But yes, there will be plenty of fun and frolics, too. Find info on theater productions and film fests here; keep reading for special holiday events in metro Denver, from patriotic to pure party.
Patriotic events
Fort Logan National Cemetery Memorial Day EventsMonday, May 27, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 West Kenyan Avenue
A Flower on Every Grave, a nonprofit that aims to remember all veterans, will be placing a flower on every grave at Fort Logan on Memorial Day starting at 8 a.m.; learn more here. There will also be Flags for Fallen Vets installations; find details here.
Commerce City Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 27, 9:30 a.m.
Commerce City
Colorado's largest Memorial Day Parade brings thousands of community members together. Before the parade, the city will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park; after the parade, there will be live music from Those Crazy Nights, food trucks and civic booths at Veterans Memorial Park. Admission is free; learn more here.
Air Force Flyovers
Monday, May 27, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Over Colorado
Thanks to the Colorado National Guard, F-16C Viper jets will depart Buckley Space Force Base on Monday, May 27, for a fly-over at Linn Grove Cemetery in Greeley at 10:30 a.m.; Parker Cemetery in Parker at 10:35 a.m.; Veterans Memorial Park in Silver Cliff at 10:50; Homelake Cemetery in Monte Vista at 11; Western Colorado Veterans Cemetery in Grand Junction at 11:15; the Grand Lake Memorial Day Parade in Grand Lake at 11:30; Fort Logan National Cemetery at 11:40; Olinger Highland Cemetery in Thornton at 11:50; and University of Colorado Boulder, Folsom Stadium, at 12:07. Times are approximate.
And more holiday weekend activities
BolderBoulderMonday, May 27, 6:30 a.m. until noon
Start at 30th and Walnut streets, Boulder
Celebrate Memorial Day at the BolderBolder, a 10K run that's part race, part costume party, part parade, and embraces the mantra “Oh Yes You Can!” With waves for walking, jogging, running and even wheelchairs (first to take off, at 6:50 a.m.), participants can enjoy all ten kilometers at their own pace. The finish line, at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field, becomes a vibrant gathering spot to watch the professional race and the largest Memorial Day tribute in the country at noon. Race packages start at $69 and can be purchased here.
Winter Park Final Weekend
Monday, May 27
Winter Park, 9 to 4 p.m.
After 207 days of skiing and riding for the 2023/24 winter season, Winter Park Resort is officially calling it quits on Monday, ending the second-longest season. If you've already stashed your skis, head to Grand Lake for a Memorial Day parade that starts at 10 a.m. Get all the details here.
See the Corpse Flower!
Monday, May 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
CSU Plant Growth Facility Conservatory, 1241 Libbie Coy Way, Fort Collins
Cosmo, the corpse flower, has bloomed for the first time in the eight years that the plant has been a resident of Colorado State University. When a corpse flower blooms, it emits a pungent odor that’s been compared to the smell of rotting flesh. This smell is the strongest for the initial twelve hours after the bloom, but can still be detected for a day or two afterwards...and you can smell it for yourself. The public can visit Cosmo for free from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day it is in bloom. Learn more here.
Estes Park Art Market
Monday, May 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Estes Park
The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies presents the annual Estes Park Art Market, featuring artists from Colorado and surrounding states displaying a wide variety of fine arts and crafts. There will also be live music and food, of course. Admission is free; learn more here.
Kickoff to Summer Memorial Day Weekend Festival
Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1000 Block of Old South Gaylord Street
The Memorial Day Weekend Festival on Old South Gaylord is a Denver institution. There's live music all day, every day, as well as food and other festivities, including a dog-friendly area on Monday. Admission is free; learn more here.
Territory Days
Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Old Colorado City
For more than 45 years, Territory Days has been Colorado's largest street fair in the state's first territorial capital. Shop hundreds of vendors with handcrafts from around the world, as well as food. There will also be educational displays, patriotic tributes and live music from 25 bands on three stages. Admission is free; learn more here.
Boulder Creek Festival
Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Along the Boulder Creek from 9th to 14th streets between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue
The Memorial Day weekend action starts Friday night in Boulder with a kickoff concert from Steely Dead, a Steely Dan and Grateful Dead jam band, and other acts. The fun continues through Monday with more live music (forty bands), skate jams, mural painting, more than 200 artisans, family-friendly activities and food, and plenty more. Admission is free; learn more here.
Odell Brewing Small Batch Beer & Weekend
Monday, May 27, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
800 East Lincoln Avenue, Fort Collins
Odell is bringing back Small Batch Weekend, with nine bands, forty beers and twelve wines over three days — with no cover. The music begins at noon each day, with a musical lineup Saturday that includes Venture Still, Max Mackey Music and Choice City Seven; the food trucks on hand will be Mac’n, Las Catrinas, Scrooge Maki, Twist and Churn Ice Cream. On Sunday, the bands are Amoeba Swing, Mike Lamitola and Waido Experience; the food trucks are Baked, Joe Zeppy’s, Jersey Cowboy, Twist and Churn Ice Cream. Rounding things out on Monday are acts Shred the Cowboy, Aubrey Dale and Crescent City Connection; trucks are Fork Yeah, Brazi, Shell on Wheels, Twist and Churn Ice Cream. Admission is free; learn more here.
Bridging Over Memorial Day Project
Monday, May 27
Home Depot, 7200 West Colfax Avenue
The nonprofit will be holding its second annual Memorial Day event, giving out safety badges and flags, as well as food for those in need. Learn more here.
Little Man Memorial Day Happy Hour Yoga
Monday, May 27, 6 to 7 p.m.
The Can, 2620 16th Street
The Little Man Ice Cream empire is celebrating the unofficial start of summer with festivities around town. On Monday from 6 to 7 p.m., enjoy Happy Hour Yoga & a Cone with Skylines Yoga back at the Can. Learn more here.
DEN’s Park on the Plaza
Open daily
Denver International Airport
To take advantage of Colorado’s sunny weather, travelers are invited to enjoy the Park on the Plaza at Denver International Airport. The 82,000-square-foot open-air plaza, located pre-security between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel, will offer entertainment options now through September 30. Find a full list of events here.
Do you know of a great Memorial Day weekend event? We'll be updating this list; send information to [email protected].
