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Art, outside the gallery.
Major arts festivals, outdoor film, and cultural events across the Denver Metro.
Art in Denver spills out of the gallery and into the park, the parking lot, and the side of a sandstone cliff. This page tracks the major arts and culture events across the Metro: the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and its 260 juried artists, the Colorado Black Arts Festival in City Park West, the Golden Fine Arts Festival, and outdoor film nights like Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
We focus on the large, public, mostly outdoor events, the ones thousands of people show up for, rather than single openings or class schedules. Dates, footprint, and price floor are on every page so you can plan a full afternoon around one.
Rooms on this page: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Larimer Square.
Thu, Sep 10 · MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater
Nickel Boys with director RaMell Ross
RaMell Ross, director of the Oscar-nominated Nickel Boys, joins a free live conversation at MCA Denver’s Holiday Theater on September 10, 2026, presented by Denver Public Library.
Jun 12 - Jan 3 · Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Changing Landscapes: Inside Venice, Mesa Verde and Rapa Nui at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Changing Landscapes, an immersive exhibition on climate change at three World Heritage sites, runs at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science from June 12, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
Sep 3 - Sep 13 · The People’s Building
Brindlewood at The People’s Building
The People’s Building in Aurora stages the play Brindlewood, running September 3 through 13, 2026.
Sep 4 - Oct 11 · Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Misery at the Arvada Center
The Arvada Center stages the stage thriller Misery, adapted from the Stephen King novel, September 4 through October 11, 2026.
Sep 6 - Sep 20 · MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater
Denver Film CO 150 Films Series at the Holiday Theater
Denver Film’s CO 150 Films Series screens Colorado-made classics on Sundays at MCA Denver’s Holiday Theater from September 6 to September 20, 2026, opening with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Sep 8 - Oct 1 · Hudson Gardens
G-Scale Garden Railroad at Hudson Gardens
Hudson Gardens runs its G-Scale Garden Railroad free to the public from 9 AM to noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through October 1, 2026, in Littleton.
Sep 8 - Sep 27 · Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex
The Outsiders at the Buell Theatre
The national tour of The Outsiders, winner of four 2024 Tony Awards including Best Musical, plays the Buell Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex September 8 to 27, 2026.
Sep 10 - Nov 8 · Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
pARTy and Rigsby Revisited: The Arvada Center Turns 50
The Arvada Center marks its 50th anniversary with two free gallery shows opening the same night, September 10, 2026: pARTy: Celebrating 50 Years in the Main Gallery and Rigsby Revisited: 50 Years Later in the Upper Gallery, both running through November 8.
Sep 10 - Oct 11 · The Bug Theatre
SAW The Musical at the Bug Theatre
SAW The Musical, the unauthorized parody of the horror franchise, runs Wednesdays through Sundays at Denver’s Bug Theatre from September 10 to October 11, 2026.
Fri, Sep 11 · Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center
An Evening with Liane Moriarty
Bestselling novelist Liane Moriarty, author of "Big Little Lies" and "Nine Perfect Strangers," appears for a ticketed evening talk at the Hyatt Regency DTC Sept. 11, 2026.
Fri, Sep 11 · Denver Improv
Marlon Wayans at the Denver Improv
Marlon Wayans headlines the Denver Improv on September 11, 2026, with multiple shows.
Sat, Sep 12 · Stanley Marketplace
Beabadoobee PYLON Listening Party at Wax Trax
Wax Trax Records hosts an official early listening party for Beabadoobee’s album PYLON at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 4 to 5 PM.
Sat, Sep 12 · Cherry Creek North galleries and studios
Second Saturday Art Walk: Fall into Fashion
Cherry Creek North runs the Fall into Fashion edition of its Second Saturday Art Walk on September 12, 2026, free from 10 AM to 1 PM across the district’s galleries and studios.
Sat, Sep 12 · Denver Art Museum
SCFD Free Day at the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum gives free general admission on September 12, 2026, one of its SCFD community free days.
Sat, Sep 12 · MCA Denver
MCA Denver Fall Exhibition Opening: Roni Horn and Deborah Jack
MCA Denver opens its fall season September 12, 2026 with an evening celebration for new exhibitions by Roni Horn and Deborah Jack, both running into February 2027.
Sep 12 - Sep 13 · Park Hill Masonic Lodge grounds
Park Hill Fall Arts Fest
Park Hill Fall Arts Fest brings roughly 70 artists to the Park Hill Masonic Lodge grounds at 4819 Montview Blvd on September 12 and 13, 2026, free to walk in.
Sun, Sep 13 · The Bug Theatre
Pedro Gonzalez Live in Denver at the Bug Theatre
Spanish-language comedian Pedro Gonzalez performs at Denver's Bug Theatre on September 13, 2026 at 7 PM.
Wed, Sep 16 · The Bug Theatre
Movie Night with Adam and Rory and Ben at the Bug Theatre
The Grawlix comedy crew hosts Movie Night with Adam and Rory and Ben at the Bug Theatre on September 16, 2026, riffing on a surprise film.
Thu, Sep 17 · The Bug Theatre
The Emerging Filmmaker's Project at the Bug Theatre
The Emerging Filmmaker's Project screens new Denver short films at the Bug Theatre on Thursday, September 17, 2026, doors 6:30 PM and show at 7, $5 at the door with a filmmaker talkback after every short.
Thu, Sep 17 · Museo de las Americas
Karla de Lara Opening Reception at Museo de las Americas
Museo de las Americas opens Karla de Lara's exhibition Identidad, memoria y palabra with a free reception on September 17, 2026, 6 to 9 PM at 861 Santa Fe Drive.
Sep 18 - Sep 20 · Denver Marriott Tech Center
Colorado Festival of Horror: Clowns vs. Witches
The Colorado Festival of Horror returns for its sixth year September 18 to 20, 2026, moving to the Denver Marriott Tech Center under the theme Clowns vs. Witches.
Fri, Sep 18 · Clocktower Cabaret
Drag-Stravaganza: HalloQween at Clocktower Cabaret
A Halloween-themed drag cabaret, Drag-Stravaganza: HalloQween, plays Clocktower Cabaret on September 18, 2026.
Fri, Sep 18 · MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater
SHREK: The Drag Show at the Holiday Theater
SHREK: The Drag Show turns the fairy-tale swamp over to a full drag cast at MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater on September 18, 2026, 7 to 9 PM, ages 18 and up.
Fri, Sep 18 · The People's Building
Thriller Night Ball at The People's Building
The Thriller Night Ball brings a themed dance night to The People's Building in Aurora on September 18, 2026.
Sep 19 - Sep 20 · Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Caribe by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance opens its 56th season with Caribe at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on September 19 and 20, 2026, sharing the bill with the National Dance Company of the Bahamas and Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Sat, Sep 19 · Clyfford Still Museum
Clyfford Still Museum 15th Anniversary and SCFD Free Day
The Clyfford Still Museum marks its 15th anniversary with a free SCFD day on September 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including drop-in mini-tours and activities.
Sat, Sep 19 · Charlie's Denver
Deaf Drag Brunch benefiting DOVE at Charlie's Denver
Charlie's Denver hosts a Deaf Drag Brunch benefiting DOVE on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 11 AM, a drag show built for a Deaf audience.
Mon, Sep 21 · The People’s Building
SLANTED: Film Screening at The People’s Building
The People’s Building in Aurora screens the film SLANTED on September 21, 2026.
Wed, Sep 23 · Paramount Theatre
Little Shop of Horrors 40th Anniversary Screening Hosted by Ellen Greene
Ellen Greene, who originated Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, hosts a 40th anniversary screening of the 1986 film at Denver’s Paramount Theatre on September 23, 2026, at 8 PM.
Sep 24 - Sep 27 · Downtown Denver (multiple sites)
Doors Open Denver: Destination Downtown
Doors Open Denver runs September 24 to 27, 2026, offering free behind-the-scenes access to dozens of downtown buildings during the state's 150th year.
![EXPOSED [storytelling] at the Bug Theatre](/_next/image?url=%2Fevents%2Fexposed-storytelling-bug-theatre-2026.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Thu, Sep 24 · The Bug Theatre
EXPOSED [storytelling] at the Bug Theatre
EXPOSED [storytelling] brings a night of first-person true stories to the Bug Theatre on September 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM, an 18-and-up show at 3654 Navajo Street.
Thu, Sep 24 · Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng at Red Rocks
Comedians Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng share a Red Rocks stand-up bill on September 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM.
Sep 24 - Oct 4 · The People’s Building
Machinal at The People’s Building
Sophie Treadwell’s expressionist drama Machinal runs at The People’s Building in Aurora from September 24 through October 4, 2026.
Sep 25 - Nov 1 · Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Barefoot in the Park at the Arvada Center
Neil Simon’s comedy Barefoot in the Park runs at the Arvada Center from September 25 through November 1, 2026.
Fri, Sep 25 · Museo de las Americas
8th Annual Lucha Libre Night at Museo de las Americas
Museo de las Americas hosts its 8th Annual Lucha Libre Night with Hugo's Lucha Libre on September 25, 2026, 5 to 9 PM, bringing masked wrestling into the Art District on Santa Fe.
Fri, Sep 25 · The Bug Theatre
Nerd Nite Denver at the Bug Theatre
Nerd Nite Denver returns to the Bug Theatre on September 25, 2026, at 7 PM with three experts giving 20-minute talks while the bar stays open.
Sep 25 - Sep 26 · The Bug Theatre
The Room at The Bug Theatre
The Bug Theatre screens Tommy Wiseau’s The Room at 11 PM on September 25 and 26, 2026, a participation screening at 3654 Navajo Street with spoons encouraged.
Sat, Sep 26 · The Church Nightclub
Bed By 10 at The Church Nightclub
The early-evening dance party Bed By 10 returns to The Church Nightclub on September 26, 2026, a full club night that wraps before most nightlife starts.
Sat, Sep 26 · Denver Central Library
Booklovers Ball
The Denver Public Library Friends Foundation holds its black-tie Booklovers Ball at the Central Library on September 26, 2026.
Sat, Sep 26 · College Hill Library
MysteryCon 2026: WhoDunIt? at College Hill Library
Westminster Public Library keeps College Hill Library open after hours on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for MysteryCon 2026: WhoDunIt?, a free 18-and-over night with Colorado mystery authors, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Sat, Sep 26 · The Bug Theatre
The Grawlix at the Bug Theatre
The Grawlix, the Denver comedy show that became the TruTV series Those Who Can’t, plays the Bug Theatre on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 8 PM with stand-up, sketch and a monthly guest.
Tue, Sep 29 · The People's Building
If an Owl Calls Your Name at The People's Building
The People's Building in Aurora hosts a free community screening of the documentary If an Owl Calls Your Name on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 6:30 PM, with doors at 6.
Tue, Sep 29 · Tattered Cover Colfax
Tahereh Mafi at Tattered Cover Colfax
Number one New York Times bestselling author Tahereh Mafi appears live at Tattered Cover Colfax in Denver on September 29, 2026 at 6 PM.
Thu, Oct 1 · Clocktower Cabaret
Broadway Boobies at Clocktower Cabaret
Blush Burlesque stages Broadway Boobies, a one-night breast cancer research benefit, at Clocktower Cabaret on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 7 PM.
Oct 1 - Nov 1 · Aurora Fox Arts Center
Feeding Beatrice at the Aurora Fox Arts Center
The Aurora Fox stages the regional premiere of Feeding Beatrice, a gothic horror comedy, opening Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM and running through November 1.
Oct 2 - Oct 3 · Clocktower Cabaret
Blush: A Burlesque Fantasy at Clocktower Cabaret
Blush: A Burlesque Fantasy plays two late shows at Clocktower Cabaret, October 2 and 3, 2026, both at 9:30 PM.
Fri, Oct 2 · Buntport Theater
The Vampire of Lafayette at Buntport Theater
Buntport Theater opens The Vampire of Lafayette on October 2, 2026, an original show timed to Halloween season and built on a piece of real Colorado folklore.
Oct 3 - Oct 4 · Clocktower Cabaret
Borrowing Funny at Clocktower Cabaret
The Wounded Cobra Theatre stages Borrowing Funny, a play about joke theft in stand-up comedy, at Clocktower Cabaret on October 3 and 4, 2026.
Thu, Oct 8 · Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Murder at the Moulin Rouge at the Arvada Center
The Arvada Center opens its themed murder-mystery production Murder at the Moulin Rouge on October 8, 2026.
Oct 8 - Oct 18 · The People’s Building
Tiny Beautiful Things at The People’s Building
The stage adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s Tiny Beautiful Things runs at The People’s Building in Aurora from October 8 through 18, 2026.
Oct 9 - Oct 11 · Clocktower Cabaret
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Clocktower Cabaret
DeeDee's Burlesque Book Club adapts Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for three nights at Clocktower Cabaret, October 9 to 11, 2026.
Sun, Oct 11 · Lakewood Cultural Center
Sugar Skull! A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure at Lakewood Cultural Center
Sugar Skull!, the bilingual touring musical about Dia de Muertos, plays the Lakewood Cultural Center on October 11, 2026.
Tue, Oct 13 · Denver Art Museum
Denver Art Museum Free Day (October)
The Denver Art Museum's monthly SCFD free day falls Oct. 13, 2026.
Oct 16 - Oct 18 · Clocktower Cabaret
NIGHTMARE: A Burlesque and Aerial Remix at Clocktower Cabaret
NIGHTMARE, Selena Bone'Em Harder's aerial and burlesque remix of The Nightmare Before Christmas, runs October 16 to 18, 2026 at Clocktower Cabaret, with a December return.
Oct 22 - Nov 1 · Sie FilmCenter
Denver Film Festival, 49th Edition
The 49th Denver Film Festival opens Thursday, October 22, 2026 and runs through November 1, screening more than 140 films across Sie FilmCenter and downtown venues.
Thu, Oct 22 · Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
An Evening with Holocaust Survivor Sora Vigorito
Sora Vigorito, one of the last living survivors of Josef Mengele’s twin experiments at Auschwitz, speaks on the Arvada Center Main Stage on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7 PM, with tickets from $30.
Oct 23 - Oct 31 · Clocktower Cabaret
BOOlesque at Clocktower Cabaret
BOOlesque, Clocktower Cabaret’s aerial and burlesque Halloween run, plays eight nights from October 23 to 31, 2026, with a different show each night.
Oct 23 - Oct 31 · The People's Building
Dancing In The Dark: The House of Omens
The House of Omens runs October 23 through 31, 2026 at The People's Building in Aurora, a nine-night Halloween theatrical run rather than a single haunted-house night.
Oct 23 - Oct 25 · Boettcher Concert Hall
The Firebird with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and the Colorado Symphony
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance joins the Colorado Symphony for Stravinsky's The Firebird at Boettcher Concert Hall October 23-25, 2026, in a staging that resets the ballet in the Hawaiian Islands.
Sat, Oct 31 · Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Halloween Drag Queen Storytime with Miss Shirley
Miss Shirley reads children’s books in full drag at a free Halloween storytime in Ballrooms B through D at the Arvada Center on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 10 AM.
Tue, Nov 3 · Clocktower Cabaret
Murray Hill: SHOWBIZ! at Clocktower Cabaret
Murray Hill brings the SHOWBIZ! tour to Clocktower Cabaret for one night on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 7 PM, backed by the live band Baloney Sandwiches.
Nov 5 - Nov 7 · The People's Building
9 to 5 Jr. at The People's Building
9 to 5 Jr., the youth-cast version of the Dolly Parton musical, plays three nights at The People's Building in Aurora, November 5 to 7, 2026.
Fri, Nov 6 · Multiple art venues
Denver Arts Week First Friday Art Walk
Denver Arts Week's flagship First Friday Art Walk, Nov. 6, 2026, coordinates gallery openings and studio access across the city's art districts, more expansive than a typical monthly walk.
Sat, Nov 7 · Denver Art Museum
Denver Art Museum Free Day (November)
The Denver Art Museum's monthly SCFD free day falls Nov. 7, 2026.
Nov 20 - Jan 3 · Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Arvada Center
The Arvada Center stages Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on its Main Stage from November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
Fri, Dec 4 · Aurora Fox Arts Center
Hank Williams: Lost Highway at the Aurora Fox
Hank Williams: Lost Highway, the biographical musical tracing the country legend's rise and fall, opens December 4, 2026 at the Aurora Fox Arts Center on East Colfax.
Dec 4 - Dec 6 · The People’s Building
The Little Mermaid Jr. at The People’s Building
Apex Performing Arts Collective stages The Little Mermaid Jr. at The People’s Building in Aurora across four performances, December 4 to 6, 2026.