2014 Events in Denver, Colorado What's happening in The Mile High City in 2014
JANUARY
MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition, Through January 5, 2014
Uncover the truth behind some of science’s popular myths! Just like the dynamic TV series, Mythbusters: The Explosive Exhibit mixes scientific method with gleeful curiosity and old-fashioned ingenuity to create a hands-on, interactive experience for guests of all ages. 303-370-6000; dmns.org
National Western Stock Show, January 11-26
Grab your cowboy boots and head over to the world’s premier stock show and one of the nation’s largest rodeos. 303-297-1166; nationalwestern.com
Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade, January 20
Celebrate the largest Martin Luther King, Jr. march and rally in the United States. 720-971-1329; drmartinlkingjrchc.org
FEBRUARY
Passport To Paris, Through February 9, 2014
Take a trip to Paris, without leaving The Mile High City. The Denver Art Museum (DAM) will host a suite of three French-themed exhibitions, featuring masterpieces by Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, Monet and many others. Focusing on French art from the late 1600s to early 1900s and exploring changes in art and society during three important centuries in art history, it’s another DAM must-see! 720-865-5000; denverartmuseum.org
Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, Opens February 14
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science presents the largest exhibition about the ancient Maya ever to be displayed in the United States. Through a combination of never-before-seen artifacts, hands-on activities, and immersive environments visitors will explore the rise and eventual decline of this fascinating culture’s ancient cities. 303-370-6000; dmns.org
Colorado Home & Garden Show, February 15-23
The Colorado Convention Center fills more than 40,000 square feet with flowering gardens and 1,300 booths from more than 600 companies. 303-932-8100; gardeningcolorado.com
Buffalo Bill Birthday Celebration, Dates TBD
Celebrate this Old West icon’s 167th birthday at the Buffalo Bill Gravesite & Museum, including pin-the-tail on the buffalo, a buffalo-chip tossing contest and more. 303-526-0744; buffalobill.org
Denver Restaurant Week, Dates TBA
Treat your taste buds when hundreds of top Denver restaurants offer multi-course meals for two at a bargain price! (tax and tip not included). DenverRestaurantWeek.com
MARCH
Picasso to Pollock: Modern Masterworks from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, March 2–June 8
The exhibition at the Denver Art Museum brings together approximately 50 iconic artworks by more than 40 influential artists from the late 19th century to the present, including masterpieces by some of the most prominent names in art history including Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol as well as one of the finest drip paintings ever created by Jackson Pollock. 720-865-5000; denverartmuseum.org
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 15
The city’s largest annual parade features horses and stagecoaches, marching bands, floats and fun with a Western flair. denverstpatricksdayparade.org
Denver March Powwow, March 21-23
One of the nation’s largest annual American Indian gatherings, featuring 1,600 dancers from close to 100 tribes. 303-934-8045; denvermarchpowwow.org
APRIL
Doors Open Denver, Dates TBD
Get behind-the-scenes looks at more than 70 architectural treasures during this free community event that provides access to many of the city’s prominent buildings. 303-282-5073; artsandvenuesdenver.com
Colorado Rockies Home Opener, Dates TBD
Kick off the baseball season in style at Coors Field, in the heart of downtown Denver and root, root, root for the home team! 303-292-0200; coloradorockies.com
MAY
Cinco de Mayo Festival, May 3-4
Spice up your weekend and head to the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the nation, featuring arts and crafts, Mariachi bands, Aztec dancers and more. 303-534-8342; cincodemayodenver.com
Colfax Marathon, May 18
A 26-mile race on Colfax Avenue, the longest business street in America. 303-770-9600; coloradocolfaxmarathon.org
Downtown Denver Festival of the Arts, May 23-25
More than 150 of Colorado’s most esteemed artists showcase paintings, sculpture, photography, glasswork, woodwork and more. 303-330-8237; downtowndenverartsfestival.com
Denver Day of Rock, May 24
Denver Day of Rock is a one-of-a-kind music event presented by Concerts For Kids to raise awareness of the children in our community. This free event will feature five stages of live music throughout downtown Denver. denverdayofrock.com
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Summer Concerts, May – August
This world-renowned outdoor amphitheatre located just 15 miles west of Denver hosts top musical events and more all summer long. redrocksonline.com
JUNE
Denver Chalk Art Festival, May 31-June 1
The streets of Larimer Square are transformed into a giant canvas by hundreds of artists, professional, amateur and students alike, who recreate masterpieces and original works with vivid pastel chalk. 303-685-8143; larimerarts.org
Capitol Hill People’s Fair, June 7-8
Denver’s most eclectic neighborhood festival features live entertainment on multiple stages, hundreds of arts and crafts booths and a food bazaar. 303-830-1651; peoplesfair.com
PrideFest, June 14-15
A morning parade leads to a two-day festival in Civic Center Park filled with food, live music and information highlighting the local gay and lesbian community. 303-733-7743; denverpridefest.org
Juneteenth Music Festival, Date TBD
Celebrate African-American culture with food, music and a parade in the historic Five Points neighborhood during one of the largest Juneteenth events in the nation. juneteenthmusicfestival.com
Central City Opera Summer Festival, June – August
Take in the opera in the restored jewel box theater that has provide a rich and intimate opera experience for more than 75 years. 303-292-6700; centralcityopera.org
JULY
4th of July Fireworks, July 3-4
The Mile High City celebrates Independence Day with a host of fireworks displays throughout the city. visitdenver.com
Cherry Creek Arts Festival, July 4-6
One of the finest arts and crafts exhibitions in the nation, this festival draws more than 350,000 people each year. 303-355-2787, cherryarts.org
Colorado Black Arts Festival, July 11-13 (tentative)
The Black Arts Festival has enriched and entertained Denver with its heritage celebration for 25 years. 720-339-1693, colbaf.org
Colorado Gay Rodeo, Dates TBD
Hang on to your cowboy hats – this traditional rodeo comes with a few twists including a goat dressing and a Wild Drag Race at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. cgra.us
Colorado Irish Festival, July 11-13
Experience the largest Irish celebration in the Rocky Mountains with traditional Irish music performances and dancing, Irish drama and storytelling, crafts, games, and food and drinks at Clement Park in Littleton. 303-561-4007, coloradoirishfestival.org
Buffalo Bill Days, July 23-27
The legacy of Buffalo Bill is celebrated in the city of Golden with a Wild West Show, burro race, games, food and a Western parade. 303-384-0003, buffalobilldays.com
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Dates TBD
Set sail for summer fun at Sloan’s Lake Park where vibrantly decorated dragon boats race in an exciting pan-Asian sport. 303-953-7277, cdbf.org
AUGUST
Colorado Scottish and Irish Festival, August 10-11
Join this Celtic celebration featuring pipe bands, drumming, Scottish athletic competitions, highland dancing and folk music. 303-238-6524, scottishgames.org
Denver County Fair, Dates TBD
An offbeat take on the traditional county fair, this fun fest includes a skateboard rodeo, a carnival (complete with rides and midway games), competitive eating contests, animals, rockets, Roller Girls and more. denvercountyfair.org
USA Pro Challenge, Dates TBD
The USA Pro Challenge will return to Colorado in August 2014. The event is the most demanding bike race ever held on American soil, with racers experiencing breathless altitudes, day after day, bringing the high speeds, danger and adrenaline of professional biking to elevations over two miles high in some of the most picturesque terrain in the world—the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The race’s grand finale is in Denver. usaprocyclingchallenge.com
Colorado County Fair, Dates TBD
Enjoy nonstop entertainment during one of the largest pro rodeos in the country featuring a livestock and horse show, parades, country concerts and more at the Pueblo Fairgrounds. 800-876-4567, coloradostatefair.com
A Taste of Colorado, September 3-6
Give your taste buds a treat this Labor Day weekend. Enjoy great food from 75 of Colorado’s premier restaurants, live entertainment, artisans and carnival rides. 303-295-6330; atasteofcolorado.com
SEPTEMBER
Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Festival, Dates TBD
Join this Celtic celebration held in Estes Park featuring bagpipe bands, athletic competitions, highland dancing and much more. 1-800-90-ESTES; scotfest.com
Oktoberfest Denver, Dates TBD
Celebrated on two consecutive weekends each September, the festival features an amazing lineup of German entertainment, live music, contests, and of course the traditional large biergartens. oktoberfestdenver.com
OCTOBER
Boo At The Zoo, dates TBD
Discover “spooktacular” Halloween fun at the Denver Zoo. Costumed kids get a real treat as the zoo fills with mysterious creatures and lots of sweets! 303-376-4800; denverzoo.org
Denver Beer Fest, Dates TBD
A nine-day celebration of all things beer, including beer tastings at local restaurants, beer-paired dinners and “meet- the brewer” nights. denverbeerfest.com
Great American Beer Festival, Dates TBD
The largest gathering of beer enthusiasts boasts more than 2,000 different beers from more than 400 brewers at the Colorado Convention Center. greatamericanbeerfestival.com
Rock and Roll Marathon, Dates TBD
See the sights of Downtown Denver by foot and join thousands of runners on this urban course. 1-888-RUN-5280; runrocknroll.competitor.com/denver
NOVEMBER
Starz Denver Film Festival, Dates TBD
Grab the popcorn and check out this four-star event! Dozens of filmmakers introduce a slate of new movies, including star-studded world premieres! denverfilm.org
Denver International Wine Festival, Dates TBD
A four-day celebration of wine and cuisine, with 400 wines presented by winemakers from around the world. denverwinefest.com
Denver Arts Week, Dates TBD
Denver celebrates all of the arts from performing to visual. Explore Denver’s neighborhood studios and galleries, as well as its world-class museums during this annual event, including Night At The Museums, during which most of the city’s museums offer free admission. denverartsweek.org
Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination, Dates TBD
Dazzling lights illuminate downtown to kick off the holiday season. downtowndenver.com
DECEMBER
Blossoms of Light, Dates TBD
Journey through the brilliantly lit Denver Botanic Gardens, featuring artistically highlightes silhouettes of plants throughout 17 acres. Enjoy festiva carolers, dancers and hote beverages. 720-865-3500; botanicgardens.org
9News Parade of Lights, Dates TBD
The streets of downtown burst with color as spectators enjoy sparkling lights, ornamented floats, marching bands, giant balloons and festive costumed performers. 303-534-6161; denverparadeoflights.com
Zoo Lights, Dates TBD
Luminous animated animal sculptures, traditional Christmas tunes and roaming wildlife make this event among the brightest and most beautiful in the state. 303-776-4800; denverzoo.org
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown, December 31
Toast in 2015 under an umbrella of spectacular fireworks on the 16th Street Mall (9 p.m. & midnight). Admission is free. 303-534-6161; downtowndenver.com