DENVER'S 2011 SUMMER FESTIVALS
During the summer months in the Mile High City, a week doesn't go by without at least one amazing festival taking place. From Memorial Day in May until Labor Day in September, the weekends are filled with arts, entertainment, food and more, all with a distinctly Denver twist. Check out some of the biggest and best ones below. And don't forget to take advantage of great hotel deals (and other bargains) at www.Denver5280Deals.com.
MAY
Downtown Denver Arts Festival
When: May 27-30
Where: Denver Pavilions, Downtown Denver
More Info: www.DowntownDenverArtsFestival.com
The Downtown Denver Arts Festival is held Memorial Day weekend and features the best of Colorado visual artists. More than 125 artists from around the state will be exhibiting and selling their art all weekend long. Come meet the artists and join the 150,000 people that visit this show.
Denver Day of Rock
When: May 28
Where: Downtown Denver
More Info: www.DenverDayofRock.com
Downtown Denver will be transformed into a massive free rock concert when 20 bands take to four stages for the second annual Denver Day of Rock. The Gin Blossoms, best known for their infectious hit "Hey Jealousy," are headlining. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, John Common, The Heyday, Bop Skizzum and Alicia Witt are just a few of the other acts that have been announced, with plenty more to come. The performance areas will be along the 16th Street Mall, Denver’s mile-long pedestrian promenade, making it easy to roam from act to act. Food and beverage booths will be set up throughout downtown for the event (which benefits Concerts For Kids, a Denver charity), with free music rocking the city from 2:30 to 9:30 p.m.
JUNE
Capitol Hill People's Fair
When: June 4-5
Where: Civic Center Park, Denver
More Info: www.peoplesfair.com
The Capitol Hill People's Fair is a celebration of Denver's diverse urban community. The uniqueness and magic of Capitol Hill People's Fair is created by the careful blending of great family fun, carefully selected handmade arts & crafts, delicious culinary delights, fabulous entertainment and the commitment to raise funds for and promote the missions of non-profit organizations.
Denver Chalk Art Festival (formerly La Piazza d'ell Arte)
When: June 4-5
Where: Larimer Square, Denver
More Info: www.larimerarts.org
A little bit of Italy comes to the Mile High City this summer, thanks to the annual Denver Chalk Art Festival. The art you'll encounter during the festival isn't in galleries -- it's on the pavement! The event features more than 150 professional and amateur artists who will spend hours on their hands and knees over the course of two days transforming Larimer Square into a bright and colorful street museum using vivid pastel chalks.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
When: June 11 - July 31
Where: Larkspur, CO (halfway between Denver and Colorado Springs)
More Info: www.coloradorenaissance.com
Flash back to the 16th century and journey through a medieval city. Enjoy full-armor jousting, tasty turkey legs, music and a marketplace featuring more than 200 artisans.
Westword Music Showcase
When: June 18
Where: Golden Triangle Museum District & South of Colfax Nightlife District
More Info: www.westword.com/musicshowcase
On the heels of a sold out show in 2010, Westword Music Showcase is back and bigger than ever. Presented by Coors Light, the 2011 lineup features Chromeo, Yo La Tengo, Del the Funky Homosapien (with the full band), Murder by Death, Young the Giant, The Epilogues, Ume and over 100 of your favorite local artists on 15 stages. Join Denver's biggest one-day music festival for music, great local vendors, food and libations!
Greek Festival
When: June 17-19
Where: 4610 E. Alameda Ave., Denver
More Info: www.thegreekfestival.com
Enjoy Greek culture, including traditional Greek dancing by the Hellenic Dance Academy of Denver. There are plenty of homemade food and pastries from throughout Greece to satisfy any appetite.
Juneteenth
When: June 18
Where: Five Points Neighborhood, Denver
More Info: www.denverjuneteenth.org
Celebrate African-American culture with food, music and a parade in the historic Five Points neighborhood. Juneteenth, a name derived from a portmanteau (word fusing together two functional words) of the words June and nineteenth, is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.
Denver PrideFest
When: June 18-19
Where: Civic Center Park, Denver
More Info: www.denverpridefest.org
Denver's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) community throws an enormous party every summer with PrideFest in Civic Center Park. Recognized as one of the top ten pride events in the country, Denver's PrideFest is a celebration of community and culture that is welcoming -- and fun! -- to all attendees, regardless of sexual orientation. Produced by the Gay Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado, the two-day festival gets bigger. Last year attracted more than 200,000 people from Colorado and the surrounding areas. This year should draw even more revelers.
German Heritage Festival
When: June 25-26
Where: Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden, CO
More Info: www.crrm.org
Celebrate German Heritage at the Colorado Railroad Museum Celebrate the heritage of Colorado’s largest ethnic group – German Americans and their continued love of trains. The events include children’s Kinderleicht crafts and games, steam-up train rides and heritage entertainers - all featured in a beer garden and German village with authentic foods, crafts and collectibles.
JULY
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
When: July 2-4
Where: Cherry Creek North, Denver
More Info: www.cherryarts.org
The arts festival weekend event is a world-class and award-winning celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts, and enjoys an attendance of 350,000 visitors over the 3-day event. CCAF gives patrons the rare and special opportunity to meet and talk with international visual artists, sample fine cuisine, visit special exhibits and artist demonstrations, and entertain their families with interactive "Artivities" and exciting performing arts.
Colorado Gay Rodeo
When: July 8-10
Where: Jefferson County Fairgrounds
More Info: www.cgra.us
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.
Colorado Irish Festival
When: July 8-10
Where: Clement Park, Littleton, CO
More Info: www.coloradoirishfestival.org
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.
Colorado Black Arts Festival
When: July 15-17
Where: City Park West, Denver
More Info: www.colbaf.org
This three-day festival will present an array of exciting African-American arts and cultural delights. A wide array of art will adorn the grounds and live music (including jazz, hip hop, R&B, rock 'n' roll and more) from the people of African descent will give way to a memorable weekend. This is a family friendly event with programming and activities for the entire family.
Denver Post Underground Music Showcase (UMS)
When: July 21-24
Where: South Broadway, Denver
More Info: www.theums.com
Denver’s very own version of Austin’s South By Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) takes over the streets and stages of South Broadway for a multi-night extravaganza featuring the cream of Denver’s underground music scene. This year (the UMS’s 10th anniversary), 250-300 local and national bands will play in 25-30 venues for more than 5,000 music lovers over four days and nights. Live music fans can stroll from club to club, from stage to stage, catching the city’s rising stars before the rest of the world hears about them. One key difference between the UMS and SXSW is the price: UMS passes – good for all four days – are a steal at just $25 (until June 30).
Buffalo Bill Days
When: July 27-31
Where: Downtown Golden, Parfet Park, and various historical museums and parks around town
More Info: www.buffalobilldays.com
Wild West fans take note! The legacy of Buffalo Bill is celebrated in the city of Golden every July. The event dates back to the 1950s, beginning as a trail ride up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill's grave. Over the years, this has become the biggest annual event in Golden with the addition of a Wild West show, car show, the ever popular Mutton Bustin’ competition, a golf tournament, live entertainment, free kiddie train rides, a duck race and other children’s activities, an arts and crafts fair, and more.
Denver County Fair
When: July 28-31
Where: National Western Complex, Denver
More Info: http://www.denvercountyfair.org
The first annual Denver County Fair will be a place to share ideas, traditions, creativity, local culture and intellect. The Fair will highlight the talents, trends, diversity and interests of the residents of the amazing City and County of Denver. Events include a skateboard rodeo, a carnival (complete with rides and midway games), competitive eating contests, animals, rockets, Roller Girls and so much more!
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
When: July 30-31
Where: Sloan's Lake Park, Denver
More Info: www.cdbf.org
Founded in 2001 to celebrate Colorado's rich Asian Pacific American (APA) culture, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival has become the region's fastest growing fun, family-friendly summer festival. Named "Top Annual Festival" by the Rocky Mountain News and a "Best of Denver" event by Westword, it offers festival-goers the opportunity to explore APA customs through performances, arts and crafts, shopping, dining and the exciting athletic competition of dragon boat racing.
AUGUST
Colorado Scottish Festival & Rocky Mountain Highland Games
When: August 13-14
Where: Highland Heritage Park, Highlands Ranch, CO
More Info: www.scottishgames.org
Join this Celtic celebration featuring pipe bands, drumming, Scottish athletic competitions, highland dancing and folk music.
Cherry Creek North Food & Wine
When: August 19-20
Where: Cherry Creek North, Denver
More Info: www.cherryarts.org/foodandwine
With more than 40 restaurants located in a 16-block neighborhood, Cherry Creek North is well poised to host Cherry Creek North Food & Wine. The weekend event includes two free days of culinary classes, an intimate Opening Night VIP Party of tastings with a celebrity chef, a Grand Tasting on Fillmore Plaza highlighting the breadth of chef talent among the restaurants in Cherry Creek North, and a host of wines and spirits to complete the culinary experience.
Golden Fine Arts Festival
When: August 20-21
Where: 11th St. and Arapahoe St., Golden
More Info: www.goldenfineartsfestival.org
Come browse a variety of beautiful art at this wonderful arts extravaganza, celebrating its 20th year in 2010. The festival hosts more than 140 high-quality artists (many of which are Coloradoans) in a variety of media, including ceramic arts, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture.
Harvest Week
When: TBD
Where: Various Restaurants throughout Denver
www.eatdenver.com
Denver’s restaurants are going local. Looking for proof? Check out Harvest Week. The Eat Denver collective, comprised of the area’s top independent restaurants, has created this weeklong celebration of Colorado’s exceptional produce and products. Each participating restaurant will create a menu for Harvest Week that features food and/or beverages grown or produced in Colorado and highlights the style of that particular eatery. Peaches, sweet corn, chevre, trout and lamb and other lesser-known Colorado products will also be featured, such as heirloom tomatoes, berries, greens and potatoes.
Colorado State Fair
When: Aug. 26 - Sept. 5
Where: Pueblo Fairgrounds, Pueblo, CO
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.
SEPTEMBER
A Taste of Colorado
When: September 2-5
Where: Civic Center Park, Denver
More Info: www.atasteofcolorado.com
A Taste of Colorado stands proud as the end-of-summer celebration of community pride and spirit in the Denver region. Over 500,000 people make the four-day festival their Labor Day Weekend celebration, enjoying the offerings of more 50 area restaurants, 250 marketplace artisans and vendors, seven stages, and educational programs promoting the diverse cultural and western heritage of the region.
Discover more Denver events at www.Denver365.com!