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Summer is here, full of cool activities during Colorado’s hottest season. Keep reading for updates on art, theater, dance and film seasons, as well as lists of ongoing attractions, one-time festivals and other events.
September
September 2-10: Plein air @ Altitude: The 2022 fest will highlight a selection of private lands and noteworthy Colorado Headwaters Land Trust easements, an Artists’ Day at Grand County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village Museum and more. Painting begins Friday, September 2, culminating with a community show and festival on September 10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Grand County locations.
September 3-5: Taste of Colorado: Guests of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy the end-of-summer celebration, complete with multiple outdoor performance stages, dozens of food vendors, a large arts and crafts marketplace and an expanded Kids Zone packed with family-friendly activities. Saturday, September 3, through Monday, September 5, 16th Street Mall.
Ongoing:
Art
Art Night Out Lafayette: A free night out on the town, with the Firsthand Art Market, food trucks, beer and wine tents, and live music after 6:30 p.m.; September 9, 5 to 9 p.m., Public Road between Canyon and Emma streets, Lafayette.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art: Exhibitions: Grossly Affectionate and Sofie Ramos: Deep End, through September 5.
Colfax Art Jams: A series of free concerts and performances by local artisans, makers and musicians, Saturdays, through October 1, noon to 4 p.m., Fletcher Plaza, 9800 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora.
Dairy Block First Friday ArtWalks: Inside Her Studio hosts First Friday showings of quality, family-friendly and inspirational works created by more than a dozen top local artists, every first Friday, through Sept. 2, 5 to 9 p.m., Dairy Block Alley, 1800 Wazee Street.
Denver Art Museum: Age of Armor: Treasures From the Higgins Collection at the Worcester Art Museum, through September 5; Carla Fernández Casa de Moda: A Mexican Fashion Manifesto, through Sept. 5; Georgia O’Keeffe, Photographer, through November 6; Who tells a tale adds a tail: Latin America and contemporary art, through March 5, 2023; Other People’s Pictures: Selections from the Robert and Kerstin Adams Collection, August 28 through February 26, 2023. 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway.
Denver Public Art Summer Tours: Denver Arts & Venues brings back favorites and expands the series to include several new tours in 2022. 14th Street and Denver Performing Arts Complex Campus: 6 p.m. Sept. 27; City Park: 10 a.m., Sept. 18; Civic Center Park and Golden Triangle: 6 p.m. Sept. 13; Colorado Convention Center. $5 (kids under 10 free).
Yard Art Contemporary 2022: A series of Denver neighborhood-based contemporary weekend art events featuring some of Denver’s notable fine-art 2D and 3D artists: Saturday, October 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1001 Detroit Street.
Theater
Creede Repertory Theatre: CRT’s award-winning company produces big-city quality productions in repertory in a spectacular location from May through September. Steel Magnolias and Always…Patsy Cline, through September 17. Native Gardens, Through September 11. Sherwood: the Adventures of Robin Hood, through September 10. The Royale, Through September 10. Boom Town!, through September 9. CRT Mainstage, 124 Main Street, Creede.
Denver Center for the Performing Arts: One of the largest nonprofit theater organizations in the nation, presenting Broadway tours and producing theater, cabaret, musicals and innovative, multimedia plays. At the Denver Performing Arts Complex: Hadestown, through September 11. Theatre Company, Bonfils Theatre Complex: The Chinese Lady, September 9-October 16; Much Ado About Nothing, September 30-November 6. Off-Center: Theater of the Mind, through December 18, York Street Yards.
Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre: A world-class theater located in beautiful Grand Lake, Colorado,where each season promises to bring outstanding professional theater to the Rocky Mountain region.
Beehive, September 2-October 1. Repertory tickets, $30 to $60; Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, 800 Grand Avenue, Grand Lake.
Theatre Aspen: Solo Flights: New Works Festival, September 10-September 15; $45-$195; 110 East Hallam Street, #126, Aspen.
Westcliffe Center for the Performing Arts: Shakespeare in the Sangres: WCPA Ten-Minute Play Competition Performances, Friday and Saturday, September 16-17 and September 23-24. All shows $5 to $20, Westcliffe Center for the Performing Arts, 119 Main Street, Westcliffe.
Film
Movies Around Town, Arvada: Free movies on a giant inflatable movie screen in some of Arvada’s favorite parks. September 16: People’s Choice (vote for the movie in advance at speakup.arvada.org/movie-poll); all films start at dusk.
Dance
CM Dance: Hot Night Fusion Weekend 2022: Workshops and social dances in conjunction with Lindy on the Rocks and the Denver Jazz Festival, September 16-19, all-access passes: $139-$229, $70 Fusion Dance only.
Sans Souci Film Festival: A dance film festival connecting filmmakers with audiences around the world. Festival Premiere: September 2-4, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway.
Swingin’ Denver: Swingin’ at The Savoy, with dancing, live music and Lindy Hop lesson, September 7, 8:30-11:30 p.m., $12-$20, Savoy Denver, 2700 Arapahoe Street. Swingin’ Under the Stars, weekly on Saturdays, through September 3, free, Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th Street.
Markets
Colorado Fresh Markets: Fresh produce, local products, food trucks, music and more in an open-air market setting. Cherry Creek Fresh Market and Makers Markets: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., through November 5, and Wednesdays, through September 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Cherry Creek Shopping Center, First Avenue and University Boulevard.
Boulder County Farmers Markets: Farmer-run, nonprofit markets featuring more than 150 local vendors to host the longest market season in Colorado. Boulder: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., through November 19; and Wednesdays, 4-7:30 p.m., through October 5; 13th Street between Arapahoe Avenue and Canyon Boulevard, Boulder. Longmont: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through November 19; Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Also offering Curbside Pickup Online Markets year-round in Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette and Denver.
Centennial Outdoor Market: Saturday, September 10, 9 am. to 3 p.m., 12835 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial.
City Park Farmers Market: The perfect Denver Saturday morning experience. Saturdays through October 29, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., City Park Esplanade, 2551 East Colfax Avenue.
Denver Makers Markets: Local handmade artisans, crafters, farmers and vendors to browse both outdoors and indoor. Centennial: Sunday, September 11, noon to 5 p.m., Heart & Home Decor & More, 8230 South Colorado Boulevard, B4, Centennial. Midtown: Saturday, September 17, noon to 6 p.m., 67th Avenue and Pecos Street. Park Hill Treasures: Saturday, September 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 6035 East Colfax Avenue.
Englewood Markets: Monthly on select Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., various locations: September 17: 2955 South Broadway.
Firefly Handmade Market: A trip to a Firefly Handmade leads you to the intersection of craft, local and small batch. Fall Market 2022 at Downtown Boulder Fall Fest: Friday, September 16, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, September 17, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, September 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Pearl Street Mall, 1303 Pearl Street, Boulder.
Havana Street Global Market: A globally inspired marketplace with products from around the world. September 10 and September 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Havana Exchange Shopping Center, 2802 South Havana St. Aurora.
Hobnob Events Farmers Markets: Local vendors provide Colorado-grown produce, baked goods, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more. South Pearl Street Farmers Market: Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through November 13, 1400-1500 blocks of South Pearl Street, between Iowa and Arkansas avenues. Highlands Square Farmers Market: Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through October 16, 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard. Denver Union Station Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., through September 10, 1701 Wynkoop Street. Farmers Market Central Park: Sundays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., through October 9, Founders’ Green, 7601 29th Avenue.
Horseshoe Market: Denver’s home for unique shopping experiences and Lucky Findsâ„¢. Fall Horseshoe Market: September 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Regis University, 50th Avenue and Lowell Street.
Metro Denver Farmers Markets: Southwest Plaza Farmers Market: Saturdays, through Oct. 29, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Southeast Parking Lot, Wadsworth Boulevard and Bowles Avenue. Highlands Ranch Farmers Market, Sundays, through September 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester Street. Lakewood Farmers Market: Saturdays, through September 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 9077 West Alameda Avenue. Stead School at Reunion Farmers Market: Sundays, through September 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 18251 Homestead Trail, Commerce City. Aspen Grove Farmers Market: Wednesdays, through September 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 7301 South Santa Fe Drive.
A Paris Street Market: One of the region’s oldest open-air, vintage, antique and artisan markets, celebrating 21 years in 2022. Aspen Grove: Every first Saturday: September 3 and October 1, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. rain or shine, 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, instagram.com/p/CdNj7IPutVx. Park Meadows: Every third Saturday: September 17 and October 15, 8401 Park Meadows Center, Lone Tree.
Sports/Recreation
Barr Lake State Park: Offering recreational programs in archery, biking, birding, boating safety, conservation, fishing, hiking, nature and more. Barr Lake Nature Center, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton. Event registration here.
Bluff Lake Nature Center: Offering free, downloadable self-guided tour itineraries and scavenger hunts, bird walks, guided Forest Bathing and Qigong and Mindfulness Walks, after-school programs and summer camps, nature play stations and more. Open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. Bikes and dogs not allowed. 11255 East Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Colorado Rockies: Home games: September 5-7: Milwaukee Brewers. September 9-11: Arizona Diamondbacks. September 13: Chicago White Sox. September 19-22: San Francisco Giants. September 23-25: San Diego Padres. Coors Field, 2001 Blake Street. Tickets: $17 to $75+.
Colorado Rapids: September 10: Vancouver Whitecaps FC. September 14: San Jose Earthquakes. October 1: FC Dallas. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City. Tickets: $20-$200.
Attractions
Chatfield Farms: A 700-acre native plant refuge and working farm located along the banks of Deer Creek in southern Jefferson County. Offering tours and workshops. Gate admission, free to $13. 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton.
CitySkate: Downtown Denver’s first-ever roller rink, with free mini golf, local food, beer and events throughout the summer. Through October 2, Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., free admission, skate rentals: $9 adults, $7 for kids 12 and under, Skyline Park, 1601 Arapahoe Street.
Denver Botanic Gardens: Known for its wide range of gardens and collections on 24 acres, reflecting an ever-widening diversity of plants from all corners of the world. Also offering lectures, art exhibits, plant society shows and sales, summer concerts and special events throughout the year. Gate admission: free to $15. 1007 York Street.
Denver Zoo: One of Colorado’s most vital cultural cornerstones, the Denver Zoo is dedicated to providing an intimate, inspiring and informative firsthand encounter with the wonders of nature. Open daily at 10 a.m. (8:30 a.m. members). Flock Party: Fundraiser for a new flamingo habitat, Saturday, September 10, 5 to 9 p.m., $150-$300. Summer gate admission: free to $20. 2300 Steele Street.
Elitch Gardens: Colorado’s only world-class combination theme and water park, with exciting new family shows, Dive-In Movies, a free summer concert series and stunning fireworks extravaganzas that will light up the Denver skyline. Open weekends and holidays through October 30. Daily gate admission: $44.99 online; season tickets start at 74.99. 2000 Elitch Circle Denver.
History Colorado Center: Artifacts, stories and art intermingle to tell the tale of Colorado and the American West. The museum is designed for multi-generational audiences and consists of over fifteen exhibits spanning four floors, capturing the spirit of Colorado. Now showing: Building Denver: Visions of the Capital City, through September 6. Borderlands of Southern Colorado, ongoing. Bruce Randolph School: Museum of Memory Exhibit, through January 15, 2023. Colorado’s Asian Food Culture: Rice & Resilience, through April 30, 2023. Rainbows & Revolutions: History of LGBTQ+Coloradans. Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Museum admission: free to $14 (members always free). 1200 Broadway.
Jurassic World: The Exhibition: Daily through September 5 (times vary), tickets start at $29.50, National Western Event Center, 5004 National Western Drive.
Lakeside Amusement Park: A family-friendly, neon-lit amusement park with attractions for all ages, ranging from the Cylone roller coaster to a calm merry-go-round and an unforgettable scenic train ride around a picturesque lake with mountain views. Open weekends and holidays through September 18. Gate admission: $5; ride coupons, 50 cents each. 4601 Sheridan Boulevard.
Meow Wolf Denver: Convergence Station: Enjoy immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration. Events: Adulti-Verse, every first and last Wednesday of the month, 5 to 10 p.m.; 1338 First Street.
Water World: America’s largest water park, with more than fifty slides and attractions on seventy-plus acres. Open weekends through September 5. Gate admission: $22.99-$49.99; Splash Passes start at $129.99. 8801 North Pecos Street, Federal Heights.
These listings were included in Summer 2022, our guide inserted in the June 2 edition of Westword.