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) today and beyond:
Ongoing
SCFD Free DaysLocations 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. Many facilities will offer special programming on Colorado Day, August 1; for 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 summer session has started, with a new truck lineup.
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. And from 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday, enjoy a pet-friendly Yappy Hour. 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
Celebrate Colorado Week
Through Sunday, August 3
Around Colorado
The third annual Celebrate Colorado Week is the first major event in the year-long celebration leading to the state's 150th birthday on August 1, 2026. There are free and discounted events all around the state, from puppy yoga in Arvada to nighttime nature walks at Cherry Creek State Park. “Colorado is the best place to live, work, play, and celebrate everything that makes Colorado unique," says Governor Jared Polis. "I encourage all Coloradans, organizations and businesses to continue to register events for the week so Coloradans in every community can get out, join in on the festivities, and celebrate everything Colorado.” See a list of offerings here.
Bluegrass Lounge Tenth Anniversary
Sunday, July 27, noon to 10 p.m.
Bluegrass Lounge, 7415 Grandview Avenue, Arvada
Bluegrass Lounge is celebrating its tenth-anniversary with a three-day party. Admission is free, and there will be live music all weekend long with six bands, as well as yard games and other activities. There will also be giveaways, prizes, a pig roast and a limited 2015-price menu.
Pony Up's 7th Anniversary Party
Sunday, July 27, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Pony Up, 1808 Blake Street
This neighborhood bar in LoDo is celebrating seven years, and inviting everyone to the free birthday party. The festivities kick off with a mysterious patio surprise from 4 to 6 p.m., then shift to limited edition Pony Up merchandise screen printing courtesy of Bone Black Store starting at 7 p.m. , when artist Caitlin Janicek will be offering flash tattoos, too. DJ Dommy Tumont takes over at 9 p.m. Through it all, bartenders will be shaking up specialty cocktails.
Open Air Soiree
Sunday, July 27, 4 p.m. to close
Beacon, 2854 Larimer Street
WEON is presenting this free celebration of local music on two stages (indoor and outdoor, with a lineup including Ashish, C Rad, MIKO, Chris Cauldron, Yuliana and Ecotek), as well as thirty-plus curated vendors, live glass blowing, art cars, drink specials and free LumenEarz earplugs for the first fifty guests.
City Park Jazz: Dzirae Gold
Sunday, July 27, 6 p.m.
City Park Pavilion
If you caught Dzirae Gold at the Westword members' concert last Friday, you know that her City Park Jazz concert will be a can't-miss event. Bring a picnic and enjoy this summer tradition.
Plan ahead
Regenerating Earth Book Tour with Kelsey TimmermanMonday, July 28, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7)
Patagonia Boulder, 1630 Pearl Street, Boulder
Patagonia Boulder is hosting an evening of conversation about living regeneratively with bestselling author and journalist Kelsey Timmerman, who'll discuss his new book Regenerating Earth: Farmers Working with Nature to Feed Our Future with Mark Easter, author of The Blue Plate. Refreshments will be served, and books will be available for purchase; register here.
19th Annual Henry Awards
Monday, July 28, 7 p.m.
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree
The Colorado Theatre Guild is hosting the nineteenth annual Henry Awards, a communal gathering and awards show celebrating artistic excellence during the past producing season. Although the event is ticketed, it will be livestreamed.
Monday Night Movies: The Wild Robot
Monday, July 28, 8 p.m.
Edgewater Public Market, 5505 West 20th, Edgewater
The Edgewater Public Market is hosting free movies under the stars for a fifth year; come early to grab a spot on the lawn and buy snacks at one of the market eateries (sorry, no picnics allowed).
60 Minutes in Space
Wednesday, July 30, 7 p.m.
Ricketson Auditorium, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard
Explore breaking space news with space scientists and hear the latest updates on missions exploring the solar system, rocket launches, cutting-edge astronomy, and more. This free presentation is by Dr. Graham Lau, Ph.D, scientist for Blue Marble Space Institute of Science.
Christmas Takeover at Rook
Thursday, July 31, 6 to 11 p.m.
Rook, Catbird Hotel, 3770 Walnut Street
Rook, the new rooftop bar on top of the Catbird, is hosting a Christmas in July party with festive cocktails, Christmas karake, a cookie-decoring station, Christmas snacks, stocking stuffer giveaways and more. Admission is free; register here.
Colorado Day Tours of the Governor's Residence
Friday, August 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Boettcher Mansion, 400 East Eighth Avenue
Take a free tour of the Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion in celebration of Colorado Day.
Colorado Day 149th Birthday
Friday, August 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Colorado State Capitol
Celebrate Colorado's 149th Birthday at the Colorado State Capitol, with performances, pets, snacks and cake.
History Colorado Celebration
Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway
Celebrate Colorado at a 149th birthday celebration at History Colorado Center. Arts and crafts, live performances, and snacks are just the tip of the snow cone at this carnivalesque gathering fit for an entire state.
Bananas on the Block
Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10
Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee Street
The hottest baseball team in the country, the Savannah Bananas, will be celebrated at the Dairy Block with a series of events before the Bananas hit Coors Field on August 9-10.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial at westword.com.
