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-SUNDAY

A special weekend tradition, the 48th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park. Cheer for the Scottish Highland athletic competitions and Irish and Highland dance performances. Hear stirring military music in the three-day Estes Park International Tattoo. Sunday is the Parade of the Clans and Dogs of the British Isles with pipe and drum bands. For tickets, ScotFest.com.

SATURDAY

All the Indigenous communities from across the Front Range gather for the 35th Annual Friendship Powwow Saturday at the Denver Art Museum, Martin Building Sie Welcome Center. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grand Entry at 11 a.m., Native American dance competitions, cultural activities, jewelry making classes, a marketplace and, yummy, fry bread and Indian tacos. A free museum admission day. denverartmuseum.org/en.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

A deliciously long schedule makes up the Denver Food & Wine Festival through Saturday at Tivoli Quad, Denver Auraria Campus. Fine dining, food and wine seminars, a Grand Tasting and, on Thursday, the Shake + Brake Showdown by food trucks. Colorado’s well-known “Top Chef” competitors and winners will be there.  More info and tickets: denverfoodandwine.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Two major celebrations filled with free fun in Arvada this weekend. Olde Town Shindig an arts and music festival is 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday. For the arts, a mural competition, music, a kids zone, 60 vendors and a variety of food trucks. Libations for the adults. oldetownarvada.org/olde-town-shindig. Then, Friday to Sunday, the Arvada Harvest Festival in Clear Creek Valley Park, 3700 W. 58th Place, also free. This Jefferson County tradition since 1925 features a pancake breakfast and parade on Saturday. A full three-day schedule of events including cow chip throwing, RC car races, kid zone, food fair, tributes to “Heroes Red White and Blue,” beer garden, a movie at dusk and music. arvadaharvestfestivalparade.com/schedule-of-events

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

A dark skies astronomy event in this incredibly beautiful area of Colorado, the Black Canyon Regional AstroFest. Use telescopes and hear programs by rangers in this festival along the Gunnison River corridor, in three public land areas: Black Canyon at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area. nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/astrofest.htm.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

“The Vampire Diaries” time at Vampire Fan Weekend, Hyatt Regency Aurora, 13200 E. 14th Place. Headliners Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, Damon and Stefan. $50-$90. Tickets: CreationEnt.com

SATURDAY

Experience folk dancing from around the world in the Colorado Folk Arts Council’s 48th annual International Heritage Festival. Dances from Mexico, India, Germany, Lithuania Scandinavia, Africa, Native Americans, Venezuela and others. Noon to 6 p.m. at Lakewood’s 40 West Arts District and it’s free to just enjoy. 6501 W. Colfax Ave. Vendors and food trucks.internationalheritagefestival.org

SATURDAY

In the agricultural valley known for its potatoes, celebrate them, shop for them and eat all sorts of them at the San Luis Valley Potato Festival in Monte Vista’s Chapman Park. There’s a lot of fun Saturday at the harvest festival with a 5K Tater Trot, Mashed Potato Dunk Tank, delicious potato dishes and guided potato tours. coloradopotato.org/colorado-potato-news/potatofestival

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

The Denver Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show, running through Sept. 16 denver.show, is expanding in a whole new direction, adding Beyond Gems – Tastes & Tunes Concert Series. Gates at 3 p.m., concerts at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, National Western Complex, 5004 National Western Drive. Music headliners are Sean Kelly & The Samples and Buckstein. Food trucks and libations available. Tickets $26.58+ and a benefit for Food for Thought providing weekend food for families with schoolchildren.beyondgemfest.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Frisco’s Fall Fest is packed with activities, art projects, music and German beer and pretzels. Then, on Saturday, add the Arts at Altitude Art Show featuring Colorado artists. townoffrisco.com/event/festival-events/fall-fest

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Your choice, either reptiles or plants, at The All American Reptile & Plant Expo, Douglas County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Castle Rock. Tickets at the door or online, $20 for adults, $10 for kids, also VIP with select  times. allamericanreptileplantexpo.com

SATURDAY

Sip the Whiskies of the World at the tasting tour Saturday at Four Seasons Hotel Denver from 6:45-9:30 p.m. More than 150 whiskies, master classes. General admission ($125), samplings and light bites; VIP admission ($175) also includes VIP pours and early access. whiskiesoftheworld.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

A past rodeo with a new name, The Pioneer: A New Reign on Rodeo is 7 p.m.  Friday and  Saturday at Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. First Rocky Mountain Rumble, then Colorado Springs Stampede, it has five adult events and three for rodeo juniors. Extra fun with the mechanical bull, a petting zoo, Saturday night dance and fireworks. Info and tickets, norrispenrose.com/events

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

History comes alive at the weekend Highlands Ranch Pioneer Days. Educational local history reenactments, learn about fur trapping, gold panning and traditional Native American dancing, there’s a petting zoo, go on hayrides and there’s an opportunity to tour Highlands Ranch Mansion. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tinyurl.com/59ctdwk8.

SATURDAY

Laughs guaranteed at the Bananafest street fest and podcast with the Banana Boys, screenwriter Scotty Landes and comedian Kurt Braunohler. There are dog parades and an inflatable obstacle course, vendors and food trucks in Larimer Square, Denver. gumpoppresents.com/bananasfest