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This is Super Bowl Sunday; while plenty of sports bars are holding bashes, other non-football events are kept to a minimum. But if you missed First Friday parties, you can still see new shows before kickoff. And James Acaster will be at Wax Trax for a Q&A with Kalyn Heffernan!
For more entertainment options, check our list of activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this weekend.
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. There’s no charge at the Denver Art Museum on February 10, and admission to the Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street and at Chatfield Farms is free on February 12. For other bargains, check the SCFD site.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard
Daily, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ruby Hill Park, South Platte River Drive and West Jewell Avenue
How many cities have their own terrain parks? Since 2007, Denver Parks & Recreation and Winter Park Resort have teamed up to provide urban skiing and snowboarding at Ruby Hill; Rail Yard opened for the season on February 1 with newly designed rails, boxes and configurations to accommodate skill levels from beginner to advanced. Fair warning: the lights are out, so beware if you’re recreating after dark.
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.
Thornton Yesterday, Thornton Today, Thornton Tomorrow
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thornton Arts & Culture Center Annex, 9211 Dorothy Boulevard
When Sam Hoffman purchased the land that would one day become the City of Thornton and began building homes in 1954, he envisioned a thriving community that could stand on its own — a dream realized just two years later when Thornton officially became a city in 1956. Thornton is celebrating its seventieth anniversary with Thornton Yesterday, Thornton Today, Thornton Tomorrow, an exhibit that opened January 5 and runs through the year.
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Photography Exhibit
Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sangres Art Guild’s 3rd Street Gallery, 59000 Highway 69, Westcliffe
Start your celebration of Colorado’s sesquicentennial with a visit to Westcliffe, which just opened a show of 52 photographs taken along Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways. Frontier Pathways, Custer County Tourism and the Sangres Art Guild are hosting the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways exhibition through April 19; there will be a “Love the Byways” reception on February 14, as well as a Welcome Spring reception on March 21. Learn more at visitwetmountainvalley.com.
Winter of Reading 2026
Through February 28
Any Denver Public Library
Read alert! Winter of Reading, Denver Public Library’s annual reading challenge for adults, is on. The official game board includes 24 flexible activities; if you complete five in a row, you can win prizes. “These days, it can be hard to disconnect from our digital screens,” says Nicolle Davies, the new city librarian. “Our Winter of Reading challenge encourages people to connect with the community and engage with our library services in ways they probably haven’t imagined before.” The gameboard is available in several languages; you can pick one up at any library or download it from denlib.org/wor, where you can also find more info.
This weekend
Samba Colorado Open House
Sunday, February 8, 11 a.m. to noon
Alexa’s Dance Factory, 3911 Norwood Drive, Littleton
Learn Afro Brazilian Dance with Kebrina for free, in this kickoff to Samb Colorado Open House Week.
Irish Sunday Swing With Jessie Burns
Sunday, February 8, 3 to 6 p.m.
Spirit Hound Distillers, 4196 Ute Highway, Lyons
Skipping football? Take a road trip and enjoy a lively afternoon of Irish music and swing dancing with Jessie Burns.
Live Music: Mike Chiasson
Sunday, February 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Spirit Hound Distillers, 3622 Tejon Street
Drawing inspiration from an eclectic mix of artists, Mike Chiasson’s songs feel both familiar and fresh, carried by thoughtful lyrics, melodic guitar lines,and a groove that invites you to settle in and stay awhile. Also at Spirit Hound today: a clothing swap and rock-and-roll trivia.
Plan ahead
Colorado Preservation Inc.: Saving Places Conference
Wednesday, February 11, 6 to 8 p.m.
Grand Ballroom II/III, DoubleTree by Hilton, 3203 Quebec Street
While the annual Colorado Preservation Inc. conference requires paid registration, CPI is hosting a special preservation workforce development networking event that’s free open to all. It’s designed to connect preservation employers with people looking for jobs, students and emerging professionals with seasoned professionals, and current practitioners eager to meet collaborators across the industry. Meet people across different parts of the preservation pipeline, swap stories, build real connections, and maybe win a prize or two.
Colorado Black Round Table: What’s Next for Aurora
Thursday, February 12, 5 to 8 p.m.
Community College of Aurora, Heritage Hall, 16000 East Centretech Parkway, Aurora
Join the Colorado Black Round Table for remarks by Senate President James Coleman, a presentation on “Justice for Black Coloradans,” and a panel discussion of “What’s Next for Aurora?”
Black Chefs in the White House with Adrian Miller
Thursday, February 12, 6 to 7 p.m.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 East Alameda Avenue, Aurora
Adrian Miller, the “Soul Food Scholar,” will discuss his book The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of African Americans who have Fed First Families. A James Beard Award-winning culinary author, certified barbecue judge and recovering Denver attorney, he’s written four books related to culinary history. In The President’s Kitchen Cabinet, he presents a collective biography of the African American chefs and staff who have played pivotal roles in presidential kitchens from the Washingtons to the Obamas; it includes twenty recipes.
Black People Know Things Trivia
Saturday, February 14, 2 to 4 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton Street
Celebrate Black History Month with Black People Know Things Trivia, an engaging evening highlighting Black excellence and cultural knowledge, with chances to learn and win prizes. For ages eighteen and up.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.