We’re heading for fall, and the forecast is for fun this weekend, with Oktoberfests across Colorado, and plenty of outdoor concerts.
Check our weekly list for one-off activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week:
Ongoing
Locations and dates varyThanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many art institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs For more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.
Civic Center EATSWednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Civic Center ParkFor over a decade, food trucks have rallied at Civic Center for lunchtime fun that often includes live entertainment. The fall session started September 10. Wednesday through Sunday16th and Arapahoe streetsExperience summer the Denver way at this outdoor beer garden with food, drinks, games and live entertainment all summer long. Find the complete schedule here. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 4 to 7 p.m.Outer Space, 16th and Welton streets Liven up your lunch at Upper DownTUNES, a free live music series in Upper Downtown Denver.
This Week
New American Arts FestivalThrough Sunday, September 21Roshni Healing Arts Center, 9709 East Colfax Avenue, AuroraRoshni is presenting the eleventh annual New American Arts Festival, under the theme “Confluence: Move as One, Excluding None,” with programming through September 21.Colorado Startup WeekTuesday, September 16, through Thursday, September 18Downtown DenverColorado Startup Week is a free, community-driven celebration of bold ideas and entrepreneurial spirit — across Colorado and beyond. Originally known as Denver Startup Week (and actually a week long), CSW will bring together over 10,000 founders, investors, creatives, and changemakers for a week of learning, inspiration and connection. Find the full schedule here.
UnidosUS Colorado Community TownhallWednesday, September 17, 5 to 6:30 p.m.Salon Madrid Event Center, 6495 Monaco Street, Commerce CityFour Colorado organizations — CLLARO, Adelante Community Development, Mi Casa Resource Center and Newsed Community Development Corporation — in collaboration with UnidosUS in Washington, DC, are holding this town hall to discuss the real-life impact of federal policy decisions on Colorado families. Learn more here.
The Narrators: HostWednesday, September 17, 8 p.m. (doors at 7:30)Buntport Theater, 717 Lipan StreetThis monthly storytelling show will kick off the High Plains Comedy Festival with a show full full of true stories on the theme of “Host.” You can name your own price for a seat, or grab floor seating for free.
Food, Culture & JournalismThursday, September 18, 10 to 11:45 a.m.Anderson Academic Commons, Room 290, 2150 East Evans Avenue, University of DenverThis year’s Margolin lecture is by Gustavo Arellano, author of “Ask a Mexican,” 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner, celebrated Los Angeles Times columnist and winner of this year’s University of Denver Anvil of Freedom, talking about Mexican cuisine, Latino communities and the power of storytelling through food. Julia Roncoroni, associate professor in the Morgridge College of Education and head of the Health Disparities Research Lab, will start the program with insights from her forthcoming cookbook; additional remarks will come from Lina Reznicek-Parrado, associate teaching professor and director of the Spanish Program for Heritage/Bilingual Speakers, and Carlos Jimenez Jr., associate professor in Media, Film and Journalism Studies. The event is open to the public; register here.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list through the week; send information to [email protected].