Denver’s Biggest Events for 2025

Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms (Thru Jan. 1, 2025) – Follow a winding path glistening with lights that illuminate the Colorado countryside.

The Power of Poison (Thru Jan. 5, 2025) – Explore the captivating and often paradoxical world of nature’s toxic arsenal. Encounter the many plants and animals living deep in the Colombian forest that use poison as a vital tool for defense and survival. With live performances and interactive dioramas, dive deep into familiar tales of illness, enchantment and death by poison.

Shadow and Light: Patrick Marold (Thru Jan. 5, 2025) – Explore a site-specific installation highlighting the ever-changing qualities of light and shadow. Created specifically for Denver Botanic Gardens, Shadow and Light  is an immersive sculptural installation integrating the poetics of space with the luminosity of light. Discover an exhibition that changes with every visit, highlighting the shifting mood of light throughout the day and across the seasons. 

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (Jan. 11–26, 2025) – Held every January at the National Western Complex, it's the nation's premier livestock, rodeo and horse show, serving agricultural producers and consumers throughout the world. Enjoy rodeos featuring top-notch bull riders, horse shows, livestock competitions and auctions. And don’t miss acres of shopping at Colorado’s largest Western trade show. 

Blossoms of Light (Thru Jan. 12, 2025) – Celebrate the holiday season with a dazzling and ever-changing display of light and color.

Held Impermanence (Artists Select: Katherine Simóne Reynolds) (Jan. 17–Sept. 14, 2025) – In the Clyfford Still Museum’s largest six galleries, Katherine Simóne Reynolds illuminates competing desires held in constant tension. The collection reflects Still’s ambitious attempt to keep his collection intact, a commitment that allows us to see his works alongside paintings made in painful transitions, and others that bear the scars of time. Held Impermanence asks visitors to consider healing and rest over time; how we respond to this collection with our bodies; and to contend with his and our mortality—and, with it, a shared desire to hold impermanence.

Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco (Thru Jan. 12, 2025) – This exhibition explores the dynamic designs that came out of the rebellious years of 1920–1933. Journey back in time through two distinct spaces occupied by a progressive Prohibition-era woman called Mabel, experiencing her boudoir and a speakeasy. Explore the Art Deco objects that filled these rooms and how they speak to a time of freedom and change.

Held Impermanence (Artists Select: Katherine Simóne Reynolds) (Thru Jan. 17, 2025) – In the museum’s largest six galleries, Katherine Simóne Reynolds illuminates competing desires held in constant tension. The collection reflects Still’s ambitious attempt to keep his collection intact, a commitment that allows us to see his works alongside paintings made in painful transitions, and others that bear the scars of time.

Animals of the Rainforest (Thru Jan. 19, 2025) – Discover the wonders of the rainforest and meet its incredible inhabitants. You'll encounter fascinating live animals, from sloths to reptiles and amphibians; witness expert animal care demonstrations; learn about conservation efforts; and get up close with these extraordinary creatures. 

Billy Strings (Jan. 24–26, 2025) – The bluegrass juggernaut is coming to Ball Arena for an epic two-day show.

43rd Annual Colorado Indian Market & Southwest Art Fest (Jan. 25–26, 2025) – The longstanding tradition features the works of 150 fine artists and craftsmen representing Native American arts and Southwest heritage, alongside colorful dances and entertainment. 

Migrants, a Tale of Two Hearts (Thru Jan. 26, 2025) – The journey of migrants to the U.S. is full of internal changes taking place in the physical body and mental state. This exhibit at Museo de las Americas will explore the internal and external experiences of the immigrant who leaves home in search of a new and better life. 

McGregor Skate (Thru Jan. 26, 2025) – The magic of winter has made its way to McGregor Square in Lower Downtown (LoDo) with McGregor Skate, an ice skating rink for all ages. McGregor Skate will be open daily until Jan. 5, then Friday through Sunday until Jan. 26. Skates are available on-site for rental, or bring your own. Skating starts at just $6, with kids under age 2 and seniors age 65+ always skating for free! An outside bar will be available serving hot chocolate and more. 

UllrGrass Music Festival (Jan. 31–Feb. 2, 2025) – The 3-day festival, UllrGrass (named for the Norse God of Winter – Ullr - pronounced ooler) is the brain child and passion project of Chris and Susannah Thompson, long-time Golden residents who felt Golden needed a signature event in the middle of winter to bring the community together. Festival-goers dress in Viking regalia and celebrate community, live music, performing arts and craft beer.

Movements Toward Freedom (Thru Feb. 2, 2025) – This exhibition explores the power, possibility and vulnerability of bodily movement in contemporary life. Showcasing recent work and new commissions that span genres of performance, sculpture, video, painting and installation, Movements Toward Freedom considers the ways that physical movement plays an integral role in exercising personal and collective agency, as a means for community-building, civic change and liberation, as well as serving as an antidote to strife and a vehicle for healing and care. 

Downtown Denver Rink (Thru Feb. 2, 2025) – Bundle up for some free ice skating in the heart of downtown and enjoy special events. ​Skate rentals for adults are $12 (or $8 for military and first responders) and $9 for kids 12 and under (fourth graders skate for free!). Bring your own pair and skate for free! If you need a skatewalker for assistance, you can also rent one $6.

Monster Jam (Feb. 7–9, 2025) – Experience full-throttle family fun where world-class athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill.

Tyler, the Creator (Feb. 11, 2025) – The rap artist is bringing his big show, complete with shipping containers and pyrotechnics, to Ball Arena along with a new album, "CROMAKOPIA."

U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Mixed Doubles Curling (Feb. 17–23, 2025) – The country's top mixed doubles curling teams will compete to determine who will represent the United States at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Championship and 2026 Olympic Games. Buy tickets.

Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak (Thru Feb. 17, 2025) – Named after Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” the beloved children’s book he authored in 1963 that became a cultural touchstone, this exhibition presents more than 400 of Sendak’s creations. Visitors will see unique examples of Sendak’s timeless art, such as the final artworks for  the book, and get a sense of his extraordinary skill and deep understanding of the process of creating picture books and designs for the stage, television and film productions.  

Mary J. Blige (Feb. 25, 2025) – The R&B songstress will bring heavy hitters, Mario and Ne-Yo, along for a night of nostalgic yearning, function and slow-burning moods at Ball Arena.

Disturbed (Feb. 27, 2025) –  For the 25th anniversary of "The Sickness," the veteran heavy rock group is bringing some reinforcements, Three Days Grace and Sevendust, along for the ride at Ball Arena.

Denver Restaurant Week (March 7–16, 2025) – For more than two decades, VISIT DENVER's Denver Restaurant Week has been serving up a much-anticipated experience for locals and visitors alike to celebrate the city’s thriving culinary scene. You can dine at Michelin-recognized restaurants and eateries helmed by James Beard Award-winning chefs.

Jurassic Quest (March 7–9, 2025) – This self-guided experience features more true-to-life dinosaurs than any other touring dinosaur event, plus dinosaur rides and a ton of activities!

Icelantic Winter on the Rocks ft. Gramatik (March 8, 2025) – Gramatik is emerging from a lengthy hiatus to headline this spectacular winter event at Red Rocks Amphitheatre alongside Zingara, the Funk Hunters and the Sponges.

Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival (March 14–16, 2025) – The annual festival highlights and promotes the culture, contributions and accomplishments of Asian and Asian Pacific American communities through film.

Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 15, 2025) – The parade has been a hallmark of The Mile High City since 1962, celebrating a deep love for the Irish culture.

Denver March Powwow (March 21–23, 2025) – Since 1984, the heritage of American Indians has been celebrated in Denver every year at the March Powwow, one of the largest events of its kind in the country.

Denver Jazz Fest (April 3–6, 2025) – This four-day inaugural event will establish Denver as a major jazz destination. Denver Jazz is a Colorado nonprofit corporation that will engage the Front Range community through diverse regional, national and international jazz performances and educational programs. Denver Jazz Fest will take place annually in April as a celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month.  

Colorado Rockies Home Opener (April 4, 2025) – What would spring be without baseball? Don’t miss the annual return of the Colorado Rockies to Coors Field!

Language Without Words: Works by Ashley Eliza Williams (Dec. 22, 2024 – April 13, 2025) – Encounter a world inhabited by sun, stone, weather and the intricate living tapestries of tiny organisms. Rediscover the world around you through Ashley Eliza Williams' paintings and sculptures and re-consider the natural world through the eyes of its non-human inhabitants. An invitation to discover alternate ways to interact with nature (and one another), Language Without Words is an opportunity to contemplate perspectives beyond human experience. See it at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Kylie Minogue (April 29, 2025) – Dance music icon Kylie Minogue is coming to Ball Arena atop a career renaissance that started with “Padam Padam” and has continued through her latest albums "Tension" and "Tension II," and a wildly successful Las Vegas residency.

Cinco de Mayo Festival (May 3–4, 2025) – A weekend filled with food, fun and culture, this annual festival puts the spotlight on The Mile High City’s vibrant Latino population. With more than 300,000 attendees in Civic Center Park, it’s one of Denver's most fun and family-friendly events.

Language Without Words: Works by Ashley Eliza Williams (Dec. 22, 2024–May 4, 2025) – At Denver Botanic Gardens, encounter a world inhabited by sun, stone, weather and the intricate living tapestries of tiny organisms. Rediscover the world around you through Ashley Eliza Williams' paintings and sculptures and re-consider the natural world through the eyes of its non-human inhabitants. An invitation to discover alternate ways to interact with nature (and one another), Language Without Words  is an opportunity to contemplate perspectives beyond human experience. 

Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence (Thru May 10, 2025) – Explore the rich traditions of a prominent all-Black debutante cotillion club in The Mile High City. Built from oral histories, and featuring a remarkable collection of photographs, Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence recounts the rarely told history of debutante culture from the perspective of African Americans who were historically excluded from the beauty standards of this European-born tradition.

Denver Colfax Marathon (May 17–18, 2025) – Denver's only marathon is much more than a marathon with seven races over two days, including a half marathon. The full-length marathon follows seven miles of rivers, lakes and bridges.

Sting (May 19 & 20, 2025) – Sting will be back at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and reincarnated. In his latest rendition, the former Police lead singer will perform as a trio alongside guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas. 

Leon Bridges (May 23, 2025) – Warm soul-bearing singer Leon Bridges is heading back to Red Rocks following the release of his eponymous new album. 

Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity (Thru May 29, 2025) – There's a place from which nothing escapes, not even light, where time and space literally come to end. It's at this point, inside this fantastic riddle, that black holes exert their sway over the cosmos ... and our imaginations. In this Museum-produced show, zip through other-worldly wormholes, experience the creation of the Milky Way galaxy and witness the violent death of a star and subsequent birth of a black hole. Mathematical equations, cutting-edge science, and Einstein's theories fill in holes along the way, providing the most complete picture yet on this mysterious phenomenon. Can you feel the pull?

Outside Festival (May 31–June 1, 2025) – Now in its second year, this one-of-a-kind celebration of everything outdoors features music, films, speakers and gear. The festival is designed for beginners and experts alike, with experiences and inspiration for climbers, hikers, cyclists, skiers and everyday recreationists. The live music headliners are Khruangbin, Lord Huron, Sylvan Esso, Trampled by Turtles, Neal Francis, Waxahatchee, Husbands and Hazlett. 

SeriesFest (TBA 2025) – This unique festival celebrates the art of independent TV series creation in the birthplace of cable television. The event showcases the best new pilots from across the globe by both seasoned and emerging content creators in an international, juried competition.

The Life and Art of Tokio Ueyama (Thru June 1, 2025) – The exhibition features more than 40 paintings loaned to the museum by the Japanese American National Museum and Ueyama’s family, whose combined efforts to preserve his work have allowed the story of this accomplished and cosmopolitan artist to be told. Born in Japan, Tokio Ueyama moved to the United States in 1908 at age 18, where he made a home until his death in 1954.

Andrea Bocelli w/ The Colorado Symphony (June 17, 2025) – The generational talent that is Andrea Bocelli will light up Ball Arena with his timeless voice and his operatic classics this year. The Colorado Symphony will bring its own star power.

Denver Cherry Blossom Festival (June 21 & 22) – Fans of taiko drumming, teriyaki chicken, sake and Japanese artwork and wares won't want to miss this year's Cherry Blossom Festival – "Sakura Matsuri" in Japanese. It's now going on 51 years.

Denver PrideFest (June 28 & 29, 2025) – Denver PrideFest is a two-day celebration of community and culture that is welcoming, inclusive and fun for all attendees, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. There’s also a parade and 5K (run, walk, roll or sashay).

Juneteenth Music Festival (TBA 2025) – One of the nation’s largest Juneteenth celebrations, look for a parade, live performances, art, vendors and fun for the entire family.

Denver Day of Rock (TBA 2025) – This free event features three stages of live music in downtown. Denver Day of Rock unites the community through music and family-friendly entertainment while also raising funds to help Amp the Cause, which supports local non-profits.

Colorado Black Arts Festival (TBA 2025) – This free annual celebration honors African American art and culture in the historic City Park West neighborhood. Enjoy live music, art shows, a marketplace and food court.

Colorado Indian Market & Powwow (TBA 2025) – On the grounds of The Fort restaurant, Tesoro Cultural Center hosts an annual tribute to the American Indian tribes that shaped the cultural community of Old Bent’s Fort, an important fur trading post that operated along the Santa Fe Trail in the 1840s.

Denver BBQ Festival (TBA 2025) – Don’t miss this chance to grab an ice-cold brew and sample pure smoked bliss from award-winning pitmasters from across the country.

Independence Eve (July 3, 2025) – Experience the sweet sounds of the Colorado Symphony and other local artists, a spectacular light show on the Denver City and Country Building, and a fireworks finale unlike any other show in the country. Food trucks will be on-site. 

Fan Expo Denver (July 3-6, 2025) – Experience the ultimate fandom weekend of celebs, cosplay, comics, anime, gaming and so much more.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival (July 4-6, 2025) – This major arts festival offers a perfect opportunity to find inspiration, connect with others through art and expand your worldview.

25th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (TBA 2025) – Celebrate Asian culture with food, shopping, art and thrilling dragon boat races across Sloan’s Lake.

Underground Music Showcase (TBA 2025) – Don’t miss 150-plus national and discovery acts playing live from South Broadway venues and three outdoor stages.

GHOST (Aug. 7, 2025) – Promising a phone-free experience at Ball Arena is the newest trick up the sleeves of one of hard rock’s most inventive and enigmatic acts on the road today, GHOST. The theatrical outfit, known for their elaborate costumes and religious tropes are standout in the genre and truly an act that changes their own rules every time they hit the road.

Mt. Joy w/ The Temper Trap (Aug. 14 & 15, 2025) – Mt. Joy is plotting a return to The Mile High City, and with them is the newly active indie rock act, Temper Trap. Get in on the action at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Teddy Swims (Aug. 26, 2025) – Grammy-nominated Teddy Swims had a massive year in 2024 and he’s going for a victory lap at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Linkin Park (Sept. 3, 2025) – Linkin Park is back with a vengeance. The dormant group, put on pause indefinitely by the passing of former lead singer, Chester Bennington, is back with a new attitude and a new singer, Emily Armstrong. See the group at Ball Arena.

Denver Food + Wine Festival (TBA 2025) – A multi-day extravaganza of food, wine and spirits events. Need we say more?

Denver Oktoberfest (Sept. 19–21 and Sept. 26–28, 2025) – From keg bowling to stein hoisting, live music and more, there’s something here for everyone. So grab your stein, throw on your lederhosen and join in the fun over two weekends!

Tate McRae (Sept. 20, 2025) – Vying for the title of the “It girl” for Gen Z, Tate McCrae is poised to deliver on all the promises and favors the industry has placed upon her. See the up-and-coming artist at Ball Arena.

Westwood Chile Fest (TBA 2025) – This one-day event in the Westwood neighborhood celebrates Hispanic-centric cultures, making up 80 percent of this Denver neighborhood, with a strong focus on authentic food and local arts.

Denver International Festival (TBA 2025) – Enjoy live music, food, beer, wine and art from around the world.

Great American Beer Festival® (Oct. 9–11, 2025) – It’s America's favorite beer festival and cultural phenomenon that brings together 500 breweries and 2,000-plus beers over three days.

Denver Arts Week (Nov. 7–16, 2025) – Denver Arts Week celebrates The Mile High City's arts and culture scene with hundreds of events around the city, including the visual arts, music and comedy.

Denver Film Festival (TBA 2025) – Welcome to the largest film festival in the region, featuring the best of media programming from around the world, local films and more.

Mile High Holidays (Nov. 27–Jan. 1, 2025) – During the holiday season, Denver will twinkle with millions of lights all across the city. Feel the warmth of family-friendly performing arts classics, find the perfect gifts and marvel at elaborate lights displays. No other city creates holiday miracles quite like Denver. Mile High Holidays has something for everyone.