Are you ready for summer? There are hot times ahead!
Bright Lights at Four Mile will glow at night this summer, July 26 through October 1.
Tianyu Arts and Culture, Inc.
Through October 1: Bright Nights at Four Mile: Handcrafted larger-than-life Chinese lantern sculptures will illuminate the night as you walk among, and even through, these radiant displays that come together in an enormous interactive exhibit. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 7 to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 11 p.m.; tickets, $13 to $25. Four Mile Historic Park, 715 South Forest Street, fourmilepark.org.
ONGOING EVENTS
ART
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art: agriCULTURE: Art Inspired by the Land, through October 1, in collaboration with the Longmont Museum; more information at agriculture.stqry.app. Museum admission: $2 per person, free on Saturdays and Wednesdays during the farmers’ market on 13th Street. BMoCA, 1750 13th Street, Boulder, bmoca.org.
Denver Art Museum: Desert Rider: Dreaming in Motion, through Sept. 24; Personal Geographies: Trent Davis Bailey ǀ Brian Adams, through February 11; reimagined permanent displays from the collection: Arts of Africa, Islands Beyond Blue: Niki Hastings-McFall, Treasures From the Oceania Collection and the Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries. Museum gate admission: $12 to $19 (free for members and youth ages 18 and under); 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, denverartmuseum.org.
First Friday Art Walk: Every first Friday of the month, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Third Friday Collectors Night: Every third Friday of the month, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays on Santa Fe: Every last Sunday of the month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Art District on Santa Fe, Santa Fe Drive between 13th and Alameda avenues, and Kalamath and Inca streets, denversartdistrict.org
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art: Exhibitions: Dave Yῡst—Evidence of Gravity & Other Works, through October. Museum admission $10-$12 (members free); visitors ages 13 and up welcome. 1201 Bannock Street, kirklandmuseum.org.
Marguerite Humeau, Orisons: An unprecedented 160-acre earthwork by artist Marguerite Humeau paying homage to Colorado’s San Luis Valley, the world’s largest alpine valley. Through June 30, 2025, by reservation only, via the online reservations system. Hooper, Colorado, more information here.
THEATER
MARKETS
Colorado Fresh Markets: Get fresh products, browse local finds, enjoy tasty food trucks, meet up with neighbors and listen to music in a friendly and charming open-air market setting. Cherry Creek Fresh Market and Makers Markets: Saturdays through November 4. Cherry Creek Shopping Center, First Avenue and University Boulevard, coloradofreshmarkets.com.
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. to 2 p.m., through November 17; and Wednesdays, 4 to 7:30 p.m., through October 4; 13th Street between Arapahoe Avenue and Canyon Boulevard, Boulder. Longmont: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through November 18; Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. bcfm.org/markets. Also offering Curbside Pickup Online Markets year-round in Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette and Denver, bcfm.localfoodmarketplace.com/Index.
Centennial Outdoor Market: Saturdays, September 16 and October 28, 9 am. to 3 p.m. 12835 East Arapahoe Road, Centennial, facebook.com/people/Centennial-Outdoor-Market.
City Park Farmers Market: The perfect Denver Saturday morning experience. Saturdays through October 28, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., City Park Esplanade, 2551 East Colfax Avenue, cityparkfarmersmarket.com/saturdaymarket.
Denver Makers’ Markets: Local handmade artisans, crafters, farmers and vendors to browse both indoors and out. Arapahoe Community College: Fourth Saturdays through November 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5900 South Santa Fe Drive. denvermakersmarket.com/events.
Firefly Handmade Market: A trip to a Firefly Handmade leads you to the intersection of craft, local and small batch. Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, September 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Pearl Street Mall, 1303 Pearl Street, Boulder.
fireflyhandmade.com.
Hobnob Events Farmers Markets: Local vendors provide Colorado-grown produce, tasty baked goods, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more. South Pearl Street Farmers Market: Sundays, through November 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 1400-1500 blocks of South Pearl Street, between Iowa and Arkansas avenues. Central Park Farmers’ Market: Sundays, through October 8, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Founders' Green, 7601 29th Avenue. Highland Square Farmers Market: Sundays, through October 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard. jarmanandcoevents.com.
Horseshoe Market: Denver’s home for unique shopping experiences and Lucky Finds™. Fall Horseshoe Market: Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Regis University, 50th Avenue and Lowell Boulevard, horseshoemarket.com.
Metro Denver Farmers Markets: Southwest Plaza Farmers Market: Saturdays, through Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Southeast Parking Lot, Wadsworth Boulevard and Bowles Avenue. Highlands Ranch Farmers Market, Sundays, through October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester Street. Lakewood Farmers Market: Saturdays, through September 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 9077 West Alameda Avenue. Aspen Grove Farmers Market: Wednesdays, June 14 through September 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, denverfarmersmarket.com.
People + Produce Farmers Market Series: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through September 24, Belleview Station, 4855 South Quebec Street, peopleandproducebvs.com.
Wheat Ridge Farmers Market: Wednesdays, through September 27, 5 to 7 p.m., Wheat Ridge Poultry, 5650 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, wheatridgepoultry.com.
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, cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/BarrLake. Register at cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/pages/calendar.
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, blufflake.org.
Colorado Rockies: Home games: Through September 17: San Francisco Giants. September 26-28: Los Angeles Dodgers. September 29-October 1: Minnesota Twins. Tickets: Starting at $19, mlb.com/rockies/tickets/single-game-tickets. Coors Field, 2001 Blake Street, mlb.com/rockies.
Larimer Square Fitness on The Square: SweatNET will be taking over Larimer Square, bringing some of the city's top fitness studios to Denver's most historic block. Saturday, September 16, 10 to 11 a.m., $20 (SweatNET members free), Larimer Square, larimersquare.com/events.
Museums and Attractions
CitySkate: Downtown Denver's first-ever roller rink, with free mini golf, local food, beer and events throughout the summer. Through October 1: Fridays-Saturdays, 3 to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 3 to 9 p.m., free admission, Skate rentals: $9 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and under, Skyline Park, 1601 Arapahoe Street, summerindenver.com.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science Curiosity Cruiser: Your friendly neighborhood museum on wheels! The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is hitting the road in a pop-up vehicle, stocked inside and out with fun activities for some on-the-go wonder for all ages. Find dates and locations or book the Curiosity Cruiser at dmns.org.
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, botanicgardens.org.
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). Gate admission: Free to $24. 2900 East 23rd Avenue, denverzoo.org.
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 29. Daily gate admission: $66.99 online; season tickets $139.99. 2000 Elitch Circle, elitchgardens.com.
History Colorado Center: Artifacts and stories 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. Ongoing Exhibits: Borderlands of Southern Colorado; Return of the Corn Mothers; The Dry: Black Women's Legacy in a Farming Community; The Sand Creek Massacre: The Betrayal that Changed Cheyenne and Arapaho People Forever; Virgil Ortiz Revolt 1680/2180: Runners + Gliders and more. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission: Free to $14. 1200 Broadway, historycolorado.org/history-colorado-center.
These listings were compiled for our annual Summer Guide, inserted in the June 8 issue of Westword and available here in digital form. For updates, see our weekly Things to Do lists. Send information for additional events to [email protected], and watch for our Fall Arts Guide in September.
