This summer, get ready to hit the ground running with a master list of all the best Denver festivals and events. Kicking things off in early May, the city welcomes locals and visitors alike to celebrate all things Cinco de Mayo, followed by the Denver Arts Festival and Outside Days. Stay tuned for upcoming events in June and July, such as the Denver Chalk Art Festival and the prestigious Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Of course, no summer would be complete without a trip to the rodeo or cheering on the dragon boats at Sloan’s Lake!
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Where? Civic Center Park
When? May 2nd & 3rd
Mark your calendar for early May, which is when the annual Denver Cinco de Mayo Festival will be taking over town. This is the largest and longest-standing Cinco de Mayo celebration in Colorado. Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Mexican culture with a weekend jam-packed with exciting events, contests and non-stop entertainment across three stages. Your tastebuds will be delighted by the food vendors and there will be a range of unique merchandise to explore from local artisans. Bring the whole family along and experience the kid-friendly activities. There will be a community parade on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, so be sure to check it out as it winds through downtown Denver.
PRO Tip: The festival will be held in Civic Center Park from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both days.
Denver Arts Festival
Where? Central Park Conservatory Green
When? May 23rd & 24th
The Denver Arts Festival is a fine arts and fine crafts festival that is dedicated to showcasing artists across the Centennial State, along with a select group of national artists. This annual premier event is held at Central Park’s Conservatory Green and is now in its 27th year. The fine art exhibition will feature 145+ artists. Hailed as one of the top shows in the nation, this is one you won’t want to miss if you’re at all interested in arts and culture. The event is free and will be open at 10:00 AM on both days, with closing times set at 8:00 PM on Saturday and 5:00 PM on Sunday. Parking is also free.
PRO Tip: Over 35,000 people are expected to attend, so arrive early to beat the crowds! There will be a competitive show that’s chosen by a panel of highly qualified, talented and experienced jurors who will view five images and read the Artist Statements.
Fan Expo Denver
Where? Colorado Convention Center
When? May 28th-31st
The Fan Expo is four days of fun-filled fan culture coming to the Colorado Convention Center at the end of May. Whether you’re into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming or cosplay, you’ll feel right at home. This year’s superstar celebrity guests include Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Matthew Lillard, and many more. Cosplay your way in a costume spectacle of epic proportions. Main events throughout the weekend will include celebrity Q&As, autograph sessions, photo ops, and much more. Bring the kids along or hang out with friends as you meet jedis, superheroes, monsters and more.
PRO Tip: Show hours range daily, so be sure to check the schedule before heading out! Things kick off on Thursday the 28th from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Outside Days
Where? Auraria Campus, 1201 5th Street
When? May 29th-31st
Celebrate outdoor culture and community in the Mile High City with awesome tunes, great vibes, adventure films, inspiring speakers and a host of immersive experiences. The festival will be held at the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver and will be headlined by Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket and Cage the Elephant, with performances also by Japanese Breakfast, The Flaming Lips, Grouplove and more. General admission tickets range in price and access from GA 1-Day to GA+ 3-Day, as well as a VIP option for premium viewing, express entry and exit, private bars and special merch. Experiences and activities throughout the weekend also include yoga, climbing and biking, as well as games to keep everybody entertained!
PRO Tip: Free admission will be offered to kids ages 12 and under, accompanied by ticketed adults.
Denver Fringe Festival
Where? Various Locations
When? June 3rd-7th
This June, mark your calendar for the 7th annual Denver Fringe Festival. The fest will be hosted across dozens of shows in River North and Five Points, as well as beyond. Expect the unexpected as you explore diverse artistic voices in all forms of performing arts. This is one of the coolest choose-your-own-adventure art extravaganzas of the summer, with dozens of shows at a multitude of creative venues. Whether you’re into comedy, theatre, dance, aerial, magic, immersive arts or something else entirely — you’re sure to find something that catches your eye.
PRO Tip: Unleash your curiosity and dive in. With 70+ original shows by local and original performers, with each one priced at just $20, this is a can’t-miss summer staple! Check out the Know Before You Go Guide and stay tuned for updates.
Denver Chalk Art Festival
Where? Golden Triangle Creative District
When? June 6th & 7th
The Denver Chalk Art Festival is one of Denver’s most highly attended summer events! The best news? It’s totally free to attend! With over 200 artists participating, there will be a rainbow of color adorning the sidewalks in Denver. The artists will be working in the Golden Triangle Creative District, which is two blocks south of Civic Center Park. The festival will be held from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both days and will take place rain or shine. If inclement weather occurs, artists will pause their work and resume once the ground dries out again. Preferred parking will be available on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the Dryden Garage and discount code “CHALK” will save you $3! There will also be bike corrals throughout the district. This is a family-friendly festival, so bring your whole crew!
PRO Tip: Looking for a landmark? The district is near the Denver Art Museum, the Kirkland Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum. Check out the map here.
2026 Transplant Games
Where? Colorado Convention Center
When? June 18th-23rd
The 2026 Transplant Games will be held in Denver this summer. This is a festival-style event put on by the Transplant Life Foundation for individuals who have bravely undergone life-saving transplants. This year, the Games will be held at the Colorado Convention Center to celebrate life, honor donors and promote donation. The miracle of organ, eye and tissue donation and transplant will be on display as over 40 TGA teams, made up of recipients, donor families, living donors and supporters, gather to compete for medals, honor donors (both living and deceased) and showcase the strength of renewed health. This summer, there will be 20+ athletic competitions such as swimming, cycling, running and more, as well as an opening ceremony that is free and open to the public. Team Rocky Mountain is the host team for this year’s games and will be representing Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.
PRO Tip: The games are designed to unite transplant recipients, living donors, donor families, donation and transplant professionals, supporters, spectators, volunteers and more!
Juneteenth Parade
Where? 26th Street
When? June 20th
Be part of Denver’s longest running parade (dating back to the 1950s!) this summer. Nearly 3,000 people are expected to march in this annual parade that honors the struggles and social progress achieved through marches and demonstrations that have been organized for freedom, justice, and equality throughout the country’s history. The parade will make its way down 26th Street from Williams to Welton between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. The parade will be followed by the Juneteenth Music Festival’s 15th Annual Street Festival from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is Denver’s premier Juneteenth event and the street festival is free. Expect live performances, vendor food, and family-friendly activities throughout the day.
PRO Tip: If you’re interested in participating in the parade, you can register here for $75!
Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
Where? Sakura Square, 1255 19th Street
When? June 27th & 28th
Hailing as one of the summer’s best cultural events, the Denver Cherry Blossom Festival is set to feature delicious food, exciting activities and plenty of live entertainment to keep everyone engaged. There will be a marketplace selling jewelry, anime, fine art, apparel and more, as well as informative exhibits and demonstrations to spotlight Japanese heritage. 2026 marks the 52nd annual festival, which will be held in Downtown Denver in Sakura Square. Admission is free, with the festival relying on and appreciating volunteer efforts to make the weekend a success. The festival is co-presented by Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple and Sakura Foundation.
PRO Tip: Stay up to date via Instagram and Facebook to get the latest details on the festival as it approaches, including marketplace vendors and live performers!
2026 Denver PrideFest
Where? 16th Street from Broadway to Arapahoe
When? June 28th
This June, there’s no better place to celebrate Pride Month than at PrideFest. This year, the event is taking over downtown and shifting from Civic Center Park due to construction. That just means that the party is moving to 16th Street. Expect all of the Pride classics, such as Latin Stage, The Gayborhood and the youth and family area. PrideFest is produced by The Center on Colfax and is a major celebration that expects large crowds for both the parade and festival. The signature parade will follow a new route, which will be announced soon.
PRO Tip: Stay updated on the month-long Pride celebration put on in June! Explore events here, such as the Pride 5K on the Saturday preceding PrideFest.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Where? Cherry Creek North
When? July 3rd-5th
Every year, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival proudly showcases 250 juried artists from around the world during a weekend jam-packed with good food, good music and lots of amazing artwork. There will additionally be kids’ activities at the Creation Station to keep the littles entertained as the festival fills the streets of Cherry Creek North. The festival will be situated on 2nd Avenue from Clayton to Adams Street and between 2nd and 3rd Avenues from Detroit to Adams Street. Explore 2026’s exhibiting artists here!
PRO Tip: On Friday, July 3rd, there will be an accessibility hour from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by the general opening from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Douglas County Fair & Rodeo
Where? Douglas County Fairgrounds
When? July 24th
As always, it’s sure to be a grand time at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo this summer. Cap off July and welcome August with all things western heritage and rodeo thrills that will have you on the edge of your seat. Cheer on the talented cowgirls and cowboys as they showcase their skills in the arena and remember, the fun doesn’t stop there! Stick around to jam out to live entertainment that will have you grooving the night away. Of course, no rodeo is complete without a family-friendly carnival with high flying rides and games that will test your skills. Try your hand at winning that awesome prize and don’t forget to dig into classic carnival concessions before you find your seats for the rodeo.
PRO Tip: General admission tickets are on sale now, so check them out here.
The Denver Food + Wine Festival
Where? Tivoli Quad on the MSU Auraria Campus, 1000 Larimer Street
When? August 26th-29th
Foodies from Denver and beyond know that the Denver Food + Wine Festival is a can’t-miss culinary spectacular. This August, head over to the Tivoli Quad for a multi-day extravaganza celebrating local food, wine and spirits. The festival is presented by the Colorado Restaurant Foundation and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, with events including educational tasting seminars, a street-fair-style cocktail and food truck competition, and the signature Grand Tasting. Colorado’s best chefs, mixologists and wine experts will come together for an unforgettable experience complete with gourmet tastings, free-flowing wine, craft cocktails and curated educational opportunities.
PRO Tip: Taste and vote for your favorite local food truck and cocktail at the Shake + Brake Showdown on August 27th!
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Where? Sloan’s Lake Park
When? August 29th & 30th
Save the date for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in Sloan’s Lake Park this August! The weekend will consist of dragon boat racing, cultural celebration and community connection. Last year, the festival celebrated 25 years and saw 200,000+ attendees, 38 food vendors and 100+ marketplace vendors. There were also an impressive 41 dragon boat race teams, so get excited for what this year has in store at this vibrant celebration. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is the largest of its kind in the US and has been a wildly popular bonanza in the Mile High City. Teams clamber aboard their intricate and colorful boats and race their way across the lake. Races will start at 8:00 AM and end at dusk for a full day of competition.
PRO Tip: Additionally, attendees can enjoy live performances across multiple stages and the Taste of Asia food courts showcasing some of the city’s best Asian restaurants and chefs, as well as a beer garden.
Mark Your Calendar for This Summer’s Best Events & Festivals
Now that you know what’s happening this summer, it’s time to start planning. Get your friends together, grab your advance tickets and start getting excited! The Mile High City is anything but boring and is home to a multitude of large, award-winning festivals and celebrations that occur annually. Come on out and see what summer is all about in Denver!