Memorial Day weekend in Denver marks the perfect kickoff to summer, bringing together sunshine, outdoor adventure, and a strong sense of community. From lively festivals and meaningful ceremonies to scenic runs and neighborhood gatherings, the Mile High City offers countless ways to celebrate the long weekend. It’s also the ideal time to fire up your appetite and explore some of the area’s best BBQ spots, where smoky flavors and laid-back patios set the tone for the season. Whether you’re honoring the holiday’s deeper meaning, soaking up live music and local art, or planning a weekend filled with great food and fresh air, this guide to outdoor adventures and BBQ in Denver will help you make the most of every moment.
Memorial Day Weekend Events in Denver
Boulder Creek Festival
Where? Boulder Creek Festival, 1236 Canyon Blvd, Boulder
When? May 22nd, 5–10 p.m., May 23rd & 24th, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., & May 25th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Boulder Creek Festival returns over Memorial Day weekend from Friday, May 22nd to Monday, May 25th, bringing four days of music, food, and community celebration along Boulder Creek between 9th and 14th Streets. Kicking off May 22nd, Friday evening, from 5 to 10 p.m., and continuing May 23rd, Saturday, and May 24th, Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and May 25th, Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this beloved annual event, running for more than 30 years, serves as Boulder’s unofficial start to summer. With over 30 bands performing across three stages, including local acts and kid-friendly concerts, there’s nonstop entertainment for all ages, all with free admission. Visitors can explore a vibrant marketplace featuring more than 200 local artists and vendors, enjoy a wide variety of food options from food trucks to classic festival fare, and take part in family-focused fun at Creekside for Kids, complete with games, rides, and interactive activities. For adults aged 21+, the ticketed Creekside Beer Festival offers tastings from 20+ Colorado breweries, while the overall event maintains a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends and family outdoors. Please visit the event link above for more information.
PRO Tip: Arrive early in the day or bike in to avoid parking headaches, and bring a reusable water bottle and blanket so you can comfortably enjoy the live music along the creek without constantly searching for seating.
Memorial Day Freedom Run 5k/10k/13.1
Where? Piney Creek Hollow Park, 6140 S Tower Rd, Aurora
When? May 23rd, 7:30–10:30 a.m.
The Memorial Day Freedom Run 5k/10k/13.1 takes place on Saturday, May 23rd, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Piney Creek Hollow Park in Aurora, offering runners and walkers of all ages a meaningful way to kick off Memorial Day weekend with purpose and activity. This community-focused event combines scenic race routes with a powerful mission of remembrance, inviting participants to honor the courage and sacrifice of the nation’s heroes with every mile completed. With 5K, 10K, and half-marathon options, the run accommodates all fitness levels. It encourages a supportive, stress-free atmosphere without timing chips, allowing participants to track their own progress if they choose. Each registration includes a swag bag with a race T-shirt, finisher’s medal or towel, digital training materials, and post-race certificates, with packets conveniently shipped directly to runners ahead of the event. Designed as both a personal challenge and a collective tribute, the Memorial Day Freedom Run emphasizes community connection, remembrance, and health, making it a meaningful way to celebrate the holiday while staying active outdoors. If you’re interested in participating, please click here to register for this run.
PRO Tip: Choose one of the earlier wave times to beat the late-morning heat, and register well in advance. This smaller, capped event fills up quickly, especially for holiday weekend runners.
Denver Arts Festival
Where? Central Park’s Conservatory Green Park & Plaza, 8304 E 49th Pl, Denver
When? May 23rd, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., & May 24th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Denver Arts Festival returns to Conservatory Green Park & Plaza in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood for its 27th year, celebrating fine arts and fine crafts and bringing together an impressive lineup of more than 140 Colorado-based artists as well as a select group of nationally-recognized artists. Taking place Saturday, May 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 24th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., this free, family-friendly event has become one of the top arts festivals in the country, set in the heart of the highly regarded Central Park’s Conservatory Green neighborhood. Visitors can explore a wide range of original artwork, enjoy live music throughout the weekend, and indulge in food, wine, beer, and spirits from local favorites like Carboy Winery, Odell Brewing, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The festival also features a dedicated kids’ art zone with hands-on creative activities, making it a vibrant experience for all ages, while offering free admission and parking for added convenience (with pets kindly asked to stay at home). For more information, please visit the event link above.
PRO Tip: Visit on Saturday morning for the best selection of artwork before popular pieces sell, and plan to stay into the evening to enjoy the full lineup of live music and a more lively festival atmosphere.
Commerce City’s 60th Annual Memorial Day Parade
Where? Veterans Memorial Park, 6015 Forest Dr, Commerce City
When? May 25th, 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Commerce City 60th Annual Memorial Day Parade takes place on Monday, May 25th. It is Colorado’s largest Memorial Day Parade, drawing thousands of community members to Veterans Memorial Park to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. This long-standing tradition, now in its 60th year, begins with a Memorial Day ceremony at 8:45 a.m. at the park before the parade officially steps off at 9:30 a.m., setting a reflective and respectful tone for the day’s events. The 1.5 mile parade starts at E 64th Ave and Newport St, proceeds to west E 64th Ave and Holly St, then turns south to E 62nd Ave, then west on Parkway Dr, and ends after the Eagle Pointe Recreation Center (just before Vasquez Blvd). Following the procession (from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), the celebration continues with a lively community gathering featuring live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities such as rock climbing, face painting, and balloon art, creating an atmosphere that blends remembrance with community pride and togetherness. Each year, the event also highlights a Grand Marshal selected through community nominations, honoring military veterans or Gold Star Families whose service, sacrifice, and connection to Commerce City exemplify the spirit of the holiday. Please visit the event link above for more information.
PRO Tip: Get to Veterans Memorial Park early to secure a good viewing spot for both the ceremony and parade, then plan to stick around afterward to enjoy the food trucks and family-friendly activities without rushing.
Memorial Day Ceremony at Monument Cemetery
Where? 800 8th St, Monument
When? May 25th, 10 a.m.
The Memorial Day Ceremony at Monument Cemetery will be held on Monday, May 25th at 10 a.m. in Monument, offering a free, public gathering to honor the veterans laid to rest in this historic cemetery. Each year, the community comes together on Memorial Day to reflect and pay tribute to those who served, many of whom are buried in one of the region’s oldest cemeteries, originally established in 1898 on land conveyed to the town in 1886 but used informally for burials as early as 1871. The site holds deep historical significance, with the earliest known headstone dating back to 1860, alongside graves of veterans, victims of a historic train crash, and those lost during the 1918–1919 influenza epidemic, including many marked as “unknown” due to incomplete records. This solemn ceremony provides an opportunity for remembrance, gratitude, and reflection in a setting that preserves generations of local and national history, ensuring that the sacrifices of those interred at Monument Cemetery are respectfully honored each year by the community. For more information, please visit the event link above.
PRO Tip: Arrive a bit early to find parking and take a quiet walk through the historic grounds beforehand. It adds deeper context and meaning to the ceremony experience.
Denver’s Best BBQ Spots for Memorial Day Weekend
Riot BBQ
Where? 2180 S Delaware St, Denver
Riot BBQ offers a standout Memorial Day weekend dining experience by blending the bold traditions of Texas-style barbecue with the rich, fire-driven flavors of Northern Mexico’s asado culture. Helmed by acclaimed pitmaster Patrick Klaiber, recognized for leading a Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning team, and Manny Barella, whose roots trace back to Monterrey’s deeply ingrained barbecue heritage, Riot BBQ delivers a menu rooted in technique, tradition, and respect for the craft. Expect expertly smoked meats, thoughtfully prepared with a no-shortcuts philosophy, alongside flavors that reflect both precision and soulful authenticity. It’s the kind of spot where barbecue is more than a meal; it’s an experience shaped by passion, culture, and a deep connection to the art of cooking over fire, making it a must-visit for Memorial Day weekend.
PRO Tip: Go early since popular items often sell out, and consider ordering a variety of meats to share so you can experience the full range of flavors that make Riot BBQ unique.
Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen
Where? 4211 S Natches Ct A, Englewood
Located in Englewood, Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen is more than just a BBQ spot; it’s a community-driven experience built on passion, flavor, and connection. Known for its “low and slow” approach, this local favorite serves up expertly smoked meats crafted by a dedicated pitmaster using a 500-gallon custom smoker that fills the air with irresistible aromas. What started as a humble BBQ bus has grown into a beloved brick-and-mortar café, fueled by a loyal following and a commitment to bringing people together through great food. From catering hundreds of events to creating a welcoming, family-style atmosphere, Smokin’ Outlaw Kitchen lives by the belief that great BBQ brings great people together, something you’ll taste in every bite.
PRO Tip: Come hungry and bring friends. Portions are generous, and sharing a variety of meats and sides is the best way to taste everything this spot does well.
Seasoned Swine BBQ
Where? 15800 W Colfax Ave, Golden
Seasoned Swine BBQ has quickly earned a reputation as one of the Golden area’s top barbecue destinations, serving up bold, cherry-smoked flavors and scratch-made sides that keep locals coming back for more. What began as a passion project, sparked by a life-changing rack of ribs and brought to life through a converted food truck, has grown into a thriving brick-and-mortar restaurant known for its brisket, candied ribs, pulled pork, and warm, welcoming hospitality. Owner Jacob Viers built Seasoned Swine on a mission to elevate Colorado’s BBQ scene with authentic, slow-smoked meats and a dedication to quality you can taste in every bite. Whether you’re stopping in after a day in the foothills or grabbing takeout for a backyard gathering, this spot delivers a true Memorial Day-worthy BBQ experience.
PRO Tip: Try the cherry-smoked brisket and candied ribs combo for the full experience, and pair it with one of their local beers or a fresh margarita to round out your meal.
Fired Up for the Long Weekend: Celebrate Memorial Day the Denver Way
Memorial Day weekend in Denver is more than just the unofficial start of summer; it’s a chance to embrace everything the Mile High City does best, from vibrant outdoor festivals and meaningful community events to unforgettable barbecue experiences. Whether you’re exploring local art, honoring our nation’s heroes, enjoying live music by the creek, or gathering with friends over smoky, slow-cooked favorites, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of the holiday. As you plan your long weekend, let this guide inspire you to get outside, support local businesses, and create lasting memories. However you choose to celebrate, Denver offers the perfect blend of adventure, flavor, and community spirit to make your Memorial Day weekend truly special.