As the summer heats up, Denver continues to experience a variety of fun and exciting weekend events. With plenty of block parties, food festivals and of course bar crawls, the Mile High City always has something going on in the last weekend of June. From a Unicorn Festival, a doggie-con and an intergenerational show and tell, there are plenty of unique things to do in Denver this weekend.
Wednesday, June 21
FuckUp Nights
When: Wednesday, June 21, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox — 1215 20th St, Denver
Cost: $20 – 25 — get tickets here
The Lowdown: FuckUp Nights Denver is celebrating its first birthday the only way it knows how — with stories of fuck-ups and failures from some of the city’s most influential people. For this edition, it’s pulling out the big guns with a feature from the Editor of Westword, Patricia Calhoun. The theme of publishing will continue with Tristan Chan, founder of PorchDrinking.com, a locally-based national beer publication, and Andy Seiler owner of Cue Motion, a local video production company. As always, the price of a ticket comes with booze— and this time you’ll get two from Ratio Beerworks for an added incentive.
Note: 303 Magazine is a media partner for this event.
Thursday, June 22
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 22, 8 p.m.
Where: Mary Rippon Outdoor Theater — 1030 Broadway, Boulder
Cost: $20+
The Lowdown: Enjoy a Shakespeare classic, The Taming of the Shrew, with a more modern twist this Thursday at the Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre. The setting will be in 1940s New York City, as a pilot who has just returned from WWII is assimilating back into society. The mountain-surrounded outdoor theater is an added compliment to this unique play and perfect for a summer play.
Top Taco 2017
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 22, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Where: River North Festival Grounds, Denver
Cost: $74 – $132 — get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Enjoy a taco throw down as various local restaurants compete to take the title of Top Taco 2017. The taco festival invites guests to enjoy a variety of tacos and signature tequila cocktails and vote on who gets the award for Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Vegetarian Taco and Top Cocktail. A ticket gets you access to as many tacos as you can eat, as well as enjoying some delicious signature tequila drinks. There will also be live music.
Doggie Cosplay & Countdown to the Con Party!
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 22, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Watering Bowl — 5411 Leetsdale Dr., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: In anticipation for the Comic Con 2017 weekend approaching, the Watering Bowl invites you to bring your furry friend for a Doggie Cosplay Countdown party. The event will feature a groomer from Vanity Fur to punk your dog out. There will also be a caricaturist drawing pictures of you and your dog, as well as members from the Greyhound Project. Your pup will get free food from Colorado’s own, Only Natural Pet. Want your dog to have a chance to win a prize for doggie cosplay? Sign them up here.
Coffee, Beer, and Ice Cream
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Thursday, June 22, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: MCA Denver — 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: $10. Get tickets here.
The Lowdown: In continuation of the series that entails any three random things, the MCA invites you to experience coffee, beer and ice cream. The series is an experiment in performance, lecture and music as they smash them together. They have no similarities (besides deliciousness) so enjoy a unique and exciting event put on by the MCA.
Friday, June 23
Experience The Brown with Jordan Winery
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 23, 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa Lobby — 321 17th St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: Free wine and food samples? Start your Friday the right way with both in The Brown’s lobby. There will be a wine specialist from Jordan Winery and Palace Arms Chef Garrett Kasper will be handing out sips and bites for all to enjoy.
Lipgloss 16th Anniversary • Andrew W.K. (DJ Set)
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 23, 9 p.m.
Where: Bar Standard — 1037 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $19 — get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Celebrate the 16th Anniversary party of Lipgloss, this Friday at Bar Standard. Lipgloss throws it down every Friday at Milk Bar, but for this special night, the party will be upstairs at Bar Standard. Andrew W.K.will set the stage as the special guest DJ for what is sure to be one hell of a party. Celebrate, dance and have fun at this anniversary celebration.
Note: 303 Magazine is a media partner for this event.
The Great Space Escape
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 23, 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Where: Denver Museum of Nature & Science — 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
Cost: $12 – $15 — get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Travel through the universe in a live tour with certified museum astro-nerds as your guides this Friday. The galactic journey in the Gates Planetarium is sure to make you say, “wow” and struck with awe at the intricacies of our universe. There will be a cash bar available 30 minutes before the show. Also, don’t show up late, because there will be no late admittance.
Buskerfest
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: June 23 – 24, 5 – 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Denver Union Station — 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The Union Station plaza is lighting up this weekend with live street art and performers. Cultivated by preservationist Dana Crawford, these artists will display their skills in busking and street theater. With fire performers, musicians, face painters, hula-hoopers and jugglers, there is no shortage of entertainment. There will also be vendors in the area, some donating proceeds to Arts Street, which encourages at-risk youth to express themselves through art.
ROLL | Space Race
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Friday, June 23, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: ROLL — 1399 35th St., Denver
Cost: $5 presale, $10 door — get tickets here .
The Lowdown: Roll into space this Friday at the monthly rollerskating event that you can’t miss! ROLL will transform the Exdo event center into an intergalactic space wonderland. There will be giant planets, spaceships, cosmic lighting and so much more. Tickets get you entry into the party, as well as some roller skates to boogie down! There will be music by DJ Soup.
Denver Polo Classic
Photo by Kyle Cooper
When: Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25
Where: The Polo Reserve — 4401 West Mineral Ave, Littleton
Cost: $150+ — get tickets here.
The Lowdown: The nation’s largest charitable polo returns for another year this weekend. Benefitting the Denver Active 20-30, the luxury event will feature everything from a black tie dinner, to a family friendly day and a polo championship. The price of your ticket includes an open bar and food from some of the areas best restaurants. Grab a spot and enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience underneath the cool shade of the white polo tents.
Note: 303 Magazine is a media partner for this event.
Saturday, June 24
Beer, Bacon & Bluegrass
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When: Saturday, June 24, 2 – 4 p.m.
Where: Black Shirt Brewing Co. — 3719 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: Free Admission
The Lowdown: Beer, bacon and bluegrass. Do we need to say anymore? Head to Black Shirt Brewing Co. this Saturday for the delicious brews from Black Shirt, delectable bacon from Tender Belly and some awesome bluegrass from Old Fuss and Feathers. Another great part, it won’t cost you a cent to gain access to an afternoon filled with red ales, good food and live music.
Coors Light Presents Westword Music Showcase 2017
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When: Saturday, June 24, 12 – 10 p.m.
Where: Denver Westword — 969 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $65 – $95 — get tickets here.
The Lowdown: The Westword Music Showcase returns this Saturday to continue the array of festivals that grace the 303 during summertimes. With over 100 bands, a lot of them being local, as well as big names such as the Shakey Graves, Cut Copy and The Revivalists, this event is a great way to see a ton of music this weekend!
Sand In The City
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Saturday, June 24 – 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Ralston Park — 11200 Ralston Rd., Arvada
Cost: $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free.
The Lowdown: The beach will come to Arvada this Saturday for the fifth annual Sand in the City. It is Colorado’s premier beach party thrown by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. There will be a Kids Zone that will feature fun and free events such as a giant sandbox with buried treasure, face painters, interactive games and much more. There will also be live Hawaiian themed entertainment, giant sand sculptures and tons of vendors. Hang out and have fun for the whole family at this event. It will be happening on both Saturday and Sunday.
Coors Light South Platte RiverFest
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Saturday, June 24 – 25, 10 a.m.
Where: 15th Street and Little Raven St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Get in the summer spirit with the Coors Light South Platte RiverFest! The RiverFest will have stand up paddle board demos with other river activities for the whole family to enjoy. There will, of course, be food, beer and water sports vendors. Further, Sound Off Colorado will bring the infamous silent disco to the festival, with live music by Oakhurst, Something Underground, Residual Stank Band and more.
’90s Bar Crawl
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Saturday, June 24, 2 – 10 p.m.
Where: TBA
Cost: $40 — get tickets here
The Lowdown: Step back into the ’90s this Saturday and stop by some of Denver’s favorite bars for a ’90s Bar Crawl. There will be drink specials and ’90s music playing at a number of bars such as Howl At The Moon, ViewHouse and Lodo’s Bar & Grill. You will also receive a bar crawl cup and a welcome beer.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: June 24 – 25, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Sakura Matsuri — 1255 19th St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: The annual Cherry Blossom Festival which celebrates the Japanese-American culture will be returning this weekend for the 45th time. Since 1972, the festival celebrates the culture of Japanese heritage through art, exhibits, food and entertainment. You can tap into your spiritual side with lectures on Buddhism. In the way of art, there will be live art demonstrations, as well as traditional works to view. Make your way to the stage to see music and dance performances, including taiko drumming and ukulele performances.
Summer Flea
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When: June 24 – 25, 10 a.m – 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: 383 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: $5
The Lowdown: Shop until you drop his Saturday at the Summer Flea. There will be over 200 Colorado vendors to explore as you support local vendors. There will be craftwork and retail items, plenty of food and lots of drink specials.
Sunday, June 25
Unicorn Festival
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: Sunday, June 25, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Clement Park — 7306 Bowles Ave., Denver
Cost: $10 — get tickets here.
The Lowdown: Yup, you read that correctly. A Unicorn Festival will be coming to Clement Park this Sunday for a day full of color, magic and fun for the whole family. Splash with mermaids, take a ride on a unicorn, watch wizards duel and eat some delicious food from a variety of vendors. Learn more about the festival here.
Show and Tell Mixtape: “Hope I Don’t Die Before I Get Old!”
Photo Courtesy of Facebook Event Page
When: June 25, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: McNichols Civic Center Building — 144 W. Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: Free, RSVP here
The Lowdown: Every generation experiences something unique, whether it be the invention of synthesizers or a touch screen cell phone. Do you know what’s unique about your generation? Learn and enjoy as individuals from other generations show and tell songs and objects that they believe define their generation. It’ll be a night of mixing oldies but goodies, the youth culture of today and everything in-between.
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Mark Your Calendars…
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
When: June 30 – July 3, 5 – 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Cherry Creek North Shopping District — 2nd to 3rd Ave. between Clayton and Steele St.
Cost: Free
Untitled: Action!
When: June 30, 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Denver Art Museum — 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., Denver
Cost: $15
Tickets: Available here
Great Divide Summer Block Party
When: Saturday, July 8, 2 – 6 p.m.
Where: Square on 21st Street
Cost: $5 – $40 — get tickets here