Each Thursday, explore Denver’s essential weekend events curated by The Denver Gazette. Dive into cultural experiences and entertainment delights across the city. Whether you enjoy art galleries, pottery, or outdoor sports, there’s something for everyone in Denver’s vibrant cultural scene. To submit an event for consideration, email [email protected].

FRIDAY-SEPT. 2

Colorado State Fair time at the Pueblo Fairgrounds. Parade time Saturday, PRCA Rodeo, Fiesta Day Sept. 1, Extreme Pogo Stunt Show, carnival and food vendors and nightly drone show at 9:15 p.m. Concerts by Trace Adkins, Lonestar, Scotty McCreery, Ludacris, The Commodores and The Spinners, Goo Goo Dolls and Banda El Recodo. Schedule and tickets: coloradostatefair.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Denver’s Sakura Square is host to a large and very tasty weekend street food Spirit of Japan Festival, celebrating the Japanese culture. So many food vendors, many from Japan, and to go along with all those culinary treats, sake, shochu and beer. 5-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday noon-4 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information at spirit-jpn.com/denver.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

The voices will be familiar and the cosplay  creative at the Colorado Springs Comic Con this weekend at Broadmoor World Arena. Hear and meet Zach Tyler Eisen, Aang from  “Avatar: The Last Airbender;” Ernie Hudson,  “Ghostbusters;” Paige O’Hara, Belle, “Beauty and the Beast;” and Vicki Lawrence, Mama,  “The Carol Burnett Show” and a dozen others. 200 vendors and lots of competitions. cscomiccon.com

FRIDAY

Put on your friendship bracelets to share and head for Marquis, 2009 Larimer St., for Taylor’s Version A Swiftie Dance Party, Friday at 8 p.m. All the Eras. Tickets $19-27.50.  taylorsversionparty.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Those delicious aromas emanating from Civic Center Park Friday and Saturday are the Denver BBQ Fest. Here’s a smile, the sponsor: Weber grills! Pitmasters will be serving up thousands of pounds of their best and those coming to grill from all around the country will share secrets with pitmaster demonstrations. Accompanied by cold brews. Friday, 4-10 p.m. with two VIP sessions; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with four VIP sessions. Tickets: qbbqdenver.com

SATURDAY

Arvada wraps up a summer of activities with a family fun Arvada Days festival in Clear Creek Valley Park. Train rides, magic, Nerf Zone, games, inflatables, food trucks and vendors. A beer garden benefits Ralston House. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. arvadafestivals.com/arvada-days

SATURDAY

Weird quirky fun is the guarantee for Tour de Fat Saturday in Fort Collins. Wear costumes for the 9:30 a.m. bicycle parade from City Park around Mountain Avenue until 11:30 a.m. Then music and beer at New Belgium. Food trucks, too. newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat.

SATURDAY

The 34th annual Hub City Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show takes over downtown Limon on Saturday and there’s even a category for ATVs and golf carts. Following the show at 5 p.m. is a Lola Rising concert in the Railroad Park. seelincolncounty.com/events.

SATURDAY

Women, start your bicycles at the popular Venus de Miles All-Women’s Bike Ride and Festival. A whole community of athletic women will gather at  Bohn Park in Lyons to party, laugh out loud and/or to ride 30, 48 or 64 miles. venusdemiles.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

It’s the “Biggest Beer Tasting Festival in the Four Corners,” the San Juan Brewfest, in a beautiful location, Buckley Park in Durango. Forty breweries pouring three different beers each. Friday 5-8 p.m.; Saturday 1-5 p.m. sanjuanbrewfest.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

A juried Handmade in Colorado Expo, local fine art and contemporary craft, is the draw in Bond Park, Estes Park, this weekend. Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Altogether a 9-weekend expo starting in Estes Park and then Downtown Denver, Glenwood Springs, and Vail Village.​coloradoevents.org/handmadeincoloradoexpo.