Annual Denver Festivals and Events Guide

There’s so much to do in Denver. What I’ve found most difficult is trying to find what is going on when. While there is always something new, the city also has many annual events. Below is the list of Denver Festivals and Events I’ve been compiling.

Have you explored any of these? Let me know your favorite or any I’ve missed!

January

National Western Stock Show: “The Best 16 Days in January”. One of the world’s largest rodeos and livestock exhibitions, featuring professional rodeo competitions, horse shows, and Western-themed events. Be sure to check out the parade and cattle drive.
Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo: Holiday Display of lights at the Zoo. One of the top holiday events in Denver with over 3 million lights. Runs from November through January.

February

Arvada Winterfest: Celebration of winter with cultural performances, ice sculpting, fire pits, s’mores, and activities celebrating global traditions.Held in old-town Arvada
Cupid’s Undie Run: 1-mile “Fun Run” in your undies, usually with fun Valentine’s Day theming, followed by an indoor party. Run to raise money for neurofibromatosis research.
Denver Environmental Film Festival: Features films that inspire, educate, and motivate audiences about environmental issues, sustainability, and conservation.

March

Denver Restaurant Week: Week for set menus at many restaurants across the city. Menus are on set pricing of tiers ($25 – $55) and feature multi-course menus. It’s a great way to experience new or expensive places at a discount.
Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Huge St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration. One of the largest in the country and a mainstay of Denver since 1962. There are lots of other fun Irish-themed events, too.
Rock Rocks Concert Season Starts: My favorite concert venue and one of the most beautiful in the world. March is when the season kicks off for concerts and events at Red Rocks.

Musical Concert in Red Rocks Amphitheater

April

Denver Jazz Fest: Celebration of jazz music featuring performances from local and national artists at venues around the city.
Mile High 4/20 Festival:  Held in Civic Center Park, this cannabis-themed celebration includes music, vendors, speakers, and a large public gathering.
Colorado Rockies Home Opener: Kicks off the baseball season at Coors Field with fanfare, giveaways, and festivities.
Colorado Auto Show: The Largest Auto Show in Colorado, held annually in Denver. Great selection of vehicles from new to vintage at the Colorado Convention Center.

May

Denver Arts Festival: Annual fine arts and fine crafts festival featuring over 140 artists (mostly from Colorado). Features beautiful art, live music, and great food.
Denver Marathon: The annual marathon down Colfax (the longest street in America). The events include the full marathon, half marathon, and a 10-miler. Fun and energetic time, whether you are a runner or a spectator.
Cinco De Mayo Festival: Huge two-day celebration of Latino culture in Civic Center Park with food, music, a parade, a taco-eating contest, and Chihuahua races.
Denver Fashion Week: Colorado’s largest fashion event. Featuring local and national designers, runway shows, and industry networking events.
Denver Chocolate Festival: A great event for the chocoholics among us. Features tasting, demos, and dozens of vendors offering incredible chocolate treats. It requires timed entry tickets, so be sure to book ahead.

June

Denver Chalk Art Festival: Early June festival where artists create vivid, large-scale chalk murals. Held annually in the Golden Triangle (about two blocks or so south of Civic Park), close to the Denver Art Museum.
Denver Pride: Weekend celebration of LGBTQ+ pride with a parade, rally, 5K, and festival at Civic Center Park
Denver Greek Festival: Held at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the festival celebrates Greek culture, food, and music. Wonderful vendors sell Greek items.
City Park Jazz: Free summer concert series held Sunday evenings in City Park. Showcases local jazz, funk, and soul artists.
Film on the Rocks: One of the best summer events in the region. Features excellent movies under the stars in Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Denver Fringe Festival: Supporting independent artists. Like many of its kin, the Denver Fringe features edgy art, original theater, dance, comedy, and immersive experiences.
Global Fest: Aurora’s signature international event. It showcases Aurora’s community’s incredible diversity by showcasing its residents’ food culture. Explore great shows, culture, and restaurants in one of the most diverse cities in Colorado.

July

Cherry Creek Arts Festival: Annually held, it’s the premier art event in the city. Features hundreds of exceptional artists chosen by a jury panel. Beyond incredible artwork, there’s music, food, vendors, and immersive exhibits.
City Park Jazz: Free summer concert series held Sunday evenings in City Park. Showcases local jazz, funk, and soul artists.
Peru Festival: Celebration of Peruvian culture with food, folkloric dancing, crafts, and traditional music.
Film on the Rocks: One of the best summer events in the region. Features excellent movies under the stars in Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Bastille Day: French Fest: Celebrates French culture with music, food, sport, and wine tastings in Denver’s City Park
FAN EXPO Denver: Annual Expo fan convention for sci-fi, pop culture, comics, gaming, anime, and more. Features celebrity guests, cosplay, Q&As, panels, and workshops.
Underground Music Showcase: Weekend indie music festival on South Broadway. Features 200+ local and international artists across several venues and stages.

August

Taste of Ethiopia Festival: Highlights Ethiopian culture with traditional food, music, dance, and a marketplace.
City Park Jazz: Free summer concert series held Sunday evenings in City Park. Showcases local jazz, funk, and soul artists.
Film on the Rocks: One of the best summer events in the region. Features excellent movies under the stars in Red Rocks Amphitheater.

September

Denver Oktoberfest: Held over two weekends in September. The festival celebrates German culture, food, and beer.
Taste of the Middle East: Celebrates Middle Eastern culture with food, art, music, fashion, and performances.
Colorado Startup Week: The place to be for entrepreneurs and startups. Lots of great sessions, networking events, and panels. Great way to get the pulse of the scene in Denver.
Dragon Boat Festival: Held annually at Sloan’s Lake, this celebration features teams of dragon boat racers. A fun event with good-hearted competition, food, and performances.

October

Great American Beer Festival: The nation’s largest beer festival featuring over 500 breweries. Celebration of beer and food in the city.
Fright Fest—Elitch Gardens: An annual event reimagines Elitch Gardens as a Halloween fun-fest. It features spooky attractions and fun Halloween-themed rides and activities for all ages.

View of Blossoms of Light – Denver Botanic Gardens Colorado

November

Denver Film Festival: Held Annually, the Denver Film Festival is a celebration of cinema. The 12-day event showcases films from around the world, including features, documentaries, and shorts. There are also plenty of panels, parties, and workshops.
Denver Arts Week:
Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo: Holiday Display of lights at the Zoo. One of the top holiday events in Denver with over 3 million lights. Runs from November through January.
Denver Christkindlmarket:
Blossoms of Light—Denver Botanic Gardens: This beautiful display of lights is one of the most popular events at the Gardens. It lights up the gardens and includes several pathways, displays, and holiday food.

December

Parade of Lights: A holiday tradition featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus winding through downtown Denver
Zoo Lights at Denver Zoo: Holiday Display of lights at the Zoo. One of the top holiday events in Denver with over 3 million lights. Runs from November through January.
Denver Christkindlmarket: The largest Christmas market in Denver. Features holiday gifts, food, music, and several lit-up structures.
Blossoms of Light – Denver Botanic Gardens: This beautiful display of lights is one of the most popular events at the Gardens. It lights up the gardens and includes several pathways, displays, and holiday food.

Do you know of an annual event I’m missing? Let me know, and I can add it to my list here.