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 listings@gazette.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

With an amazing history of horsemanship, 76 years long and earning accolades as the “largest precision drill riding group in the world,” Horsecapades holds its annual fundraising show at National Western Stock Show Event Center in Denver. Known for colorful performances of trick riding and Roman riding harkening back to the Wild West shows of America’s early days. Pre-shows and shows Saturday and Sunday. westernaires.org/events/2025/horsecapades

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Boulder has an official Indigenous Peoples Day the second Monday in October of every year and activities run for several days to help “correct omissions of Indigenous Peoples’ presence in places, resources and cultural programming.” Capping it off with a showcase this Friday to Sunday is a Roots Music Fest with 750 musicians on 15 stages including Yonder Mountain String Band, The Rumble, Andy Frasco, N. Mississippi Allstars, Karl Densons Tiny Universe and so many more. Tickets and three-day passes $20.65 to $248.04 at boulderrootsmusicfest.org. On the Pearl Street Mall. Boulder is also working with American Indian tribes toward a commemoration of the victims of the Sand Creek Massacre.

SATURDAY

This is so Colorado. The witches are arriving…by paddleboard. An estimated 400 athletic types will arrive in Roxborough Park Saturday in witchey attire and carrying their boards for Witch Paddle Festival from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration for sorceresses and warlocks to take to the water is $50. Spectators watch the fun for free. 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton. colorado.com/littleton/events/2025-witch-paddle-festival

SATURDAY

What better place to understand archaeology than the inspiring Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, especially since Saturday is International Archaeology Day. Learn more about natural Colorado and the rest of the world with a free full educational experience, artifacts, interactive activities, a tipi demonstration, Indigenous dances. A Colorado beer garden for the big folks and root beer for the kids. Free offsite cultural tours. From 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., meet at the park’s Lower South Lot 2. redrocksonline.com 

SATURDAY

The streets from West 41st to West 43rd Ave. will be packed with activities at the Tennyson Fall Fest and a don’t-miss highlight is the Pet Costume Parade at 10 a.m. Vendor tents filled with goodies for shoppers, group yoga, live music, family activities and loads of food await. tennysonfallfest.com/schedule

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

A weekend of music for the first Fort Collins Laurel Fest with music lovers walking between three venues on Laurel and College streets with 30 bands over the two nights. Designed to become an annual fall festival. Admission wristbands in advance $45. theatriumfortcollins.com/laurel-fest

THROUGH HALLOWEEN

If spiders spook you a bit, Butterfly Pavilion has an exhibition to help out. Spiders Around the World is the special feature through Halloween and you’ll learn all about everything from fuzzy tarantulas to jumping spiders and so much more, and appreciate arachnids a whole lot more, at their location in Westminster, 6252 W. 104th Ave. You’ll be up close in the Spider Zone. $17.45 admission, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Weekend Bug-A-Boo Trick-or-Treating and Spooky After-Hours Flashlight Tours, too. butterflies.org/spidersaroundtheworld

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Visit Treat Street at “Arapahoe County Scaregrounds” for trick-or-treating at 40 stations, fun costumes, a maze and family activities, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora. $10 online, $12 at the site; free for children 2 and under. arapahoecountyeventcenter.com/treatstreet

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Artist studio tours are always a treat, experiencing the talents as they create in their home work spaces. Park Hill Open Studio Tour is an opportunity to visit a beautiful area and meet the artists with a bonus of maybe leaving with something perfect for your home or as a holiday gift. The Art Garage, 6100 E. 23rd Ave. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. artgaragedenver.com/articles/285

SATURDAY

Want to get out for a run this weekend? How about The Great Trailhead Footrace at Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W. Morrison Road, Lakewood. From 9 to 11 a.m. Single track it for 5 miles ($75) or double  back for 10 miles ($80) to the finish-line party. Beer for the 21+ and free entry for the day to the park, hot dogs, protein bars, bananas. trailheadfootrace.com