The weekend offers a mix of virtual and in-person activities with which you can fill your free time — all for free. (And yes, there are tickets events, too, including those on this recommended list.)
Here are six of your best options:
Colorado XOs Rugby
Saturday, May 22, 2 p.m.
Infinity Park, 950 South Birch Street (and online)
Infinity Park is opening the gates for the first big event in a year: a free rugby match with new Crossover team the Colorado XOs vs LA Loyals Elite. Doors open at 1 p.m.; no tickets required. Find out more here.
Opening Reception: Matt Barton, "Community Forms"
Saturday, May 22, 2 to 5 p.m.
TAXI, 3457 Ringsby Court
Form follows function in more than one way with this permanent public art project by Colorado Springs artist and Black Cube resident Matt Barton. "Community Forms" is an undulating concrete structure at the TAXI campus that serves both as a stormwater flood mitigation environment and an impromptu skate park. It’s also beautiful to look at, in a win-win-win. Celebrate "Community Forms" at an outdoor reception that also invites boarders to try out the new terrain; there will be an open skate at 4 after remarks at 3 p.m. RSVP online at Eventbrite, then read our story about "Community Forms."
Remix Pop-Up Market
Saturday, May 22, and Sunday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Black House, 2852 Welton Street
A formerly vacant house on Welton Street isn’t empty anymore: Dubbed the Black House, the Five Points dwelling will serve, at least for the weekend, as the location of the Remix Pop-Up Market, a shopping extravaganza that includes wares from Denver BIPOC businesses, as well as high-end consignment items being sold to raise funds for the outdoor youth program Lincoln Hills Cares. Make it a weekend: Each day will feature new items and vendors, and between rounds of shopping, organizers suggest checking out Five Points businesses like Coffee at the Point and Mimosas, a new brunch spot. Learn more here.
Downtown is back for summer.
Larimer Square
Saturday, May 22, 9:30 a.m.
Denver Urban Gardens, 1031 33rd Street, Suite 100
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have a piece of land all your own at a community garden? Get a taste when Denver Urban Gardens hosts a family-friendly bike tour of three of DUG’s 188 locations, all wrapped up together with a scavenger hunt, live music, chalk art and a seed giveaway. Tour groups will leave DUG headquarters in timed-entry waves; register and leave optional donations here.
Artists on the Rise: LVDY
Saturday, May 22, 7 p.m., and Sunday, May 23, 3 p.m.
Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee Street
The Dairy Block is launching Artists on the Rise, an ongoing campaign to highlight top Mile High talents, with LVDY, a Colorado-based indie-folk duo with Kathleen Hooper and Aubrey Mable that had traveled the world before the pandemic put a stop to live performances. Fans, known as the LVDYMOB, helped support a successful Kickstarter campaign, allowing the musicians to create a debut album, Gold, which dropped on April 16. The act will perform two free outdoor concerts in the Alley at the Dairy Block; find out more here.
Poetry at the Park
Sunday, May 23, 2 to 6 p.m.
Cheesman Park, East 12th Avenue and High Street
A grand old Denver tradition is being revived on Sunday by a younger contingent of poets and presses, who’ve banded together to throw Poetry at the Park, a free marathon afternoon reading under the open sky. It’s pretty simple: Bring a blanket and a sandwich if you like, and stay for a few minutes or a couple of hours. Readers are also invited to sign up for ten-minute slots; RSVP here.
Know of a great free event around town? We'll be updating this list through the weekend; send information to [email protected].
