For more activities, check our roster of events worth the price of admission and our concert calendar, as well as our Fall Arts Guide calendar. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver this week:
Free things to do in Denver...ongoing
Most museums charge admission, but there are exceptions worth searching out for SCFD free days.Although Civic Center EATS is now back with its fall edition on Wednesdays and Thursdays, fair warning: The Central Library is closed until November.
Free things to do in Denver (and beyond) today:
áyA Con Denver: Indigenous Comic and Art FestivalSunday, October 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 West Colfax Avenue
Celebrate the return of áyA Con, a free comic and arts festival celebrating nerd culture and Indigenous cultural heritage. The fest shares perspectives, celebrating differences and connecting through comics and storytelling, illustration, traditional arts, fashion, performance and more. There will be art and live music performances as well as a cosplay contest today! Get the full schedule here.
Idaho Springs Literary Festival: Celebrating Community, Literature and Connection
Sunday, October 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Around Idaho Springs
Friends of the Idaho Springs Public Library present this free community event designed to celebrate reading, foster connections and support the beloved local library, which offers everything from digital access to eBooks and audiobooks to an innovative “Library of Things,” which includes electronics, outdoor gear and even seasonal ski passes. The weekend-long celebration will showcase the restored Carnegie Library as well as local authors ranging from Sandra Dallas to Joanne Greenberg. Admission is free; learn more here.
Jackalope Arvada
Saturday, October 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Olde Town Square Arvada
Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair will take over the streets of Olde Town Arvada, bringing in over 120 handmade makers as well as family-friendly activities including a pumpkin scavenger hunt and a DIY pumpkin decoration station. There will be live painting as well as live music performances from Adam Stigal, C.L. Fondal, Jesse Maclaine Music and more. Get the details here.
Silverthorne Pumpkin Fest
Sunday, October 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rainbow Park, 590 Rainbow Drive, Silverthorne
Heading for the hills to see those turning leaves? The main color is orange at Silverthorne's Pumpkin Fest, which features a pumpkin patch with more than 2,500 pumpkins, mini pony rides, train rides, bounce houses, face painting, fall crafts and more; admission is free, and there will be food and drink options from local businesses. Learn more here.
Ongoing
Where Is Koketso? A Search, Seek and FindThrough Friday, October 26
Based at Second Star to the Right Bookstore, 1455 South Pearl Street
Second Star to the Right is home base for this seek-and-find adventure involving local author Nyasha Williams's new book. Koketso will visit local businesses throughout the south Denver community this month; pick up a passport at Second Star to collect stamps and become eligible to win prizes at the October 26 finale at the bookstore. Get the details here.
Plan ahead:
MyDenver Day Block Party and Happy HourTuesday, October 8, noon to 6 p.m.
16th Street Mall, Blake to Curtis streets
After Downtown Denver's annual meeting in Skyline Park, celebrate the city at this block party with activations, games and giveaways. At 4 p.m., the action moves back to Skyline Park for happy hour. Admission is free; learn more here.
Gaining Ground in the Black Community: Social Equity Summit Weekend
Thursday, October 17, through Sunday, October 20
Various locations around Denver
Come to a kickoff reception at 3:30 p.m. October 17 at the Grand Ballroom, Doubletree Hotel, 3203 Quebec Street. Admission is free; for more information on the weekend, contact [email protected].
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list through the week; send information to [email protected].
