As June wraps up and we head into the Fourth of July weekend festivities, Denver’s summer season is going into high gear. With the annual return of huge events such as Comic Con and the Dive-In movie events at Elitch’s, summer is in full swing in the Mile High. With weekends bringing nice weather and activities inviting you to step outside of your air conditioned home, the weekends of Denver constantly have something to do. From a silent disco party, to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and a Boozy Baking Class, there are plenty of unique things to do this weekend in Denver.
Wednesday, June 28
Series Fest
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Wednesday, June 28 – July 2
Where: Sie Film Center — 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver as well as The Cable Center — 2000 Buchtel Blvd, Denver. Get more info here.
Cost: $12 – $350. Get more information about tickets and access here.
The Lowdown: Series Fest is returning to Denver for season three. Enjoy days worth of short films, competitions, screenings and more. The fest encompasses a mix between international films, documentaries, indie films, television entertainment and more. With the event taking place in Denver, home to actually the birthplace of cable television, this event is incredibly unique and one all film lovers and story tellers alike can enjoy. There will be tons of screenings and competitions all weekend, with awards given on Sunday. There’s even a concert at Red Rocks featuring Lauryn Hill and Common. Get the information you’re looking for from their website here.
Thursday, June 29
Knobby Tread Dirt Prom
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 29, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: REI Denver — 1416 Platte St, Denver
Cost: Free. Register here.
The Lowdown: Get your best prom attire and match it with your mountain biking gear — now you’re ready for the Knobby Tread Dirt Prom at REI this Thursday. Head to this event to support the great Colorado Mountain Bike Association and enjoy an evening of beer, delicious food and vendor giveaways! Take part in the Mini Fat Bike trials and earn your chance to be prom king or queen.
Four Seasons Summer Champagne Series
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 29th, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel Denver — 1111 14th St., Denver
Cost: Free to public, cocktail attire strictly enforced
The Lowdown: Sip champagne in style at one of Denver’s most luxurious Thursday Night pool parties. The Summer Champagne Series is back for its first night of summer at the Third Floor Pool deck and EDGE bar. There will be DJs, champagne (obviously) and even a poolside fashion show by designer Salwa Owens as she launches her 2017 summer collection. You may recognize her from British Vogue‘s and 5280 Magazine’s “Top of the Town” Fashion Designer.
Black Shirt Brewing Co. Pig Roast
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 29, 6 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Black Shirt Brewing Co. — 3710 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $15. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Kickoff the Fourth of July weekend with Black Shirt Brewing for a Pig Roast and delicious red ales. With plenty of pork to fill your fork, and tunes to accompany your brews, this event is as wholesomely summer as it gets. There will also be good ol’ country blues music by Sawmill Joe.
White House Chefs, Robots, and Something Surreal
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 29, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver — 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: $15 nonmembers / $10 members / $5 students. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: It’s back for the last time this weekend. Explore White House chefs, Robots and something surreal for the MCA’s Three Things, Any Three Things series. Taking three completed unrelated things, and providing no connection with them, the series is an experiment in performance, lecture, music and a lot of random information. They are smashed together with no connections. Explore this unique event this Thursday.
Friday, June 30
Dive-In Movie: Jaws
Elitch Gardens Dive-In Movies via Facebook.
When: Friday, June 30, 7:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: Elitch Gardens — 2000 Elitch Cr., Denver
Cost: Free with park admission or season pass.
The Lowdown: Float in a shark free wave pool hundreds of miles away from the closest ocean and enjoy Jaws this Friday. Elitch Gardens will be continuing its Dive-In Movies series this summer so guests can enjoy the park after dark and watch classics on the big screen.
Denver Comic Con
When: Friday, June 30 – July 2, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Colorado Convention Center — 700 14th St., Denver
Cost: $40 – $50 for daily tickets. (Three day adult pass sold out. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Comic Con is back! Head to the Convention Center in your best anime, superhero, cosplay comic character or anyone in the sci-fi world this weekend for tons of activities and events. The convention brings together all those who love con in a yearly celebration of and fun. With a Reel Heroes Filmmakers Series Programming, Cosplay, Group Wedding, Art Auction, Artist Alley, Celebrity Summit, late night activities and much more, you can never be bored at Comic Con.
Related: Meet One of Denver’s Best Cosplayers
Untitled: Action!
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday June 30, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum — 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver
Cost: $15
The Lowdown: Head to the Denver Art Museum and step back into time with old western movies. This wild time created the character notorious for the wild west. For the event, the Denver Art Museum is capturing these artistic qualities of cowboys, tumbleweeds and galloping horses at this week’s Untitled event. There will be full versions of legendary stories as well as lesser known ones, accompanied with explanations of western artifacts and of course, screenings of the films themselves.
Silent Disco Street Party at The Square on 21st
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 30 from 8 p.m. – 12 a.m
Where: Ballpark Collective — Larimer St., Denver
Cost: Free. VIP tickets are $25. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Put on headphones and jam out The Square this Friday for a Silent Disco Street Party. If you haven’t been before, it’s as simple as putting on headphones and dance. Boogie down to the sounds of three separate DJs and choose your own set, or flip through all three of them at this fun and unique street party. All of it will take place at Denver’s very first pop-up park.
Related: The Lowdown on Denver’s First Pop-up Park
A History of Denver Gentrification: A Walking Tour
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 30 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Starts at Colorado Tick Club Inc. — 2656 Curtis St., Denver
Cost: Free. RSVP here.
The Lowdown: Wondering why your rent is getting more expensive? Hate what a new business has done to your neighborhood? No but seriously, gentrification is happening in Denver and the Denver Young Democrats want to teach you about it through the History of Denver Gentrification Walking Tour. You will hear from a few speakers about gentrification before hitting the streets to learn about its role in our community.
Artist Panel
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 30, 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Sandra Phillips Gallery – 47 W. 11th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Led by art critic Michael Palgia, this month’s Final Friday art panel will discuss arts role in the social issues we face today. From activist art to more subtle representations and get be able to ask any questions you have of someone who knows a thing or two about contemporary art.
Midnight Madness: Jurassic Park
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 30 – July 2 from 12 – 2 a.m.
Where: Esquire Theatre — 590 Downing St., Denver
Cost: $9. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Want to keep it low-key Friday night? Head to the Esquire Theatre for the classic showing of Jurassic Park. If you haven’t seen the original, then it’s time. The Midnight Madness series features a variety of different movie classics, and this week’s is sure to not disappoint.
Saturday, July 1
First Caturday at Cheesman Park
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Saturday, July 1 starting at 4 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park Pavilion
Cost: F(ur)ee
The Lowdown: It’s back! Why does the First Friday always get all the fame? Head to Cheesman Park this Saturday with your feline friend for an afternoon of meows, purrs and new cat friends. It’s ok if your cat comes on a leash, in a crate or a stroller, just as long as your cat is comfortable. You may find that your cat is more social than you thought, or just never wanted to leave your home to begin with. Regardless if you have a cat or not, all are welcome to join in on the Saturday afternoon fun!
Penny Admission for Colorado Residents
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When: Saturday, July 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver — 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: Penny for proof of Colorado Residency
The Lowdown: Celebrate being a Colorado resident and paying state taxes for legal weed with a visit the MCA. The event requires you to simply show your Colorado ID and you get to go explore the many exhibits of the MCA Denver for one whole penny.
Declaration Comedy Night
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Saturday, July 1, 9 – 10:30 p.m.
Where: Declaration Brewing — 2030 S. Cherokee St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Celebrate Independence day in a new way at Declaration Brewing for a night of comedy. There will be lots of laughs and brews, accompanied with some fresh pizza and garlic sticks. Hosted by Timmi Lasley the night will feature Janae Burris, Kyle Pogue and headliner Aaron Urist.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Page
When: Saturday, July 1 – July 3, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Cherry Creek North Shopping District, from 2nd to 3rd Avenues, on the six streets between Clayton and Steele Streets
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Stroll the Cherry Creek North Shopping District and enjoy a variety of work from local artists and artisans fro the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. The arts festival is a family-friendly event and a great way to see the work from a variety of artists.
Mile High Soul Club
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Saturday, July 1, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Syntax Physic Opera — 554 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: $5 at the door.
The Lowdown: Get on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie the first night of July away at the epic monthly dance party, Mile High Soul Club. The selectors Tyler Jacobson, Steve Cervantes and Jason Heller will guide you through your night of groove as your journey through a fine selection of ’60s soul, funk and R&B.
Sunday, July 2
Boozy Baking Classes
Photo by Alden Bonecutter
When: Sunday, July 2, 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Stella’s On 16th — 1550 Wewatta St., Denver
Cost: $50 — tickets here
The Lowdown: Want to make macarons but worried about the tedious process? Well, now you can learn how to bake and sip on some drinks with the Boozy Baking Class. Pastry Chef MJ Szymanksi will teach you the art of baking and decorating this classic French dessert. While making your own macarons, you can also munch on appetizers, toast a glass of champagne and sip on your choice of cocktail, beer or glass of wine. Additional drinks will also be discounted.
First Sunday of the Month Tour — Riverside
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Sunday, July 2 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Historic Riverside & Fairmount Cemeteries — 430 S. Quebec St., Denver
Cost: Free. Register here.
The Lowdown: Cemetery tours are less spookier in the daytime. Head to Riverside & Fairmount Cemeteries this Sunday for a tour of history throughout Denver’s oldest operating cemeteries. Who knows, you may find an old relatives grave while on the tour, or learn something new about Denver you didn’t know before.
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Mark Your Calendars…
Great Divide Summer Block Party
When: Saturday, July 8, 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: Square on 21st Street
Cost: $5 – $40 — get tickets here
The Big Eat
When: Thursday, July 13, 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: The Galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Center — 1101 13th St., Denver
Cost: $65 — tickets here