65 upcoming · updated daily
Free, and actually good.
Every free major event in the Denver Metro right now: festivals, parades, markets, and concerts that cost exactly nothing.
A Denver summer does not have to cost anything. This page collects every free major event in the Metro right now: festivals, parades, weekly markets, and concerts that cost exactly nothing to attend. Levitt Pavilion in Ruby Hill Park runs 50 free shows a season, City Park Jazz fills Sunday evenings at Ferril Lake, and the biggest civic days of the year, from PrideFest to Juneteenth, are free to walk into.
We only list the free events that clear the same bar as everything else on DenverDrop: would we actually leave the house for this? You pay for food, drinks, and anything you buy from a maker. The event itself is free, and we flag the price floor on every page so there are no surprises at the gate.
Rooms on this page: Levitt Pavilion, 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.
Jul 8 - Oct 15 · Civic Center Park
Civic Center EATS
Civic Center EATS brings more than 50 food trucks to Civic Center Park every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 15, 2026.
Jul 11 - Sep 24 · Belmar
Downtown Lakewood Farmers Market
The Downtown Lakewood Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September 24, 2026, in the Belmar district.
Jun 11 - Sep 24 · Carpenter Park
People + Produce Farmers Market: Thornton
Thursday evenings at Carpenter Park: Colorado farms, local makers, prepared food, and live music. We make local happen.
Jul 12 - Sep 27 · Olde Town Square
Arvada Farmers' Market
The Arvada Farmers' Market runs every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through September 27, 2026, in Olde Town Square at Olde Wadsworth Boulevard.
Jul 12 - Sep 27 · Orchard Town Center
Orchard Farmers' Market
The Orchard Farmers' Market runs every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through September 27, 2026, at Orchard Town Center in Westminster.
Jul 25 - Sep 26 · On Havana Street
Havana Street Night Market
Aurora's Havana Street Night Market returns on the last Saturday of each month through September 26, 2026, running 6 to 10 PM near Havana and Yale.
Jun 14 - Sep 27 · Belleview Station
People + Produce Farmers Market: Belleview Station
Sunday market at Belleview Station: Colorado farms, local makers, and a reason to be outside in the DTC every weekend.
Aug 22 - Sep 26 · Town Center at Aurora
Mershop's Market Days at Town Center Aurora
Mershop's Market Days brings local makers and live bands to Town Center at Aurora on Saturdays through September 26, 2026, free from 10 AM to 2 PM.
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 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 11 - Sep 20 · Denver Coliseum
Colorado Minerals, Fossils & Gems Show
The free Colorado Minerals, Fossils & Gems Show fills the Denver Coliseum with more than 300 dealers from September 11 to 20, 2026.
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 · Levitt Pavilion Denver
Cool Vibes Reggae Fest
Cool Vibes Reggae Fest brings The Wailers to Levitt Pavilion Denver for a free September 12, 2026 outdoor show with Stylie, Vana Liya, and Link & Chain.
Sat, Sep 12 · Denver Art Museum
37th Annual Friendship Powwow at the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum hosts its 37th annual Friendship Powwow and American Indian Cultural Celebration, free to attend, on September 12, 2026.
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 · Russell Park Honoring Firefighters
Fall Artisan Market at Russell Park
Westminster's Fall Artisan Market runs Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Russell Park Honoring Firefighters, 7290 Bradburn Boulevard.
Sat, Sep 12 · West 32nd Avenue (Julian to Perry)
Denver Highlands Oktoberfest and Market
The third annual Denver Highlands Oktoberfest and Market closes West 32nd Avenue for a free street festival on September 12, 2026.
Sat, Sep 12 · Olde Town Arvada
Olde Town Shindig
The free Olde Town Shindig fills the streets of historic Arvada with live music and makers on September 12, 2026, starting at noon.
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.
Sat, Sep 12 · Chaffee Park
Sunnyside Music Festival
Sunnyside Music Festival fills Chaffee Park on September 12, 2026, with live music across multiple stages and free admission in Denver's Sunnyside neighborhood.
Sep 12 - Sep 13 · City Park Pavilion and Bandshell
Taste of Ethiopia Festival
A free two-day Ethiopian cultural festival at City Park on September 12 and 13, 2026, with food, live performances, and a marketplace.
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 17 - Sep 19 · New Terrain Brewing Company
WanderFest 2026 (10-Year Anniversary)
New Terrain Brewing marks its 10th anniversary with WanderFest, a free three-day music and beer festival in Golden, Sept. 17-19, 2026.
Sep 18 - Sep 27 · Larimer Street at Ballpark (2100 Block)
Denver Oktoberfest
The 56th annual Denver Oktoberfest, the longest-running Oktoberfest in the US, takes over Larimer Street for two free weekends: September 18-20 and September 25-27, 2026.
Fri, Sep 18 · Levitt Pavilion
La Santa Cecilia at Levitt Pavilion
Grammy-winning band La Santa Cecilia headlines the free Levitt Pavilion season closer on September 18, 2026.
Sep 18 - Sep 19 · E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park
Northglenn Pirate Fest
Northglenn Pirate Fest returns to E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park on September 18 and 19, 2026, with a 21-and-up Pirate Night on Friday and a free all-ages festival on Saturday.
Sat, Sep 19 · Belmar Plaza
BARKtember Fest at Belmar
Belmar's dog-themed BARKtember Fest takes over the Lakewood plaza on September 19, 2026 from noon, with pet makers, rescues, and dog-friendly fun.
Sat, Sep 19 · Midway Park
Broomfield Days
Broomfield Days fills Midway Park with a parade down Midway Boulevard, a pancake breakfast, the Mayor’s Cup 5K, a car show and three stages of music on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
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 · 333 S. Federal Blvd
Far East Center Mid-Autumn Festival
Denver's Far East Center hosts a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration Sept. 19, 2026, the Federal Boulevard corridor's long-running Asian business district marking the lunar harvest holiday.
Sat, Sep 19 · Aerostat Park
Summer Sounds: Shakedown Street at Aerostat Park
Shakedown Street, one of the longest-running Grateful Dead tribute bands in the country, plays a free Summer Sounds concert at Westminster's Aerostat Park on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
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.
Sat, Sep 26 · Historic Downtown Morrison
Morrison Ciderfest
Morrison Ciderfest takes over downtown Morrison on September 26, 2026, with free entry, live music, a market, and an optional $30 cider tasting.
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 · Aerostat Park
Downtown Westminster Drone Show and Battle of the Bands
Westminster pairs a School of Rock Broomfield battle of the bands with a drone light show over Downtown Westminster at Aerostat Park on Saturday, September 26, 2026, starting at 4:30 p.m.
Sun, Sep 27 · Stanley Marketplace
Heller High Water at Stanley Beer Hall
Country and Americana band Heller High Water plays Stanley Beer Hall inside Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 5 to 7 PM, with no cover listed.
Sun, Sep 27 · Stanley Marketplace
LuBird's Playground 5-Year Anniversary
LuBird's Playground, the inclusive indoor play space at Stanley Marketplace, marks its 5-year anniversary with a free party on September 27, 2026.
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.
Fri, Oct 2 · Stanley Marketplace
First Fridays Creator Market at Stanley Marketplace
Stanley Marketplace holds its First Fridays Creator Market on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM, with 45 booths of local artists selling jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, textiles and original art inside the Aurora food hall.
Sat, Oct 3 · 2736 Welton Street
2026 Denver International Festival in Five Points
The fifth annual Denver International Festival fills Welton Street in Five Points on October 3, 2026, noon to 8 PM, with free admission, more than 25 food stands, and 25-plus cultural performances.
Sat, Oct 3 · Baker neighborhood (hub at Dailey Park)
Denver PorchFest in Baker
Denver PorchFest debuts in Baker on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with 193 local artists playing 84 front porches across the neighborhood from noon to 7 PM, free and walkable.
Sat, Oct 3 · High Prairie Park
Prairie Harvest Fest
Aurora's Prairie Harvest Fest brings a fall community celebration to High Prairie Park in the Painted Prairie neighborhood on October 3, 2026.
Sat, Oct 3 · Thornton Community Park
Thornton Harvest Fest
Thornton Harvest Fest brings a free community fall festival to Thornton Community Park on October 3, 2026, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Sat, Oct 3 · Westminster Fire Station #4
Westminster Fire Station #4 Open House
Westminster Fire Department opens Station #4 at 4580 W 112th Ave on October 3, 2026, from 11 AM to 2 PM, with a free lunch, antique fire truck rides, and apparatus to climb on.
Sat, Oct 10 · Town Center at Aurora
Hometown Heroes Day at Town Center Aurora
Hometown Heroes Day honors Aurora first responders and military families with a free community celebration at Town Center at Aurora on October 10, 2026, noon to 4 PM.
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 25 · National Western Center
Oktoberfest: The Denver Wiesn at National Western Center
The Denver Wiesn brings a Munich-style Oktoberfest to the National Western Center over two weekends, October 16-18 and 22-25, 2026, with free general admission.
Fri, Oct 16 · Stanley Marketplace
Stanley Marketplace Fall Festival
Stanley Marketplace in Aurora throws its free Fall Festival on Friday, October 16, 2026 with pumpkin picking, a costume contest, and a maker market.
Sat, Oct 24 · Belmar Plaza
BOOMar at Belmar
Belmar's Halloween festival BOOMar fills the Lakewood plaza with costumes, makers, and trick-or-treating on October 24, 2026 from 11 AM.
Sat, Oct 24 · Manitou Avenue, Downtown Manitou Springs
Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival
Manitou Springs runs its 32nd annual Emma Crawford Coffin Races down Manitou Avenue on Saturday, October 24, 2026, the weekend before Halloween.
Sun, Oct 25 · Historic Downtown Littleton
Goblin Give Out
Goblin Give Out sends costumed kids trick or treating through the shops and restaurants of Historic Downtown Littleton on Sunday, October 25, 2026, free to attend.
Fri, Oct 30 · Olde Town Arvada
Trick or Treat Street in Olde Town Arvada
Olde Town Arvada shuts its streets for free family trick-or-treating on October 30, 2026, with shops handing out candy from 5 PM.
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.
Sat, Oct 31 · Town Center at Aurora
Mall-O-Ween at Town Center Aurora
Mall-O-Ween offers free indoor trick-or-treating at Town Center at Aurora on Halloween, October 31, 2026, from noon to 4 PM.
Sun, Nov 1 · Lakewood Cultural Center
Holiday Pop Up Market at Lakewood Cultural Center
The Lakewood Cultural Center's Holiday Pop Up Market puts local makers' work on sale November 1, 2026, opening the west metro's holiday shopping season early.
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.
Fri, Nov 6 · Stanley Marketplace
First Fridays Creator Market at Stanley Marketplace
The First Fridays Creator Market returns to Stanley Marketplace on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM, with 45 booths of local artists inside the Aurora food hall, free to attend.
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.
Thu, Nov 19 · Fillmore Plaza, Cherry Creek North
Cherry Creek North Holiday Market
Cherry Creek North hosts its Holiday Market at Fillmore Plaza on November 19, 2026, with holiday shopping, lights, and live music.
Nov 20 - Dec 23 · Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus
Denver Christkindlmarket at Auraria
The Denver Christkindlmarket returns to the Tivoli Quad at Auraria November 20 through December 23, 2026, free and open daily.
Fri, Nov 27 · Historic Downtown Littleton
Candlelight Walk in Downtown Littleton
The Candlelight Walk lights up Main Street in Historic Downtown Littleton on Friday, November 27, 2026, a free evening of holiday lights, cider, music and reindeer.
Thu, Dec 3 · Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
Lakewood Lights Holiday Celebration
Lakewood Lights kicks off the city's holiday season December 3, 2026 with a free evening of lights, music, and Santa at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park.
Fri, Dec 4 · Stanley Marketplace
First Fridays Creator Market at Stanley Marketplace
The First Fridays Creator Market fills Stanley Marketplace with 45 booths of Colorado makers on Friday, December 4, 2026, from 6 to 9 PM in Aurora, free to attend.