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

Enjoy Colorado’s (very) great outdoors before another storm hits. Mountains of Music brings four days of free shows to Vail starting today. Down in Denver, Rekha Ohal will offer a lunchtime performance at 17th Street Community Gardens by Union Station, while Civic Center EATS will again roll into the park across downtown. Any of these events should whet your appetite for the big weekend ahead, which includes both Colorado Prairie Day and National Trails Day on Saturday, as well as Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday and Sunday. And the GoPro Mountain Games, of course.

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
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. Hear Rekha Ohal perform today; on Friday, it’s David Burchfield. Get the entire schedule here.

Mountains of Music
Thurs., June 4, through Sun., June 7, with music starting at 11:30 a.m.
Vail
Beat the heat and head for the hills! The GoPro Mountain Games don’t end with athletic endeavors. Mountains of Music starts today, and includes free daytime music lineups at BFGoodrich Gear Town (Vail Village) and The Bulleit Hangout (Golden Peak). When the sun goes down, the party heads to The Amp for ticketed headliner concerts. Get the full schedule here.

Music, Mental Health & The Mountains
Thurs., June 4, 3 p.m.
Shakedown Bar, Vail
While you’re in Vail, take a break to join a “What Could Be Bad” live podcast recording with Benj Gershman and Vail-based musician and entrepreneur Scott Rednor. Hear from the only owner of the only music club in Eagle County, and join in an audience Q&A.

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’s 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 Union Pacific 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.

Boulder County Plein Air Exhibit Opening
Fri., June 5, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
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 — to capture what they saw on canvas. The results will displayed at an exhibit and sale; the show will run through June. Learn more at openstudios.org/plein-air-festival.

A Night of the Strange at West Side Books 
Fri., June 5, 7 to 9 p.m. 
West Side Books & Curios, 3434 West 32nd Ave.
West Side Books hosts an evening of readings, storie, and oddities featuring local horror and sci-fi authors Mario Acevedo, Steven Dunn, Molly Tanzer and Jon Bassoff. Registration is free.

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.

Free Fishing Weekend
Sat., June 6, and Sun., June 7
Around Colorado
Colorado Parks & Wildlife invites resident and nonresident anglers of all ages to join in Free Fishing Weekend, when fishing license and Habitat Stamp requirements are waived, allowing anyone to fish in the state’s 6,000 miles of streats and over 1,300 lakes and reservoirs. For more official fun, hit up the Get Outdoors Day festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Prospect Lake in Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, where CPW will be giving away fishing poles and bait, and offering free instruction to kids. Learn more here.

Party Before the Pavement
Fri., June 5, 5 to 8 p.m.
Chalk Art Festival
Sat., June 6, and Sun., June 7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Golden Triangle, 12th and Bannock
Denver’s most colorful free event returns, with dozens of artists creating chalk paintings on the sidewalk. For the first time, the fest will include the Party Before the Pavement kickoff, with live entertainment, a chalk-art demonstration, beverages and a First Friday sales event. Read our story here.   

Park Hill Art Festival
Sat., June 6, and Sun., June 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4819 Montview Blvd.
The thirteenth annual Park Hill Art Festival is a two-day, juried fine art and fine craft show. See and shop the works of 100+ professional artists from Colorado, and meet the makers.

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 impress for 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 hit up the Molly Brown House Museum today for happy hour! 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.

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