Keep reading for some of the best free events in and around town this weekend.
Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 12, 9:30 a.m.
Depart from 19th and Wynkoop streets
The Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade is back! This is the sixtieth celebration of the tradition, and it promises to be a big one. After staging at Coors Field, the parade will follow Wynkoop Street to Union Station, then turn and head along 17th Street. It's free to watch, and there should be plenty to see; find out more here.
WinterFest
Through Sunday, March 13
Eagle's Landing in Center Village and around Copper Mountain
The Subaru WinterFest moves to Copper Mountain this weekend, bringing free live music, giveaways, Subaru swag, food and fun. The Kind Hearted Strangers will kick off the festival with a main-stage performance at 4 p.m. Friday, March 11. TWIDDLE will headline WinterFest with music on Saturday, March 12 at 4:30 p.m., and the Kitchen Dwellers will close out the weekend on Sunday, March 13, with a set at 1:30 p.m. The first fifty Subaru owners will be treated to free VIP parking in Copper’s Chapel Lot. Find out more here.
Kels Choo, Pikes Peak Zine Fest
Saturday, March 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Center for Visual Art MSUD, 965 Santa Fe Drive
The Denver Small Press Fest is back after a two-year pandemic hiatus, settling in for a day in the cushy digs of the CVA galleries. More than fifty vendors will be pushing their print wares — including zines, journals, periodicals, small press publications, art and printmaking — while screen-printing demos by Indy Ink will entice guests to join in and try printmaking themselves. Put together by Leon Gallery, Peter Miles Bergman and Heather Link Bergman of is PRESS, zinester Kels Choo, editor Kaela Martin and comic artist Lonnie MF Allen, the event will make you appreciate what happens behind the scenes of a print-based business, or at a magazine or book publishing house. Find out more here.
Cravt Pop-Up: Herbalist Erebus Soteria
Saturday, March 12, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
RitualCravt, 7700 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
Owned by tattoo artist Missy Rhysing, RitualCravt is where you go for spiritual talismans, apothecary items and witchy oddities you won’t find anywhere else. The store’s continuing series of Cravt pop-ups bolsters those basics by bringing in vendors to demonstrate and peddle wares that fit the profile, including guest Nicole Belvill of Erebus Soteria, who is bringing a spread of plant-infused devotional oils, tinctures, teas, salves and oxymels. Get more info here.
Olde Town Arvada St. Patrick's Day Festival 2022
Saturday, March 12, noon to 6 p.m.
Olde Town Arvada, 7503 Grandview Avenue, Arvada
It’s been two years since Celtic ditties rang out in the streets of Olde Town Arvada, so the retail district will be working twice as hard to make the Olde Town Arvada St. Patrick's Day Festival 2022 memorable. Live music on two stages, vendors, kids’ activities and libations for adults will provide the fun, while the rest of Olde Town — the restaurants and shops — will be open for browsing and dining. It’s free for all, and don’t forget to wear something green. Find details here.
Stand With Ukraine Rally
Saturday, March 12, 2 p.m.
Colorado Capitol, 200 East Colfax Avenue
Show your support for the people of Ukraine at this rally at the State Capitol. Find out more here.
Second Saturday Open Mic for All Literary Souls
Saturday, March 12, 7 p.m.
Corazón de Trinidad Creative District, 210 West Main Street, Trinidad
You've heard all about how Trinidad is becoming a cultural hub. See for yourself when the Corazón de Trinidad Creative District hosts an open mic for poets and all literary souls. Kim Krisco, a mystery writer and resident of Weston, will be the featured speaker; he will read from his latest novel, The Magnificent Madness of Tessa Wiggins, the tale of an Irish lass who strives to become a Druid priestess. Admission is free; find out more here.
Bridal Show/Open House at Lily Farm Fresh Event Center
Sunday, March 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lily Farm, 1833 County Road 53, Keenesburg
Lily Farm, which produces fresh, organic beauty products, also has an event center that will be throwing an open house this weekend. Even if you haven't set a date for your nuptials (or don't even have a prospective spouse), you'll enjoy this day down on the farm. Find out more here.
and a bonus:
Night Lights Denver: Women's History Month
Through March 31, daily except Mondays, 6:15 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Clocktower, 1601 Arapahoe Street
For Women’s History Month, Night Lights Denver is presenting a collection of time-based artworks projected on the side of the Clocktower; the work is designed to express conversations unique to each artist’s practice. This program was independently curated by Sharifa Moore, executive director of Denver Digerati; find out more here.
Do you know of a great free event in town? We'll be updating this list through the week; send information to [email protected].
