Father's Day is Sunday, June 18, 2023, which means it's time to start planning a special day for your dad in The Mile High City! Here are a few ideas to get you started, plus great hotel deals if you're traveling to Denver to spend time with dad.
Special Events & Festivals
Colorado BBQ Challenge
WHEN: June 15–17, 2023
WHERE: Copper Mountain Resort
Colorado's longest-running barbeque competition, sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society, will be moving seven miles up the road from Main Street Frisco to Copper Mountain this summer! All the BBQ, music, competitions, and community will still be going strong with the addition of Copper's summer activities, including The Rocky Mountain Coaster, Woodward Wrecktangle, go-karts, climbing wall, mountain biking, zipline, bumper boats, and more. The event is free for guests to attend, with food and beverage tickets available for purchase. Other on-site amenities like lodging and free parking will also be available to those attending the festival.
Vail Craft Beer Classic
WHEN: June 16–17, 2023
WHERE: Various locations, Vail
Colorado’s top breweries and beer enthusiasts come together at the Vail Craft Beer Classic for the most adventurous tasting event of the summer. Take in the scenic mountain views of Vail while you immerse yourself in hop culture. From stouts and lagers to pale ales and ciders, taste the best selection of craft brews the state has to offer. Gluten-free options are available with refreshing seltzers and bold ciders.
Juneteenth Music Festival 2023
WHEN: June 16–19, 2023
WHERE: Five Points
One of the nation's largest Juneteenth celebrations, Denver's Juneteenth Music Festival in the Five Points neighborhood celebrates with a parade, live performances, art, vendors and fun for the entire family. Don't miss the interactive and educational programming at acclaimed African American cultural institutions and landmarks.
Father’s Day Beer & Grub
WHEN: June 18, 2023
WHERE: Aspen Grove Center, Littleton
This Father’s Day, treat your dad to some fun at theFather’s Day Beer & Grub Event! Your ticket includes $10 off your lunch or dinner from local food trucks at the event, a special beer tasting at the BARBOX by Breckenridge, and a 9-hole mini golf round with fun prizes for each dad.
Father's Day Classic 10 Miler, 10k, 5k, & 1 Mile
WHEN: June 18, 2023
WHERE: 13150 W 72nd Ave., Arvada
Celebrate Father's Day with a run/walk, a cornhole tournament, car show, and after-party at Elevated Seltzer with free hard seltzer!
Civic Center EATS
WHEN: Thru Oct. 20, 2022; Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Civic Center Park
Every Thursday From May through October, Civic Center EATS transforms Civic Center Park into a lunchtime extravaganza with Denver's best food and fashion trucks and live music. It's your chance to savor a variety of cuisines while supporting our city's small local business scene and the Civic Center Conservancy's mission to restore and enhance Civic Center Park, Denver's only National Historic Landmark.
Music, Film & Performing Arts
'All the World'
WHEN: June 17, 2023
WHERE: Civic Center Park
An outdoor festival of Solo Shakespeare in which an actor chooses one character from the Shakespeare canon and writes a one-person piece with 50% Shakespeare text and 50% contemporary writing, including other plays, film, poetry etc. The current production is a one-hour performance featuring scenes and soliloquies from "Richard III," "Othello" and "Hamlet." Colorado native and East Highschool graduate San Andrea will perform live music for the first hour of this new outdoor summer festival. Audience members should bring their own chairs, blankets and snacks for this outdoor evening of music and Shakespeare.
'Memphis'
WHEN: Thru June 17, 2023
WHERE: Town Hall Arts Center, Littleton
Huey, a white man living in Memphis in the 1950s, becomes obsessed with the rock 'n’ roll sound of a group of Black musicians, particularly that of Felicia, a singer ready for her big break. Huey makes it his mission to give the artists air time by becoming a radio DJ and defying the restrictions of the white-controlled radio stations. As romance blooms between Huey and Felicia, so does the popularity and acceptance of the music. This energizing musical depicting the unifying power of music is a story loosely based on real-life DJ legend Dewey Phillips.
'The 39 Steps'
WHEN: Thru June 18, 2023
WHERE: Singleton Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Combine a film masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock with a juicy spy novel and add a large splash of Monty Python humor. The result? A fast-paced whodunit with four versatile actors portraying more than 50 roles! It's London in 1935, and the rather dull Richard Hannay encounters a woman who claims to be a spy. When she is suddenly murdered, Richard finds himself the focus of a nationwide manhunt led by a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps.” A fresh take on the classic adventure-comedy, this is theatre at its best: an absurd, delightful journey that can only be brought to life on stage.
'Miss Rhythm – The Legend of Ruth Brown'
WHEN: Thru Oct. 15, 2023
WHERE: Garner Galleria Theatre & Bar
This intimate cabaret experience explores the life and times of R&B legend Ruth Brown through story and song, accompanied by a five-piece jazz band. Ruth Brown is a pioneer in the development of rock, blues and jazz, a Tony and Grammy award-winner and an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A true original who showed grace and strength with a great sense of humor, Ruth Brown took the stage with as much talent as she did warmth. Here’s to Ruth!
'The Sound of Music'
WHEN: June 10–Sept. 30, 2023
WHERE: Boulder's Dinner Theatre, Boulder
Based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers, this Broadway classic is a tale of courage and love. The winner of several Tony awards, including Best Musical, "The Sound of Music" was the final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein.
'Much Ado About Nothing'
WHEN: June 17, June 18, June 24–25, June 29–30, July 12, July 15, July 19, July 22–23, July 28–28, July 30, Aug. 2–3, Aug. Aug. 10 and Aug. 13, 2023
WHERE: Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre, CU Boulder
Since 1958, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has delighted audiences with professional theatre on the CU Boulder campus. Complete your Colorado summer with Shakespeare under the stars in the historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre. Beatrice and Benedick love to bicker. The only thing they might learn to love more? Each other. (They just don’t know it yet!) In this rollicking lampoon of relationships, romance and the influence of town gossip, Shakespeare delivers a near-perfect enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy.
'Aladdin'
WHEN: June 13–18, 2023
WHERE: Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
From the producer of "The Lion King" comes the timeless story of "Aladdin," a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre Concerts
No summer in Denver is complete without at least one — or two, or five — trips to the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Amphitheatre , just 15 miles from downtown Denver. More than 70 million years in the making, the 9,450-seat venue is flanked by enormous 300-foot red sandstone rock formations and always boasts a star-studded musical schedule.
- June 16–17, 2023: Umphrey's McGee with moe.
- June 18, 2023: Stick Figure with Pepper, The Elovaters
Empower Field at Mile High Concerts
In town during the summer but still want to get a peek at the Denver Broncos' famed home stadium? A concert at Empower Field at Mile High might be just the ticket. Big-name acts take to the open-air stage as music carries on the Colorado breeze above the storied gridiron for a concert experience you won't forget.
- June 17, 2023: ILLENIUM Trilogy: Colorado
Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre Concerts
Grab a blanket and take a seat on the lawn or buy a reserved seat at this beautiful venue just south of Denver in Greenwood Village. Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre has a variety of acts coming up this spring and summer.
- June 16, 2023: Dirty Heads & Stick Figure & Atmosphere
Levitt Pavilion Concerts
The Levitt Pavilion is a state-of-the-art amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park that was created as a gift to the community. This outdoor venue hosts a slew of free concerts every summer, and a few ticketed events, too. Bring a blanket and a picnic, kick back on the lawn and enjoy artists from a wide range of genres.
- June 17, 2023: Strange Famous Fest featuring Sage Francis with Wheelchair Sports Camp, Metermaids, Sleep of Oldominion, Mopes, Jesse the Tree, BlackLiq, Cas One, Seez Mics, Jivin Scientists, Early Adopted, DJ Zole
- June 18, 2023: Kutandara featuring Taffie Matiure (with Logo Ligi)
Concerts in Central Park
Central Park has not one but TWO outdoor concert venues! Dance 'til you drop or just sit back and relax as some of Denver's most well-known brands hit the stage for Concerts on the Green on the South Green and MoJaBlu Concerts on the North Green. Either way, it's a great way for the whole family to enjoy music under the stars. Concerts on the Green start at 6 p.m. and MoJaBlu concerts start at 6:30 p.m. and both are free to attend. Come early and buy some tasty treats from one of the many food trucks!
- June 17, 2023: Concert on the Green- That 80s Band
Museum Exhibitions
Memory Mirror
WHEN: Thru June 18, 2023
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
Lares Feliciano's Memory Mirror is an immersive installation that invites visitors to explore their relationship with memory through animation, dioramas and interactive storytelling. Designed to evoke the memory of a relative's living room, this exhibition will transform the museum's Precourt Family Discovery Hall into a surreal domestic den that is both familiar and fantastic.
Tamara Kostianovsky: Renewal
WHEN: Thru June 18, 2023
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Textile sculptor Tamara Kostianovsky presents 13 large-scale sculptures of tropical birds, flora and tree stumps. The works draw inspiration from her childhood home in Argentina and seek to envision a utopian future restored from past and present exploitation. Repurposing clothing from her own wardrobe as well as clothes, linens, upholstery and towels from family and friends, Kostianovsky forges connections to loved ones and childhood memories.
Explorations of Resilience and Resistance / Our Backs Hold Our Stories
WHEN: Thru June 28, 2023
WHERE: East Window Gallery, Boulder
East Window is an exhibit window viewable outdoors from the east side of the building. Lights are on from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm every day. Kali Spitzer is an Indigenous, femme, queer, photographer living on the traditional unceded lands of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam peoples. Her heritage deeply influences her work as she focuses on cultural revitalization through her art, whether in the medium of photography, ceramics, tanning hides or hunting. She has documented traditional practices with a sense of urgency, highlighting their vital cultural significance.
Rainbows & Revolutions
WHEN: Thru June 30, 2023
WHERE: History Colorado Center
LGBTQ+ people have always been part of Colorado communities. They have pushed against stereotypes, transforming the way mainstream society views them. Rainbows & Revolutions is about more than just Pride — the exhibit explores how LGBTQ+ people’s very existence in Colorado has been a rebellious act beyond the rainbow, from quiet assertions of identity to loud and proud demonstrations for civil rights and equality.
19th Annual Mile High International Pastel Exhibition
WHEN: Thru July 1, 2023
WHERE: Curtis Center for the Arts, Greenwood Village
This exhibit showcases 85 paintings in a variety of styles and subject matter. This year’s juror is Aaron Shuerr, an accomplished pastel artist from Montana. Throughout the exhibit on certain weekends, the Pastel Society of Colorado will be holding demonstrations presented by their members, which is an excellent way to become familiar with this fabulous medium. PSC will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024 and has more than 300 members, making it one of the largest in the country.
Her Brush: Japanese Women Artists from the Fong-Johnstone Collection
WHEN: Thru July 16, 2023
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
This exhibition takes a nuanced approach to questions of artistic voice, gender and agency through more than 100 works of painting, calligraphy and ceramics from 1600s to 1900s Japan. Many of these artworks will be on view for the first time to the public.
From Chaos to Order: Greek Geometric Art from the Sol Rabin Collection
WHEN: Thru July 30, 2023
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
This exhibition, traveling to Denver from the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, presents 57 artworks from 900 to 700 BCE, an expressive period of Greek art characterized by balance, symmetry and rhythm, all aimed at refining the concept of beauty down to its elemental core. These works, many of which have never before been on public display, open new windows into this formative period of Greek art history, revealing what beauty (Greek: kallos) meant to Greeks of the Geometric period.
I Invite Myself Vol. II
WHEN: Thru July 30, 2023
WHERE: Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, Colorado Springs
In the first museum solo exhibition by the award-winning inter-disciplinary artist Eiko Otake, the artist's experimental, movement-based art practice engages and pushes traditions of dance, exploring themes of mortality, time and place. The Fine Art Center’s exhibition foregrounds Otake’s recent film and video works, which have developed alongside her dance, choreography and performance installations. The works feature a body as it moves in and through various places, including the urban infrastructure of Tokyo and New York, irradiated post-nuclear disaster Fukushima, and the vast landscapes of Wyoming and California. Viewers are strongly encouraged to return, as select media will rotate over the course of the exhibition in recognition of changing seasons.
Colombia: The Corn, The River, and The Grave
WHEN: Thru Aug. 20, 2023
WHERE: Museo de las Americas
An identity story of the anxiety and the calm of the Colombian territory, this exhibition weaves a possible fabric about the complexities of the land as a point of divergence between the sacred and the mercantile. Exhausted from development driven by selfish interests, the alteration of the rivers, and the uneven expansion of the tombs of war, Colombia has reached a historical crossroads.
Bugs
WHEN: Thru Aug. 27, 2023
WHERE: Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS)
Precision flight, swarm intelligence, mind control … enter the world of bugs! This exhibition, created by Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand and Weta Workshop (the creative studio behind the Lord of the Rings films’ fantastical sets), reveals the secrets of insects and arthropods in delightful, dazzling ways. From immersive activities that get you thinking to hands-on games that get you moving, Bugs inspires us to be curious about the tiny-but-mighty creatures among us, appreciative of the vital role they play in the natural world, and energized to help them thrive.
Las Adelitas Living the Arts: Community, Creativity, and Empowerment
WHEN: Thru Aug. 31, 2023
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
A grassroots non-profit organization, Las Adelitas supports women who have endured acts of violence and trauma through the healing power of community, the arts and creative empowerment. This exhibition showcases the creative work of the organization’s artists, including paintings, poetry, video art and the vibrant dresses, stories and performances of the Las Adelitas Ballet Folklorico Dance Group.
Awful Bigness
WHEN: Thru Sept. 10, 2023
WHERE: Clyfford Still Museum
Awful Bigness fills the museum’s largest, skylit galleries and celebrates Still’s biggest, most ambitious works. This installation follows a chronological display of Still’s works in the museum's first four rooms, offering an overview of Still’s groundbreaking path to abstraction.
Return of the Corn Mothers
WHEN: Thru Sept. 30, 2023
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Return of the Corn Mothers marks a three-year effort to honor 22 new Corn Mothers in 2022. What began in 2007 with a small grant from the Rocky Mountain Women’s Institute and eight local women has now expanded to include more than 70 women. Join in the rich tradition of honoring Southwest women through this revitalized exhibit.
Fantastic Brush: Twentieth-Century Chinese Ink Art from the Robert and Lisa Kessler Collection
WHEN: Thru Nov. 1, 2023
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
The 23 ink paintings featured in this exhibit showcase some of the most important artists in twentieth-century China, including Zhang Daqian, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, Wu Changshuo and Wu Guanzhong. The collection includes examples by teachers and students, friends and colleagues. The artists come from very different backgrounds: some traveled to Europe to study Western art, some went to Japan to study Japanese art and Western art as filtered through Japanese experience, and others never went abroad. Nevertheless, all were well versed in traditional Chinese ink art.
Confection Perfection: Jolly Rancher Company
WHEN: Thru Dec. 30, 2023
WHERE: Golden History Museum & Park, Golden
Seeking additional income for her family, homemaker-turned-entrepreneur Dorothy Harmsen heard about people making a fortune in Florida selling ice cream from newly invented soft serve machines. In 1949, Harmsen rented a store in downtown Golden and made a down payment on a new machine. Within a few years, she and her husband, Bill, built one of the most iconic confectionery companies in the world.
Epic Events
WHEN: Thru Dec. 30, 2023
WHERE: Golden History Museum & Park, Golden
Epic Events walks you through over three dozen moments that shaped Golden’s past. Those times range from big to small, happy to sad. Some are memorable and some are best forgotten. Step inside this exhibit and feel what it’s like to live through 150 years in Golden.
Legendary People
WHEN: Thru Dec. 30, 2023
WHERE: Golden History Museum & Park, Golden
People are the ingredient that makes Golden a vibrant community. Over the years, so many have called the area home, from nomadic Native Americans, adventurous miners and cunning politicians, to innovative business owners, hard-working students and curious tourists. Their interesting stories make for a rich history. Learn the biographical highlights of some little-known characters, like beloved educator Gertrude Bell, Olympic athlete Lindsey Horan and many more.
Signs O’ The Times
WHEN: Thru Dec. 30, 2023
WHERE: Golden History Museum & Park, Golden
Old signs are powerful evidence of the changes Golden has experienced. Simply put, signs are visual graphics we use to communicate information to each other. We’ve used them for thousands of years, and if you stop and look around, they’re everywhere. The permanent City of Golden collection currently cares for more than two dozen commercial and business signs.
By Design: Stories and Ideas Behind Objects
WHEN: Thru Jan. 1, 2024
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
A series of thematic installations drawn primarily from the architecture and design collection, this exhibition illustrates the abundance and versatility of approaches to design. How does it come into being? Who creates it and for what purpose? What trends inspire it? And how does it serve society?
The World in Denver: Photography by Robert Weinberg
WHEN: Thru Jan. 10, 2024
WHERE: History Colorado Center
Over the course of his career, Robert Weinberg captured images of those who left their mark on Denver. Best known for his work with the Intermountain Jewish News, Weinberg focused on portraits of people in the Denver community. Weinberg's photography adds a valuable dimension to the visual record of the Mile High City during the 1980s and 1990s. Now legally blind, Weinberg created braille labels to accompany his work, ensuring that his photographs are accessible to all. He continues to advocate for the visually impaired community by promoting organizations to assist people with low vision to live independently.
Gio Ponti: Designer of a Thousand Talents
WHEN: Thru July 19, 2024
WHERE: Denver Art Museum
Gio Ponti was one of the most inventive Italian architects and designers of his time. For more than 60 years, Ponti’s exuberant approach found expression in public and private commissions from buildings, interiors and furniture to glass, ceramics and flatware, influencing international design for more than 50 years.
Ansel Adams: Early Works
WHEN: June 11–Oct. 1, 2023
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Discover the early work of renowned landscape photographer Ansel Adams with photos of the American West. Known best for his high-contrast photos made in the 1970s and 1980s, Adams’ earlier prints feature a softer focus, smaller scale and warmer tones, providing a glimpse into the evolution of the photographer’s signature style. The exhibition features 39 vintage photographs, including some of his best-known works. Adams was a giant in the field of landscape photography, using his art to celebrate and protect the West.
Justin Favela: Vistas in Color
WHEN: June 11–Oct. 1, 2023
WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens
Justin Favela's large-scale piñata-paper installations exist at the intersection of cultural identity and pop culture. Vibrant and immersive, Vistas in Color honors and celebrates the sweeping desert landscapes of the U.S. and Mexico and the role that they have played in Latinx identity. A tissue paper floor-to-ceiling mural, created specifically for the Gardens’ exhibition, combines imagery from desert landscapes. The single panoramic image wraps the walls of the entire ellipse-shaped gallery. Plants from different deserts are featured, as well as plants from the artist’s own home and photos. Favela is a Latinx and first-generation American artist based in Las Vegas.
Outdoor Fun
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
Head to the only downtown theme and water park in the country for roller coasters, water slides, family entertainment and much more!
Water World
Beat the heat, relax in the park's beautifully landscaped 64 acres — and ride some serious waterslides. Water World is opening just in time for Memorial Day weekend fun!
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
Carved from towering red rock monuments, Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison is one of the world's most renowned concert venues. The surrounding park has hiking trails that weave in, around and over the colorful red rocks.
Farmers' Markets
The Mile High City's more than 20 farmers' markets aren't just about locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and prepared foods — though you'll find those in abundance! Each market is a festive, weekly street fair, many with live entertainment and family-friendly activities.
Denver Zoo
With over 3,500 animals on 84 gorgeous acres, Denver Zoo is an amazing experience year-round. Your donation helps to provide world-class care for the lions, giraffes and elephants, as well as other wild animals and wild places, from the Rockies to Mongolia.
Denver Botanic Gardens
One of the top five botanic gardens in the nation, Denver Botanic Gardens is an oasis in the city, offering year-round events, a children’s garden, lifelong-learning opportunities and research to preserve Colorado’s precious natural resources. Meanwhile, Chatfield Farms, located in nearby Littleton, takes pride in its exemplary nature preserve and gardens. Located on 750 acres, this picturesque site includes display gardens and a historical farm with a rustic barn.
Hudson Gardens
Enjoy thirty acres of natural beauty offering recreational, educational, and social opportunities for all ages.
Museum of Outdoor Arts
Despite the name, MOA's Englewood collection includes both outdoor sculptures as well as indoor exhibits, including the always-popular Cabinet of Curiosities.
Outdoor Movies
Catch everything from classic drive-in flicks to blockbuster movies in the park or even films at iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre!
Spring Tours at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary
A tour of Erie-based Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary is much more than a fun day spent getting to know our amazing family of rescued animals. In fact, it is nearly impossible to leave without developing a deeper understanding of the unique personalities and complex emotional lives that all animals lead.
City Parks
No matter where you find yourself in The Mile High City, you’re likely only a few steps away from a lush and relaxing green space. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to explore Denver's more than 5,000 acres of traditional parks and parkways, as well as an additional 14,000 acres of spectacular mountain parks in neighboring counties that are maintained by the City and County of Denver.
Lesser-Known, Hidden-Gem Parks
If you’re looking for a quiet spot to have a picnic, take in great views or experience a different side of the city, check out these lesser-known Denver parks.
How to Explore the South Platte River by Bike
Take a two-wheeled tour through the heart of the city along this beautiful river. You'll cruise by some of the city's biggest attractions.
Denver's Best Urban Hikes
Denver is a city with boundless outdoor fun and has an ideal location next to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. While The Mile High City is conveniently close to major peaks for hiking, there's actually no need to head into the mountains when Denver's regional trail system encompasses hundreds of miles for all ages and abilities to explore.
How to Explore the Colorado Trail in Waterton Canyon
Many people think that Denver’s prettiest, closest and most accessible bit of mountain scenery is Waterton Canyon. This is the start of the famous Colorado Trail, one of the great long-distance hikes (or mountain bike rides) of the Rocky Mountains.
Pet-Friendly Denver
Denver is home to dozens of pet-friendly activities and destinations, including dog-friendly hotels and dog parks. Find the best on-leash and off-leash fun for your best friend.
Street Art
Denver street artists have been busy brightening (and enlightening) the urban landscape for decades by making canvases of the city’s alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garage doors and storefronts. Grab your camera and take a stroll past some of the city's favorite murals.
Outdoor and Patio Dining
There’s no better way to soak up summer than on one of The Mile High City’s splendid patios. From skyward rooftop terraces to lushly landscaped gardens, these are the ultimate spots to eat and drink alfresco in Denver.
Denver Beer Trail
Denver is a mecca for craft beer. But with 100 brewpubs, breweries and tap rooms in the metro area, where do you begin? Let the Denver Beer Trail be your guide with this sampling and interactive map.