Festivals and cultural celebrations are closing out the summer season strong. Check out our roundup of events to keep you and the kids busy this month.
Alice in Wonderland
Aug. 14 through Sept. 5 (Su Teatro Cultural Arts Center); Sept. 6 through 30 (streaming); Sept. 29 (Phamaly’s BIG NIGHT!); see online for detailed schedules
Denver’s premier disability-affirmative theatre, Phamaly Theatre Company, presents an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, written by David Jacobi, featuring an original music soundtrack by Denver’s experimental music group, Wheelchair Sports Camp. Find tickets online for live performances at Su Teatro and Phamaly’s BIG NIGHT (outdoor concert fundraiser), and streaming online.
Price: $30-$40 in person, see online for virtual ticket pricing
Location: Various locations in Denver and online
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Sept. 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Meander through tons of art exhibitor booths, dance to live music at the main stage, savor snack and treats at Culinary Avenue, and create art with the whole family at Artivity Avenue.
Price: Free entry, vendor prices vary
Location: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Denver
22nd Annual Boulder Creek Hometown Festival
Sept. 4 and 5, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Close out the summer event season in Boulder with this festival featuring rides and attractions for kids, the Great Zucchini Race, arts and crafts exhibitors, live performances at the Bandshell, a food court and beer garden, and more.
Price: Free admission, vendor prices vary
Location: Central Park, Boulder
Labor Day Base Ball
Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cheer on the Camp Creek Cloud Busters (the Rock Ledge Ranch home team) in a vintage 1880s style baseball match. Game rules: no spittin’, no swearin’, no gloves. “Cranks” (the spectators) can influence the umpire’s call in their team’s favor. Bring small bills for cold old-fashioned sodas, peanuts, popcorn, and Cracker Jacks. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on.
Price: Free entry, vendor prices vary
Location: Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site at Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs
Raptor Day
Sept. 10, noon to 4 p.m.
Enjoy a live raptor experience from Raptor Education Foundation. Visitors can find different Raptor Stations throughout the Gardens and learn the natural history of several species, plus the importance of raptors to ecological diversity. REF staff will discuss numerous topics including predator/prey relationships, habitat preservation, and more.
Price: Free with admission: $15 adult, $11.50 seniors and military, $11 ages 3-15 and student, free age 2 and under.
Location: Denver Botanic Gardens York Street, Denver
The New American Arts Festival
Sept. 11 through 18, see online for detailed schedules
Celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the Colorado art scene with this weeklong festival featuring 51 performances of musicals, dance, theater, spoken word, drag, magic, and fashion. Grab a bite of various cuisines from food trucks and vendors. Learn from wellness workshops. Limited seating at the venue. Live streaming available. All ages.
Price: Free
Location: Vintage Theatre Productions, Aurora
Day Out With Thomas
Sept. 11 through 26; Sat and Sun, times vary
Fans of Thomas, the Tank Engine, are invited to a welcome party for the famed train. Hop on board and enjoy hands-free activities plus live entertainment, a scavenger hunt, hay bale maze, and sing-alongs. Advance ticket purchase strongly recommended, space is limited. All ages welcome.
Price: $23 ages 2 and older, free under 2
Location: Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden
32nd Annual Denver Art Museum Friendship Powwow
Sept 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Come together and celebrate the diverse Indigenous community here on the Front Range. This year’s event will take place at the Denver Indian Center. Enjoy the singing, dancing, and fry bread.
Price: Free entry, vendor prices vary
Location: Denver Indian Center, Denver
Bee Boulder Family Festival
Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Enjoy educational activities, live music (featuring Jeff & Paige), face painting, prizes, and more during this day of celebration for the worker bees of the natural world. This event is for all ages and is one of many community-wide events during Pollinator Appreciation Month. Connect with local organizations BBB Seed, BeeChicas, Boulder Public Library, Community Fruit Rescue, CU Museum of Natural History, CU Science Discovery, Garden To Table, Goss/Grove Neighborhood Assoc., Growing Gardens, and Hive-Tech Solutions.
Price: Free
Location: Glenn Huntington Bandshell, Boulder
Create a Business Plan Workshop
Sept 18, 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Work your way through creating a business plan. No need to even have an idea, Young Americans Bank will help with that. Participants will learn why entrepreneurship is important, come up with an idea, and do market research, strategy, and financial analysis. This workshop satisfies the Entrepreneurship Merit Badge for the Boy Scouts of America and gets you on your way to applying to the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Business Competition. Ages 6-21.
Price: Free
Location: Young Americans Center for Financial Education and Young Americans Bank, Denver
Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Américas
Sept. 23, 7 p.m.
The Mexican Cultural Center, with the Colorado Symphony, presents this celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and Latin culture’s influence on sound in the Americas. Showcasing a fusion of traditional, classical, and contemporary music. Register online.
Price: Free
Location: Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver
*Check out these other Hispanic Heritage Month activities as well.
2021 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Sept. 25 and 26, see online for details
Join Colorado’s annual celebration of Asian and Asian American heritage with the biggest Dragon Boat Festival in the U.S. Hundreds of volunteers make the event, complete with more than 150 performers and vendors, available to thousands of attendees at one scenic park.
Price: Free entry, vendor prices vary
Location: Sloan’s Lake Park, Denver
