Events
Events
A Year-Round Guide for 2024-2025
Denver, Colorado, known as the Mile High City, is a vibrant metropolis with a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and seasonal events. Whether you are a local or a visitor, Denver’s calendar is packed with exciting events that offer something for everyone. This comprehensive guide covers the major events happening each month in 2024 and 2025, providing detailed information on what makes each event special, along with practical tips to enhance your experience.
Introduction to the Destination
Denver is a dynamic city nestled against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. It is renowned for its bustling arts scene, historic landmarks, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city hosts numerous events throughout the year that celebrate its diverse culture, history, and natural beauty. These events draw visitors from around the globe, making Denver a top destination for those seeking memorable experiences.
January
National Western Stock Show
Dates: January 11-26, 2025
Location: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
Contact Information: (303) 297-1166
What Makes It Special: This iconic event is one of the largest horse shows and rodeos in the world. It celebrates Western heritage with livestock competitions, trade shows, and rodeo performances.
Highlights: Rodeo events, horse shows, livestock exhibitions, and a Western art show.
Denver Winter Brew Fest
Dates: January 25, 2025
Location: Mile High Station, 2027 Old West Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Contact Information: (720) 946-7721
What Makes It Special: A celebration of craft beer with over 100 brews from local and national breweries, live music, and food trucks.
Highlights: Beer tastings, live bands, and food pairings.
UllrGrass Music & Beer Festival
Dates: January 26-28, 2025
Location: Parfet Park, 701 10th St, Golden, CO 80401
Contact Information: (303) 277-8728
What Makes It Special: A Nordic-themed festival featuring bluegrass music, craft beer, and local food vendors.
Highlights: Live music performances, beer tastings, and a Viking costume contest.
February
Colorado Garden & Home Show
- Dates: February 8-16, 2025
- Location: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
- Contact Information: (303) 932-8100
- What Makes It Special: The largest home and garden show in the Rocky Mountain region, featuring over 650 exhibitors.
- Highlights: Landscape displays, gardening seminars, and home improvement workshops.
Denver Restaurant Week
- Dates: February 23 – March 3, 2025
- Location: Various locations across Denver
- Contact Information: (303) 892-1505
- What Makes It Special: A culinary event where Denver’s top restaurants offer multi-course meals at a fixed price.
- Highlights: Special prix fixe menus, gourmet dining experiences, and culinary events.
Winter Wondergrass Festival
- Dates: February 22-24, 2025
- Location: Steamboat Springs, CO
- Contact Information: (970) 879-0880
- What Makes It Special: A unique festival combining bluegrass music, craft beer, and winter sports.
- Highlights: Live music, beer tastings, and skiing/snowboarding activities.
March
Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Dates: March 15, 2025
- Location: Downtown Denver
- Contact Information: (720) 577-4567
- What Makes It Special: One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country, featuring floats, Irish dancers, and marching bands.
- Highlights: Parade floats, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities.
Colorado RV, Sports & Travel Show
- Dates: March 5-8, 2025
- Location: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
- Contact Information: (303) 892-6800
- What Makes It Special: The ultimate event for outdoor enthusiasts, showcasing the latest in RVs, camping gear, and travel destinations.
- Highlights: RV displays, outdoor gear vendors, and travel seminars.
Denver March Powwow
- Dates: March 22-24, 2025
- Location: Denver Coliseum, 4600 Humboldt St, Denver, CO 80216
- Contact Information: (303) 934-8045
- What Makes It Special: A vibrant celebration of Native American culture, featuring traditional dancing, drumming, and storytelling.
- Highlights: Grand entries, dance competitions, and cultural exhibits.
April
Five Points Jazz Festival
- Dates: April 20, 2025
- Location: Five Points neighborhood, Denver, CO
- Contact Information: (720) 865-4321
- What Makes It Special: A free festival celebrating the rich jazz history of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood.
- Highlights: Live jazz performances, food vendors, and community activities.
Denver Auto Show
- Dates: April 3-7, 2025
- Location: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
- Contact Information: (303) 832-1855
- What Makes It Special: The largest automotive event in the Rocky Mountain region, featuring the latest car models and automotive technology.
- Highlights: Vehicle displays, test drives, and industry seminars.
Cherry Creek Sneak
- Dates: April 28, 2025
- Location: Cherry Creek neighborhood, Denver, CO
- Contact Information: (303) 386-5182
- What Makes It Special: Denver’s longest-running 5K/10K race, attracting runners of all ages and abilities.
- Highlights: Race through scenic Cherry Creek, post-race party, and family activities.
May
Denver Cinco de Mayo Festival
- Dates: May 4-5, 2025
- Location: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
- Contact Information: (303) 331-3875
- What Makes It Special: One of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States, featuring parades, live music, and cultural performances.
- Highlights: Parade, Mexican cuisine, and traditional dance performances.
Denver Day of Rock
- Dates: May 25, 2025
- Location: 16th Street Mall, Denver, CO 80202
- Contact Information: (303) 605-2885
- What Makes It Special: A free, one-day music festival with multiple stages featuring local and national rock bands.
- Highlights: Live music performances, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.
Boulder Creek Festival
- Dates: May 24-27, 2025
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Contact Information: (303) 444-6121
- What Makes It Special: A popular festival celebrating Memorial Day weekend with arts, crafts, food, and live entertainment.
- Highlights: Art vendors, live music, and a rubber duck race.
June
Denver Chalk Art Festival
- Dates: June 1-2, 2025
- Location: Larimer Square, Denver, CO
- Contact Information: (303) 685-8143
- What Makes It Special: A vibrant festival where artists create stunning chalk artworks directly on the pavement.
- Highlights: Live chalk art creations, music, and food vendors.
Denver PrideFest
- Dates: June 15-16, 2025
- Location: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
- Contact Information: (303) 733-7743
- What Makes It Special: One of the largest LGBTQ+ pride festivals in the United States, featuring a parade, entertainment, and community activities.
- Highlights: Pride parade, live performances, and vendor booths.
South Platte RiverFest
- Dates: June 22-23, 2025
- Location: Confluence Park, 2250 15th St, Denver, CO 80202
- Contact Information: (303) 455-7109
- What Makes It Special: A festival celebrating Denver’s waterways with activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and live music.
- Highlights: Water sports, food trucks, and kids’ activities.
July
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
- Dates: July 5-7, 2025
- Location: Cherry Creek North, Denver, CO
- Contact Information: (303) 355-2787
- What Makes It Special: An award-winning arts festival showcasing the work of over 250 artists from around the country.
- Highlights: Art exhibits, live music, and interactive art activities.
Denver Comic Con
- Dates: July 12-14, 2025
- Location: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
- Contact Information: (303) 325-7979
- What Makes It Special: A massive pop culture convention featuring celebrity guests, panels, and cosplay.
- Highlights: Guest appearances, artist alley, and costume contests.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
- Dates: July 27-28, 2025
- Location: Sloan’s Lake Park, 1700 N Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80212
- Contact Information: (303) 953-7277
- What Makes It Special: A celebration of Asian culture with dragon boat races, cultural performances, and culinary delights.
- Highlights: Dragon boat races, cultural booths, and food vendors.
August
A Taste of Colorado
- Dates: August 31 – September 2, 2025
- Location: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
- Contact Information: (303) 295-6330
- What Makes It Special: A premier food and music festival featuring local restaurants, live entertainment, and family activities.
- Highlights: Food tastings, live music, and craft vendors.
Denver Burger Battle
- Dates: August 8, 2025
- Location: Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus, Denver, CO
- Contact Information: (303) 557-8888
- What Makes It Special: A competition to crown the best burger in Denver, with participants sampling and voting on their favorites.
- Highlights: Burger tastings, live music, and beer pairings.
Colorado State Fair
- Dates: August 23 – September 2, 2025
- Location: Pueblo, CO
- Contact Information: (719) 561-8484
- What Makes It Special: A traditional state fair with rodeos, concerts, carnival rides, and agricultural exhibits.
- Highlights: Rodeo events, live performances, and fair food.
September
Great American Beer Festival
- Dates: September 26-28, 2025
- Location: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
- Contact Information: (303) 447-0816
- What Makes It Special: The largest beer festival in the United States, showcasing thousands of beers from hundreds of breweries.
- Highlights: Beer tastings, brewing seminars, and awards ceremony.
Denver Food + Wine Festival
- Dates: September 4-8, 2025
- Location: Various locations across Denver
- Contact Information: (303) 333-2433
- What Makes It Special: A multi-day celebration of food and wine with tastings, chef demos, and seminars.
- Highlights: Grand tasting, wine pairing dinners, and cooking demonstrations.
Tour de Fat
- Dates: September 7, 2025
- Location: City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205
- Contact Information: (970) 221-0524
- What Makes It Special: A whimsical bike parade and festival celebrating cycling and beer.
- Highlights: Costumed bike parade, live music, and beer garden.
October
Denver Film Festival
- Dates: October 30 – November 10, 2025
- Location: Various theaters in Denver
- Contact Information: (303) 595-3456
- What Makes It Special: An internationally recognized film festival showcasing independent films, documentaries, and world cinema.
- Highlights: Film screenings, Q&A sessions, and red carpet events.
Pumpkin Festival
- Dates: October 11-13, 2025
- Location: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms, 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Rd, Littleton, CO 80128
- Contact Information: (720) 865-3500
- What Makes It Special: A family-friendly festival with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and fall-themed activities.
- Highlights: Pumpkin picking, hayrides, and kids’ activities.
Oktoberfest Denver
- Dates: October 18-20 and 25-27, 2025
- Location: Ballpark Neighborhood, Denver, CO
- Contact Information: (303) 295-6330
- What Makes It Special: A lively celebration of German culture with beer, bratwurst, and traditional music.
- Highlights: Beer tents, German food, and live entertainment.
November
Denver International Wine Festival
- Dates: November 6-8, 2024
- Location: Omni Interlocken Hotel, 500 Interlocken Blvd, Broomfield, CO 80021
- Contact Information: (303) 664-5700
- What Makes It Special: A premier wine festival featuring tastings from local and international wineries.
- Highlights: Grand tastings, wine dinners, and educational seminars.
Denver Arts Week
- Dates: November 1-9, 2024
- Location: Various locations across Denver
- Contact Information: (303) 892-1505
- What Makes It Special: A celebration of Denver’s vibrant arts scene with special events, exhibitions, and performances.
- Highlights: Free museum nights, art walks, and live performances.
Denver Veterans Day Parade and Festival
- Dates: November 9, 2024
- Location: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
- Contact Information: (720) 250-1010
- What Makes It Special: A patriotic event honoring military veterans with a parade, live music, and family activities.
- Highlights: Parade, veteran tributes, and community activities.
December
Denver Parade of Lights
- Dates: December 6-7, 2024
- Location: Downtown Denver
- Contact Information: (303) 295-6330
- What Makes It Special: A magical parade featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, and holiday characters.
- Highlights: Lighted floats, festive music, and Santa Claus.
Blossoms of Light
- Dates: December 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025
- Location: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
- Contact Information: (720) 865-3500
- What Makes It Special: A dazzling light display illuminating the gardens, perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Highlights: Light displays, holiday treats, and warm drinks.
Christkindl Market
- Dates: November 22 – December 23, 2024
- Location: Civic Center Park, 101 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
- Contact Information: (303) 355-5380
- What Makes It Special: A traditional German Christmas market featuring crafts, food, and holiday entertainment.
- Highlights: Authentic German food, handcrafted gifts, and live performances.
Practical Information
Tickets and Booking
- Online: Most events offer online ticket sales through their official websites or ticketing platforms.
- On-Site: Tickets can also be purchased at the event venue, though availability may be limited.
- Prices: Vary by event, with many festivals offering free entry or affordable ticket options.
Getting There
- Public Transportation: Utilize Denver’s RTD Light Rail and bus services for convenient access to most event locations.
- Parking: Available at major venues, but consider carpooling or using rideshare services to avoid parking hassles.
- Accessibility: Check with event organizers for specific accessibility options.
- Downtown Hotels: Ideal for events in the city center, offering convenience and amenities.
- Boutique Hotels: Provide a unique and personalized experience, often located near key attractions.
- Budget Options: Affordable accommodations are available throughout the city for those on a budget.
Final Thoughts
Best Times to Attend
- Early Arrivals: Arrive early to avoid crowds and secure the best spots, especially for parades and festivals.
- Off-Peak Hours: Visit popular events during off-peak hours for a more relaxed experience.
Local Customs and Etiquette
- Respect Local Traditions: Participate in cultural activities with respect and enthusiasm.
- Dress Appropriately: Wear comfortable clothing and dress in layers to adapt to Denver’s variable weather.
Additional Attractions
- Denver Art Museum: Explore world-class art collections and special exhibitions.
- Union Station: Visit this historic landmark for dining, shopping, and architectural beauty.
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Experience a concert or hike amidst stunning natural rock formations.
Staying Safe
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, especially during outdoor events.
- Weather Preparedness: Be prepared for sudden weather changes by bringing appropriate gear.
Comfort Tips
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: Essential for walking tours and outdoor festivals.
- Bring Essentials: Pack snacks, sunscreen, and a portable charger for convenience.
Planning Your Visit
Denver’s event calendar is packed with exciting activities that showcase the city’s vibrant culture and community spirit. Whether you’re attending a lively festival, exploring a historical site, or enjoying a culinary tour, these events offer unique experiences that will enhance your visit to Denver.
Take advantage of this guide to plan your trip and immerse yourself in the diverse and dynamic events that Denver has to offer. With careful planning and a sense of adventure, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories in the Mile High City.