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

Broke after paying your taxes? Warm Cookies of the Revolution is hosting a Tax Day Carnival packed with free fun…and folks there will help you file an extension if you need to. Up in Boulder, the Conference on World Affairs is also offering plenty of priceless programming…for free.

For more options, check our list of activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond).

This Week

Tax Day Carnival
Wednesday, April 15, 3 to 8 p.m.
D3 Arts, 3632 Morrison Road
The Warm Cookies of the Revolution’s Tax Day Carnival is back, promoting community and conversation about what you value and where you’d like to see your tax money going. From 3 to 5 p.m., there will be family-friendly activities, along with tax experts who can help you file an extension. From 5 to 8 p.m., the carnival will expand to include Las Dahlias Mariachi, Hugo’s Lucha Libre, Professor Phylex the Mentalist Magician, Slim’s American Sideshow, Yupi Circus, face painting, cookies and other treats, henna, a Roaming Tax Poet (what?!), and food from La Reyna del Sur.

Sundance Is Coming to Colorado: Now What?
Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 p.m.
Limelight Hotel, 1295 University Avenue
Colorado Public Radio’s Ryan Warner will lead a conversation on the future of independent filmmaking a part of the Conference on World Affairs, with panelists Gigi Pritzker, producer and Sundance Institute board member; LuLu Wang, filmmaker; and CU Boulder Cinema Studies student Kate Yezzi. The discussion will be followed by a free screening of Wang’s award-winning film The Farewell at 7:30 p.m. at Muenzinger Auditorium, 1905 Colorado Avenue. Registration required.

Artists in Conversation: Madama Butterfly
Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m.
Chambers Grant Salon, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex
Join Opera Colorado for Artists in Conversation, featuring the cast and creative team of Madama Butterfly. The evening will include a discussion with the leading artists, co-moderated by Barbara Lynne, Ellie Caulkins general director & CEO, and Music Director and Conductor Ari Pelto.

Night of Ideas: Paving the Way
Wednesday, April 15, 6 to 9 p.m.
RedLine Contemporary Art, 2250 Arapahoe Street
A collaboration of Alliance Francais, MSU Denver’s Humanities Center and The Denver Project for Humanistic Inquiry, this year’s Night of Ideas will explore the theme of “Paving the Way,” for the next generation, for new voices, and for science that serves humanity. It will bring together thinkers, scientists, scholars, community advocates and artists for a night of exploration, reflection and conversation.

Begin Where You Are: Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology Reading
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 p.m.
Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl Street, Boulder
Colorado Poets Laureate Anthology founder Tyler Wyatt, as well as Colorado’s new poet laureate, Crisosto Apache, and former poet laureate Joseph Hutchison will read from the new anthology that includes work by all of Colorado’s poet laureates. Through book proceeds and partnerships with the University Press of Colorado and the Center for Literary Publishing, Wyatt is establishing to fund to support poet laureates traveling to rural communities, as well as low-income schools and libraries. Tickets are $5, but include a $5 coupon to buy a book that night. RSVP here.

The Narrators: Facepalm
Wednesday, April 15, 8 p.m.
Buntport, 717 Lipan Street
The Narrators is a live storytelling show and podcast hosted by Erin Rollman, Andrew Orvedahl and Ron S. Doyle. Since 2010, The Narrators has invited comedians, actors, musicians, writers and other fascinating folks to share true stories from their lives, centered on a monthly theme. In April, it’s “Facepalm.” Tickets are name-your-price, but floor seating is always free.

Reimagining Africa’s Future: The Sustainable Development in Africa Conference
Friday, April 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sie Complex, Room 5025, 2201 South University, University of Denver
The Sustainable Development in Africa Conference brings academics and cultural leaders together to address pressing African challenges and opportunities. This year’s theme is “Reimagining Africa’s Future Through Democracy, Economic Growth, and Youth Innovation.” The conference is presented by the Africa Center and Students for Africa group at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver. Admission is free; get the full schedule and register here.

Open Mic Night for the Literary Arts
Friday, April 17, 7 p.m.
Cottonwood Center for the Art, 427 East Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs
Jacqueline Viola Moulton hosts this open mike. Participants are limited to seven minutes, and must follow the month’s theme: “That’s keep ya busy.”

Black on Purpose: Joint Community Organization Discussion & Candidates Forum
Saturday, April 18, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clayton College Early Learning Administration Building, 3801 East MLK Jr. Boulevard
Join community leaders, elected officials and organizations from across Colorado for a discussion of faith, business, education, civic leadership and grassroots organizations, all focused on the theme:  “Now & Next for Black Citizens in Colorado: Vision, Voice & a Viable Plan of Action.” There will be candidates’ forums as well as panels and other discussions. Learn more here.

Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles Super Saturday Sprint
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
DMV offices in Aurora, Centennial, Westgate and Westminster
Tired of waiting to get your driver’s license? The DMV is offering four Saturday service dates this spring, starting today (the others are May 2 and May 16). According to Driver Services Director Benjamin Mitchell, “By expanding service locations, we are bringing these essential services closer to where people live and work. While we are thrilled to offer this additional capacity, appointments remain limited, and we encourage everyone to book as soon as the windows open.” Appointments are required; learn more here.

Ongoing

SCFD Free Days
Locations and dates vary
Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many arts institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. Admission is free at the CELL on Friday, April 17, for example. For more bargains, check the SCFD site.

Colorado State Capitol Tours
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
200 East Colfax Avenue|
The Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free guided tours are available, but limited to thirty people on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the Visitor Information Desk, which opens at 9 a.m.

America 250 – Colorado 150
Through 2026
Around the state
Happy 150th birthday, Colorado! On August 1, 1876, Colorado became a state, and there will be celebrations all year — at the same time this country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. You can find a full list of the activities at Am250CO150.org, but don’t miss the already-open exhibits at the History Colorado Center: Moments That Made US, 38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State, and the new John Fielder show, Majestic Mountains.

Earth Day Colorado 2026: The Walls Project
Through the month
Around Aurora
Although Earth Day is officially April 22, Earth Day Colorado 2026 is a three-week Aurora initiative designed by The Walls Project to engage thousands of area youth, students, educators, families and community volunteers through hands-on environmental education, school garden and food forest expansion, public art initiatives, and community stewardship activities. Learn how you can participate here.

“We Are the Land”
Denver’s YouTube
On February 7, Landmark Preservation staff and the American Indian community celebrated the culmination of more than three years of work to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of Denver’s current American Indian population, as well as Tribal Nations with cultural and historic ties to the land that is now Denver, with the oral history project “We are the Land: American Indian Life, Legacy and Future in Denver.” The project includes an accompanying documentary produced by Off the Road Productions, “We Are the Land,” which is now available on Denver’s YouTube channel.

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways
Through April 19, Fridays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sangres Art Guild’s 3rd Street Gallery, 59000 Highway 69, Westcliffe
Ready for a road trip? Celebrte Colorado’s sesquicentennial with a visit to Westcliffe, where 3rd Street Gallery has a traveling show of 52 photographs taken along Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways.

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