There’s no shortage of exciting opportunities happening across Denver this weekend. Enjoy awesome Arts Week events, such as free museum admission, or partake in the Great Onesie Bar Crawl with hundreds of your closest friends!
Activities, Events, Shows, and More in Denver This Weekend
Denver is busy this weekend, with the kickoff of the Denver Arts Week and a range of Dia De Muertos celebrations around town. The film festival begins on Friday, along with Sabrina Carpenter’s Denver date on her Short N’ Sweet Tour.
Sabrina Carpenter: Short N’ Sweet Tour
Where? 1000 Chopper Circle
When? November 1st
Sabrina Carpenter is bringing her popular Short N’ Sweet Tour to Denver’s own Ball Arena this Friday! Tickets are still available, with verified resale tickets starting in the mid $200s. The concert kicks off at 7:00 PM. Sabrina Carpenter is touring for her sixth studio album, with dates beginning at the end of September and running through the end of March 2025. The singer has had a summer of radio hits, including Espresso and Please Please Please. The opener for Friday’s show is Declan McKenna, an English singer-songwriter.
PRO Tip: Ball Arena’s parking lots open three hours prior to the start of events, so get there early and make sure you have plenty of time to find a spot, grab your seats, and pick up a drink or a snack at concessions.
Whitney Cummings: Big Baby
Where? 1621 Glenarm Place
When? November 1st
Whitney Cummings is bringing her comedy tour to the Paramount Theatre in Denver this Friday. This is an all-ages event, so bring out the whole family! Parental discretion may be advised. Whitney is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, entrepreneur, and hit podcaster! She’s best known for creating and starring in the NBC series, “Whitney.” She’s also the co-creator and co-writer of the Emmy-nominated CBS comedy series, “2 Broke Girls.” Her most recent comedy special aired on Netflix in 2022 and is titled “Whitney Cummings: Jokes.”
PRO Tip: Tickets are still available, starting at $54 and going up to $78. An order processing fee of up to $3 may be added to each order on Ticketmaster.
First Friday: Dia De Muertos Celebration
Where? 861 Santa Fe Drive
When? November 1st
Museum De Las Americas is excited to host their First Friday celebration at 5:00 PM. Join in on a vibrant evening of music, dancing, art, and culture to celebrate the Day of the Dead. There will be performances by Ballet Folklórico Sangre de México, as well as a community altar and the annual Catrina Costume Contest. Visitors will have plenty of choices when it comes to authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as local artisans set up in the parking lot. Admission is free for all — so invite your friends and family to check out the event. Sugar skull decorating is priced at $5 for one sugar skull and this activity will be held between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM. There will also be a community procession and a final blessing in the parking lot at the end of the evening.
PRO Tip: Winners of the Catrina Costume Contest must be present to claim their prize, which ranges from $100 for children ages 5 to 11, $150 for ages 12 to 18, $150 for adult individuals, and $300 for couples.
The 47th Denver Film Festival
Where? 2510 East Colfax Avenue
When? November 1st
The annual Denver Film Festival will kick off this Friday and continue through November 10th. The 47th year of the festival will feature a carefully curated program of films, events, panels, and more. You can buy a Mile High Pass, which includes one Ellie Red Carpet presentation, two special presentations, six general admission tickets, as well as access to panels and the hospitality lounges. There is also an upgraded “The Ellwood Pass” which features a ticket to the gala presentations, an invitation to VIP parties, priority seating, and more. The weekend’s schedule kicks off with Memoir of a Snail, Brief History of a Family, La Cocina, and the opening night party.
PRO Tip: For an easy way to keep track of the schedule for each day, check out the film festival’s calendar here.
Aurora Borealis Festival
Where? East 38th Place
When? November 1st-3rd
Experience the pure magic of the northern lights in Aurora! This spectacular weekend of wonder features a stunning recreation of the northern lights, as well as interactive lighting installations, a global gift bazaar, and the Flavors of Aurora food court. This unforgettable event should be at the top of your list this weekend at The Aurora Highlands Winged Melody Park. The event is presented by Visit Aurora and will be hosted on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (with different hours each day, so stay updated)! Experiences at the festival include the Xfinity Light Tunnel, the Stanley Marketplace Orb Garden, The Denver7 Sound Dome, the Aurora Pride Silent Disco, the Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Kids Corner, and more.
PRO Tip: Reservations are strongly encouraged due to the high volume of visitors. Snag your time slot in advance for expedited entry and extra perks. General admission is free, though reservations are subject to a $1 processing fee per ticket!
Denver Arts Week
Where? Various Locations
When? November 1st-10th
Denver Arts Week is kicking off on the first of November, celebrating all things arts and culture in The Mile High City. There will be hundreds of events around the city across 10 days, allowing you plenty of opportunity to explore vibrant art districts, museum exhibitions, outdoor sculptures, performing arts events, and more! You’ll even have a chance to buy art of your own! The Denver Arts Week kicks off with an expanded First Friday Art Walks across the city’s creative neighborhoods, which is then followed up by Free Night at the Museums on Saturday, November 2nd. Many of Denver’s top cultural institutions will be open for free, providing everyone with an opportunity to visit them.
PRO Tip: With so many events going on as part of Arts Week, keep up with them here! Everyone is sure to find something that strikes their interest — so get out this week and check out Denver’s welcoming creative community.
The Great Onesie Bar Crawl: Denver 2024
Where? 1520 20th Street
When? November 2nd
The Great Onesie Bar Crawl is making its way back to Denver and it’s sure to be bigger and better than ever! This Saturday from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, don your best, most ridiculous onesie and take over the streets of Denver with your fellow bar crawlers. Unleash your inner spirit animal or just throw on your comfiest lounge onesie for what’s sure to be a uniquely awesome time. The crawl itself begins at 3:00 PM, with check-in and registration taking place ahead of time at Jackson’s. There will be complimentary drinks, exclusive specials, and surprises at your favorite Denver venues.
PRO Tip: The 2024 bar lineup features Jackson’s, The Retro Room, Sidecar, The Refinery, and 1930. Grab your tickets online ahead of the crawl or at the door. Tickets include drink specials, a complimentary welcome drink, entry into the costume contest, and all sorts of new friends!
Autumn Artfest
Where? 888 East 50th Avenue
When? November 2nd
The Autumn Artfest is part of the Denver Arts Week celebration! Hosted at the Globeville Riverfront Art Center (GRACe) on Saturday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, visitors will enjoy over 75 artists and creative businesses in residence. The center is home to a multitude of visual artists who work across a variety of mediums (painting, fiber, photography, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, and more). Whether you’re looking for amazing work to put in your home or you want to get a jump on holiday shopping, there’s something special around every corner. Many of the open studios will have live demonstrations all day long.
PRO Tip: This is a free event and everyone is welcome to stop by. It’s never wasted time to spend your afternoon supporting local artists and small businesses!
Turkey Trails
Where? 801 South Yarrow Street
When? November 3rd
This Sunday race in Lakewood is a great way to break in a new pair of sneakers or just get outside and move with your friends and family. The annual Turkey Trails 5K/10K is Thanksgiving-themed, making it a blast to watch! Dress up in your seasonal attire or grab some awesome race swag, such as a designer shirt and a custom medal. There will be a chip-timed system for the race, as well as free photos. Once you make your way across the finish line, enjoy treats and applause from onlookers!
PRO Tip: If you can’t make it out to Sunday’s race, there is also a virtual race option. For the little turkeys in attendance, there is discounted youth pricing and a fun dash just for them!
Family-Friendly Activities in Denver This Weekend
Looking for ways to have fun as a family? Look no further! With activities at Dinosaur Ride and a Bounce Empire party, this weekend is bustling with activity that is sure to delight the little ones.
Bounce Empire Dino Dance Party
Where? 1380 South Public Road
When? November 1st
Come on out and party with Bounce Empire this Friday for the Dino Dance Party featuring Onyx the Velociraptor! With endless entertainment options, the whole group will have a blast. Bounce Empire spans 50,000 square feet and includes over 50 attractions, including three-story slides and a 360-degree concert stage. Adults can relax in the upscale 21 and up Rubbish Bar & Lounge or the family can dine at the Bounce Bistro. This weekend’s Jurassic dance party is a great way to kick off November. The event starts at 6:00 PM but there’s still plenty to do beforehand.
PRO Tip: When visiting Bounce Empire, make sure to check out the 4,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with beautiful mountain views.
Night at the Museums
Where? 16831 West Alameda Parkway
When? November 2nd
This Saturday, pay a visit to Dinosaur Ridge from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM for a unique Night at the Museum event. This family-friendly activity is part of Visit Denver’s annual Arts Week celebration. There will be a shuttle service to and from the Morrison Natural History Museum for easy access. Participants will enjoy free entry to the Exhibit Hall, where they can hop on the shuttle to view the dinosaur tracks as a tour guide discusses the animals that made these footprints over 100 million years ago. The after-hours experience is a great way to see the site in a new light, which makes it all the more exciting!
PRO Tip: The Night at the Museums event will also include free crafts and activities! Invite your friends and family so everyone has a chance to explore this awesome spot.
Dragon Dash 5K Run/Walk
Where? Central Park @ 8801 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Denver CO 80238
When? November 3rd
Sunday’s Dragon Dash 5K will be hosted in Denver’s Central Park. The family-friendly run/walk is open to all community members of any fitness level. Whether you run for time or fun (or walk with friends!) this is a great way to get outside and get moving. The Dragon Dash will be professionally chip timed and the course is on a flat, mostly paved terrain. All proceeds benefit the Isabella Bird Community School, which is also the host of the dash. Ages 0 to 4 can participate for free and ages 5-11 will be charged $23.50. Adult participants can join for $33.50 (which includes a $3.50 fee).
PRO Tip: Registration prices increase after November 2nd at midnight, so get your registration in ASAP to snag the lower prices.
Have Fun This Weekend in Denver!
The Mile High City always has something exciting going on. Whether you’re in the mood for a pop concert, a comedy show, a 5K, or an Aurora Borealis Festival — there’s something for everyone. Set a reminder to swing back around next week for the most up-to-date list of things going on around town.