71 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.
Jun 14 - Aug 9 · City Park Pavilion, Ferril Lake
City Park Jazz: Free Sunday Concerts
Ten free Sunday evening concerts on Ferril Lake, celebrating 40 years even after losing the historic bandshell to fire.
Jun 25 - Aug 6 · The Plaza at Belmar
Belmar Street Fest Concert Series
Belmar's free Street Fest Concert Series runs Thursday evenings June 25 to August 6, 2026, with Colorado bands on the plaza in downtown Lakewood.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Thu, Jul 30 · McGregor Square
Movies at McGregor Square: A League of Their Own
McGregor Square screens A League of Their Own for free on its 66-foot LED wall in LoDo on July 30, 2026.
Fri, Jul 31 · Civic Center Park
Civic Center NIGHT MARKET: Homegrown Colorado
The Civic Center NIGHT MARKET returns for a free Homegrown Colorado edition on July 31, 2026, filling Civic Center Park with local food and makers from 5 to 10 PM.
Sat, Aug 1 · Commons Park
Colorado Day BAZAAR: Colorado's 150th Birthday Celebration
Colorado Day BAZAAR is the official celebration of Colorado's 150th birthday: 150 local makers, a main stage of homegrown Colorado music, food and drinks, free in Commons Park on Colorado Day, August 1, 2026.
Fri, Jul 31 · Levitt Pavilion
Dessa with Kayla Marque at Levitt Pavilion
Rapper and writer Dessa headlines a free Levitt Pavilion concert with Kayla Marque on July 31, 2026.
Sat, Aug 1 · Aspen Grove
A Paris Street Market at Aspen Grove
A Paris Street Market, an outdoor antiques and makers market, returns to Aspen Grove in Littleton on the first Saturday of the month through October 3, 2026.
Sat, Aug 1 · Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Mile High 2026 at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents the free performance Mile High 2026 at its Five Points theater on August 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM.
Sat, Aug 1 · Denver Union Station
Colorado Day at Denver Union Station
Denver Union Station throws its own Colorado Day 150th-birthday celebration Aug. 1, 2026, with live performances from the Cleo Parker Robinson Youth Ensemble and Central City Opera plus historic LoDo walking tours.
Sat, Aug 1 · Denver Art Museum
Denver Art Museum Colorado Day Art Market and Free Day
The Denver Art Museum offers free general admission on Colorado Day, August 1, 2026, with Colorado artists selling work on its plazas.
Sat, Aug 1 · Five Points Neighborhood
Denver International Festival 2026
The free Denver International Festival of global food and music returns to the Five Points neighborhood on August 1, 2026.
Aug 1 - Aug 2 · East 8th Place, Cherry Creek
The Denver Street Fairs: Midsummer Arts Festival
The Midsummer Arts Festival closes East 8th Place near Colorado Boulevard on August 1 and 2, 2026, for a free open-air arts street fair on the edge of Cherry Creek.
Sat, Aug 1 · Downtown Englewood
Englewood Artisan Market
Downtown Englewood hosts its Artisan Market on Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 11 AM, with local makers selling along South Broadway.
Sat, Aug 1 · History Colorado Center
History Colorado Center Colorado Day Free Admission
The History Colorado Center offers free admission on Colorado Day, August 1, 2026, the state's 150th birthday.
Sat, Aug 1 · Levitt Pavilion
Jerry Day with Shakedown Street at Levitt Pavilion
Jerry Day, the free annual Jerry Garcia tribute with Shakedown Street, returns to Levitt Pavilion on August 1, 2026.
Sat, Aug 1 · National Western Center
The Mile Long Table
The Mile Long Table sets a free community dinner for thousands along the National Western Center on August 1, 2026, marking Colorado's 150th birthday.
Thu, Aug 6 · Belmar Plaza
Silent Disco on the Belmar Plaza
Belmar hosts a free silent disco on its plaza in downtown Lakewood on August 6, 2026 at 8 PM, where everyone dances to headphones under the lights.
Fri, Aug 7 · RiNo ArtPark
RiNo First Friday Festival at RiNo ArtPark
RiNo ArtPark hosts a festival-scale First Friday with live music, makers and food on August 7, 2026.
Fri, Aug 7 · Santa Fe Drive, 6th to 11th Ave
Santa Fe Art District First Friday: August Street Closure
The Art District on Santa Fe closes the street for its largest First Friday art walk of the year on August 7, 2026.
Fri, Aug 7 · Stanley Marketplace
First Fridays Creator Market at Stanley Marketplace
Stanley Marketplace hosts its First Fridays Creator Market on August 7, 2026 from 6 to 9 PM, filling the hall with local makers alongside its resident shops and bars.
Aug 7 - Aug 16 · Historic Downtown Littleton
Western Welcome Week
Western Welcome Week fills Littleton with ten days of events August 7 to 16, 2026, capped by the Grand Parade down Main Street on August 15.
Aug 7 - Aug 9 · Anderson Park
Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
The Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival returns to Anderson Park August 7 to 9, 2026, with a Saturday parade, carnival rides and live music.
Sat, Aug 8 · Downtown Englewood
Second Saturday Vintage Market in Englewood
Englewood's Second Saturday Vintage Market returns August 8, 2026, filling downtown with vintage and antique sellers; the series repeats September 12 and October 10.
Sat, Aug 8 · Olde Town Arvada
Second Saturdays in Olde Town Arvada
Olde Town Arvada's free Second Saturdays street event returns August 8, 2026 from 5 to 9 PM with art, live music, and open shops across the historic district.
Sun, Aug 9 · City Park Pavilion
JAKARTA at City Park Jazz
Denver dance band JAKARTA closes City Park Jazz's 40th anniversary season with a free concert beside Ferril Lake on August 9, 2026.
Sun, Aug 9 · Levitt Pavilion
Snotty Nose Rez Kids at Levitt Pavilion
Indigenous hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids play Levitt Pavilion's free outdoor series on August 9, 2026.
Wed, Aug 12 · MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater
Mixed Taste: Chinatown & Breakdancing
MCA Denver's long-running Mixed Taste series pairs a talk on Denver's Chinatown history with one on breakdancing, August 12, 2026 at the Holiday Theater.
Fri, Aug 14 · Levitt Pavilion
Rebirth Brass Band at Levitt Pavilion
New Orleans group Rebirth Brass Band play a free show at Levitt Pavilion on August 14, 2026.
Aug 15 - Aug 16 · Parfet Park
Golden Fine Arts Festival
A 30-year juried art show in downtown Golden, with Clear Creek a block away.
Tue, Aug 18 · Sculpture Park, Denver Performing Arts Complex
Sunset Cinema: Shaun of the Dead at Sculpture Park
The free Sunset Cinema series screens the zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead outdoors at Sculpture Park downtown on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with a special-effects pre-show.
Aug 21 - Aug 23 · Stanley Marketplace
Stanley10: Stanley Marketplace 10th Anniversary Weekend
Stanley Marketplace marks ten years with a free three-day anniversary weekend in Aurora, August 21 to 23, 2026, running Live Music in the Field on Friday, Taste of Stanley on Saturday, and a Sunday Social.
Sat, Aug 22 · Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park
Colorado Ukrainian Festival at Heritage Lakewood
The Colorado Ukrainian Festival brings Ukrainian food, music, and dance to Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park on Saturday, August 22, 2026 starting at 1 PM.
Mon, Aug 24 · Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Free Day at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science holds a free general-admission day on August 24, 2026, excluding the IMAX theater and planetarium.
Thu, Aug 27 · La Raza Park
La Raza Park Day and Cruise
A free Chicano lowrider cruise and cultural festival at La Raza Park on August 27, 2026, with lucha libre, Aztec dancers, breakdancing, and food.
Aug 28 - Aug 30 · Edgewater
Edgewater Music Fest
Edgewater Music Fest closes the streets for three days of local bands and makers, August 28 to 30, 2026.
Aug 29 - Sep 4 · Aurora Cultural Arts District, East Colfax
Colfax Canvas Mural Festival 2026
Colfax Canvas Mural Festival paints East Colfax in Aurora from August 29 to September 4, 2026, a free public mural event in the Aurora Cultural Arts District.
Aug 29 - Aug 30 · Sloan's Lake Park
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
50+ dragon boat teams race across Sloan's Lake at one of the largest festivals of its kind in the US.
Sat, Aug 29 · Green Center, Bunker Auditorium
Denver Taiko's 50th Anniversary Concert: Keio Kairai
Denver Taiko marks 50 years as a company with a free anniversary concert at the Colorado School of Mines' Bunker Auditorium on August 29, 2026.
Sep 4 - Sep 7 · Civic Center Park
A Taste of Colorado
A Taste of Colorado returns to Civic Center Park over Labor Day weekend, opening September 4, 2026, with dozens of restaurants and four music stages.
Sat, Sep 5 · Levitt Pavilion
Mo Lowda and the Humble at Levitt Pavilion
Indie-rock band Mo Lowda and the Humble play a free Levitt Pavilion concert on September 5, 2026.
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 · 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 · 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.
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.
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.
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 · 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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.