Weekend things to do: Colorado Renaissance Festival begins and more
No plans for the upcoming weekend? There’s plenty of action happening around Denver and beyond to get folks off the couch, like Denver Queer Fest, the Red Bull Soapbox and Pages in the Park.
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].
THURSDAY
FIFA World Cup Watch Party at McGregor Square
What: World Cup Soccer festivities have finally begun! Put on your favorite team’s jersey or bring a flag to wave for afree watch party in McGregor Square, so you don’t have to cheer on your team alone. Withplenty of food and beverage options nearby, you can pick a spot on the grass and bring a picnic blanket to enjoy the game on their 66-foot jumbo screen and scream ‘GOALLL!’ at the top of your lungs.
When: Thursday – Sunday, July 19
Cost: Free admission
Where: McGregor Square, 1901 Wazee Street Denver, CO, 80202
Parker Days 50th Annual Festival
What: One of Colorado’s most beloved carnivals, with 4 days of family-friendly fun including 4 stages of musical performances, activities and games like a human hamster wheel and over 200 vendors for shopping from local retail and craftmakers. Don’t miss out on all the food trucks and typical carnival fare, like super-salty pretzels, corn dogs, funnel cakes and kettle corn. The smells of fair food will waft between pop-up carnival rides. You’ll ride them anyway, whilst riding on a sugar high.
When: Varying times, Thursday – Sunday
Cost: Free admission to enter, with carnival wristbands starting at $25. Get carnival wristbands here.
Where: Parker Days is on Main Street, with free parking at Parker Town Hall, 20120 Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138
Colorado Rapids Soccer Celebration at Skyline Park
What: More FIFA World Cup celebrations take place in Denver as the games kick off this week. The Skyline Park and Bank of America Fields will transform into a soccer hub where you can play games, listen to live music, snag sweet swag with their giveaways and even meet some of the Rapids players. There will be food trucks and beverage vendors so you can fuel up andplay a little soccer yourself.
When: Starts at 10 a.m. on Thursday
Cost: Free, digital ticket required. Get tickets here.
Where: Skyline Park, 1701 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80202
SATURDAY
Colorado Renaissance Festival
What: Hear ye, hear ye! It’s finally time for ‘Renfaire season.’ Put on your most elaborate cosplay or just something a little fantasy-inspired for seven packed weekends of magic. Stroll around the mini-medieval villages to shop for trinkets like artwork, jewelry wands, swords, tarot cards, runes and magical spellbooks. Watch a magic show, see the knights joust on horseback or throw tomatoes at the jester, all while eating a turkey leg.
When: Starting Saturday – Aug. 2
Cost: Starting at $31.50 for adults. $14 for kids. Get tickets here.
Where: Colorado Renaissance Festival, 650 Perry Park Ave., Larkspur, CO 80118
Queer Fest by Denver Pride
What: Come as you are, all are welcome at Queer Fest. Celebrate your Pride with an event that is for the lesbians, the sapphics, the gays, the allies, and everyone in between. This pride party will feature drag performances, a bounce house, retail vendors, a mechanical bull, and a DJ so you can shake your booty. This 21+ event features drag performances from Ms. Iman, Gucci Blaze, Miss Jewdy, MotherDaddy, and Zimmorah Mei.
When: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Saturday
Cost: Tickets start at $20. Get tickets here.
Where: Champagne Tiger, 601 E Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203
Red Bull Soapbox Denver
What: If you have a need for speed and something a little bit ridiculous, you can’t miss the first Red Bull Soap Box race. Racers compete tobuild their very own gravity-powered racers with exteriors inspired by anything that the mind can conceive of, from hamburger racers to UFOs and even animal racers. Will gravity be on their side? Or will they whale-tale out of control? Bring your camera to capture the ultimate crashout.
When: Parking lots open at 10 a.m., gates open at 11 a.m. June 13
Cost: Free, non-ticketed event. Parking $25 per space. Get there early for the best seats. More details here.
Where: Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant St., Denver, CO 80204
Hangin’ N Slangin’
What: Local arts takeover 16th Street this weekend for an event made just for the eclectic collectors. The street market will feature vintage clothing and goods as well as vinyls, with a heavy emphasis on local artists and handmade goods. With plenty of vendors slangin matchas, coffees and fancy toasts, you can stay fueled while you spend too much money on all the perfect little trinkets you didn’t know you needed.
When: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free to attend
Where: 16th Street between Curtis & Welton, 1600 California St. Suite 14, Denver, CO 80202
Aurora Fest
What: A festival that celebrates the diverse cultural background of Aurora. With an international marketplace filled with over 46 crafts, handmade goods, and art for purchase. Additionally, you will find over 29 food and beverage vendors serving everything from Filipino lumpias to Jamaican jerk tacos and Pakistani kulfi pops. There will also be over 20 cultural performances, from live music to cultural dancing and even martial arts demonstrations. The night ends with a drone show.
When: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Free to attend
Where: Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E Alameda Parkway, Aurora, CO 80012
SUNDAY
Pages in the Park
What: What’s better than reading the hottest new read in a park? Reading it with friends in the park. The Denver Book Swap Society hosts a book club party in Wash Park. Bring your favorite book, a blanket, your reading glasses (if you need them), and some snacks and drift off to fantastical places for a relaxing night of reading in the park. Everyone will be reading their own books, so there’s no need to ‘catch up,’ just bring your favorite read and find a place to sit – there will be plenty of space to spread out. It’s just a gathering of like-minded book lovers.
When: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free to attend, please RSVP here.
Where: Wash Park, 701 S Franklin St., Denver, CO 80209