Sun’s out, fun’s out: Over 100 things to do across Colorado this summer

It’s summer in Colorado, and there are hot times ahead, from movies and markets to concerts, theater and festivals.

For our annual Summer Guide, we rounded up all the coolest events during Denver’s hottest season. If you can’t find fun over the next few months, don’t blame us! 

Looking for low-budget fun around Denver? We created a whole list of options. And if you’re looking to splurge on a memorable experience, we have a list for that too.

Want to get out of Denver? Here are some one-tank road trips out of the city that we think are worth the price of gas.

Now keep reading for hundreds of other events this summer:

August events

Through Aug. 3: Leadville Boom Days: Honoring the town’s gold and silver rush heritage, this three-day celebration will feature burro races, mining skill contests, theatrical gunfighter shows and more. Saturday, Aug. 1 through Monday, Aug. 3, free. Multiple locations, Leadville, leadvilleboomdays.org.

Through Aug. 9: Denver Days: Host a residential block party, park picnic or another community event, as permit fees are waived during this period. Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 9, free. Multiple locations, denvergov.org.

Through Aug. 10: Vail Dance Festival: A two-week celebration of exceptional artistry in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Friday, July 31 through Monday, Aug. 10, free and ticketed events. Multiple locations, Vail, vaildance.org.

Aug. 5-9: Boulder County Fair: Enjoy the carnival, classic fair foods, an action-packed rodeo and more grandstand events at the state’s oldest county fair. Wednesday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., free. Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, bouldercountyfair.org.

Aug. 6-8: Breckenridge August Art Festival: Demonstrations and live music will take place during this event featuring more than a dozen fine art categories. Thursday, Aug. 6 through Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free. Main Street Station, 505 South Park Ave., Breckenridge, mountainartfestivals.com.

Aug. 6-8: Vail Wine Classic: Grand tastings, guided hikes and pairing events will spotlight more than three hundred wines from around the world. Thursday, Aug. 6 through Saturday, Aug. 8, $139.73-$201.83 grand tasting ticket. Multiple locations, Vail, vailwineclassic.com.

Aug. 7-9: Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival: This long-standing event will offer carnival rides, a classic car show, band performances, a pie baking contest and more. Friday, Aug. 7 through Sunday, Aug. 9, free ($38-$66 unlimited rides wristband). Anderson Park, 4355 Field St., Wheat Ridge, thecarnationfestival.com.

Aug. 8: Denver Days Back to School Fest: Collect free backpacks and school supplies, enjoy family-friendly activities and discover valuable community resources. Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free. Westwood Community Center, 1000 South Lowell Blvd., denvergov.org.

Aug. 8-9: Snowmass Plein Air Art Festival: Twenty local artists will create distinctive landscape pieces in real time during this outdoor showcase. Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free. Base Village, 73 Wood Road, Snowmass Village, gosnowmass.com.

Aug. 8-9: Estes Park Wine Festival: Sip unlimited wine tastings while enjoying live music, retail booths and food vendors. Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $44.43-$55.09 general admission ($108.39-$135.05 VIP tickets). Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave., Estes Park, estesparkwinefestival.com.

Aug. 9: Sazón Latin Food Festival: Savor Caribbean, Central and South American flavors during this cultural event featuring live music and vendors. Sunday, Aug. 9, noon to 5 p.m., free admission. Improper City, 3201 Walnut St., rinoartdistrict.org.

Aug. 12-16: Telluride Mushroom Festival: Join mycologists, artists, foragers and enthusiasts in exploring all things fungi. Wednesday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug.16, free and ticketed events ($502.77-$1,568.67 full festival pass). Multiple locations, Telluride, tellurideinstitute.org.

Aug. 14-16: Buffalo Days: A longstanding celebration of Western heritage featuring parade floats, a cornhole tournament, live performances and a barbecue feast. Friday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 16, free. 14700 US-34, Grand Lake, gograndlake.com.

Aug. 15: Front Range Wine Festival: More than thirty Colorado wineries will serve free-flowing samples at this annual event. Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $55.09-$135.05. Main Community Park, 300 Locust St., Windsor, frontrangewinefestival.com.

Aug. 20: Summer Scream: Enjoy thrill rides and open bars during Denver Film’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 to 11 p.m., $65-$85. Lakeside Amusement Park, 4601 Sheridan Blvd., denverfilm.org.

Aug. 20: Chicken Fight and Burger Brawl: Forty local restaurants will be featured at this event offering unlimited chicken bites, burgers, booze and thrill rides. Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 to 10 p.m. (5 p.m. VIP entry), $60-$149. Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, denver.chickenfightfest.com.

Aug. 20-22: Breckenridge Wine Classic: Enjoy grand tastings, guided hikes with wine-paired lunches, sommelier-planned dinners and live music performances. Thursday, Aug. 20 through Saturday, Aug. 22, $134.55-$165.60 grand tasting ticket. Multiple locations, Breckenridge, breckenridgewineclassic.com.

Aug. 20-25: Estes Valley Plein Air: Renowned national artists will paint on-site in Rocky Mountain National Park and throughout the valley, then auction their pieces to the public. Thursday, Aug. 20 through Tuesday, Aug. 25, free ($30 national park vehicle pass). Multiple locations, Estes Park, artcenterofestes.com.

Aug. 21-22: Palisade Peach Festival: This peachy event will involve a fruit-eating contest, elevated orchard dinners, music jams and more. Friday, Aug. 21, 3 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., free and ticketed events. Multiple locations, Palisade, palisadecoc.com.

Aug. 22: Olathe Sweet Corn Festival: Nosh on free all-you-can-eat roasted sweet corn, join the corn-eating contest and wear a corny costume for the 5K. Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., free. Montrose Rotary Amphitheater, Shanes Way, Montrose, olathesweetcornfest.com.

Aug. 22-23: Summer Art Market: Hosted by the Art Students League of Denver, this annual event showcases diverse artists and demos for all ages. Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., $7-$10. 200 N. Grant St., asld.org.

Aug. 22-23: Handmade in Colorado Expo: Support local artists and craftspeople at this special market featuring original handcrafted goods. Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23, noon to 6 p.m., free. Wynkoop Plaza at Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St., coloradoevents.org.

Aug. 29: Dashiki Festival: Now in its tenth year, this event honors Afrocentric culture through fashion, food, art and a range of cultural performances. Saturday, Aug. 29, 3 to 10 p.m., free. Centennial Center Park, 13050 East Peakview Avenue, Centennial, dashikiday.com.

Aug. 29-30: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival: Enjoy dragon boat racing, live entertainment, cultural performances, food vendors, an Asian marketplace and interactive experiences. Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., free. Sloan’s Lake Park, 1700 N. Sheridan Blvd., cdbf.org.

Aug. 20-23: Breckenridge International Festival of Arts: A vibrant blend of music, dance, theatre and visual art that celebrates the connection between people and nature. Thursday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Aug. 23, free ($495 two-person VIP pass). Multiple locations, Breckenridge Arts District Campus, breckcreate.org.

Aug. 27-28: DanceAspen: Crescendo: Watch riveting choreography set to composer Maurice Ravel’s iconic Boléro, brought to life with a live band on stage. Thursday, Aug. 27 and Friday, Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m., $45-$65. Wheeler Opera House, 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, wheeleroperahouse.com.

Aug. 28-30: Breckenridge Hogfest: Indulge in pork samples, premium whiskeys, single malt scotches and barrel-aged spirits. Friday, Aug. 28, 6:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 29, 12:30 to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $87.35-$230.91 grand tasting ticket ($431.34 all-access pass). Multiple locations, Breckenridge, rockymountainevents.com.

Aug. 28-Sept. 7: Colorado State Fair and Rodeo: Experience pro rodeo events, music performances, monster truck shows and carnival rides at this end-of-summer event. Friday, Aug. 28 through Monday, Sept. 7, $7-$15 gate admission ($34-$202 unlimited rides wristband). 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, coloradostatefair.com.

Aug. 29: Tour De Fat: The brewery behind Fat Tire amber ale will host this 25th annual event featuring a costumed bike parade, musical acts, a dance contest and more. Saturday, Aug. 29, 9:30 a.m., free. New Belgium Brewing Company, 500 Linden St., Fort Collins, newbelgium.com.

Aug. 29-30: Highlands Art Festival: More than one hundred fine artists will participate in this varied outdoor showcase. Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free. Highlands Masonic Lodge, 3550 Federal Blvd., coloradoartshows.com.

Aug. 29-Sept. 4: Colfax Canvas: An annual mural festival that elevates public art and amplifies community voices in the Aurora Cultural Arts District. Saturday, Aug. 29 through Friday, Sept. 4, free. East Colfax Avenue between Dayton and Galena streets, Aurora, colfaxcanvas.com.

Aug. 30: Affordable Arts Festival: Over 165 artists from around the country come to Colorado to offer art patrons the unique opportunity to buy fine art for $150 or less. Sunday, Aug. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton. affordableartsfestival.com.

September events

Sept. 5-7: Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival: More than a hundred booths will display paintings, jewelry, metalwork, pottery, glass and other handmade goods. Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free. Bond Park, 170 MacGregor Ave., Estes Park, estesartscrafts.com.

Sept. 5-7: Breckenridge Gathering at the Great Divide Art Festival: Top talent from across the country will gather for the longest-running art festival in Summit County. Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free. Colorado Mountain College, 107 Denison Placer Road, Breckenridge, mountainartfestivals.com.

Sept. 10-13: Winter Park Film Festival: View the Granby-centered documentary Tread and other high-end cinema at one of Colorado’s emerging film festivals. Thursday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 13, from $21.99. Foundry Cinema and Bowl, 22 Second St., Fraser, winterparkfilmfestival.com.

Sept. 11-20: Colorado Minerals, Fossils and Gems Show: Hundreds of dealers, collectors and enthusiasts will attend this event showcasing rare discoveries and stunning exhibits. Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., free. Denver Coliseum, 4600 N. Humboldt St., colorado.show.

Sept. 18-20: Telluride Blues and Brews Festival: This multi-stage celebration pairs world-class music with top-tier craft beer. Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday, Sept. 20, $126.51-$131.64 day ticket ($329.90-$1150.41 full festival pass). Multiple locations, Telluride, tellurideblues.com.

Sept. 19: Walk With Autism: This inclusive event will feature a resource fair and fundraising walk, with proceeds benefiting the Autism Society of Colorado. Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., $43.40 ($27.50 for children ages 3 to 12). Berkeley Lake Park, 4601 W. 46th Ave., autismcolorado.org.

Sept.19: Colorado Mountain Winefest: With its new reduced capacity, this event promises unlimited tastings of Colorado wines and expanded culinary offerings in an intimate atmosphere. Saturday, Sept. 19, noon to 4 p.m. (11 a.m. VIP entry), $213.62-$345.40. Riverbend Park, 451 Pendleton Street, Palisade, coloradowinefest.com.

Sept. 19: Boulder Ballet: InHuman: This bold program explores the intersection of instinct and identity through three striking contemporary works. Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., $45.80-$69.40. Chautauqua Auditorium, 100 Morning Glory Drive, Boulder, chautauqua.com.

ONGOING EVENTS

Art

Art District on Santa Fe: First Friday Art Walk, first Friday of each month, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. (through 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 for the district’s annual block party); Third Friday Art Nights, third Friday of each month, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Sundays on Santa Fe, last Sunday of each month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free. Santa Fe Drive between Sixth and 11th avenues, denversartdistrict.org.

Denver Art Museum: The museum’s extensive permanent collections are complemented by “Southwest Impressions,” on view through June 21; “The Stars We Do Not See,” through July 26; “John E. Thompson and Colorado Modernism,” opens July 19; “Storytellers: The Blackfeet Nation & Charles M. Russell,” opens Sept. 6; and “What We’ve Been Up To: People,” through Sept. 29, $22-$25 Colorado residents (free for youth 18 and under). 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, denverartmuseum.org.

Gregory Allicar Museum of Art: This museum on the Colorado State University campus is hosting “Meticulous,” on view through Aug. 9; “Unexpected Connections: Warhol Prints and Collection Portraits,” from June 17 to Aug. 16; “Of a Feather,” from Aug. 19 to December 13; “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing,” from Aug. 26 to December 13; and “AfroBohemian Home: An Installation by Zsudayka Nzinga,” from Sept. 2 to December 13. 1400 Remington St., Fort Collins, artmuseum.colostate.edu.

PACE Center: View landscapes, abstract expressions and moments of adventure in “Call of the Wild,” on view through Aug. 8, free. Schoolhouse Gallery, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker, parkerarts.org.

THEATER

Creede Repertory Theatre: This season features “Fully Committed,” a comic marathon in which one actor plays forty characters; “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical about six students trying to spell their way through adolescence; a localized version of “Working: A Musical;” and “Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure.” All shows in repertory through Saturday, Sept. 19, $30-$55 ($25-$30 for youth ages 2 to 16). 124 N. Main St., Creede, creederep.org.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts: See Broadway tours and local theatre company productions at this sprawling downtown arts complex. “Beetlejuice,” Aug. 4 to 9; “504: The Musical,” Aug. 6 to 23; “Spamalot,” Aug. 11 to 23; “The Outsiders,” Sept. 8 to 27; “Destiny of Desire,” Sept. 11 to Oct. 4; “Hold On To Your Butts,” Sept. 16 to Oct. 4. Multiple locations, 1101 13th St., denvercenter.org.

Miners Alley Performing Arts Center: To help keep live theatre affordable and accessible, this venue is offering up to 25% discounts on tickets to “Taco Town,” from Aug. 7 through Sept. 13, $35-$50. 1100 Miner’s Alley, Golden, minersalley.com.

Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre: “Shrek The Musical” starts the summer season, with “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” opening June 19 and “Urinetown: The Musical” on July 3. All shows in repertory through Saturday, Aug. 29, $48-$70 ($48-$60 for children). 800 Grand Ave., Grand Lake, rockymountainrep.com.

Theatre Aspen: “Grease” will appear from July 31 to Aug. 29, $87.50-$155. Hurst Theatre, 470 Rio Grande Place, Aspen, theatreaspen.org.

FILM

Avanti Outdoor Movie Nights: Enjoy themed drinks, food specials and costume contests during these screenings. Thursdays, Aug. 6: “Shrek;” Aug. 13: “The Hangover;” Aug. 20: “Pitch Perfect;” Aug. 27: “Mean Girls;” Sept. 3: “The Princess Bride.” Events start at 8:30 p.m., free. 3200 North Pecos St., avantifandb.com.

Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series: Park your car and set up in front of a 33-foot outdoor screen during these drive-in-style movie nights. Saturdays, Aug. 8: “School of Rock;” Aug. 22: “How To Train Your Dragon;” Aug. 29: “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” Events start at 8 p.m., $30 per vehicle. Backcountry Base Camp, 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton, hrcaonline.org.

Brighton Flix and Kicks: This family-friendly series begins with kids’ activities, followed by movies in various parks. Thursdays, Aug. 6: “Elio;” Aug. 13: “Monsters University.” Events start at 5:30 p.m., free. Multiple locations, Brighton, brightonco.gov.

Central Park Movies on the Green: Visit the concession stand and local food trucks before each showtime. Fridays, Aug. 14: “Shrek;” Sept. 4: “Wicked: For Good.” Events start at dusk, free. South Green, 29th Avenue and Roslyn Street, mca80238.com.

Champagne Tiger Movie Nights: Hosted by local drag performer Evelyn Evermoor, these free outdoor screenings will spotlight queer cult classics. Fridays, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18. Events start at 7:30 p.m., free. Champagne Tiger, 601 East Colfax Avenue, champagnetiger.com.

Edgewater Public Market Monday Night Movies: Enjoy dinner from the market’s eclectic vendors, then settle in for an outdoor screening. Mondays, Aug. 3: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower;” Aug. 10: “Sleepless in Seattle;” Aug. 17: “The Goonies;” Aug. 24: “The Birdcage;” Aug. 31: “The Parent Trap;” Sept. 14: “Crazy Rich Asians;” Sept. 21: “Sinners;” Sept. 28: “Hocus Pocus.” Events start at dusk, free. 5505 W. 20th Ave., Edgewater, edgewaterpublicmarket.com.

EPRD Family Movie Nights: In addition to screenings, this Evergreen series offers inflatable activities, face painting, yard games and food trucks. Fridays, Aug. 28: “Wall-E;” Sept. 25: “Jurassic Park.” Events start at 5 p.m., free. Buchanan Park, 32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen, evergreenrecreation.com.

Film on the Rocks: Live entertainment will precede each film in this outdoor series. Mondays, Aug. 3: “Bridesmaids;” Aug. 10: “Jurassic Park.” Events start at 7 p.m., $25-$50. Red Rocks Park Amphitheatre, 18300 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison, redrocksonline.com.

Larimer Square Movie Night on the Block: A new outdoor film series within the city’s most historic district. Sunday, Aug. 30: “Legally Blonde;” Tuesday, Sept. 23: “School of Rock.” Events start at dusk, free. 1430 Larimer Street, larimersquare.com.

Movie Nights at Infinity Park: Bring chairs and pack a cooler for these free flicks in the park. Monday, June 22: “Zootopia 2;” Thursday, July 2: “F1;” Mondays, July 6: “Ratatouille;” July 20: “The Princess Bride;” Aug. 3: “Cars.” Events start at 7 p.m., free. 950 S. Birch St., Glendale, infinityparkatglendale.com.

Movies at McGregor: Lay a blanket on the lawn or gather at plaza tables for a view of the square’s 66-foot LED screen. Aug. 6: “10 Things I Hate About You;” Aug. 20: “Super Mario Galaxy.” Events start at 6:30 p.m. (6 p.m. on double feature night), free. McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St., mcgregorsquare.com.

RiNo Outdoor Movie Nights: Bring chairs and cozy blankets to screenings in the vibrant lot next to Denver Central Market. Thursday, Aug. 8. Events start at 8:30 p.m. (8 p.m. in August), free. Lot on Larimer, 2631 Larimer St., rinoartdistrict.org.

Sunset Cinema: Enjoy cinema snacks, craft cocktails and pre-show entertainment that complements each film. Aug. 4: “Best in Show;” Aug. 18: “Shaun of the Dead.” Events start at 6 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on July 3), free. Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1736 Speer Blvd., artscomplex.com.

Westminster Movies in the Park: Live music, family activities and food concessions kick off these outdoor screenings. Aug. 14: “Goat.” Events start at 7 p.m., free. Multiple locations, Westminster, westminsterco.gov.

Markets

Centennial Artisan Fair: A curated collection of local makers, artists and small businesses make up this high-energy shopping experience. Saturday, Aug. 29; Sunday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free. Park Meadows, 9555 East County Line Road, Centennial, coloradomarkets.com.

Havana Street Night Market: Savor global flavors, watch cultural performances and shop from vendors offering handmade goods and worldwide finds. Saturdays, Aug. 29 and Sept. 26, 6 to 10 p.m., free. Leezakaya, 2710 S. Havana St., Aurora, bonfireeventco.com.

Littleton Artisan Fair: Shop from handmade, boutique and one-of-a-kind goods at this market centered on local small businesses. Saturdays, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free. Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, coloradomarkets.com.

Market at the Center: A monthly market spotlighting newer small businesses, local artists, food makers and community organizations. Saturdays, Aug. 8 and Sept.12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free. Main Campus Plaza at the National Western Center, 4850 National Western Drive, bonfireeventco.com.

A Paris Street Market: Find vintage, antique and artisan wares at this longstanding outdoor market. Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., free. Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, aparisstreetmarket.com.

Tangerine Sky Market: Discover trend-forward makers and boutique brands offering vintage goods, handcrafted pieces and more. Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free. 7490 W. 52nd Ave., Arvada, coloradomarkets.com.

Urban Markets at Union Station: Enjoy live music and entertainment while browsing an eclectic mix of arts and crafts sold directly by local creators. Select weekends, Aug. 8 and 9; Aug. 16, noon to 6 p.m., free. 1701 Wynkoop St., denverunionstation.com.

Sports and recreation

Colorado Rapids: In honor of its thirtieth anniversary, watch the professional soccer club play home games on Aug. 15: Sporting Kansas City; Aug. 19: Los Angeles Football Club; Aug. 29: Real Salt Lake; Sept. 12: CF Montréal; Sept. 16: St. Louis City SC; and Sept. 19: Seattle Sounders FC. Tickets: $33-$246. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, coloradorapids.com.

Colorado Rockies: Attend home games on Aug. 3 to 5: Tampa Bay Rays; Aug. 17 to 19: Los Angeles Dodgers; Aug. 21 to 23: Cleveland Guardians; Aug. 31 to Sept. 2: Baltimore Orioles; Sept. 4 to 6: St. Louis Cardinals; Sept. 14 to 17: San Diego Padres; Sept. 18 to 20: Seattle Mariners; and Sept. 22 to 24: Arizona Diamondbacks. Tickets: $4-$137.25. Coors Field, 2001 Blake St., mlb.com.

Denver Summit FC: Watch the city’s first professional women’s sports team in a major American league play soccer on Aug. 5: NC Courage; Aug. 8: Utah Royals; Aug. 29: Chicago Stars FC; Sept. 6: Gotham FC; Sept. 16: Bay FC; and Sept.19: Seattle Reign. Tickets: $33.96-$311.23. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City and Centennial Stadium, 4401 E. Arapahoe Road, Littleton, denversummitfc.com.

High Country Stampede Rodeo: Don your Western wear for exciting rodeo entertainment including bull riding, mutton bustin’, barrel racing and more. Saturdays through Aug. 15, 7 p.m., $15 ($10 for children ages 6 to 12). 1741 County Road 73, Fraser, highcountrystampederodeo.com.

Snowmass Rodeo: A longstanding tradition with music, cowboys and cowgirls, horses, livestock and family fun. Wednesdays, through Aug. 19, 5 to 9 p.m., $28.52 ($12.51 for children ages 3 to 13). 2735 Brush Creek Road, Snowmass Village, snowmassrodeo.org.

Soccer Celebration at Skyline Park: A premier destination for all soccer fans featuring FIFA World Cup broadcasts on giant outdoor screens, food and beverage vendors, themed activations, live music and more. Daily through Sunday, July 19, free. 1701 Arapahoe St., coloradorapids.com.

Museums and attractions

Denver Botanic Gardens: Enjoy lush gardens with plants from across the world along with art exhibitions, summer concerts, outdoor yoga and the annual Fête des Fleurs fundraising gala on Friday, Aug. 28 from 6 to 11:30 p.m. General admission: $18.25 ($12 for youth ages 3 to 15). 1007 York St., botanicgardens.org.

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms: A large native plant refuge and working farm featuring historical buildings, nature trails and wildflower gardens. General admission: $14 ($7 for youth ages 3 to 15). 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, botanicgardens.org.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Learn about the cosmos, wander the wildlife halls and experience “World’s Largest Dinosaurs,” a new exhibit that explores the biology and anatomy of sauropods, on view through Monday, Sept. 7. General admission: $25.95 ($20.95 for youth ages 3 to 18). 2001 Colorado Blvd., dmns.org.

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: In honor of the its 130th anniversary, the zoo is holding a summer-long celebration with musical entertainment and exciting surprises through Monday, Sept. 7; and is hosting themed adult nights on Thursdays, July 2 and Aug. 6. General admission: $27 ($19 for youth ages 3 to 15). 2300 Steele St., denverzoo.org.

Elitch Gardens: Make summer memories at this world-class theme and water park featuring thrill rides, arcades, poolside movie screenings and more family fun. General admission: $42.99-$72.99 ($154.99 season pass). 2000 Elitch Circle, elitchgardens.com.

Gaylord Rockies: Super Hero Summer, an immersive experience inspired by DC’s legendary stories and characters, will take over the resort through Monday, Sept. 7. Free and ticketed events. 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora, marriott.com.

History Colorado Center: Discover Colorado’s rich heritage within temporary exhibits including “Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation,” on view through June 14; “Expedition 1776: The Journey of Domínguez & Escalante,” through Aug. 2; and “38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State,” through Sept. 6. General admission: $20 (free for youth 18 and under). 1200 Broadway, historycolorado.org.

Lakeside Amusement Park: A nostalgic, neon-lit attraction featuring wooden roller coasters, bumper cars, classic games and carnival fare. General admission: $25-$35 ($15-$25 for those under 48 inches tall). 4601 Sheridan Blvd., lakesideamusementpark.com.

Little Man Ice Cream: Cool down with ice cream and heat up the dance floor, as Lindy Hop lessons and live music will occur every Saturday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. through Sept. 5. General admission: free. 2620 16th St., swingindenver.com.

Meow Wolf: Glowing creatures, giant puppets and local performers will come together during “Phenomenomaly,” an interactive experience in repertory through Sunday, Aug. 9. General admission: $37-$52 ($22-$37 for children ages 4 to 12). 1338 First St., meowwolf.com.