Seven Things to Do for Free in Denver This Weekend

We're into October — and while the days are getting shorter, this city is still long on enlightening entertainment opportunities. Haven't been to Meow Wolf yet? You can get a glimpse of the art in a new Night Lights Denver presentation. Meanwhile, Doors Open Denver continues through October 17 with a dozen free online tours.

Keep reading for some of the best free events in Denver this weekend.

Creative Nations Indigenous Arts Market and Festival
Sunday, October 10, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder
Creative Nations and the Dairy Arts Center are teaming up to observe Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend with a mix of cultural awareness-raising, art and entertainment. An arts market anchors the event, with a lineup of highly regarded Native artisans selling traditional handicrafts from a variety of Indigenous-American nations. Along with shopping, there will be cultural dance performances. Find information here.

Underwear Collection Challenge
Sunday, October 10, 1 to 4 p.m.
Action Center, 8745 West 14th Avenue, Lakewood
The Action Center and Breaking History will attempt to break the world record for "Most Pairs of New Underwear Collected in One Hour" in an effort to raise awareness about homelessness issues in metro Denver. (Yes, there is a previous record: 1,350 pairs.) Members of the public can donate new underwear for the 2 p.m. count, then stick around to learn more about the work of the Action Center. Find out more here.

Cinnamon Kills First Sessions
Honoring the Indigenous Self: Sunday, October 10, 4 p.m.
Unci Makha and the Stories She Carries: Monday, October 11, 4 p.m.
Junkyard Social Club, 2525 Frontier Avenue, Unit A, Boulder
Control Group Productions and the Junkyard Social venue are also pitching in for Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Boulder with a pair of presentations by Cinnamon Kills First, a cross-cultural communicator from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. On Sunday, Kills First will deliver a program of medicine-wheel teachings geared toward a Native audience; on Monday, she’ll turn her focus specifically to a white audience with a storytelling session contrasting Indigenous and white creation stories. Both sessions are free; learn more and register here.

JustUs: Stories From the Frontlines of the Criminal Justice System With Reverend Pedro Silva
Sunday, October 10, 5 p.m., online
Reverend Pedro Silva, from First Congregational Church UCC - Boulder, will be reading Brandon Wainright’s autobiographical story of systemic oppression as part of Motus Theater's JustUs program. The reading will be followed by a musical response by Robert Johnson, as well as personal and theological reflections on the importance of sacred hospitality, and the impact of stepping into the shoes of a person who was formerly incarcerated. The program is free; register here.

Indigenous Peoples Day Concert
Sunday, October 10, 6:30 p.m., online
The American Indian College Fund is hosting a free virtual concert with the nation's top Native and non-Native performers to create greater visibility of Native histories, cultures and contributions. The lineup includes Nathaniel Rateliff, as well as Pink Martini, Portugal. The Man, Martha Redbone, Brooke Simpson, Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, Frank Waln, The Ghost of Paul Revere and Jewel, and many more. Register for the free show here.

Doors Open Denver
Through October 17
All over Denver and online
Doors Open Denver is back with some great in-person tours (weekends only, and tickets required) as well as free online, on-demand tours. New virtual tours include 200 Block South Lincoln Street Historic District, Daniels & Fisher Tower, Loretto Heights: Pancratia Hall and NCAR Mesa Laboratory; there will also be twelve archived virtual tours from 2020. The Your Denver photo contest has also returned, with submissions now being accepted. Get all the details on Doors Open Denver here.

Night Lights Denver: "Now Converging..."
Daily (except Mondays), 7 to 11:59 p.m., continuing through October
Clocktower, 16th Street Mall at Arapahoe Street
Even before it opened Convergence Station last month, Meow Wolf Denver had made its mark on the skyline. "Now Converging..." adds another element: Through the month, Night Lights Denver will offer an illuminating look at the four converged worlds of Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station, inspired by the kaleidoscopic cathedral of Eemia, the flora and fauna of Numina, the memory bank of Oss, and the gritty, glittery C-Street — as well as Denver itself. Meow Wolf has brought original work from eleven animators and filmmakers to the unique canvas of the Clocktower. Find out more here.

Know of a great free event in Denver? We'll be updating this list through the week; send information to [email protected].