Free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this weekend, Aug. 28-30

You don’t have to spend money to have fun in Denver. This list is updated multiple times every week with free events going on around the Mile High City.

For even more options, check our Summer Guide, with hundreds of events for the months ahead. Now keep reading for more free things to do in Denver (and beyond):

This week

“The Comedy of Errors”
Aug. 27-30, performances at 7 p.m.
DeKoevend Park at Goodson Rec Center, 6315 S. University Blvd, Centennial
Check out Shakespeare in the Wild’s free performances of “The Comedy of Errors,” Shakespeare’s fastest, silliest, most gleefully chaotic play about two sets of separated twins, one very confused town, and the kind of mistaken-identity mayhem that hasn’t aged a day in 400 years. RSVP here. In bad weather, the show will be moved into Best Buy, 6707 S. Vine St., Centennial.

Music on the Lawn: Dreamboat Annie 
Friday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m.
Foothills, 215 E. Foothills Parkway, Fort Collins
Enjoy the music of El Loco Fandango, a beer garden, local vendors and more at this free event. Register here.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30
Sloan’s Lake Park, 1700 N. Sheridan Blvd.
Head to Sloan’s Lake for a weekend of dragon boat racing, food, entertainment and more at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. It’s free to attend the festival, but note that onsite parking will not be available. See transportation options here.

Aurora Pride Festival
Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Winged Melody Park, East 38th Place, Aurora
Celebrate LGBTQ+ and Latino Pride at the Aurora Pride Festival, which will include live music, DJs, craft vendors, free carousel rides and family-friendly activities. Following the daytime festivities, The Aurora Highlands is continuing the celebration with Concert at the Park at Umi at Hogan Park at Highlands Creek, with live performances featuring an acoustic guitarist set by Michael Cer from 7-9 p.m., followed by a Gospel House set by Pameluv from 9-10 p.m.

The Artisan Bazaar at McGregor Square
Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St.
Shop local fashion, jewelry, treats, art and more at the Artisan Bazaar, which will feature more than 60 vendors. Admission is free; reserve a spot and find out more here.

Rooster ArtFest
Saturday, Aug. 29, noon to 7:30 p.m.
ReelWorks Denver, 1399 35th St.
Rooster Magazine’s third annual Rooster ArtFest returns to ReelWorks for a day of more than 100 local artists, makers and creative vendors, plus live mural battles, immersive installations, live music, food trucks, and an expanded Art Market on 35th Street. The event is free to attend.

Understanding Ecology: A Morning Hike in the Park
Sunday, Aug. 30, 9 a.m.
Reverends Ridge Campground Amphitheater, 313 Reverends Ridge, Black Hawk
Join Golden Gate Canyon State Park Trail Ambassador and student of forestry Milo Young for a guided hike along Raccoon Trail. The program will focus on introductory ecological concepts including succession, disturbance, and altitudinal gradients. We will apply these concepts to classic Rocky Mountain habitats and the local ecosystems of GGCSP. Reserve a spot here.

Grief Con 2026
Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Judi’s House, 10125 E. 25th Ave., Aurora
Grief Con is a place to laugh, cry, remember someone you love, meet people who understand, get a free massage, stretch your body, take a guided meditation class and discover other grief-management resources. It’s free to attend; learn more here.

Denver Puppets Screening, Craft & Raffle
Sunday, Aug. 30, 11:15 a.m.
Denver Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave.
Central Library will host a screening of “I am Frankelda” while attendees make crafts. Reserve a spot here.

Plan ahead

Anythink Community Concert Series: Ritmo Cascabel
Thursday, Sept. 3, 5 p.m.
Anythink Thornton Community Center, 2211 Eppinger Blvd., Thornton
Anythink Libraries next free concert will feature Denver-based musician Ritmo Cascabel, playing a blend of cumbia, western and rock and roll. Learn more here.

16 LIVE: Boombox v Bluetooth
Thursday, Aug. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.
Glenarm Plaza
Inspired by Denver’s vibrant music community, 16 LIVE brings together iconic Colorado DJs, artists, and dancers to celebrate and amplify Denver’s creative culture. Each “Live” night is themed around a friendly DJ Battle. At 7 p.m., there will be a silent disco DJ battle. Reserve a headset here.

First Friday Art Walk
Friday, Sept. 4
Art District on Santa Fe, RiNo ArtPark and more
Check out food trucks, local artisan vendors, live music and gallery shows during September First Friday around the city.

Colfax Canvas Mural Festival
Friday, Sept. 4, 4 to 11 p.m.
Aurora Cultural Arts District
Grab a Colfax Canvas BINGO card at any participating location and explore East Colfax as art, music, and community come together for one day in the Aurora Cultural Arts District. Muralists will be painting live throughout the district from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4; watch them put the finishing touches on their work.

The Bierhalle Brawl – Live Pro Wrestling
Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus, 2875 Blake St.
Check out live pro wrestling action for free in the Bierhalle. Expect jaw-dropping moves, intense rivalries, and electrifying entertainment courtesy of Rocky Mountain Pro. Learn more here.

Mercado at McGregor
Saturday, Sept. 5, 3 to 9 p.m.
McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee St.
Celebrate the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with this free community market showcasing a hand-picked selection of makers and Latinx-owned brands.

Ritmo & Raíces: A Latin American Heritage Celebration
Sunday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.
To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, the Mexican Cultural Center and Denver Union Station will host a celebration of the music, dance, traditions, and cultures of Latin America. The free event will include cultural performances around the plaza and Latin American-inspired food and beverage specials available for purchase.

First Act at the Arts Complex
Saturday, Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m.
Galleria @ Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1400 Curtis St.
Register in advance for this free performance featuring the Colorado Ballet, the Colorado Symphony, Dazzle, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Opera Colorado. “First Act” is the kickoff to Denver’s performing arts season, bringing together the organizations that call the Denver Performing Arts Complex home. In addition to performances, there will be workshops, crafts, exhibits and more.

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. Admission to the Denver Botanic Gardens (both York Street and Chatfield Farms) is free on July 1; for more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.

Plaza on the Park
Daily through Sept. 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 is back; the space also hosts occasional special events and performances.

Music in the Gardens
Weekdays, 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. Get the schedule here.

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 Street, 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 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.

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