The Mile High City is ready to brave the sun and heat. Outdoor festivals, movies, and cultural events dominate this month’s calendar. Pack some snacks and sunscreen, then head out to Fourth of July events, theatrical and musical performances, plus a few baseball-themed gatherings in honor of the MLB All-Star game hosted in Denver this year.
Independence Day Celebrations
July 1 to 4, days and times vary by event
Break out the red, white, and blue attire and take your family to one of these star-spangled events listed here.
Price: Varied
Location: Denver metro areas, the Front Range, and mountain towns
Backcountry Outdoor Movies
Through Sept. 4; Friday through Saturday; 8:30 p.m.
Spread out under the night sky and in front of a giant screen. Enjoy July’s family-friendly films including The Croods: New Age, Trolls World Tour, School of Rock, Inside Out, and more. Or, make it a date night with adult-only screenings. Grab some grub from rotating food trucks dishing out grilled cheese, burgers, cheesesteaks, farm fresh fare, and more. Find tickets online. Proceeds benefit the Backcountry Conservation and Education Fund.
Price: $25 per vehicle, $35 per person adult-only movies (includes ticket, dinner, and two beers)
Location: Backcountry Base Camp, Highlands Ranch
The Story of Babar
July 3, 11 a.m.
Enjoy the group comedy troupe Really Inventive Stuff, as they use props and interaction to refresh The Story of Babar, which tells of one little elephant’s epic rise from rags to riches. The program begins with the quirky Toy Symphony, which includes noisemakers, kazoos, and other toy instruments as part of the orchestra. Tickets are available for the live performance and a live stream.
Price: $10 in person, free streaming
Location: Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder; Online
Colorado Renaissance Festival
July 3 to Aug. 22; Saturday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Walk through pathways filled with artisans of ancient crafts and enjoy humorous and awe-inspiring shows. Try roast turkey legs, fresh baked goods, and other food and drink items. Check online for special themed weekends.
Price: $25 adult, $11 youth ages 5-12; free age 4 and under. Discounted tickets available at all King Soopers locations.
Location: Colorado Renaissance Festival, Larkspur
Memory Mirror
July 4, 2021 to March 5, 2023; daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Step into this immersive installation and explore your relationship with memory through animation, dioramas, and interactive storytelling. Designed to evoke the memory of a relative’s living room, Memory Mirror will transform the museum’s Precourt Family Discovery Hall into a surreal domestic den.
Price: Included with admission: $10-$13 adult, $8-$10 seniors, military, and college student, free age 18 and under
Location: Denver Art Museum, Denver
Camp Curly Kickoff
July 5, noon to 5 p.m.
Bring your curly girl to a community event hosted by Curls on the Block, a STEAM program for girls of all curls and colors. Play games, do STEAM exploration activities, eat food from local trucks, and peruse vendors’ wares. All ages.
Price: Free
Location: Fit&NU Fitness Center, Aurora
Colorado Black Arts Festival
July 9 to 11; July 9, noon to 8 p.m.; July 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; July 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bringing you visual and performing arts from the African Diaspora, this festival was built (in 1986) to establish pride in Black culture and engage the total community. Enjoy an art garden, children’s pavilion, food court, music and performances, and health and wellness booths.
Price: Free entry, vendor prices vary
Location: City Park West, 21st and York Streets, Denver
Hall of Legends
July 10-18; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Catch a rare opportunity to see authentic memorabilia from American baseball’s greatest players. During MLB All-Star Week, the McGregor Square across from Coors Field will feature the jersey worn by Joe DiMaggio when he hit his last home run, Hank Aaron’s bat and glove, a program from Jackie Robinson’s color-barrier-breaking Major League debut in 1947, and more. Youth attending the exhibit will receive free baseball cards at the conclusion of their visit, while supplies last. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 25.
Price: $10
Location: McGregor Square, Denver
LoDo Rocks the Block
July 11 to 13, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Enjoy three days of downtown fun, all in celebration of the MLB All-Star Game coming to Coors Field. Bop to Union Station’s Plaza and through Dairy Block Alley to find a baseball-inspired market, face painting and outdoor games, concerts, and classic stadium food and drink specials. Find a full schedule online.
Price: Free entry, vendor prices vary
Location: Denver Union Station and Dairy Block Alley, Denver
Culture on the Green: Mudra Dance Studio
July 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Treat yourself to free entertainment outdoors in beautiful Civic Green Park. Pack a picnic and enjoy the classical, contemporary, and folk dances of India as performed by Mudra Dance Studio. No dogs or glass containers. Find tickets online.
Price: Free
Location: Civic Green Park, Highlands Ranch
