Free Things to Do in Denver (and Beyond) This Weekend

We’re heading for fall, and the forecast is for fun this week, with Oktoberfests across Colorado, plenty of outdoor concerts…and pirates!

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

SCFD Free Days
Locations and dates vary
Thanks 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  Admission to the Cell is free on Friday, September 19; for more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.

Civic Center EATS
Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Civic Center Park
For over a decade, food trucks have rallied at Civic Center for lunchtime fun that often includes live entertainment. The fall session started September 10.

Skyline Beer Garden
Wednesday through Sunday
16th and Arapahoe streets
Experience summer the Denver way at this outdoor beer garden with food, drinks, games and live entertainment all summer long. Find the complete schedule here.

Upper DownTUNES
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 Weekend

Joy Park Free Night at the Children’s Museum
Friday, September 19, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Children’s Museum, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive
The Children’s Museum just celebrated its fiftieth birthday. Now, thanks to Denver Parks & Recreation, you and your kids can explore 60,000 square feet of outdoor fun for free when Joy Park and Adventure Forest are open tonight. (The museum itself will not be open inside.)

I.C.E. Baby: Inside Colfax East
Friday, September 19, and Saturday, September 20, 7 p.m.; Sunday, September 22, 2 p.m.
Roshni Healing Arts Center, 9709 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
Roshni is presenting the eleventh annual New American Arts Festival, under the theme “Confluence: Move as One, Excluding None,” with programming through September 21. The big production this weekend is Ryan Makepeace’s original play about a female police officer and a community leader.

Pirate Night and Pirate Fest
Friday, September 19, 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, September 20, noon to 10 p.m. (adults only after 6)
EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11701 Community Center Drive, Northglenn
Scallywags and buccaneers will be out in force this weekend when Pirate Fest returns, complete with music, performers, grog, a cardboard boat race, the Pirate King competition, food trucks, drinks and more.

Night Market: Fiesta en el Mercado
Friday, September 19, 5 to 10 p.m.
Civic Center Park
The Night Market returns to Civic Center Park, this time as Fiesta en el Mercado, a free event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month that will include a vibrant mix of Latin cuisine, craft cocktails, artisan vendors, live performances and interactive art — all curated to highlight the diversity and creativity of Denver’s Hispanic communities. “Civic Center Park has always been a gathering place for our city, and our Night Market events are a powerful way to celebrate the many cultures that shape Denver,” says Eric Lazzari, Executive Director of Civic Center Conservancy. “Fiesta en el Mercado is rooted in community, and it honors Hispanic heritage while uplifting the local makers, chefs and performers who help make our city vibrant.”

Federal Theatre Grand Opening With iZCALLI and Los Mocochetes
September 18, 8 to 11 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.)
Federal Theatre, 3830 Federal Boulevard
The old movie theater reopens with a great free show. Read about the project here.

Denver Oktoberfest
Friday, September 19, 2 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 20, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday, September 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (repeats next weekend)
Larimer between 20th and 22nd streets
Now one of the biggest and best-attended Oktoberfests in the nation, downtown’s celebration of German heritage has been drawing oompahphiles for 55 years. In addition to the usual festivities (music, vendors, beer), there will be talent shows each Friday evening and a sausage-eating showdown on Saturday, September 27. This being Denver, dogs are not only welcomed, but dachshunds can race in the “Long Dog Derby” (12:30 p.m., both Sundays). No wiener dog, no problem: Pups of any size are welcome to strut their stuff at the dog costume contests, held right after the races. Admission is free, but group cabanas and VIP experiences are available.

Creektoberfest
Saturday, September 20, noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday, September 21, noon to 6 p.m.
Fillmore Plaza, 105 Fillmore Street
Cherry Creek North is hosting its first-ever Creektoberfest in partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce. At this free fest, there will be authentic German food and beer, traditional vendors, live music and festive activities like stein-hoisting, costume parades and the ceremonial keg tapping.

Do you know of a great free event? We update this list through the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.