Travel Westword: Ten Must-Do Events in Downtown Denver This Summer

This installation of Travel Westword is presented by Visit Denver. Prefer a video experience? Check out our Instagram reel.

Downtown Denver is buzzing this summer. So while we usually take you into the mountains and beyond in our Travel Westword series, for this edition, we are staying right here in Denver.

A remodeled 16th Street has already brought tons of people, events and celebrations back downtown. With most of the blocks already done, the mile-long street is now more pedestrian-friendly, full of places to relax and enjoy the city and lined block to block with plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

Beyond 16th Street, downtown will be activated all summer long with events, offering plenty of reasons to stay in the city and explore all that it has to offer. From arts and cultural festivals to blockbuster concerts to 4th of July celebrations, there’s no shortage of things to do right here in Denver.

Here are ten events we’re looking forward to – all coming up within the next month:
Juneteenth Music Festival
June 15, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2720 Welton Street
Celebrate Juneteenth in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. on June 15, the Juneteenth parade will kick off the celebration. All day long, enjoy music, vendors, food and art. The day will end with a free headlining performance from Juvenile. After the festival, walk over to 16th Street to end the night. While this event is free for everyone, VIP passes are available that will include the best view of the show.

Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
June 21 - June 22
20th and Lawrence Streets
The 51st annual Denver Cherry Blossom Festival will offer a celebration of Japanese heritage right in the heart of Downtown Denver at Sakura Square. The day will be packed with martial arts, Japanese folk dancing, taiko - Japanese drumming - and of course plenty of food and drinks. You’ll also be able to shop from vendors who will be selling things like jewelry, photography, clothes and more. Admission is free.

Denver PrideFest
June 28 - June 29
Civic Center Park
Denver PrideFest is a free event for everyone celebrating Denver’s LQBTQ+ community. Start the celebrations by catching the Vizzy Denver Pride Parade on June 29 at 9:30 a.m. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend the parade, which will start at 17th Avenue and Franklin Street and end at Lincoln Street. On June 28, the Denver Pride 5K will go from Lincoln Street all the way to Cheesman park. The festival at Civic Center Park will include over 250 exhibitors, 30 food vendors and drag performances.

City Park Jazz
Sundays June through August, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
City Park, 2001 Colorado Boulevard
There’s no better ending to a summer weekend than listening to some free music in the park. City Park Jazz is back and bringing acts like Dzirae Gold, the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the Colorado Mambo Orchestra and more. These concerts are free and all of the artists are local. Grab a blanket, a snack and enjoy a summer evening in City Park.

Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concert Series
June through August
1007 York Street
Catch major artists like Jacob Collier, Andy Grammer, Melissa Etheridge, and more at the Denver Botanic Gardens this summer. This concert series will give concert-goers not just a great show, but the opportunity to enjoy the gardens in between acts.

Blockbuster Concerts
Select dates in June
Empower Field and Ball Arena
No travel is necessary to see major artists this summer. At Empower Field you can catch Post Malone on June 15, The Weeknd on June 21 and Metallica on June 27 and 29. At Ball Arena, see Andrea Bocelli and The Colorado Symphony on June 17. And that’s just this month! The summer calendar is packed with concerts by A-list artists coming to Denver.

Indy Eve and Night Market
July 3, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Civic Center Park
Get a head start on 4th of July celebrations with Indy Eve in Civic Center Park on July 3. Shop local businesses at the Night Market, enjoy performances by the Colorado Symphony’s brass and percussion ensemble, and end the evening with a special drone show that will feature iconic landmarks in Denver and Colorado. Indy-Eve is free to all and family-friendly.

Fan Expo Denver
July 3 - 6
Colorado Convention Center
Experience four days of fandom culture at the Denver Fan Expo. This jam-packed weekend is the dream for lovers of anime, science fiction, cosplay and comics. Celebrities like John Cena, Brendan Fraser, William Shatner, Bruce Campbell, Jason Isaacs, and many members of the Twilight cast will be at the expo for fans to meet as well as get pictures and autographs. Beyond celebrity sightings, there will be a cosplay showcase, a competition where your favorite comic artists will compete in comic book illustrating and a gaming zone. VIP packages are already sold out, but ultimate fan passes and regular four-day passes are still available.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 4 - 6
Cherry Creek North
The Cherry Creek Arts festival features over 260 artists from around the world. You’ll see unique and creative artwork that you can’t find anywhere else. The list of 2025 exhibiting artists is already live online, so you can peruse the artists that will be there before you go and map out your experience. While the event is free to attend, you can purchase tickets for opening night on July 3 to get an exclusive look at this year’s artists and enjoy live entertainment.

Colorado Black Arts Festival
July 11 - 13
City Park, 2001 Colorado Boulevard
Head back to City Park for the Colorado Black Arts Festival July 11 through 13. Over 80 local artists and Black-owned businesses will pack the festival full of art and merchandise. When you’re ready to listen to some music, three stages will showcase traditional African drumming, jazz and R&B. The festival is still open for vendors to participate, and it's currently seeking volunteers as well.