Happy Birthday, Colorado! Celebrate the Centennial State!
July 28, 2021
It’s the 145th birthday of the Centennial State on Sunday, so pick a fun way to celebrate this weekend! There are plenty of fun FREE outdoor concerts to choose from, art exhibits, and even a chance to watch the Broncos in their pre-season Training Camp Sessions! The History Colorado Center is hosting a fun FREE celebration on Sunday in honor of Colorado Day!
TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, July 29
CHRIS DANIELS AND THE KINGS AT SOUTHLANDS
This Colorado Music Hall of Famer has been delighting crowds throughout the state for years. Even through the pandemic lockdown, Chris Daniels continued to put out music with his Facebook “fireside chats.” Head over to Southlands for a sampling of his newly-released album, Blues With Horns.
Southlands, 6155 S. Main St., Aurora
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 (1 to 4 tickets)
Phone: 303-627-5000
Thursday – Sunday, July 29 – August 1
PARADE OF PLAYHOUSES
The parade goes on! If you haven’t had a chance to check out the adorable playhouses on display at Stanley Marketplace, pack up the kids and come on over!
You can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the playhouses. All proceeds benefit Junior Achievement programs, and you don’t need to be present to win when the drawing is held on August 7.
Stanley Marketplace, Southeast Plaza, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
Tickets: FREE to view; Raffle tickets starting at $10 for 10 tickets
Phone: 303-260-6295
SEE VAN GOGH COME TO LIFE
The special bigger-than-life exhibit of Vincent Van Gogh’s life and art won’t be around much longer, so don’t miss your chance to walk through the large-scale multi-sensory experience at Stanley Marketplace.
Most museums feature the work of the artist in small frames on the wall, but this exhibit has been called a “symphony of light, color, sound, and fragrance that makes you feel like you are walking right into a Van Gogh painting.”
The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
Thurs./Sun., 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Fri./Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$55
FINAL WEEKEND PARANORMAL CIRQUE
This is your final chance to see the fascinating and disturbing Paranormal Cirque! Imagine if someone held a seance during a circus performance, and you’ll have an idea of this fusion of circus, theatre, and cabaret that revolves around the theme of the fear of the supernatural.
You’ll be transported to a world of dreams—and nightmares—where acrobats and illusionists mingle with freaks and mysterious creatures. No one under 13 will be admitted, and kids 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Town Center, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
Thurs./Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 6:30, 9:30, and 11:30 p.m.; Sun., 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10-$50
Thursday – Friday, July 29-30
BRONCOS TRAINING CAMP
Credit: Ben Swanson
Your chance to watch the Broncos hard at work in their pre-season Training Camp sessions is back! This year, practices will take place in the mornings and are FREE and open to the public! Unfortunately, no autographs will be permitted this year due to league COVID-19 protocols.
UCHealth Training Center, 13403 Broncos Pkwy., Englewood
9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Register: FREE
Friday, July 30
JAPANESE GARDEN DISPLAY
For a peaceful and inspiring morning at the Denver Botanic Gardens, don’t miss this indoor exhibition of Yoshitomo Saitos’ bronze sculpture works, Of Sky and Ground, which capture and celebrate the elegant lines and subtle details of nature.
Then, enter the world of Shofu-en, the Japanese Garden, complete with 200-year-old character pines, harmonious compositions of rocks and plants, and peaceful water features. Your ticket also gets you admission to the rest of the Gardens!
Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
5:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$19
Phone: 720-865-3500
Friday-Sunday, July 30 – August 1
LITTLE BARN ON THE PRAIRIE
Great for kids of all ages, as well as adults! You’ll spend a morning getting to know the farm animals that were so essential to the pioneers of the prairie and learn all about the wildlife they had to deal with. This class will include a wagon ride to the sod village and an opportunity to feed and interact with live farm animals!
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
Fri./Sun., 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Register: $10 per person
Phone: 303-326-8380
Saturday, July 31
FARMERS MARKET AT SOUTHLANDS
Colorado crops are bountiful and now’s the time to take advantage of the pickings at the Southlands Farmers’ Market.
You’ll want to bring plenty of bags when you shop the Market—there’s a great selection of fresh local produce, fruit from the Western Slope, as well as homemade jams, salsas, fresh-baked bread, and more!
Southlands, 6155 S Main St., Aurora
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
JUBILEE BACKYARD SESSIONS
Introduce a little music to your weekend by hanging out at this popular neighborhood coffee house and catching a live performance of a local music act. Grab a cup of coffee and chill with friends and family!
Jubilee Roasting Company, 1452 Kenton St., Aurora
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Cost: FREE
OUTDOOR LATIN DANCE CLASS
Put some sizzle into your Saturday with an outdoor Zumba-inspired dance class! You’ll be having so much fun you’ll forget it’s a great workout, too! All ages and abilities are welcome—no previous experience is required. Afterwards, enjoy half priced beer and non-alcoholic beverages at Cheluna Brewing Company. ¡Órale!
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Register: $6
THUMPIN’ ON THE GREEN!
Enjoy the high-energy and feel-good sounds of everyone’s favorite party band Thumpin’ when they play their summertime play list in the park at Stapleton. Come early and purchase delicious food from one of the many food trucks present, including Mile High Kona Ice, Em’s Ice Cream, Mister Lemonade, WeChef Kitchen, Hecho En Colorado, The Comforts of Home, and Original By Greeks.
South Green, 29th Ave. & Roslyn, Denver
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Saturday-Sunday, July 31 – August 1
16TH STREET ARTS AND CRAFTS
A summertime tradition in Denver, the 16th Street Fair is a festive celebration of fine art and handcrafted goods on the 16th Street Mall. Stroll along the mall and enjoy a cornucopia of handcrafted works by emerging artists and designers in a wide array of media. It’s Downtown Denver’s premier art and craft festival!
16th Street Mall, between Tremont & California Streets, Denver
11:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
Sunday, August 1
COLORADO DAY
Did you know today is Colorado’s birthday? To celebrate the 145th anniversary of the Centennial State, the History Colorado Center is offering free admission and lots of fun! There will be alpacas and mascots and professional chalk artists—as well as live music and four floors of award-winning exhibits. The event is free and open to the public, and advance registration is highly recommended.
History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Register: FREE
Phone: 303-866-2394
FOLK NOIR MUSIC
The two-person band Resonant Rogues have come up with a unique sound they call “folk noir,” with hints of Appalachian folk, swing manouche, vintage country, New Orleans jazz, and a bit of Euro folk thrown in for extra flavor. Don’t miss their lively performance when they play on the outside patio at Stanley Marketplace!
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Information: FREE
JAZZ IN THE PARK WITH NELSON RANGELL
Crowd-pleasing jazz musician Nelson Rangell takes the stage in City Park to deliver a real music-lover’s concert of contemporary jazz. This Denver-based saxophonist has been playing since the late 80s and is one of the most exciting and diverse performers in the genre! He’s equally adept at soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone, as well as being a genuine virtuoso on flute and piccolo, so you never know what you’re in for at one of his performances.
City Park, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: FREE
The Lake Beckons, Near Southshore!
You’ll feel like you’re driving into a different world when you enter the lakeside community of Southshore, with the accent on water activities and two – count ’em – two pools and two community/rec centers! The locale offers access to plenty of things to do every weekend! If you’re new to Life at the Lake, drive around and check out the beautiful model homes from Taylor Morrison, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers. Available in ranch and two-story designs, Southshore homes are priced between the upper $400s to the $700s.