Free Things to Do in Denver (and Beyond) This Week, April 20-26

Celebrate Colorado’s (very) great outdoors on Earth Day. The Denver Botanic Gardens is offering free admission, and while all the slots at the original York Street facility are full, you can still snag a spot at Chatfield Farms.

For other 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

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms Free Day
Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
8500 West Deer Canyon Drive, Littleton
While the Denver Botanic Gardens is hosting a free day in honor of Earth Day on April 22, all the spots at York Street have been claimed. You can still grab a spot at the Chatfield Farms facility space, though. Sign up here.

Fresh Over Fast Pop-Up
Wednesday, April 22, 1 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 23, 2 to 7:30 p.m.
McGregor Square, 1901 Wynkoop Street
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there will be free dinner tonight if you visit the Fresh Over Fast Pop-Up. Delete a food-delivery app, and HelloFresh will give you a free meal kit. Learn more about McGregor Square.

CultureFest
Wednesday, April 22, 4 to 7 p.m.
Ponderosa Elementary, 1885 South Lima, Aurora
Aurora has been celebrating Earth Day all month with The Walls Project, engaging thousands of students, educators and community volunteers in various projects. Today, the new school garden and mural at Ponderosa Elementary will be unveiled at a special community festival open to the public.

National Parks Navy Week
Thursday, April 23, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cortez and Mesa Verde
Ready for a road trip? The U.S. Navy will join the Mesa Verde and Cortez communities for a full day of music, ceremony, and public engagement as part of National Parks Navy Week, a nationwide initiative celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Events include a student band festival at Bayfield High school, followed by a flag-raising at Mesa Verde National Park and tours of the park with sailors. The day concludes with a 6 p.m.concert by the Navy Band Southwest’s Brass Band in Montezuma Park in Cortez, complete with a synchronized performance by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

A Conversation on the U.S. – Iran Conflict: Global Impacts and What Happens Next
Thursday, April 23, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
CAVEA Theater, MSU Denver, Auraria Campus
Join Metropolitan State University of Denver, in collaboration with the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver, for a panel discussion examining the U.S.-Iran conflict. The expert-led conversation will explore the geopolitical, military and economic dimensions of the conflict — and what these developments could mean for global stability in the weeks and months ahead. The program will also be livestreamed; learn more here.

Tattered Cover Book & Lovers’ Day
Thursday, April 23
Four Tattered Cover locations (DIA excluded)
There have been plenty of changes at Tattered Cover in recent years, but the tradition of Book & Lovers’ Day remains. Customers shopping in-store will receive a flower and a special, limited-edition bookmark; there will also be special deals for Friends of the Tattered Cover members.

Deaf President Now!
Thursday, April 23, 6 to 9 p.m.
Louise McCabe Performing Arts Center, Denver Academy, 4400 East Iliff Avenue
Denver Academy is hosting a screening of the film Deaf President Now, followed by a Q&A with co-director Davis Guggenheim. The event benefits Deaf Reach, but you can register for free; learn more here.

City Floral Greenhouse 115th Anniversary Party
Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1440 Kearney Street
City Floral is celebrating its 115th anniversary with a plant sale and party that includes live music, food trucks, and a Garden Center exhibit featuring historic photos and memorabilia

National Library Week: Aurora Public Library
Saturday, April 25, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Central Library, 14949 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora
“National Library Week highlights the important impact of libraries in the quality of life of our community and the valuable contributions of library staff through their dedicated work nurturing curiosity, capability, and confidence throughout all of life’s chapters of our library patrons,” says Ginger White Brunetti, director of Libraries and Cultural Services. “This year’s theme, ‘Find Your Joy,’ invites the community to explore the library and brings a positive message of hope.” Events range from musical performances for children to “The Librarians,” a program at 10:30 a.m. Saturday that shares stories about librarians as not just information providers, but protectors of trust, democracy and civic connection. And at 2 p.m. Saturday, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts will host a free performance of Romeo and Juliet in the parking lot of the Central Library. Find details here.

Estes Park Bigfoot Days
Saturday, April 25, 10 to 4 p.m., with films following
Estes Park
Celebrate all things Squatchy: Bigfoot celebrities and experts, Colorado Bigfoot stories, live music, outdoor activities for the entire family, a Bigfoot calling contest, and much more! The Bigfoot BBQ on Friday is ticketed, as is the Bigfoot 5K race the next day. But there will be a free Bigfoot Days Festival all day Saturday, along with a free screening at 7 p.m. of The Squatch, a film by Tom Chaney and Squatch LCC at the Historic Park Theatre, followed by a panel discussion. Get full details here.

Día Del Niño 2026
Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Glen Huntington Bandshell, Boulder
Enjoy a family-friendly day of multicultural festivities including art-making, dance and musical performances by Ballet Folklórico de la Diversidad Cultural, Colorado Youth Mariachi Group, Mi Chantli and more.

Loveland Ski Area Closing Weekend
Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Loveland Ski Area
While you’ll need to buy a ticket to Saturday’s 25th annual Corn Harvest Benefit Ski Party, a long-standing community event that blends skiing, music, and philanthropy on the slopes, you can enjoy live music for free at the base by Mark Morris & the Rope Duckers.

Pollinator Power Hour
Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m. to noon
Rally Hotel, 1600 20th Street
In a partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion, the Rally Hotel lobby is transformed into an educational hub every Sunday morning, when you can engage in hands-on learning about Colorado’s essential pollinators, complete with preserved specimen displays.

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. In honor of Earth Day, both the Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street and Chatfield Farms are offering free admission, but all York Street slots have been filled. You can visit Four Mile Historic Park for free on Friday, too. For more bargains, check the SCFD site.

Colorado State Capitol Tours
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
200 East Colfax Avenue|
The Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free guided tours are available, but limited to thirty people on a first come, first served basis. 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
On February 7, Landmark Preservation staff and the American Indian community celebrated the culmination of more than three years of work to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of Denver’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 produced by Off the Road Productions, “We Are the Land,” which is now available on Denver’s YouTube channel.

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