Free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week, June 1-7

All aboard for an action-filled week! The fun starts with more music in the Union Station neighborhood at lunch today, as well as some spicy book talk in Union Station itself tonight. This weekend, the terminal will be filled with events celebrating drag queens and dogs as Pride month kick off around Colorado.

If you’re eager to commune with nature, Boulder will celebrate plein air painting through the week, while the High Line Canal will look at its history. And National Trails Day and Colorado Prairie Day are coming right up on Saturday.

For more entertainment options, check our list of activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond):

This week

Music in the Gardens
Mon., June 1, through Fri., June 5, 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. On Monday, hear Hunter James. On Tuesday, Dave Devine. Wednesday is Meghan Burtt, Thursday is Rekha Ohal, and Friday is David Burchfield. Get the entire schedule here.

Spicy Lit Society Book Club
Mon., June 1, 6 p.m.
Great Hall, Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.
Tattered Cover’s Spicy Lit Society gathers in the Great Hall on the first Monday of the month for conversations about romance novels with a darker edge, led by a member of Tattered Cover’s team. June’s book is Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver; buy it at any Tattered for 15 percent off.

Boulder County Plein Air Community Event and Exhibit
Tues., June 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Public Paint-Out at Chautauqua Park
Wed., June 3, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Public Paint-Out at Boulder County Farmer’s Market
Fri., June 5, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Exhibit and Sale, Park Coworking, 2040 15th St., Boulder
On May 31, fifty local artists fanned out across Boulder County —into its meadows, mountain foothills, historic streetscapes, and farmers’ markets— and began to capture it on canvas. Watch the artists at work at two public paint-outs, and then see the final results at a public reception June 5 at Park Coworking,where the winners will be announced; the show will be on exhibit through June. Learn more at openstudios.org/plein-air-festival

Canal Lore Story Collection Open House
Tues., June 2, 4 to 7 p.m.
Robert and Judi Newman Outdoor Education Campus, 4010 E. Orchard Rd., Centennial
Built in the late 19th century to carry water across Colorado’s semi-arid plains, the High Line Canal has grown into a beloved recreational and cultural corridor. As Colorado approaches its 150th anniversary of statehood, the foundation that sustains the High Line is exploring the canal’s origins, evolution and lasting impact — bringing together research, historic insights and community knowledge to tell a fuller story. Come share tales at this open house.

Analog Salon Featuring Andy Mountain
Thurs., June 4, 6 p.m.
Human Resources at High Fidelity Plaza, 633 17th St., floor 30
Analog Salon, a vinyl listening and storytelling series, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with Denver civic and cultural leader Andy Mountain at Human Resources inside downtown High Fidelity Plaza. Part listening session, part storytelling salon, Analog Salon brings together musicians, artists, nonprofit leaders, educators, writers and others for evenings built around vinyl records, conversation and community. “The soundtrack to my life spans the many cultures, relationships, professional phases and angsty teenage moods that shaped who I am today,” says Mountain. “Sharing those songs, along with my stories and perspectives in one of downtown Denver’s emerging venues that is breathing new life into an old office building feels perfect for the era our city is currently in.”

Accidentally on Purpose – Pasó lo que tenía que pasar
Thurs., June 4, 6 to 9 p.m.
Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Dr.
Don’t miss the opening reception for Accidentally on Purpose – Pasó lo que tenía que pasar, a landmark exhibition celebrating the 50-year artistic journey of Denver Chicano Renaissance artists and activists Maruca and Daniel Salazar. It’s an extravaganza of animation, film, video, photography, installation, sculpture and paintings created over the last half century. The show will be on display through Aug. 9; watch for related programming.

Before Ballots Drop: A Colorado Primary Briefing
Thurs., June 4, 6 p.m.
Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Pl.
Before primary ballots are mailed on June 8, join More Than November and the Denver Press Club at a nonpartisan briefing on the state’s 2026 primaries. The event will cover how Colorado primaries work, and what races and voter dynamics to watch. Open to the public, but space is limited; RSVP here.

Denver: The City and Its Art Celebration
Thurs., June 4, 7 p.m.
Denver Woman’s Press Club, 1325 Logan St.
Elizabeth Schlosser, an art dealer and appraiser, will be signing her new book, Denver: The City and Its Art 1870-1970 at the Denver Women’s Press Club. Copies will be on sale for $55; admission is free, but let her know you’re coming at schlosserfineart@comcast.net.

Colorado Prairie Day Kickoff
Fri., June 5, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Historic Roundhouse, Hugo
Governor Jared Polis has declared June 6 Colorado Prairie Day, and the celebration kicks off the afternoon of June 5 with free bird tours, history talks, a participatory art project and (locally raised beef) food. The next day, the Shrikes & Bikes gravel ride takes off from the World’s Wonder View Tower in nearby Genoa. The ride registration is $75, but includes lunch and tours. Paid tours are available for those who aren’t riding.

National Trails Day
Sat., June 6
Around Colorado
The U.S. Forest Service is hosting another fee-free day at federal lands around Colorado. Find an American Hiking Society event here.

Pride on the Runway
Sat., June 6, 4 p.m. (entertainment begins at 8)
Cooper Lounge, Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.
Denver drag performers Jessica L’Whor and Talia Tucker co-host this evening dedicated to dazzling runway moments, pop-up performances by the Kiki House of Felicity, a DJ, interactive Pride-themed games, curated photo opportunities, and more. Guests are encouraged to come dressed to impressfor the featured Runway Competition. Although admission is free, reservations are highly recommended; get details here.

Paws with Pride
Sun., June 7, 1 to 4 p.m.
Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
Paws With Pride returns for a third year, with drag queen Talia Tucker as host. The event includes a Doggie Costume Contest, as well as pet-friendly vendors and artisans, and food and drink specials.

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. You can visit Marjorie Park at the Museum of Outdoor Arts for free on June 3; for more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.

Plaza on the Park: Mini Golf
Daily through September 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 returns on May 30 and is open daily; the space also hosts occasional special events and performances.

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 St., 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 7/1, 7/2, 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.

America 250 – Colorado 150
Through 2026
Around the state
Happy 150th birthday, Colorado! On August 1, 1876, Colorado became a state, and there will be celebrations all year — at the same time this country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. You can find a full list of the activities at Am250CO150.org.

“We Are the Land”
Denver’s YouTube
Denver documented the history and culture of the city’s current American Indian population, as well as Tribal Nations with cultural and historic ties to the land that is now Denver, with the oral history project “We are the Land: American Indian Life, Legacy and Future in Denver.” The project includes an accompanying documentary, “We Are the Land,” produced by Off the Road Productions, which is now available for free on Denver’s YouTube channel.

Plan ahead

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