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July
Summer festival season is well underway, and there’s seemingly a free, fun activity to do every day of the week if you’re willing to put in some planning.
Whether you feel like toting your camp chair to a community park and catching a cover band or learning tai chi and conquering a slightly smaller version of the Incline, there’s no reason to be bored in Denver this July.
We rounded up a list of the best free things to do in Denver and beyond this month, from summer concert series to arts festivals to celebrations of Colorado’s history. Check out our recommendations below, and be sure to come back for more ideas in August.
Jump to:
- 🏙️ Central Denver Free Things to Do
- ⛰️ Northwest Denver Free Things to Do
- ✈️ Northeast Denver Free Things to Do
- 🌲 West Denver Free Things to Do
- ⛵️ Southeast Denver Free Things to Do
Central
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
- When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. July 4 and 5, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 6.
- Where: The Cherry Creek North neighborhood on 2nd Avenue from Clayton to Adams streets, and between 2nd and 3rd Avenues from Detroit to Adams streets
The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is probably one of the top free things to do in Denver all year. Stop by this ritzy Denver neighborhood to see the works of more than 260 artists from across the country. You can also catch live music all weekend. If that’s not enough, this is also one of the best free things to do with kids, thanks to the interactive “Creation Station,” where they can do everything from learning about Indigenous art to adding their own touch to a huge community mural.
Esme Patterson at the Levitt Pavilion
- When: 4 p.m. July 12
- Where: The Levitt Pavilion, 1380 W. Florida Ave, Denver
While Red Rocks rightfully gets tons of attention, the Levitt Pavilion is quickly making a name for itself as one of the best outdoor venues in the Mile High City — and unlike the inevitable Ticketmaster stress that comes from trying to catch a show at its more famous counterpart, many of the shows at this west Denver venue are free. The July 12 concert with Colorado icon (and now Tennessee resident) Esme Patterson will be extra special. She’s made a big name for herself as a solo act after being part of the popular group Paper Bird, and she’ll be performing new music from her fifth full-length album, “Notes from Nowhere.” Grab your camp chairs, pack up the cooler, and spend a night enjoying music from an act that very much evokes that classic Colorado sound.
Northwest
Pearl Street Arts Fest
- When: 3-8 p.m. July 18, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. July 19, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 20
- Where: Pearl Street Mall, Downtown Boulder
The Pearl Street Mall is always an enjoyable place to hang out on a summer day, and it will have an extra dose of fun during its annual arts fest, which is now in its 45th year. It’s long been considered one of the best free things to do near Boulder, and for good reason. This show features more than 100 artists representing 21 states and showcases mediums ranging from water color to sculpture. This is also an excellent event for the kids since the Open Studios Mobile Art Lab will be on hand to provide free art instruction on the Courthouse Lawn.
Thursday Nights @ The Museum Concert Series
- When: Thursdays through July 31 from 7-8:30 p.m.
- Where: Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
Summer in Colorado means there’s no shortage of places where you can catch a free concert series, but this one has one of the most unique lineups we’ve seen. Case in point: July’s acts include a Zimbabwean marimba virtuoso (among other things), a psychedelic group honoring astronauts, an old-school blues band, and a local duo known for their powerful harmonies. All the concerts take place at the Longmont Museum’s newly transformed courtyard, and while the music itself is free, be sure to bring cash for snacks and drinks if you want them.
Northeast
Green Valley Ranch Farmers Market
- When: Every Wednesday from 5-8 p.m.
- Where: Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center, 4890 Argonne Way, Denver
When it comes to free things to do in Denver, it’s hard to beat a morning wandering a good farmer’s market — and the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood has one of the best. Outside of the opportunity to snag fresh produce, this community event also has lots of live music and free art activities for kids.
Northglenn Fourth of July Festival
- When: Noon-9:30 p.m. July 4
- Where: EB Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11800 Community Center Dr., Northglenn
The northeast Denver city of Northglenn knows how to do Independence Day right. This free community event includes everything from a huge car show to a duck derby to an afternoon full of live music. Be sure to stick around when it gets dark: Northglenn’s fireworks show is one of the best in the area. Pets are allowed at this free event, but use your judgment when it comes to how they’ll react to the fireworks. And since it is a long day, don’t worry: Food and alcohol are available for purchase.
West
Golden Buffalo Bill Days
- When: All day July 25-27
- Where: Downtown Golden
If you’re looking for free things to do in Denver with your kids, you won’t want to miss this old-school Western event in downtown Golden. Buffalo Bill Days has been going on since the 1940s and honors the history of this hardscrabble foothills community. Activities include an arts and crafts festival, a parade, free kids’ activities, and live music from multiple acts, including bona fide Colorado legends Chris Daniels and the Kings.
Street Fest Concert Series
- When: 5-8 p.m. July 10
- Where: Belmar Plaza, 439 S. Teller St., Lakewood
The Belmar Plaza is full of fun, free events throughout the year, and it’s an especially fun spot during summer nights for the Street Fest Concert Series. The July event features local act The Country Music Project, which will make this suburban Denver neighborhood feel a little more like Nashville. The music’s free, and the bars and restaurants surrounding the stage have plenty of deals on food and drinks to make this an affordable night of quality summer entertainment.
Southeast
Fitness Fridays
- When: 8-9 a.m. every Friday through Aug. 29
- Where: Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
If you’re looking for free things to do in Castle Rock that will also provide a healthy start to your weekend, look no further than Fitness Fridays at Philip S. Miller Park. This community event showcases new ways to stay fit each week, and the July lineup features outdoor Reb3l Groove, Zumba, tai chi, yoga, and Pilates classes. Afterward, be sure to test yourself on Philip S. Miller Park’s mini (but still challenging) version of the Manitou Springs Incline.
HRCA Summer Concert Series
- When: Thursday nights from 6:30-8 p.m.
- Where: Highland Heritage Regional Park, 9651 S. Quebec St., Highlands Ranch
Few things scream “summer in Colorado” more than a free concert series, and this one has all the ingredients for a perfect evening. Perhaps most importantly, the venue — Highland Heritage Regional Park — has epic views of the mountains and the sunset. July’s lineup of music will be good, too, with acts ranging from a 90s/2000s rock cover band to an up-and-coming country artist to an epic Prince tribute group.
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Editor’s Note: Our articles focus on five metro Denver regions: central, northeast, northwest; west; southeast. Some cities span across more than one region. See map.)
June
June might be one of the best months in Colorado, and we’re not just talking about the weather. With summer heating up, so is the summer festival schedule, creating plenty of options for fun, free things to do in Denver and beyond.
Whether you and the kids want to watch “Moana 2” (again) or you’re more interested in seeing “Back That Thang Up” live in one of Denver’s most historic neighborhoods, there’s no shortage of fun, free events throughout the metro area.
Here are our recommendations for the month of June.
Jump to:
- 🏙️ Central Denver Free Things to Do
- ⛰️ Northwest Denver Free Things to Do
- ✈️ Northeast Denver Free Things to Do
- 🌲 West Denver Free Things to Do
- ⛵️ Southeast Denver Free Things to Do
Central
Denver Chalk Art Festival
- When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. June 7 and 8
- Where: The Golden Triangle Creative District (use West 12th Avenue and Bannock Street as a good spot to navigate to).
This annual event is one of the best free things to do in Denver every year. During this unique festival, dozens of artists paint stunning chalk art creations on the sidewalks over multiple blocks. Many of those artists have been participating in the event for years, creating masterpieces that put whatever you’ve been doing in your driveway lately to shame (no offense to your kids). The good news is that there’s a dedicated place for them to up their game on a special corner where kids can practice their own chalk art. This free festival also happens to be lined with food trucks and spots to grab a drink, and be sure to take a moment at the CherryArts Stage to catch numerous local bands.
Juneteenth Music Festival
- When: June 15 from noon-8 p.m.
- Where: 2701 Welton St. Denver, Colorado, 80205 (in the heart of the historic Five Points neighborhood)
If you’re looking for free things to do in Denver, it’s hard to beat this celebration of Black freedom, culture, and community in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods. The Juneteenth Musical Festival includes a full day of acts by artists both local and national, as well as hundreds of cultural vendors and food trucks, and a youth zone (making it another option for free things to do with kids!). You’ll probably embarrass the kids, though, when the headliner Juvenile starts his set since you’ll be busting out all the moves to his hits “Slow Motion” and “Back That Thang Up.” (Sidenote: Juvenile recently did a great Tiny Desk Concert).
Northwest
Catch a Free Summer Concert in Downtown Longmont
- When: From 4:30-9 p.m. on June 14
- Where: Fourth Avenue and Kimbark Street, Longmont
Downtown Longmont happens to be one of the most underrated spots to hang out near Denver, and this weekly summer event proves it. June 14 is the first edition of the downtown concert series in Longmont, but don’t let the name confuse you: There aren’t just concerts here, there’s so much more to do. There’s a special interactive performance from 4:30-5:30 p.m. that makes this one of the top free things to do with kids, and the two great regional bands that perform from 5:30-9 p.m. also make this one of the best free things to do in Longmont for adults. Along the way, be sure to check out the craft fair, and bring some cash to buy beer and tokens for your kids to bounce on the inflatables.
Flatiron Sounds Music Festival
- When: 1-8 p.m. on June 21.
- Where: Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark at 900 Baseline Rd., Boulder
Thanks to its towering views of the Flatirons, Chautauqua National Historic Landmark is always one of the most gorgeous places to visit near Denver — and the sound of live music makes it even better. That’s what makes this music festival hands down one of the best free things to do in Boulder. Bring the whole family and enjoy the music all day, as well as a vibrant artisan market, selection of food trucks, and beer garden (because Colorado).
Northeast
Catch Moana 2 in the Park
- When: The movie starts at 7 p.m. on June 12.
- Where: Carmichael Park at 650 Southern St., Brighton
If you have kids of a certain age, you’ve likely seen “Moana 2” more times than you can count at home, so perhaps it’s time for a change of venue? During this event, you can watch “Moana 2” with other superfans in a park, automatically making it one of the top free things to do with kids. As the “Moana 2” cast once sang, “What Could Be Better Than This?” Just be sure to bring a cooler full of snacks and your coziest camp chair, and enjoy a rendition of “Beyond” under the stars. Now, “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?”
Thorntonfest
- When: Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m
- Where: 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, Thornton, Colorado
If you find yourself bored the first weekend of June and — as many often do — ask yourself: “What are some free things to do in Thornton?”, look no further. The annual ThorntonFest honors everything that this north metro suburb has to offer, from special opportunities for kids to get face to face with police cars and fire trucks to a skatepark competition to canine demos with the Thornton Police Department. Since this is a festival, you can also catch live music, enjoy a cold one in the beer garden, and let the kids expend some energy in the Kid Zone. Definitely don’t miss Birdie Ball, where staff from the Thorn Creek Golf Course will let you see how your golf swing holds up against giant inflatables.
West
Littleton Museum Summer Concert Series
- When: Every Wednesday from June 4-July 23 from 6:30-8 p.m.
- Where: The Littleton Museum at 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton, Colorado
If it’s a summer Wednesday and you’re wondering about free things to do in Littleton tonight, may we recommend this concert series? Bring your camp chairs and post up on the lawn of this super cool historical museum in one of Denver’s most scenic suburbs for a wide variety of music encompassing everything from a cappella to a modern take on Irish pub classics. There’s even a special dancing zone just to the left of the stage for kids. Keeping this even more budget-friendly, visitors are welcome to bring their own coolers full of snacks (just leave the beer at home — no alcohol is permitted on city property).
Visit the Foothills Art Center
- When: This free spot is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday
- Where: 1133 Arapahoe St., Golden, Colorado
If you’re looking for Golden free things to do, it’s hard to beat this underrated art center tucked into a historic house. This free destination has a rotating assortment of collections, with some very interesting options for the summer, including one that features the journey from sketchbook to canvas, and another that uses candid photography to show exactly how unhinged cruise vacations get. Be sure to check out the events calendar to see what’s going on each night — you could find yourself in a fun art class or meeting new creatives.
Southeast
Parker Days Festival
- When: Thursday, June 12, to Sunday, June 15 (Check out the full rundown of hours by day here)
- Where: Downtown Parker
This annual festival is one of the best things to do for free in Parker — or really anywhere — during the month of June. And it’s most definitely one of the best free things to do with kids, thanks to the huge variety of activities and games (we’re intrigued by the human hamster and street hockey activities), and the crafting area. Everyone will be stoked to see the buskers roaming around the festival, as well as the live music on the Main Stage encompassing everything from a band playing the full Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack to a P!nk tribute group. If this makes you hungry, there will be dozens of food trucks in the area (and mom and dad can find plenty of spots to snag a cold adult beverage).
Sounds of the Southlands
- When: Every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. from June 19 to Aug. 7
- Where: The Aurora Southlands Town Square
The Sounds of Southlands is hands down one of the best free things to do in Aurora this summer. That’s mostly thanks to its great lineup, which includes local bands encompassing everything from very danceable soul music to top 40s country to Eagles and 80s tributes. And since this is on a Thursday, it’s a great way to get pumped up for the weekend a day early and enjoy a very summer event with lots of awesome people from the community.
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(Editor’s Note: Our articles focus on five metro Denver regions: central, northeast, northwest; west; southeast. Some cities span across more than one region. See map.)