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 weekend:
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. 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. On Saturday, August 23, there will be a special Pups & Pints, a dog-friendly afternoon from noon to 5 p.m. 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
Denver Racquets ClubSaturday, August 24, through September 1
6505 West Sixth Avenue, Lakewood
Interested in trying padel? Meadow Creek Tennis & Fitness Club has rebranded as Denver Racquets Club, and through September 1, all padel courts, classes, training and demo equipment are free. Learn more here.
Denver Parade of Homes
Through Sunday, August 24, noon to 5 p.m.
Around Metro Denver
This is the final weekend of the 2025 Denver Parade of Homes, produced by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver. Free, free, self-guided tours of 66 model homes by 22 residential builders across the metro area are available from noon to 5 p.m., and you can explore anytime through virtual tours.
Movies at McGregor: Shrek and Shrek 2
Saturday, August 23, 3 p.m.
McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee Street
The summer movie series concludes with a double feature: Shrek (3 p.m.) and Shrek 2 (5 p.m.) on the giant 66-foot LED screen, which offers a clear view even in the sunshine. Grab a chair or a seat on the lawn; there will be food and drink deals.
RiNo Summer Art Market
Saturday, August 23, 4 to 8 p.m.
RiNo ArtPark, 1900 35th Street
Don't miss the final RiNo Summer Art Market of the season, which will include work from more than fifty artists and crafters, as well as live sets from Bambinita (4 to 6) and Blessing Bled Chimanga (6:30 to 8); a DIY screenprinting station; a craft station for Pop Art Portraits with Fruits of Our Labor; an exclusive first look at digital works by Denver Digerati in the Truss House, with a sneak preview of the upcoming Digerati Experimental Media Festival; food trucks and more.
Cinematic Symphony
Saturday, August 23, 5:30 p.m.
Centennial Center Park Amphitheater, 13050 East Peakview Avenue, Centennial
Pack a picnic for this open-air concert featuring the most iconic movie music of all time. VIP option available here.
Shakespeare in the Wild: Romeo and Juliet
Saturday, August 23, through Sunday, August 24, 7 p.m.
Goodson Rec Center, deKoevend Park, Centennial
Shakespeare in the Wild returns for a fourth season, this time presenting an outdoor staging of Shakespeare's most iconic love story, Romeo and Juliet. Bring blankets and a picnic; admission is free. The program will repeat the last weekend in August; RSVP here.
Passing the Crown with Rapsody
Saturday, August 23, 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30)
Levitt Pavilion, 1380 West Florida Avenue
Passing the Crown is a powerful live orchestral mixtape and dance experience that celebrates the Queens of Hip-Hop. This special performance at Levitt will include Grammy Award-winning artist Rapsody, as well as Denver’s own DJ Cyn, She Who Won’t Be Named, and Osha Renee.
Concerts on the Fly
Sunday, August 24, 1:30 to 5:30
Park on the Plaza, Denver International Airport
The airport's summer concert series continues with Eric Darius, Soul School and DJ Fa’Dora.
Carillon Concert With Emily Kim
Sunday, August 24, 5 p.m.
Ritchie Center Lawn, University of Denver
Emily Kim, a carillonist from Seattle, began her carillon journey in 2018 as an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago. She studied carillon performance with DU’s own Joey Brink. After the concert, you can tour the Williams Carillon.
Plan ahead
Denver Journalism, History, Motivation and PlaceWednesday, September 3, 6:30 p.m. (doors at 5)
Denver Press Club
The Denver Press Club building is turning 100, and as part of the celebration, the organization is hosting this discussion on the impact of Denver journalism and its publishers on the city and state, and how and where the building of their offices continues to cement and shape the perception of power, freedom of speech, journalism and truth. Panelists include Jason Hanson, chief creative officer for History Colorado; John Deffenbaugh, chief executive officer for Historic Denver; Phil Goodstein, author of over thirty books on Denver’s history; and Patricia Calhoun, Westword editor. Alan Kania, Denver Press Club historian and author, will moderate. Admission is free; learn more about the Denver Press Club.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list through the week; send information to [email protected].
