Discover why The Mile High City is the place to be when it comes to incredible arts and culture.
NOTE: Due to health concerns regarding the coronavirus (Covid-19), some events may be canceled. Please check directly with the venues for the latest status.
Blockbuster Exhibitions
DOGS! A SCIENCE TAIL
Thru Jan. 3, 2021
Have you ever wondered to yourself what your dog is thinking? Dogs! A Science Tail is a fun, interactive glimpse into the world of our canine friends. The exhibition at Denver Museum of Nature & Science highlights the extraordinary ways dogs see, hear, and smell their surroundings and explores why humans and dogs are best friends.
THE ART OF THE BRICK
Thru Jan. 24, 2021
Contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya's original artworks and reimagined versions of famous masterpieces made from LEGO® bricks will wow you when it comes to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science this summer. The exhibit also showcases a collection of LEGO-infused, hyper-realistic photography from Sawaya's innovative collaboration with award-winning photographer Dean West. Guests of all ages will be able to put their own ingenuity to work in an area filled with LEGO bricks.
NOW SHOWING
CSU AT 150
Thru Dec. 30, 2020
Colorado State University celebrates its 150th anniversary this year! In this exhibition at History Colorado Center, you'll explore artifacts that illustrate the university's groundbreaking work in environmental research, its storied sports history and current and former students' efforts to ensure equal opportunities for all.
PRISMAJIC
Thru Dec. 30, 2020
In this 1,200-square-foot pop-up installation, you'll follow Shiki, a spiritual yeti guide and leader of the Spirits of the Forest. The immersive experience explores the dreams of this wise spirit in a multi-sensory experience of stunning creativity. See it at 2219 E. 21st Ave., right next to City Park.
AFTER THE ASTEROID: EARTH’S COMEBACK STORY
Thru Dec. 31, 2020
A new trove of remarkably preserved fossils found by paleontologists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science near Colorado Springs paints a vivid picture of how Earth recovered after the devastating asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. See some of the very best fossils from the site at a brand-new bilingual pop-up exhibit to bring the discovery to life.
A STORYBOOK HOLIDAY IN EVERGREEN
Thru Jan. 1, 2021
This ice extravaganza brings favorite holiday stories alive through a series of beautiful, life-size ice sculptures staged throughout Evergreen. Enjoy the sculptures as you meander through Evergreen while visiting local shops and restaurants. As the sun sets, the sculptures come to life as holiday lights illuminate them.
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: A GREAT LEAP OF FAITH
Thru Jan. 3, 2021
Explore the history of citizen participation, debate and compromise from America's formation to today in this engaging exhibition at History Colorado Center from the Smithsonian. Awe-inspiring objects captivate guests while interactive elements spark conversation about civil rights, politics, conflict and consensus.
PRISMATICA
Thru Jan. 3, 2021
Stroll through a modern ice palace with Prismatica, an interactive lighting exhibit at Cherry Creek North where visitors can literally play with light by interacting with 25 pivoting prisms that reflect a rainbow of light and color. See it on Milwaukee Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
THE NEW FOUR FREEDOMS
Thru Jan. 3, 2021
On the brink of war against tyranny, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued his famous proclamation that all Americans had the right to Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear. Almost 80 years later, History Colorado Center is asking four up-and-coming Denver artists to illustrate the condition of those four freedoms today.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS EXHIBITION
Thru Jan. 9, 2021
Día de los Muertos makes its return to the Longmont Museum's main gallery this fall for a special exhibition of community ofrendas (altars) and the artwork of renowned Colorado artist Tony Ortega. The exhibition will include paintings, illustrations, prints, mixed media works and a newly commissioned downtown mural in honor of our 20th Día de los Muertos anniversary.
BLACK IN DENVER
Thru Jan. 9, 2021
Black in Denver is a photographic exhibition of work by photographer Narkita Gold at Lone Tree Arts Center. It takes a critical look at identity. Series participants offer poignant, poetic and revealing accounts of life in Denver, ranging from the importance of community building to taking up space in an ever-evolving city. As a whole, this series shows that Denver's Black community fosters a culture of authenticity.
BEGIN AGAIN
Thru Jan. 9, 2021
The turn of a new decade brought with it an intersectional crossroads. And as society shifts, so does the art world. The five artists featured in this online exhibition at Walker Fine Art are inspired by healing, hope and wonder, aesthetically working within the realm of ripples and repetition to convey their messages in an array of mediums.
JACK BALAS, COMMON GROUND: PAINTINGS FOR AMERICA
Thru Jan. 9, 2021
Originally based in Chicago and Los Angeles, artist Jack Balas who divides his time between painting, drawing and photography, cross referenced at times with writing and other media. See it at William Havu Gallery.
HECHO EN COLORADO
Thru Jan. 10, 2021
See historically significant paintings, sculptures, textiles and writings from Colorado's Chicano/Mexican American community, including prominent figures like Carlota EspinoZa, Carlos Fresquez and David Ocelotl García, as well as selections from up-and-coming artists. Hecho en Colorado (Made in Colorado) at History Colorado Center honors the artistic achievements of a community whose impact continues to shape Colorado culture.
LUMONICS MIND SPA: LIGHT INTERSECTION
Thru Jan. 30, 2021
The Lumonics Mind Spa is a concept developed by Dorothy Tanner (1923-2020) who wanted her light sculptures and those of her late husband Mel Tanner to be experienced as a total art installation that fosters a state of comfort, relaxation, and creativity. The art work will be seen from several windows of the Understudy Gallery at the intersection of Stout and 14th Street in the Denver Theatre District, with each angle of gazing providing another perspective. Understudy Gallery is adjacent to the Convention Center RTD stop and viewable to all from the train. It is truly a Light Intersection.
CITIZENSHIP: A PRACTICE OF SOCIETY
Thru Feb. 14, 2021
This exhibition at MCA DENVER — Museum of Contemporary Art Denver posits art making as a critical civic act and exemplifies how artists act as citizens. Many of the works address specific political crises, such as the opioid epidemic and Flint, Michigan's battle for clean water. Others highlight specific legal issues that shape American society.
WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY
Thru Feb. 28, 2021
In works combining watercolor with historical photography, news clippings and text, Denver-based artist Adri Norris highlights women who've made history. See it at History Colorado Center.
THE LIGHT SHOW
Thru March 7, 2021
The Light Show at Denver Art Museum features more than 200 objects drawn from the museum's nine curatorial departments that explore both physical and symbolic representations of light in art.
ANA MENDIETA: SUSPENDED FIRE
Thru Mar. 7, 2021
This immersive installation at Denver Art Museum features two films created by Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta. The two films portray the primordial element of fire. Active as an artist throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mendieta used her body as a way to explore ideas of identity and displacement and its connection to the earth.
SENGA NENGUDI: TOPOLOGIES
Thru Apr. 11, 2021
This collection, on view at the Denver Art Museum, is composed of more than 70 abstract and conceptual artworks by the internationally recognized artist, a prominent figure of the 1970s Black American avant-garde and Black Arts Movement.
SHANTELL MARTIN: WORDS AND LINES
Thru May 31, 2021
London-born, New York-based contemporary artist Shantell Martin has collaborated with iconic brands and artists from Puma and Nike to Max Mara and Kendrick Lamar. This interactive multimedia installation at Denver Art Museum features Martin’s signature black and white drawings that explore intersectionality, identity and play.
GREGG DEAL (PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE): MERCILESS INDIAN SAVAGES
Thru July 31, 2021
What does America mean to a person whose ancestors were insulted in its founding document? Gregg Deal of the Pyramid Lake Paiute leads an Indigenous exploration of what democracy means in Indian Country through his unique, dynamic works at History Colorado Center.
FORTY YEARS ON THE ’FAX
Thru Dec. 31, 2021
Take a nostalgic ride down Colfax, with stops at the quirky and memorable places that gave the street its worldwide reputation. See it at History Colorado Center.
NIGHT LIGHTS DENVER
Night Lights Denver features rotating content designed by local artists and the community and projected on the Arapahoe Street side of the Daniels & Fisher Tower every Thursday through Saturday evening.
COMING SOON
THE LATE WORKS: CLYFFORD STILL IN MARYLAND
Jan. 5–Mar. 21, 2021
This exhibition explores Clyfford Still's later paintings and drawings, made after his move to rural Maryland in 1961. This marks a particularly fertile period for Still, during which he made more than 375 works on canvas and more than 1,100 works on paper (nearly all in pastel) before his death in 1980 at the age of 75. The Late Works at the Clyfford Still Museum will include approximately 70 of these unique works.
APRON CHRONICLES
Jan. 23–May 9, 2021
Apron Chronicles features photography, personal narratives and one-of-a-kind aprons. While the storytellers' recollections were each prompted by an apron, they're not about fabric. Sharing a depth of emotion and social complexity both intimately personal and universally relatable, the exhibit reminds us that we're all in this together and even lets visitors add their own stories to the experience. See it at History Colorado Center.
PARIS TO HOLLYWOOD: The Fashion and Influence of Véronique and Gregory Peck
Mar. 14–Jun. 20, 2021
A selection of haute couture, fashion sketches, photographs, film clips, family snapshots, and documents will be exhibited publicly for the first time, providing a unique look into the style of one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples. See it at Denver Art Museum.
Explore More
You can't have bragging rights from a Denver trip until you see these sights. Warning: it may take more than one visit!
Explore the thriving Denver arts and culture scene, from world-class museums to unique art districts. Check out current and upcoming gallery showings.
Explore the renovated Union Station, a transportation hub, historic landmark and vibrant space for staying, eating, gathering and shopping.
Find the best music and concert venues that are home to Denver. From top music venues to local neighborhood spots, you are sure to find your favorite spot.
Whether you have a few hours, a few days or a week in The Mile High City, here are some suggested itineraries and trips for visitors.
Beyond the big-ticket attractions, Denver is home to a wide array of smaller, but no-less-fascinating attractions that make for unforgettable experiences.
Kids are often tough to please – but they’ll be grinning from ear to ear whenever they’re in The Mile High City!
Colorado is a big, beautiful place and the Rockies offer multiple options for all kinds of taste.
Denver serves as an excellent gateway to the wonders of the nearby Rocky Mountains.
Enjoy two different passes to take advantage of the great attractions throughout The Mile High City.
With the Culture Pass in hand, you’ll receive admission to some of the city’s most fascinating attractions!