Summer may be winding to an end, but Denver still has some chill events to keep it going. Kick off your weekend by laughing during the High Plains Comedy Festival and end it by embracing canines at National Dog Day. Whatever you end up doing, make sure to take a look at this roundup of events happening in Denver.
Thursday, August 23
High Plains Comedy Festival
When: August 23–25
Where: Locations vary, check here
Cost: Prices Vary, Check here
The Lowdown: Laugh all weekend long during the High Plains Comedy Festival. The festival features performances from comedians such as David Cross, Amy Heller, Troy Walker and more. You can participate in multiple open mic nights, workshops and other comedy influenced events throughout the weekend.
READ: Laughs We Are Looking Forward to at High Plains Comedy Festival
Korean BarbieQ
When: August 23–25, 7 p.m.
Where: Thrice Pop Up, 1414 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $75 get tickets here
The Lowdown: If you love your kimchi you need to attend the Korean BarbieQ. The event features an array of Korean-inspired bites created by Smōk, four complimentary drinks paired with the food and it all takes place inside an interactive art installation. Since it’s a pop-up, no one but the organizers know exactly what to expect with the food and the art, so you’ll have to go see for yourself.
READ: A Barbie Themed Pop-up Restaurant is Opening Tonight in Denver
Caturday Night Fever
When: August 23, 6–9:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., Denver
Cost: $25 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Denver Zoo hosts Caturday Night Fever. The event features a night of food trucks, disco music and more. You can watch live animal demos and sip on purrfect cocktails throughout the night to raise funds for the cat programs of the Denver Zoo. Cat and disco-themed costumes are encouraged.
Crossroads/Encrucijada Dedication
When: August 23, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Where: Comfort Suites Near Denver Downtown, 620 Federal Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free register here
The Lowdown: Celebrate Denver’s growing public art scene at the Crossroads/Encrucijada Dedication. The event features the dedication of four bold monuments located on the corners of the intersection of 6th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. The monuments take inspiration from serapes and hold bronze sconces to light up the corners.
Friday, August 24
ABBA The Concert
When: August 24, 5–10 p.m.
Where: Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave., Denver
Cost: $18 – $53 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Levitt Pavilion Denver presents ABBA The Concert. The event features a tribute concert to the famous pop band. You can dance and sing to the best of ABBA and live out your dancing queen fantasies.
B-Side Music
When: August 24, 5–10 p.m.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, 1485 Delgany St., Denver
Cost: $5 at entry
The Lowdown: Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA) presents B-Side Music. The musical series promoting up and coming local musicians features performances this week from Koo Qua — a southwest indie artist, Pries — a rapper on the up and ups and YaSi — a Denver hip-hop artist. The first 100 people to enter will receive a free Ratio beer to sip on.
Culinary Hurly Burly
When: August 24, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Oskar Blues Grill + Brew, 1624 Market St., Denver
Cost: $100 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Prepare your taste buds for the Culinary Hurly Burly. The event features a presentation of five dishes created by five chefs such as Carrie Baird, Brother Luck and Duff Goldman. You can move to each station and sample the amazing bites paired with brews and wines.
Chromeo
When: August 24, 9 p.m.
Where: Temple Denver, 1136 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $30 – $40 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Temple Denver presents Chromeo. You can party all night long to hot beats from Chromeo, the electrofunk band bringing cool vibes across the country. Be ready to dance your heart out to their empowered beats.
Lipgloss 17th Anniversary
When: August 24, 9 p.m.–2 a.m.
Where: Bar Standard, 1037 Broadway, Denver
Cost: $10 – $20 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Bar Standard host a Lipgloss 17th Anniversary. You can dance to sick beats from DJ Jeremy Dawson and Carah Charnow of Shiny Toy Guns. Lipgloss is the longest-running indie dance party created in Denver by Boyhollow.
READ: Show You Should Know – Shiny Toy Guns to Celebrate Lipgloss’ 17th Anniversary
Saturday, August 25
Blissfest
When: August 25–26
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Denver, 4255 W Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: $12 – $60 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Alamo Drafthouse Denver hosts Blissfest. The event features a two-day film festival with a mission to unify and create better harmony. The proceeds of the event will go towards Historic Elitch Theatre programs to help continue the theater community in Denver.
Summer Shindig
When: August 25, 3–7 p.m.
Where: Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
Cost: $35 – $55 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Sip on some chilled brews and raise funds for Keep it Public at a Summer Shindig. The event features pours from more than 20 Colorado breweries, food, outdoor retailer vendor booths and more. You can jam out to live music and enter into a raffle to win sick prizes while you taste.
PoloFest
When: August 25, 1–11 p.m.
Where: Denver Polo Club, 6359 Airport Rd, Sedalia
Cost: $45 get tickets here
The Lowdown: If you love following the magnificent game of polo, you need to attend PoloFest. The fest features a day of live music, polo and more to raise funds for the Equine Partnership Program. You can even ride a horse. The Denver Polo Club hosts the event on its lush fields.
Tour de Fat
When: August 25, 12–5 p.m.
Where: Sculpture Park, 1736 Speer Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free – $15 get tickets here
The Lowdown: New Belgium Brewing presents Tour de Fat. The event is a music, bicycle and beer festival. You can help raise funds for local non-profits such as Bike Denver and the Denver Cruiser Ride while sipping on a cold beer and dressing up in a fun costume.
Polish Food Festival
When: August 25, 1–10 p.m. August 26, 1–8 p.m.
Where: 517 E 46th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Dig into the best Polish foods at the Polish Food Festival. The event features food, live music, dancing and more. You can also sip on a cool Polish beer while taking an adventure that feels like you aren’t still in Denver.
RiNo Mini Golf Open
When: August 25, 1 – 7 p.m.
Where: 10 Barrel Brewing Company, 2620 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $15 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Sip on a cool brew from 10 Barrel Brewing and play mini golf at the RiNo Mini Golf Open. The event features a day of mini golf with nine holes to play. You can play and chill all while raising funds for Outdoor Alliance. Spots are extremely limited so make sure you snag your ticket soon.
Disney Quiz
When: August 25, 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
Where: The Irish Snug – 1201 E Colfax Ave. #100, Denver
Cost: $5 per player register here
The Lowdown: Gather a group together and test your knowledge of Disney during a Disney Quiz. The event features a night of trivia on all things Disney so brush up on the classics, create the best name for your team and play.
The Old School “Citywide” BBQ
When: August 25, noon–7 p.m.
Where: City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Embrace the summer warmth at The Old School “Citywide” BBQ. The event features BBQ in the park, live music from DJ AL Your Pal and more. Prepare yourself for some old school fun.
Midnight Madness
When: August 25, 11:59 p.m.–2:59 a.m.
Where: Landmark’s Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St., Denver
Cost: $9.50 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Get your freak on at Midnight Madness. The event features a screening of the hit The Rocky Horror Picture Show. You can participate in the interactive film with props, lines and more with the help of Colorado’s Elusive Ingredient, a theatrical organization.
Ironton Distillery Grand Opening
When: August 25, 3 p.m.–12 a.m.
Where: Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, 3636 Chestnut Pl., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Don your best Hawaiian-themed apparel for the Ironton Distillery Grand Opening. The event features the official opening with pours of specialty tiki drinks, Hawaiian style bites and more. You can dance to live music from a DJ and if you are one of the first 50 people to enter you can receive a tiki glass.
Sunday, August 26
Affordable Arts Festival
When: August 26, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S Santa Fe Dr., Littleton
Cost: $10 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Find the best art for the best prices at the Affordable Arts Festival. All of the art presented at the festival is under $100. You can peruse from more than 160 different artists for one day only. You can jam out to live music while you search for the perfect piece.
303 Magazine Pool Party Series
When: August 26, 2–7 p.m.
Where: Halycon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, 245 Columbine St., Denver
Cost: $20 – $150 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Take a dip to cool off from the summer heat during the 303 Magazine Pool Party Series. The series continues this Sunday with a party on the pool terrace of Halycon. You can sip on cocktails, nibble on bites and jam out to music from DJ J|ADORE, DJ Walt White and other local DJs. Make sure to wear the perfect suit to strut your stuff in the summer sun.
Movie Night
When: August 26, 1:10–8:10 p.m.
Where: Coors Field, 2001 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $25–$70 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Watch a film at Coors Field during a Movie Night. The event features a screening of The Sandlot on the new scoreboard. The film presents a story following a group of young kids with a love of baseball and a knack of getting into trouble.
National Dog Day
When: August 26, 2–5 p.m.
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Denver, 4255 W Colfax Ave., Denver
Cost: $10 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Alamo Drafthouse Denver presents National Dog Day. The event features a screening of Isle of Dogs — a film that follows the journey of five dogs who live on a trash-filled island as they are faced with helping a young boy named Atari in finding his dog, Spots.
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Mark Your Calendar
A Taste of Colorado
When: September 1 – 3
Where: Denver’s Civic Center Park, Colfax and Bannock St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
Denver Gem & Mineral Show
When: September 14 – 16
Where: Denver Mart, 451 E 58th Ave., Denver
Cost: $7 – $15 tickets available here
CineLatino Film Festival
When: September 6 – 9
Where: Denver Film Society, 1510 York St., Denver
Cost: $85 get tickets here