it out at the Global Dance Festival
What: Billed as the largest annual dance music event in the Rocky Mountains, the Global Dance Festival is coming to Denver for another year of music with acts as Galantis, Chris Lake, Space Jesus, Shiba San and more.
Where: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St. in Denver
When: Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission: $89 and $99
More info: https://globaldancefestival.com/
Find your family clan at the Elizabeth Celtic Festival
What: Head over to Elizabeth for a weekend of authentic Scottish food, Irish whiskey ice cream, great beers and ales, fantastic local Celtic music, dance, piping, Scottish-heavy athletics, local artisans, merchants, living history reenactments, and more!
Where: Case Jones Park in Elizabeth, Colo.
When: Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults $10, teens ages 13-17 and seniors 65+ get in for $5; kids 12 and under get in free.
More info: https://www.elizabethcelticfest.org/
A bar crawl for cats? Not quite, but it’s happening this weekend
What: Drink like a human and dress like a cat for this meow-tastic evening! The cats will be crawling to four awesome participating bars: Bang Up to the Elephant, 1-Up Colfax, X-Bar and Charlie's Denver. This event benefits the Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue.
Where: Various locations
When: Saturday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Admission: $20
More info: https://squareup.com/store/rmfr?fbclid=IwAR3e-NI8_ggbZZsafOLva-_wJJPV_o35bx5UTt5Rz_1fj1Ee5iGKun2oecU
Oh, hey there! We see you've made it to the bottom of the article - that's awesome! Looking for a new date night spot? Chef Tom Coohill is classically trained in French cooking and opened Coohills with the vision of providing fresh and inspired cuisine to Denver. It’s 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.
