Labor Day weekend is upon us and you may think that means last camping trip of the summer but we have 12 awesome events to prove you wrong. Stay in the city this weekend to optimize your fun and use that extra day off work to recover. This weekends lineup has festivals, art exhibitions, human exhibitions and more. Fun for the whole family will ensue.
Summer Scream at Lakeside
Lakeside. Photo by Brittany Werges.
When: September 1, 6-11p.m.
Where: Lakeside Amusement Park, 4601 Sheridan Blvd, Denver
Cost: $35-$40 for GA and $80 for VIP
Tickets: $45-50; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: With summer coming to an end, it means amusement park season is over too. Say goodbye to warm cotton candy filled evenings with one more epic night at Denver’s historic Lakeside Amusement Park courtesy of the Denver Film Society. This is the DFS’s 6th annual “Summer Scream” event. Enjoy unlimited rides and open bars at the park’s only private event sponsored by big names including New Belgium Brewery. Reel Social Clubmembers get in for free. Check out the options for a VIP party bus here.
Riot Fest
Photo courtesy of Riot Fest.
When: September 2 – 4
Where: National Western Complex – 4655 Humbolt St., Denver
Cost: $84.98 – $599.98; Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Denver and Chicago may be different in many ways, but we do have Riot Fest in common. The massive festival seamlessly blends the old and the new in punk, alternative, rock and hip-hop. This weekend the festival has booked headliners like Jane’s Addiction, Ween, NAS and the Misfits. The festival offers open weekend passes as well as single day passes so there is no excuse to miss out. Go here to see the full lineup.
Rocky Mountain Showdown
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Showdown on Facebook.
When: September 2, 6p.m.
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St, St. 700, Denver
Cost: Varies
The Lowdown: It’s time for Colorado’s annual Rocky Mountain Showdown — one of the biggest civil rivalry in the state. Buffalos, past and present, of the University of Colorado and Rams, past and present, of Colorado State University will come together at the Mile High Stadium to kick off the 2016 college football season. Get out your foam fingers and face paint and cheer on your team in hopes of taking the the 2016 Centennial Cup.
First Friday Art Walk
RiNo Denver mural. Photo by Brittany Werges
When: September 2, 6-9p.m.
Where: RiNo Denver Art Districts
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: It’s the first Friday of the month and do you know what that means for Denver? It’s RiNo‘s “First Friday Art Walk.” This month’s exhibition at Plinth Gallery is pleased to showcase the ceramic work of Chandler Romeo in his series “Chorography: The Art of Mapping.”
SPONSORED:
A Taste of Colorado
Photo by Camille Breslin
When: September 2-5
Where: Civic Center Park, Denver
The Lowdown: Eat, Drink Local, and Play at A Taste of Colorado. Join the fun Labor Day Weekend at A Taste of Colorado – it’s the perfect way to wrap up Summer in Downtown Denver, Civic Center Park, Sept 2-5. In addition to five free music stages, fantastic eats, Colorado artisans and marketplace, enjoy made-in-Colorado beers and cocktails from local distilleries. Check out the Colorado Craft Beer Garden with a group of friends! Sip on some brews, play ladder golf, giant Jenga, and corn hole, while the music is rockin’! To learn more about Taste of Colorado visit their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or call (303) 295-6330 for more information.
First Annual Denver Lit Crawl
When: September 2 starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Tennyson Street between West 42nd and 46th Avenue
The Lowdown: Inspired by the Lit Crawls across the country, Denver will finally have its very own here in the Mile High. Celebrating more than 30 Denver-area writers, The Lit Crawl will take place along Tennyson Street between West 42nd and 46th Avenues at various venues beginning at 6 p.m. Come get to know the literary minds shaping Denver while picking out some great reading for fall. Go here to know more about the various events as well as the must-attend after party at the Oriental Theater.
Guilty Pleasures Party at Hi-Dive
Photo courtesy of 303 Magazine archives.
When: September 2, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Hi-Dive, 7 S Broadway, Denver, Co
The Lowdown: This Friday the iconic Denver dive bar and venue will deviate from its normal programming for a night of “guilty pleasures.” Known for showcasing upcoming underground artists, the Hi-Dive will go mainstream and “play all the 90’s dance music your weird niece (who is actually older than you) still listens to.”
Feral First Friday Film Series – Drawn
When: Friday, September 2 at 8 p.m.
Where: Feral Mountain Co. – 4320 Tennyson St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: Feral Mountain Co. on Tennyson St. is hosting the final screening of their first Friday film series. Drawn is the story of a man who, in an attempt to change his understanding of life, traveled the world and drew the amazing things he saw on his journey. While admission to the event is free the film will be screened in front of Feral Mountain Co. so you will need to bring your own chair and refreshments. Check out the event page for additional information.
Tunes, Brews and Wormwood #2
Photo Courtesy of Strange Craft Brewery Facebook Page
When: Saturday, September 3 at 7 p.m.
Where: Strange Craft Beer Co – 1330 Zuni St., Denver
Cost: $15; Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Wormwood Theater Collective is a treat in the Denver theater scene. Experimental shows incorporate the troupe itself, a brewery and a band and there is a ton of opportunity for audience participation. This month check out Wormwood at Strange Craft brewery with local band – Open to the Hound. An exercise in both unique and immersive artistry with the unbound element of improvisation and the kindling of alcohol you are guaranteed a one-of-a-kind and catered experience.
Brews and Views
Photo Courtesy of Hudson Gardens Facebook Page
When: Saturday, September 3 at 2 p.m.
Where: Hudson Gardens Event Center – 6115 South Sante Fe Dr., Littleton
Cost: $25-$50; Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: It is that time again – games, socializing and tons of beer at the beautiful Hudson Gardens in Littleton. There are 40 local breweries participating this year to delight any palette of beer drinkers. Enjoy the live music and bring your friends to this delightful evening out. Although the event is 21+ there are severe discounts for non drinkers with tickets starting at $5.
FISE World Series
When: Saturday, September 3 – September, August 5
Where: Metropolitan State College of Denver and Downtown Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: The Festival des Sports Extremes has chosen Denver, Colorado to be the first US city to host the internationally renowned alternative sports expo. Originally launched in Palavas, France in 1997 FISE has since grown into an international phenomenon for extreme sports competitions throughout the world. Prepare yourself to see BMX and Skateboard events like never before, including a BMX rider challenge in the sculpture park outside of the Center for the Performing Arts. Check out the full events lineup here.
Labor Day Weekend Laugh Off
Photo Courtesy of Jakes Sports and Spirits Bar Facebook Page
When: Saturday, September 3 at 8 p.m.
Where: Jake’s Sports and Spirits – 3800 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $3
The Lowdown: Join both local and national acts in a total rundown of funniness this Saturday at Jake’s Sports and Spirits. The stage is set for an all out laugh riot, that plus a great bar, good food and a friendly staff should make for a great Saturday night. Chuck Bronson and Heather Marulli will headline for the full lineup check out the event page here.
Circus Emporium Freakeasy Presents – Dirty Jobs
Photo Courtesy of 3 Kings Tavern Facebook Page
When: Sunday, September 4 at 9 p.m.
Where: 3 Kings Tavern – 60 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: $5
The Lowdown: If you’re stuck looking forward to an incredibly boring week starting on Monday, then do not waste your Sunday night – head over to 3 Kings Tavern for a show of human spectacle. The Circus Emporium Freakeasy is hosting a night of incredible feats of the human body, bizarre game shows and music spun by DJ Zombie. The full entertainment lineup is set on the event page here.
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Mark Your Calendars…
New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat
When: Saturday, September 10 at 10 a.m.
Where: City Park, Denver
Cost: $5-$10 Get Tickets Here.
Alto Gallery Presents – The Eagle and the Condor
When: Friday, September 9 at 7 p.m.
Where: Alto Gallery – 4345 West 41st Ave., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
Ska Brewing Company’s 21st Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, September 10 at 4 p.m.
Where: Ska Brewery – 225 Girard St., Durango
Cost: Free Admission
Walker Fine Art Gallery Presents – Inherent Intent
When: Friday, September 9 at 5 p.m.
Where: Walker Gallery of Fine Art – 300 West 11th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
Article by Sarah Heath with additional support from Peyton Garcia.