Brainstorming what to do with dad this Father’s Day? Check out these fun Denver area events, festivals, and happenings, or treat Dad with tickets to see his favorite artist or sports team! If you need some last-minute gift inspo — scroll down to see some of this year’s top picks.
Parker Days Festival
Where? 19751 Main Street
Bring Dad out to celebrate the 48th annual Parker Days Festival in downtown Parker, CO. Kicking off on Thursday, June 13th, and running through Sunday, June 16th — this is the perfect way to celebrate Dad. As always, there is free admission and a variety of music across four stages, and over 200 vendors to shop from. Arrive hungry, as there will be 30+ food booths and plenty of beverages and activities such as bungee jumping and ax throwing. For the kiddos, there will be carnival rides galore and a free kids’ craft area.
PRO Tip: On Father’s Day Sunday, Eric Lane will take the stage at 10:00 AM, with Darker By Far, Spinphony, Elektrohornz, and The Tracers filling in the interim. Ryan Chrys and The Rough Cuts will close out the festival with their unique modern outlaw country genre that Dad is sure to dig.
Father’s Day Classic 10K, 5K & 1 Mile
Where? 13150 West 72nd Avenue
Head out to Arvada on Father’s Day to get your steps in! The annual Father’s Day Classic welcomes runners, walkers, and joggers of all ages and skill levels. All participants receive a “dad joke” event t-shirt! Dads can opt to participate in the “Manly Mile” that’s timed so they can pick up some bragging rights for the remainder of the year. The 10K costs $45 and kicks off at 8:00 AM, with the 5K starting at 8:20 AM. The untimed 1-mile “fun run” costs $10 to register and begins bright and early at 7:31 AM.
PRO Tip: The Father’s Day Classic race is partnering with Sneakers4Good, which is on a mission to collect shoe donations and put them into the hands of people around the world who need them the most. If you have gently used sneakers you want to donate, bring the shoes to packet pickup or drop them off on race day.
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
Where? 719 10th Street
Bring Dad and the whole family to downtown Golden’s Parfet Park between June 14th and 16th to celebrate all things Scandinavian. With mead, beer, potato sausages, Swedish meatballs, smoked salmon, and an assortment of other delicacies and treats — dads will be thrilled at the opportunity to eat, drink and be merry! This is the 31st year that the Scandinavian Festival will be celebrated, with Sunday’s festivities kicking off with a church service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM before transforming into a day of food vendors, performances, and activities. Make sure to bring Dad by the beer garden! There will also be a Scandinavian Classic Car Show being presented by the Rocky Mountain Volvo Group for all the dads who love the classics.
PRO Tip: As always, there is public parking in the vicinity of the park and admission is always free.
Father’s Day Super Sunday
Where? 4281 Speedway Boulevard
Looking for affordable family fun this Father’s Day? Colorado’s premier NASCAR track is hosting Father’s Day Super Sunday at the Colorado National Speedway in Dacono on June 16th. A tradition hailing back to 2011, this is an afternoon of fun for dads of all ages! Ticket prices range from $13-$22, with kiddos 2 and under being admitted for free. Gates open at 3:00 PM and the pit party kicks off at 4:00 PM. The monster truck show is set to begin at approximately 5:30 PM.
PRO Tip: While tickets can be purchased online before the event, there will be plenty available at the CNS box office on the day of the show. Head to the west side of the facility to pick yours up!
Juneteenth Music Festival
Where? 27th & Welton Street
Every year, Denver’s famed Five Points neighborhood becomes a central hub of all things entertainment and celebration in honor of Juneteenth. This historic date marks when the last of the nation’s slaves learned of their freedom and each year, the music festival acts as a communal celebration for locals — featuring a parade, vendors, music performances, and even a youth zone! The 2024 festival will be hosted on June 15th and 16th from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This year’s headliner is Bow Wow — with the performance being open and free to the public. The annual Juneteenth Parade dates back to the ’50s, with approximately 5,000 participants expected.
PRO Tip: Snag a pair of VIP tickets to celebrate Father’s Day! Priced at $50 per day, these tickets provide access to the front of the main stage and the VIP bar.
Take Dad to Cheer on His Favorite Sports Team
Does dad love all things sports? Whether he’s a Rockies Fan or a soccer fanatic, snag a pair of tickets to these sporting events on Father’s Day weekend!
Colorado Rockies Vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Where? 2001 Blake Street
The Colorado Rockies take on the Pittsburgh Pirates from June 14th through the 16th. Nothing commemorates Father’s Day quite like a trip to Coors Field, especially on Sunday’s game where special trucker hats will be handed out to the first 15,000 fans. The 16th is also an autograph Sunday, which means that select players and coaches will be available for autographs at the bottoms of sections 116-120 before the game, from around 11:40 AM to 12:00 PM.
Colorado Rapids Vs. Austin FC
Where? 6000 Victory Way
Ring in Father’s Day a night early on June 15th at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. Cheer on the Colorado Rapids as they take on Austin FC at 8:30 PM. Tickets start as low as $23, so you won’t have to break the budget to give Dad a fun experience! Want to go all out? Consider surprising Dad with a season ticket membership to his hometown MLS team, with packages starting in the $300s.
Jam Out with Dad at a Concert
The Denver area is home to several neat concert venues, including Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheater and Empower Field at Mile High – home of the Broncos. Surprise Dad with tickets to one of these summer shows!
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater
Where? 18300 West Alameda Parkway
- June 12th & 13th — Whiskey Myers with Black Pistol Fire, Jason Boland & the Stragglers
- June 14th — Steve Martin and Martin Short: The Dukes of Funnytown!
- June 15th — Umphrey’s McGee with Cory Wong & Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
- June 16th — KALEO with Matt Maeson
- June 17th — Parcels with Molly Lewis
Empower Field at Mile High
Where? 1701 Bryant Street
- June 14th & 15th — Zach Bryan with Sierra Ferrell and Levi Turner
- June 20th — The Rolling Stones
Practice Your Swing at These Public Golf Courses
Does Dad love to enjoy a serene landscape while working on his short game? Luckily, Denver has quite a few beautiful courses to choose from — so book your tee time and enjoy the afternoon with pops.
Arrowhead Golf Course
Where? 10850 Sundown Trail
Dad will be impressed with the atmosphere of this course, nestled in the foothills of the Rockies and featuring upscale amenities and championship greens in nearby Littleton. It’s one of the country’s most photographed courses for a reason! An added element of golfing at Arrowhead is that you may just be sharing the course with wildlife, such as deer, elk, and foxes.
Wellshire Golf Course
Where? 3333 South Colorado Boulevard
Wellshire boasts a country club ambiance at an affordable price. The course was designed by Donald Ross and features lush fairways that are bordered by mature trees. Wellshire has an onsite pro shop, a pub, a putting green, and rentals available. Want to brush up on some skills? Both private and group instruction are offered and led by PGA professionals.
Fossil Trace Golf Club
Where? 3050 Illinois Street
Located in Golden, Fossil Trace Golf Club is a premier destination for golfers of all experience levels. Despite being in an urban setting, golfers will still get a taste of that mountain course feel and will be treated to striking views of the surrounding terrain. Adjacent to hole #12, keep your eyes peeled for the fossils that this course has been appropriately named after!
Treat Dad to a Father’s Day Steak Dinner
Show Dad how much you appreciate him by taking him to his favorite steakhouse this Father’s Day!
Buckhorn Exchange
Where? 1000 Osage Street
Hailing as Denver’s original steakhouse, there are few better options when it comes to a Father’s Day dining experience. The Buckhorn Exchange is conveniently located 5 minutes from downtown and features prime-grade beef steaks and an assortment of unique protein options, such as buffalo, elk, rattlesnake, and even alligator tail! Popular appetizers include the infamous Rocky Mountain oysters and the fried artichoke hearts.
Guard and Grace
Where? 1801 California Street
Want to impress Dad with a fancy modern steakhouse adaption? Book a reservation at Guard and Grace, a spectacular 9,000-square-foot space featuring a floor-to-ceiling glass wine cellar, bar tops, and private rooms. The steakhouse serves the finest certified Angus, as well as local grass-fed beef and Wagyu cuts for those looking to splurge. Pair your meal with charcuterie and a specialty cocktail, such as the G&G barrel-aged Sichuan old fashioned.
Urban Farm Denver
Where? 1659 Wazee Street
This modern farm-to-table steakhouse is close to Union Station, making it the perfect dinner stop for your evening in Denver. The menu features house-made, preserved, and pickled local produce and the beverage menu has options from local breweries and cocktails handcrafted with local spirits. Treat Dad to a filet of king choice beef or an 18-ounce dry-aged bison ribeye sourced from right here in Colorado.
Local Gift Inspiration for Father’s Day
No need to panic if you forgot to order a gift and Father’s Day is right around the corner. These local options are the perfect way to tell Dad that you were thinking of him!
River Bear Meats
This Denver-based company is one of the best in the game when it comes to fresh and cured meats. Sourced from family farmers, all products are antibiotic-free and hormone-free — so you can be sure you’re getting the good stuff minus the junk and the fillers. If dad loves to grill or enjoys a high-quality steak on special occasions, you can’t go wrong with a River Bear gift card.
Native Coffee Club
If Dad needs his daily caffeine fix, consider signing him up for Colorado’s best local coffee subscription. Not only does this help Dad mix up his morning routine by sampling new brews, but it also supports local brewers! Choose from 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscriptions ranging from $62.99 to $251.99.
Colorado State Parks Pass
All Colorado state parks have entrance fees — so give Dad the gift of unlimited park visits this year with an annual pass. If dad is 64 or older, pick up the Aspen Leaf Pass for $70! Annual park passes can be purchased online, at any state park, or at a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office.
Oakwell Beer Spa
If dad is slacking on his self-care routine, rejuvenate him with a trip to this beer-inspired spa. Combined with a craft beer taproom, Dad will feel like he’s on vacation while he’s sipping on a local brew and experiencing the wellness powers of a zero gravity massage or beer bath hydrotherapy.
Topo Designs
Great for the outdoorsman, Topo Designs has a range of bags, packs, and apparel for dads who love to get outside. Shop for something specific, like Dad’s new favorite travel backpack, or give him a gift card to use at his leisure.