Denver is hosting a ton of free events in celebration of Colorado’s big 150th birthday bash, including a drone show, free museum days, live music, markets and more.

The Centennial State is throwing birthday bashes all over the state from Fort Collins to Pueblo; there will be no shortage of educational events, free museum days, festivals, markets and more.

If you don’t plan on leaving Denver to celebrate, here are all the free things you can do in Denver on ‘Colorado Day’ so you can make the most out of living in the 303:

Colorado Day: 150th Birthday Celebration at Denver Union Station
📍 Where: Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202
📅 When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
💲 Cost: Free to attend
⭐ What to expect: Celebrate everything that makes ColoRADo rad with an event where the whole family can enjoy themselves. Honoring the spirit of the Centennial State, there will be dummy steer roping, gold panning, live music and historic walking tours that will dive deep into Colorado’s past. The event also includes some tasty treats and beverages with a Colorado twist like green chile fries, frozen peach lemonade and Colorado pork ribs.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.denverunionstation.com/events/colorado-day/

Colorado Day at Stranahan’s Distillery
📍 Where: Stranahan’s Whiskey Distillery, 200 S Kalamath St, Denver, CO 80223
📅 When: 8 a.m. — 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
💲 Cost: $5 for distillery tours
⭐ What to expect: Start the day off the Colorado way by participating in a river cleanup party with the Greenway Foundation and Stranahan’s in an effort to help preserve Colorado’s waterways. Later in the day, the distillery is offering tours of the coveted processes and guaranteed access to an exclusive bottle launch for their Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt Whiskey. The afternoon will have cocktails made with Stranahan’s whiskey, lawn games, local food trucks and live music to keep the party going.
🔗 Learn more: https://stranahans.com/events/colorado-day/

Colorado Day at History Colorado Museum
📍 Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO, 80203
📅 When: 10 a.m. — 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
💲 Cost: Free museum admission
⭐ What to expect: Start the day with a free pancake breakfast and sing-along with Isaac Slade, formerly of Colorado’s indie band The Fray. Get SCHOOLED about Colorado with history lab and archaeology activities and a free day at the museum. There will also be face painting, gold panning, a story hour and activities inside every exhibit.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.historycolorado.org/colorado-day-2026-statewide

Mile Long Table
📍 Where: National Western Center, 5115 Race Court, Denver, CO 80216
📅 When: 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
💲 Cost: General admission starts at $5.28, with donations encouraged to support Youth Leadership programs through ‘Longer Tables.’ Get tickets here.
⭐ What to expect: Colorado’s new favorite tradition, Mile Long Table, is coming back for the state’s big birthday bash. Bringing the community of over 5,280 individuals from all walks of life to share a meal, this dinner is more than just food, celebrating a sense of community and humanity. The dinner will be followed by a birthday cake celebration, live music, art and more to keep the community together all night long.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.milelongtable.org/

Colorado Day Art Market & Free Day
📍 Where: Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver, CO 80204
📅 When: 9:30 a.m. — 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
💲 Cost: Free general admission. Register in advance here.
⭐ What to expect: An outdoor market that supports local artists for Colorado’s big 150th Birthday. This curated selection of about 50 local artisans selling everything from fine arts to handcrafted goods made locally and available for purchase — not just to look at. Make a day of it and spend the rest of your day enjoying free entry at the museum.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/calendar/free-day-aug-1-2026

Colorado Day Bazaar
📍 Where: Commons Park, 2101 15th St, Denver, CO 80202
📅 When: Noon — 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026
💲 Cost: Free to attend
⭐ What to expect: This event celebrates the people who make the Centennial State unique and special, the makers and artists. The festival will feature over 150 artists from crafters to painters and jewelers, with live musicians and more. The event brings the community together to support Colorado’s assortment of unique small businesses.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.downtowndenver.com/event-details/colorado-day-bazaar

Littleton Illuminates for Colorado’s 150th Birthday
📍 Where: Main Street Littleton, 2389 Main St, Littleton, CO 80120
📅 When: 6 – 10 p.m., Friday, July 24, 2026
💲 Cost: Free to attend
⭐ What to expect: Main Street Littleton comes alive on Friday night for a birthday bash that celebrates Colorado’s 150th with a light show that will put 4th of July to shame. Expect a drone show, an art walk with illuminated and interactive art installations, musical performances and extended outdoor dining. There will be plenty of activities for kids to keep them busy while you sip and wait for the drone show at 9 p.m., like a glowing teeter-totter and swings, a bubble tower and a circus. It’ll be LIT! See the full map here.
🔗 Learn more: https://visitlittleton.org/events-and-programs/illuminate-littleton/