2017FREE & CHEAP HAPPENINGS IN METRO DENVER
Contact email:
Created By: Deahna Visscher
Created on: May 25, 2017
This list is created manually each year by me gathering information on every
website that is included in this document. I create this list annually, as a form
of community service and as a way of paying it forward so that as many people
as possible can benefit from the information and enjoy what our cities have to offer.
Please feel free to pass this on to all your family, friends, co-workers, and
customers. Also, please feel free to post this at your work, churches, community
centers, etc.
If you are on Facebook check out the Free & Cheap Happenings in Metro Denver group page. This group page contains the full free list document as well as events that I discover throughout the year that aren’t yet on the list:
I hope you have a wonderful summer full of FREE and CHEAP HAPPENINGS
IN METRO DENVER!
P.S. If you are an event organizer I did my best to find all the events posted on the
web for your city or event. For next year, please feel free to send me your event
listings by May 1 and I will gladly add them to my list. Thanks! Also, if you know
of an event that was not listed, please send it to me in an email so that I can post it on the Free & Cheap Happening in Metro Denver Facebook group and so I can add it
to next years list. Thanks!
Table of Contents
CONCERTS (alphabetical by city)
Arvada Apex Park and Rec. District Concert Series- Thursday nights June 22- July 20 7-8:30pm
Arvada 2nd Saturday Street Festival June, July, and August 3:00pm to 9:00pm
Aurora Concert Series- June 16 to July 28, Thursdays 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Aurora Sounds of Southlands- Thursdays June 22- August 17 at 6pm
Boulders Downtown Bands on the Bricks-Wednesdays June 7 to August 9 starting at 6:00pm
Boulders Twenty Ninth Street LIVE! June 3-August 26 13 6:30 to 8:30pm
Broomfield- Summer Sundays at Brunner Farmhouse June 12 to August 14 4pm to 8pm
Broomfield- Summer Sundays from 4:00-8:00
Centennial- Dancing in the Streets Concert Series at the Streets at Southglenn June 8-Aug 23 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Centennial- June 3 Summer Kickoff Concert 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Centennial August 12 - Celebrate Centennial Under the Stars
Conifer- Music at Meyer’s Ranch grounds open 4pm, music starts 5pm, and headliner on at 7pm
Denver CITY PARK JAZZ SCHEDULE Sunday nights at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 4 to August 6
Denver- Elways Taste & Tunes Wednesdays 5:30-9:30
Denver- Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater- Wednesdays July 23- Aug 9 from 6:00-8:00pm
Denver- South Pearl Street Second Saturdays Summer Music Festival- June 10 and August 12
Denver- Stapleton- MoJaBlue Conservatory Green Concerts Thurs June 11 to July 30 6:30-8:30pm
Denver- Swallow Hill’s Concerts (pay concerts)
Denver- Stapleton- Concerts at Founders Green Saturday June 10 – from 7:00-9:00pm
Englewood City Center Amphitheater Thursday Evenings at 6:30 pm June 15 to August 3
Evergreen Lake 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 7- August 30
Golden Music Festival- TBD
Greenwood village CONCERTS At THE cRESCENT Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. June 7 to July 26
Greely Garden Theatre Concerts Under the Stars Tuesdays at 8 p.m. from July 9 to July 25
Highlands Ranch- Highlands Ranch Concert Band
Highlands Ranch- Summer Concert Series 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Lakewood – Belmar Music on the Plaza Fri and Sat June 2- August 25 6pm to 8pm
Lakewood Sounds Exciting Summer Concert Series - June 21-July 27
Littleton Foothills Community Concert Series Thursdays at 7:00pm
Littleton Jam Concerts Saturdays, Jun 17, July 15, Aug 12 at 6:30-9:30pm
Littleton Historic Museum Concert Series Wednesdays Food at 5:30pm Music at 7pm June 14-July 26
Littleton Hudson Gardens Summer Concert Series
Lone Tree Summer Concerts Saturday June 17 and August 12 6:00pm-9:00pm
Longmont Public Library Family Concerts, from 10:00 to 10:45 am June 1-July 27
Longmont Museum Summer Concerts 6:30-8:00pm June 22-July 20
Longmont Concerts June 9, July 28, and August 25 from 6:00-9:00pm
Northglen Summer Concert Series Wednesdays at 6:30pm July 19- Aug 10
Thornton’s Twist and Shout Summer Concerts in the Park All shows are on Thursdays at 7-8:30p.m.
Westminster Concert Series TBD
Westminster- The Orchard Town Center Concert Series – June 3-Aug 26 Saturdays 6:00 to 8:00pm
Westminster- Unplugged at the Orchard Fridays from 6:00-800pm June through August
MOVIES (alphabetical by city)
Centennial- Music & a Movie Night- from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Denver- Civic Center Cinema at dusk Aug 2, 9th, and 16th
Denver- Historic Elitch Theater Film Festival June 16-Aug 25 starting at dusk
Denver- Southwest Movies at Skyline park 16th andTBD
Denver- Northfield- Harkins Kid Summer Movie Program Mon-Fri at 9:45 am
Denver- Stapleton- Movies at Founders Green Fridays and Saturdays at Dark
Denver- Internation Film & Arts Festival Oct 7-13
Glendale- Movie Madness at Infinity Park – Mondays June 26-Aug 7 gates open at 6:30pm
Golden- Movies & Music in the Park
Highlands Ranch- Film in the Park August 4, 11, 18 8:30 to 10:00pm
Longmont- Kids Movies at the Museum- June 13-June 25 at 10:00am
Longmont Public Library Family Film Fridays at 2:00pm from June 2- August 4
Longmont- Views & Brews Film Series- Thursdays, May 25-June 15 starting at 6:00pm
Morrison- Film on the Rocks concert and a movie for $12
Northglenn- Summer Movie Series Fridays July 28- starts at dusk between 7:30-8:30pm
Westminster Movies in the Park Fridays starts at 7:00pm (various locations)
Westminster Film Noir Series
Regal Family Film Festival – every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00am May 30-July 26
KID EVENTS- by city
Arvada- Friday mornings 9:30am to 10:15am
Aurora- KIDTOPIA: Every Wedensdays June 7-28 from 5:30 to 7:30
Aurora Summer in the City: 10:00am to 2:00pm- various parks from June 2-Aug 4 Fridays and Wednesdays
Broomfield- Fantastic Friday Theater- June1-August 5 at 6:00pm
Centennial- Summer Celebration Friday, June 2- 10:00am to 1:00pm
Englewood- Kidstage Family Nights- Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Northglenn June 3 Kids Fishing Deby 8:00am to 1:00pm
Thornton- FuntaztiKidz- A Free Children's Entertainment Series from 2:00-2:45 Jun 14, Jul 12, Aug 9
Westminster- Family Bike Party- Wednesday, June 28, 4:00-7:00pm
Various Cities: check website for details on music programs for your children
Free bowling: Participating age limits vary by location. Check with your location for specifics.
CAR SHOWS by dates
June 19- 13th Annual Apex PRD Father’s Day Car Show 9:00am to 3:00pm
July 4- Northglenn Car Show starts at 10:00am
July 17- Highlands Ranch Classic Car Show 10:00am to 2:00pm
July 31- Golden- Annual Car Show (part of Buffalo Bill Days) 10am to 3pm
September 9- Centennial- Car Show & Movie Night 4:00-8:00pm
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS (ordered by date)
May 25- Jun 4 Family Festival at Northfield Stapleton
May 27- Georgetown Historic Railroad & Mining Days Pack Burro Race 9:00am to 1:00pm
May 27 Denver Day of Rock from 2:30pm to 9:30pm
May 27-May 29- Boulder Creek Festival
May 27-28 Denver Arts Festival-
June 1-11 Lakewood Inspire Arts Week- various times and some events are free or have a fee
June 2- Westminster Summer Block Party- starts at 6:30pm
June 3 - Arvada Trails Day 10:00am to 2:00pm
June 3- Denver Highlands Square Street Fair 10:00 am – 6:00pm
June 3- Idaho Springs- Summer Kick-off Parade and FREE BBQ 11:00am to 2:00pm
Jun 3-4 Denver- Capital Hill People’s Fair
June 3-4 Denver Chalk Art Festival on Larimer Square starts at 10:00am
June 4- Boulder Jewish Festival –from 11:00am to 4:00pm
June 9-11- Paker- Parker Days Festival
June 10- Aurora Buskers, Brews, and BBQ from 11:30-6:30pm
June 10- Lakewood Rockin Block Party starting at 5:00pm
June 10- Littleton Main Street Block Party- 6:00pm to 11:00pm
June 10- Lakewood Rockin’ Block Party 5pm-11pm
June 10-11 Denver-Summer Art Market
June 11– Denver- Taste of Puerto Rico 11:00am to 7:00pm
June 16-18 Glendale- Greek Festival
June 17- Denver- Five Points Juneteenth Music Festival 11:00 am to 8:00pm
June 17-18 Denver Pride Fest
June 23-25- Cripple Creek Donkey Derby Days
June 23-25- Frederick in Flight- Hot Air Balloon Festival
June 23-25 Idaho Springs- Rapid Grass Bluegrass Festival (price varies)
June 24- Westword Music Showcase (purchased tickets required) 12pm to 10pm
June 24-25 Denver- Cherry Blossom Festival
June 24-25 Denver South Platte Riverfest
June 24-25- Estes Park Scandinavian Midsummer Dance Festival
June 24-25- Highlands Ranch Music Arts Festival
June 29- Northglenn Teddy Bear Picnic 10:00am
July 1-3 Denver Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 1-July 3- Boulder Art & JazzFest
July 4 Evergreen Music Festival 10am to 7:30pm (tickets $10, teens 13-18 $5, kids 12 and under free)
July 14-16- Littleton- Colorado Irish Festival
July 15- Centennial Brew-N-Que- 3:00-7:00pm
July 15- Chatfield Botanic Gardens Lavender Festival 9:00am to 5:00pm
July 15-16- Boulder- Pearl Street Artsfest Sat 10:00am to 7:00pm/Sun 10:00am to 5:00pm
July 15-16 Evergreen Summerfest 10:00 to 5pm
July 21-23- Lakewood German Fest
July 22- Westminster Latino Festival 12:00pm to 8:00pm
July 23- Idaho Springs Tommyknockers Mining Days Festival and Pack Burro Race 10:00am to 3:00pm
July 29 Edgewater- Blues and BBQ Music and Art Festival- 11:00am- 8:00pm
July 27-30- Golden- Buffalo Bill Days
July 29-30-Sheridan/Denver Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
July TBD Denver Black Arts Festival from 10am to 8pm
August 1- Centennial National Night out 5:00-7:00pm
August 2-6- Adams County Fair Kids Day in Brighton (Fair is Free)
August 4-6 Snowmass- Scottish Festival - FREE
August 11-20- Western Welcom Week in Downtown Littleton on Main Street
August 11-13 Wheat Ridge Zoppe Italian Circus and Carnation Festival with Fireworksl
August 19- Aurora Global Fest 1:00pm to 9:00pm
August 19 Boulder Craft Beer Festival 1:00pmm to 5:00pm (check website for Pricing)
August 19-20 Golden Fine Arts Festival 10:00am to 5:00pm
August 26- Longmont Festival on Main 1:00pm to 6:00pm
August TBD- Northglenn National Night Out from 6-9 pm
September 1-4 Taste of Colorado
September 7-10- Highlands Ranch Days
September 9-10 Belmar Festival Italiano
September 9-10 -Arvada Harvest Festival –
September 15-17- Boulder Fallfest, Friday 5:00-10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
September 15- October 29: Corn Maze at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
September 16 Littleton- Summerset Festival
September 16- Northglenn Pirate Festival 10:00am to 7:00pm
September 23- Highlands Ranch Oktoberfest 2:00pm to 10:00pm
September 23- Morrison Ciderfest from 10:00am to 8:00pm
September 23-25 and Sept 30- Oct 2 Denver Oktoberfest- Larimer St.11:00am to Midnight
September 23-24- Centennial Chalk Art Festival 11:00am- 4:00pm
September 29 to October 1- Boulder OktoberFest
September 30th Oktoberfest Denver- South Pearl Street.1:00pm-9:00pm
September 30- Idaho Springs- Dynamite Days Festival 12:00pm to 9:00pm
September 30 and October 1, 7, 8: Georgetown Train Pumpkin Festival and Oktoberfest (prices vary)
SeptemberTBD Thornton- Annual Harvest Fest in the City of Thornton from 10:00am to 5:00pm
October 5-7 Great American Beer Festival (purchased tickets required)
October 8 Lakewood Cider Days from 10am to 5pm
October 6-8 Aurora- Punkin Chunkin Colorado
October 7- Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival 10:00am to 2:00pm
October 13-15- Pumpkin Festival at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
October 14- Littleton Museum Harvest Festival 10:00am to 3:00pm
October 14-29 Oktoberfest Trains
October 18, 19, 25, & 26- Denver Botanic Gardens Glow at the Gardens
October 21- Broomfield Shivery Stories for Halloween 7:00-8:30pm
October 21- Northglenn Safe Street Halloween
October 21 Thornton Trunk and Treat 6:00pm to 9:00pm
October 28- Highlands Ranch Trick-or-Treat Street 10:00am to 1:00pm
October 28- Longmont Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat Street
October 31- Boulder Munchkin Masquerade 3:00pm-6:00pm
October TBD Aurora Southlands Trick or Treat Trail 3:00 to 5:00 pm
OctoberTBD- Lakewood- Belmar Boo! Trick or Treat Event 11:00am-1:00pm
November 4- Georgetown Annual Pumpkin Smash Festival 12:00pm to 4:00pm
November 11 Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Festival (prices vary)
November 11 Evergreen Winterfest 9:00am – 4:00pm
November 18- Centennial Holiday Lighting 3:00-5:30pm
November 19- Boulder Switch on the Holidays 5:00pm
November 21 to December 23- Christkindle Market at Skyline Park
November 21- January 4: Georgetown Santa’s North Pole Adventure (prices vary)
November 24- Longmont Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:00-7:00pm
November 24-December 23- Boulder- St. Nick on the Bricks 11:00am to 2:00pm
November 24-December 24- Santa’s Village at Chatfield Farms
November 24 to January 1 Trail of Lights Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield from 5:30 to 9:30pm
November 24 to January 1 Blossom of Lights Denver Botanic Gardens from 5:30 to 9:30pm
November TBD- Aurora Southlands Mall- Holiday Hometown Parade & Tree Lighting 6:00pm
November TBD The Rink at Belmar
November TBD- Littleton Candlelight Walk
November TBD- Englewood Tree Lighting at 5:30pm
December 1- Highlands Ranch Hometown Holiday 4:30-7:30pm
December 1- Noel Northglenn- 5:30-8:30pm
Decebmer 1-2- Denver 9News Parade of Lights
December 1- 2: WinterFest on South Pearl Street Denver Fri 5:00-9:00pm/ Sat 11:00am-5:00pm
December 2- Boulder Annual Lights of December Parade at 6:00pm
December 3-4 Northglenn Olde Fashion Christmas
December 2-3 and 9-10Annual Georgetown Christmas Market
December 5- Aurora Holiday Tree Lighting 5:00pm to 7:00pm
December 8-10- Thornton Winterfest
December TBD- Arvada Lagniappe 5:30-8:30pm
December TBD Lakewood Lights- 5:30 to 8:30
December TBD: Denver Hammond’s Candy Cane Festival 9am to 4pm
December TBD- Longmont Lights- 5pm
PARADES (by city):
Golden- July 29 at 10:00am
Longmont (various dates)
December 2- Boulder Annual Lights of December Parade at 6:00pm
FARM FESTIVALS and Pick your own fruits and vegetables:
Anderson Farms
Berry Patch Farms-
Miller Farms
Independence Celebrations/ 4th Of July Celebrations
Denver- Four Mile Park Old Fashioned Independence Celebration July 1 5pm to 10pm
Glendale Fireworks – Juy 1 9pm to 10pm begins at dusk
Denver Civic Center Park's Independence Eve July 3 beginning at 8:00pm
Littleton Red, White and You Celebration – Monday, July 3rd
Arvada 4th of July Festival –July 4th 4:00 pm until after fireworks
Aurora 4th of July Spectacular– July 4th 6:00 to 10:00 pm
Denver- Green Valley Ranch Golf Club- July 4 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Englewood and Littleton- Belleview Park- Cornerstone Park – 3:00 to 10:00pm Fireworks at 9:30pm
Highlands Ranch 4:00pm to 9:30pm- fireworks at 9:30pm
Idaho Springs/Empire/Georgetown/Silver Plume Clear Creek County Celebration- July 4th 1:00-9:00pm
Northglenn 4th of July Family Festival July 4th 7:00am to 10:00pm
Thornton 4th of July starting at 4pm July 4th
Westminster 4th of July – July 4th 4 – 9:30 pm, City Park, 10455 Sheridan Blvd.
Food Truck RODEO: First Friday from 11:00am to 2:00pm
Denver- Civic Center EATS Wed and Thurs May-Oct 11:00am to 2:00pm
Food Truck websites for schedules:
DENVER ATTRACTIONS FREE DATES (listed alphabetically)
Botanic Gardens –
Children’s Museum – 303-433-7444
Denver Art Museum - 720-865-5000
Denver Firefighter’s Museum – 303-892-1436
Denver Four Mile Historic Park
Denver Museum of Nature and Science – 303-322-7009
Denver Zoo – 303-376-4800
Hudson Gardens
Art Walks
First Friday Art Walk – Tennyson St Denver
First Friday Art Walk – South Pearl Street Denver
First Friday Art Walk-
First Fridays on Santa Fe Denver
Golden Triangle First Fridays
First Friday Art Walk- Lakewood- Belmar- June -August
First Friday Art Walk- Downtown Littleton June - August 5pm to 8pm
Longmont- 2nd Friday in Downtown Longmont- January-December
Longmont Art Walk May 20 and Sept 16 from 4:00-8:00pm
LOCAL AMUSEMENT PARKS
Bear Creek Lake Park –
Belleview Park
Belleview Children’s Farm
Heritage Square
Littleton Historic Museum
Pirates Cove
Tiny Town –
TOURS
Anheuser Busch Brewery –
Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory –
Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum
Colorado State Capitol Building
Coors Brewery –
Denver Mint –
Denver SkatePark
Denver Story Trek
Dinosaur Ridge
Garden of the Gods
Great Divide Brewery Tour
Hammond’s Candy Factory
Littleton- Historic Walking Tours: June 2, July 7, and Aug 4, 2017
Littleton Historical Museum
Red Rocks Hall of Fame & Trails
REI Flagship
Tattered Cover Bookstore
Wild Animal Sanctuary open at 9:00 to sunset
FREE DAY TRIPS
Boulder
Denver Bike Trails
Estes Park
Lariat Loop Byway
Mount Evans Scenic Byway & Echo Lake
Peak To Peak Scenic & Historic Byway
MARKETS
European A Paris Street Market May to Oct The first Saturday each month from 8am to 3pm
Sweet William Market – June 3, September 2, and Holiday Market December 2-3
Westminster- Orchard's European Market
FARMERS MARKETS
Arvada – old towne
Aurora
Aurora- Southlands Retail Center – E-470 and Smoky Hill
Boulder
Colorado Fresh Markets –
Denver:
Denver- Cherry Creek
Denver- City Park Esplanade –
Denver- Civic Center
Denver Farmers Markets–
Denver- Green Valley Ranch Farmers Market- Wednesdays starting June 7 – August 23 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Denver- Highlands Square- Sundays June 11-September 24 9:00am to 1:00pm
Denver- Old South Pearl Street Farmers Market – Sundays- May to Nov 9:00 am to 1:00pm
Denver- Tamarac Square
Denver- Stapleton Sundays, June 18 to October 15, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Golden Farmers Market 8:00am to 1:00pm
Laughing Dog Farms Markets
Littleton- Aspen Grove
Littleton- Civic Green Park –
Littleton- Southwest Plaza
Lonetree
GREAT WEBSITES FOR INFORMATION
KIDS EAT CHEAP OR FREE SCHEDULE
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Senior Discounts:
RESTAURANTS:
RETAIL & APPAREL:
GROCERY :
TRAVEL :
Car Rental:
Overnight Accommodations:
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT:
CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS
MISCELLANEOUS:
CONCERTS (alphabetical by city)
Arvada Apex Park and Rec. District Concert Series- Thursday nights June 22- July 20 7-8:30pm
McIlvoy Park,5750 Upham St.
The 2017 free concert lineup is in place! Enjoy warm summer evenings, cool soft grass, music in the air; all free, thanks to grant funding from theScientific and Cultural Facilities Districtand local sponsors. Bring a picnic supper, good friends and family to McIlvoy Park, 5750 Upham Street. Please remember: alcoholic beverages are not permitted in City of Arvada parks.This park does not have a covered shelter for shade or seating; plan accordingly.
June 22: The 17th Avenue Allstars Vocal Band – Popular and Contemporary A Cappella.This concert features a food drive to collect canned goods for the Arvada Community Food Bank.
June 29: Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles – Big Band Swing
July 6: Classic Vinyl Band – 60s, 70s, 80s Classic Rock and Roll
July 13: The Movers and Shakers – Variety, Rock, Soul
July 20: The Legendary Hitchhikers – A Tribute to Tom Petty and Classic Rock
Arvada 2nd Saturday Street Festival June, July, and August 3:00pm to 9:00pm
Historic Olde Town Arvadaagain invites our community to celebrate in Olde Town at our Summer Sounds on Second Saturdays Street Festivals. In addition to live music, we will feature arts/crafts booths, food booths, kids activities, and beer/wine sales. Admission is Free!
June 10th
Join Us for A Night with “The Beatles” and ’60’s Era Fun with Musical Guests FAB4, Ugly Rumor and Relic!
WALK ON ABBEY ROAD
TRY YOUR HAND AT BEATLES TRIVIA
ENJOY A ROUND OF MUSICAL CHAIRS
DRESS AS YOUR FAVORITE BEATLE FOR OUR COSTUME CONTEST
ALL WHILE ENJOYING GREAT MUSIC, DANCING, DRINKS AND FOOD IN THE STREETS.
KIDS CAN ENJOY CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES IN OUR KIDS ZONE
July 8th
Details coming soon! Check link about.
August 12th
Details coming soon! Check link about.
CONCERTS (alphabetical by city) continued
Aurora Concert Series- June 16 to July 28, Thursdays 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
All four concerts will be on consecutiveSaturdaysinJulythis year from6:30-8pmat theAurora Municipal Centeron the green. 15151 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora, CO 80012