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Denver Events
January
National Western Stock Show and Rodeo: The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (tel. 303/297-1166) is held the second and third weeks of January. The rodeo takes place at the Denver Coliseum, and other activities at the National Western Complex and the Event Center. With more than $500,000 available in prize money and 600,00 people in attendance, this is one of the world's richest and largest rodeos.
February
Early February: Colorado Crush Arena Football Opening Game, at the Pepsi Center. John Elway's Colorado Crush debuts. (303) 352-1000
Mid February: Opera Colorado Opening Season, at The Temple Buell Theater. Jim Robinson's production of La Boheme opens the 21st season of the Colorado Opera.The season continues into the Spring with productions of The Barber of Seville and La Traviata.(303) 893-4100
March
Denver March Pow Wow, Mid-March. One of the nation's largest annual Native American gatherings, the Pow Wow features over 700 dancers and musicians from 70 tribes.Authentic arts and crafts, drumming competitions, dance contests and Native American food highlight this colorful event.(303) 934-8045.
St. Patrick's Day Parade, March .A Rocky Mountain version of this famous Irish event features the city's biggest annual parade with thousands of horses, stagecoaches, marching bands, floats and fun, all with a "Western" flair.Numerous events in downtown follow the parade. (303) 321-7888.
April
Starz XicanIndie Film Festival, Early April, at the StarzFilm Center on the Auraria campus. The Denver Film Society hosts this three-day event, featuring a collection of films dealing with the Hispanic experience. (303) 595-3456
May
Cinco de Mayo, Late April/early May.This is the largest Cinco de Mayo event in the United States, drawing over 400,000 people to Civic Center Park in downtown Denver where hundreds of booths sell Latino food, crafts and art.Several stages feature traditional to contemporary Latino entertainment, from Aztec dancers to strolling Mariachi bands. Mexican dancers in colorful costume, rock and popular groups from Mexico and the best authentic burritos in town are some of the highlights.Cinco de Mayo commemorates the historic Battle of Puebla, Mexico on May 5th of 1862 fought between Mexican guerillas who successfully defended the town against an invasion by a powerful French army.Today, the holiday is a symbol of national pride and unity for Mexicans and people of Mexican descent everywhere. Some would argue that Latinos in the US celebrate the holiday even more than people in Mexico do. (303) 534-8342, ext. 106.
June
CHUN Capitol Hill People's Fair, early June. A Denver tradition for the beginning of summer with 250,000 people attending the city's most eclectic neighborhood festival. Multiple stages with continuous entertainment, 550 art and craft booths and a food bazaar offering everything from turkey legs to Indonesian specialties, all in beautiful Civic Center Park.(303) 830-1651.
Opera Pops: Central City Opera season opener, early June at the Marriott City Center in downtown Denver. The opera season opens with a selection of fast-paced, opera classics performed by a group of international artists. (303) 292-6700, (800) 851-8175
July
Cherry Creek Arts Festival, early July. Ranked as the No.1 fine arts and craft exhibition in the nation, this festival draws more than 250,000 people to Cherry Creek North, a tree-lined area of shops, galleries and cafés. All 200 of the participating artists are selected by a jury and represent every type of media from photography and watercolor, to jewelry and glass. Entertaining music and dance performances are held on several stages and food can be found at "Culinary Row," a series of 18 booths from Denver's top restaurants offering a variety of signature dishes. (303) 355-2787.
August
Denver Grand Prix, Mid-August. Start your engines : the Denver Grand Prix is coming to the Mile High City. For three exciting days, the area around the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver will be turned into a rack track seating 60,000 people. The 1.68-mile track will see Indy cars racing through 14 turns at speeds between 165 and 175 miles per hour.(888) 827-7333
Colorado Scottish Festival, Mid-August, .A celebration of the Celtic world with music, clan tents, pipe bands, drumming, Scottish athletic competitions, highland dancing and folk music.(303) 238-6524.
September
Festival of Mountain & Plain: A Taste of Colorado, Labor Day Weekend .Denver celebrates Labor Day Weekend with a feast and a festival in Civic Center Park for 400,000 people.Enjoy the free entertainment, great food from 50 of Colorado's best restaurants, artisans and carnival rides.(303) 295-6330.
Larimer Square's Annual Oktoberfest, mid-September, .This fall tradition is celebrated at Larimer Square, a restored section of Denver's oldest street.German bands, dancing, oompah bands, beer, bratwurst, food booths, colorful costumes, a Kinderplatz and of course, more beer.(303) 685-8143
October
The Starz Denver International Film Festival, Mid-October, at The Temple Buell Theater and the Starz FilmCenter on the Auraria Campus. Dozens of filmmakers introduce a slate of new movies. (303) 595-3456 or www.denverfilm.org
Boo at the Zoo, October at the Denver Zoo. The Denver Zoo transforms into a haunted park filled with mysterious creatures and fun for tiny trick-or-treaters. (303) 376-4800
November
Holiday Gift & Garden Market, November at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The 39th annual Gardens' holiday shopping event features horticultural and crafty gifts, as well as good and beverages. (720) 865-3500
December
Blossoms of Light, December at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Each December night showcases an illuminated 12 acres of the gardens, featuring carolers, dancers and other festive sights. (720) 865-3500
Georgetown Christmas Market, December . The magic of an old-fashioned Christmas is recaptured in Victorian Georgetown.In the tradition of the Swedish Julmarknad and the German Christmarket, there will be crafts, homemade foods, and delicious European foods.(303) 569-2840
Xcel Energy Parade of Lights, December starting at the Denver City and County building. Two dazzling evenings of floats, costumes, the state's top marching bands and magnificent lights. (303) 534-6161
Annual Tuba Christmas, December on Larimer Square. What started out as a small gathering of tuba players has emerged as a holiday tradition of musical magnitude, with more than 300 musicians performing a concert with Christmas favorites. (303) 685-8143
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