Free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week, Aug. 17-23

You don’t have to spend money to have fun in Denver. This list is updated multiple times every week with free events going on around the Mile High City.

For even more options, check our Summer Guide, with hundreds of events for the months ahead. Now keep reading for more free things to do in Denver (and beyond):

This week

“Super Mario Galaxy” screening with Mario Kart racing
Thursday, Aug. 20, racing from 1 to 6 p.m., screening at 6:30 p.m.
McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St.
Throw red shells, dodge banana peels and race other players in Mario Kart on the big screen at McGregor Square ahead of a screening of “Super Mario Galaxy.” Register here.

16 LIVE: Bars & Bops
Thursday, Aug. 20, 5 to 9 p.m.
Glenarm Plaza
Inspired by Denver’s vibrant music community, 16 LIVE brings together iconic Colorado DJs, artists, and dancers to celebrate and amplify Denver’s creative culture. Each “Live” night is themed around a friendly DJ Battle. At 7 p.m., there will be a silent disco DJ battle. Reserve a headset here.

Kink Scene Negotiation, Communication and Planning
Thursday, Aug. 20, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Sexploratorium, 1800 S. Broadway
In this free class, learn how to get started in kink spaces and level up your communication in those spaces and with your partner. All experience levels are welcome; sign up here.

Lily Williams “Exposures” with Holly Grant
Thursday, Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m.
Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St.
Lily Williams will speak about and sign her new book, “Exposures,” at Boulder Bookstore, in conversation with Holly Grant. “Exposures” is a graphic novel for kids and an account of what it’s like living with OCD, and the courage it takes to confront your deepest fears. Register for free here.

“The Comedy of Errors”
Aug. 20-23; Aug. 27-30, performances at 7 p.m.
DeKoevend Park at Goodson Rec Center, 6315 S. University Blvd, Centennial
Check out Shakespeare in the Wild’s free performances of “The Comedy of Errors,” Shakespeare’s fastest, silliest, most gleefully chaotic play about two sets of separated twins, one very confused town, and the kind of mistaken-identity mayhem that hasn’t aged a day in 400 years. RSVP here. In bad weather, the show will be moved into Best Buy, 6707 S. Vine St., Centennial.

Family Film Series: “The Greatest Showman”
Friday, Aug. 21, 6 to 9 p.m.
Historic Elitch Theatre, 4600 W. 37th Place
“The Greatest Showman” begins at 7 p.m., but before the screening, enjoy a performance by The Denver Balloon Guy, whose whimsical balloon creations, comedy and stilt-walking will get the audience in the spirit for the movie. Admission is free; concessions and donations support the Elitch Theatre.

Music on the Lawn: El Loco Fandango 
Friday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m.
Foothills, 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Fort Collins
Enjoy the music of El Loco Fandango, a beer garden, local vendors and more at this free event. Register here.

Sensory Friendly Hours at the Air & Space Museum
Sunday, Aug. 23, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd
Families with children, teenagers and adults with processing disorders and other cognitive disabilities are welcome to experience the museum in a low-sensory environment. Register for free here.

Yoga for Lymphatic + Glymphatic Drainage & Sound Bath
Sunday, Aug. 23, noon to 2 p.m.
Sunny Isle Yoga, 12500 West 58th Ave., Arvada
Reserve your spot for this free 90-minute practice to support breath and gentle movement at Sunny Isle Yoga. The session will close with a sound bath.

Plan ahead

Language Exchange
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 5 to 7 p.m.
The Center on Colfax, 1301 E. Colfax Ave.
The Language Exchange at The Center on Colfax is an intergenerational social event designed to connect language learners of all skill levels to practice their speaking. August’s topic is hobbies.

Evening Bird Break
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 6 to 8 p.m.
Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 S. Yarrow St.
Join Denver Audubon to connect with birds, their habitats, and like-minded nature lovers. Led by Denver Audubon volunteers, this session will focus on enjoying the birds and their behavior, learning about different habitats, and how to find and identify birds by sight and sound. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.

16 LIVE: Mile High Hits
Thursday, Aug. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.
Glenarm Plaza
Inspired by Denver’s vibrant music community, 16 LIVE brings together iconic Colorado DJs, artists, and dancers to celebrate and amplify Denver’s creative culture. Each “Live” night is themed around a friendly DJ Battle. At 7 p.m., there will be a silent disco DJ battle. Reserve a headset here.

Music on the Lawn: Dreamboat Annie 
Friday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m.
Foothills, 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Fort Collins
Enjoy the music of El Loco Fandango, a beer garden, local vendors and more at this free event. Register here.

Aurora Pride Festival
Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Winged Melody Park, East 38th Place, Aurora
Celebrate LGBTQ+ and Latino Pride at the Aurora Pride Festival, which will include live music, DJs, craft vendors, free carousel rides and family-friendly activities. Following the daytime festivities, The Aurora Highlands is continuing the celebration with Concert at the Park at Umi at Hogan Park at Highlands Creek, with live performances featuring an acoustic guitarist set by Michael Cer from 7-9 p.m., followed by a Gospel House set by Pameluv from 9-10 p.m.

Rooster ArtFest
Saturday, Aug. 29, noon to 7:30 p.m.
ReelWorks Denver, 1399 35th St.
Rooster Magazine’s third annual Rooster ArtFest returns to ReelWorks for a day of more than 100 local artists, makers and creative vendors, plus live mural battles, immersive installations, live music, food trucks, and an expanded Art Market on 35th Street. The event is free to attend.

The Artisan Bazaar at McGregor Square
Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St.
Shop local fashion, jewelry, treats, art and more at the Artisan Bazaar, which will feature more than 60 vendors. Admission is free; reserve a spot and find out more here.

First Act at the Arts Complex
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m.
Galleria @ Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1400 Curtis St.
Register in advance for this free performance featuring the Colorado Ballet, the Colorado Symphony, Dazzle, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Opera Colorado. “First Act” is the kickoff to Denver’s performing arts season, bringing together the organizations that call the Denver Performing Arts Complex home. In addition to performances, there will be workshops, crafts, exhibits and more.

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 to the Denver Botanic Gardens (both York Street and Chatfield Farms) is free on July 1; for more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.

Plaza on the Park
Daily through Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Denver International Airport
Have extra time at the airport? Activities return to Plaza on the Park, the space between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel. The nine-hole mini golf course is back; the space also hosts occasional special events and performances.

Music in the Gardens
Weekdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
17th Street Community Gardens, 17th and Wewatta streets
After a cold start to its first week, the sixth annual Music in the Gardens lunchtime music series continues with live performances every weekday lunch in the Union Station neighborhood. Get the schedule here.

Westracks Shuttle
Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Various stops in Jefferson County
The Westracks Shuttle Pilot Program will run free buses from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through Labor Day, connecting riders to key destinations from the Jefferson County Government Center/RTD Golden Station, from Matthews/Winters Park, the Martin G. Lockley Center at Dinosaur Ridge, the Red Rocks Trading Post, Downtown Morrison, and the Morrison Natural History Museum.

Civic Center EATS
Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1400 Block of Bannock Street, Civic Center Park
On Wednesdays and Thursdays through mid-October, Denver’s summer food truck rally will return to Civic Center Park. Although the location has shifted toward Bannock Street because of renovations in the park, there will still be at least a dozen trucks to choose from, as well as civic booths and live music from Youth on Record. Get the full lineup in our story (and note that there’s no EATS on 8/12, 8/13, 9/2 or 9/3).

Colorado State Capitol Tours
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
200 E. Colfax Ave.
The legislative session is over, but the Capitol remains open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and free guided tours are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check in at the Visitor Information Desk, which opens at 9 a.m.

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