Parties continue to roll through Denver and the Front Range this summer, with celebrations of our state’s history and culture. Sing happy birthday to Colorado, grab yourself a peachy treat, enjoy the talents of local artists, and much more at these events.
Colorado Day at History Colorado Center
August 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See the many histories, art forms, and communities that make up Colorado. More than 20 attractions will surround the History Colorado Center in Denver, including animals, chalk art, live music, and snacks. Enjoy free access to the center’s four floors of exhibits. The Makerspace will be open all day, as will face painting stations. New monthly Heritage Produce Baskets, filled with fresh local produce and historic recipes, will also kick off on this day. All ages. Find entry tickets online.
Price: Free
Location: History Colorado Center, Denver
Autism Resource Fair
August 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Don’t miss the largest Autism resource fair in the state. Come together with families and individuals on the spectrum and gather resources while connecting with providers. Enjoy offerings from 80 exhibitors all in one place, plus burgers and kid activities.
Price: Free
Location: Autism Community Store, Aurora
Family Fest
August 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the National Western Complex for kids’ activities, creative stations, entertainment, stage presentations, and prizes. All ages.
Price: $10 adult (online), $15 adult (at the door), free for children
Location: National Western Complex, Denver
Backyard Concert Series: Bison Bone
August 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Return to concerts on the lawn with Anythink Library. Enjoy food and drink from local vendors. All proceeds support The Anythink Box, a subscription service that provides kids ages five to 12 with books at their doorstep. Dogs welcome. All ages.
Price: Free admission, donations suggested, vendor prices vary
Location: Anythink Library Wright Farms, Thornton
Denver Zoo 125th Celebrations
August 14, 10 to 11 a.m. (Stratus Chamber Orchestra); August 15, 9 to 11 a.m. (Dragon Boat); August 20, 6 to 8 p.m. (Colorado Ballet)
The Denver Zoo celebrates its 125th year and has invited cultural organizations across the city to share their talents with guests. Go on a musical journey and introduce your little ones to classical music through the Stratus Chamber Orchestra’s family-friendly concert: “Splash, Slither, Stomp & Soar into Arts.” Try out a paddle apparatus and get a sense for the ancient Chinese sport of dragon boat racing, while also enjoying live performances from the Dragon Boat Festival team. Take in two original contemporary works choreographed by Colorado Ballet artists; a thought-provoking work, “Yeah, It’s About That” and upbeat piece, “Embrace It or Erase It.”
Price: Free with admission: $20 adult, seniors; $14 child ages 3-11; free age 2 and under and members.
Location: Denver Zoo, Denver
Family-friendly Matinee Shows
Through August 28; Saturday, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. screenings
Return to the big screen at Fiske Planetarium for two exciting films. The Secrets of Gravity follows twelve-year-old Luke who sneaks into the Albert Einstein Museum and meets ALBYX3, a small robot who takes him on a journey through space and time to learn about theories of gravity. Kaluoka’hina, The Enchanted Reef is about a reef’s magical protection from humans; but when the spell breaks after a volcano eruption, it’s up to the young sawfish Jake and his pal Shorty to save the reef.
Price: $10 adult, $7 youth, student, seniors, military (price per film)
Location: Fiske Planetarium, Boulder
Vendaro’s Circus
Through August 8 (Longmont), August 11 to 22 (Colorado Springs); Wednesday through Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Head to the striped big top where a Broadway-style, animal-free circus delights guests with acrobatic feats and theatric treats. All ages.
Price: $25 adult, $15 child under age 12, one babe in arms is admitted free with each paying adult
Location: Outworld Brewing, Longmont; FH Beerworks, Colorado Springs
Palisade Peach Festival
August 19 to 22; Event times vary, see online for a detailed schedule
Come hungry for all things peachy. Sign kids up for peach eating contests. Enjoy an ice cream social and dance, orchard tours, fun run, parade, and market.
Price: $25 Family Pass (two adults, four children age 12 and under), $10 adult Fri-Sat pass, $7 adult Sat. pass; $5 child (age 6-12) Fri-Sat pass, $3 child Sat. pass; free age 5 and under
Location: Downtown Palisade, Palisade
Denver Art Museum Free Day
August 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the Denver Art Museum and enjoy free general admission. View the Indigenous contemporary art exhibit, Each/Other (through August 22). Enjoy the Family Discovery Hall’s immersive installation, Memory Mirror, where you can explore your relationship with memory through animation, dioramas, and interactive storytelling. Reserve tickets online.
Price: Free
Location: Denver Art Museum, Denver
Colorado Springs Comic Con
August 27, 2 to 9 p.m.; August 28, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; August 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get ready for the biggest pop culture convention in the Springs. Featuring celebrities from all genres of TV, movies, cartoons, and comic art; bring a camera and autograph notebook. Find toys, comics, and collectibles among the rows of vendors.
Price: $75 adult (weekend), $25-$35 adult (single day), $30 youth ages 6-12(weekend), $10-15 youth ages 6-12(single day)
Location: Chapel Hills Mall, Colorado Springs
Colorado State Fair
August 27 to September 6; Monday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Enjoy rodeos, a horse show, concerts, food vendors, and more. All ages. Find a full schedule and tickets online.
Price: $12 adult, $6 child ages 5-12, free age 4 and under
Location: Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo
