Things to do in Denver this weekend, Sept. 28-Oct. 1

Looking for things to do in Denver this weekend? Here’s a big, curated list of options in arts and entertainment, food and drink, causes, sports and more!
15 min. read
Two women chat on a bench beside Smith Lake at Washington Park. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) washington park; fourth of july; independence day; denver; colorado; kevinjbeaty; denverite;

Two women chat on a bench beside Smith Lake at Washington Park. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Hey, it's going to be fairly nice out again. Get out there.

Thursday

Food & drink

The Brewtography Project. Dustin Hall's photos of nearly 150 craft breweries, distilleries and cideries in Colorado, plus an oak-fermented brett farmhouse ale collaboration between Rocky Mountain Barrel Company and Call to Arms Brewing Co. Hotel Teatro, 1100 14th St. 7-10 p.m. 

Entertainment

Best bet: "Backpack Full of Cash." Denver premier of an award-winning, unreleased film. "Narrated by Matt Damon, this feature-length documentary explores the growing privatization of public schools and the resulting impact on America’s most vulnerable children." The film will be followed by a discussion. Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive. 6:30-9 p.m.

“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $30-36.

“Frozen.” The brand new stage version of the Disney hit. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $25-100.

“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $29-39.

Jerry Joseph. Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $15-20.

Skylar Spence. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $12-14.

Holy Fuck. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 .m. $18-20.

Ruth B. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 7:30 p.m. $15-20.

Grateful Bluegrass Boys with special guest Tyler Grant. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 8 p.m. $5-15.

Paint featuring Tsurda & Huxley Anne. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $15-20.

The Get Along album release. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $7.

Kim Boekbinder. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $8.

No Man's Land Film Festival. REI, 1416 Platte St. 5:30-9 p.m. $15-20.

Art

Lecture: Still & Art. Curator David Anfam will discuss Still’s dialogue with world art history and its impact on Still as an artist. Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Registration required.

Mark Fitzsimmons: "Hard Comforts." One-night-only performance utilizing soft sculpture, song and anxiety to communicate the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on returning veterans. DATELINE, 3004 Larimer St. 6-11 p.m. 

"After Thought." Reception for an exhibit of work of paintings and drawings by William Stockman. Gildar Gallery, 82 S. Broadway. 6-9 p.m.

For families

“The Snowy Day.” Play inspired by Ezra Jack Keats’ acclaimed children’s books. Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th St. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. $10.

For a cause

The 5th Annual Real Rock Star Awards. Dinner, performances, awards and a silent auction for Youth On Record. Levitt Pavilion, 1380 W. Florida Ave. 7-10 p.m. $15-20. Free with student ID.

A Benefit for Brad Coley featuring The Burial Plot. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.

Friday

Food & drink

Denver Oktoberfest. Live music, food and beer on Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd. 11 a.m.-midnight. Free.

30th annual Firefighter Chili Cook-Off. Denver Firefighters Local 858 hosts hundreds of firefighters from all over the state to compete for the best green and red chili. Plus:beer from Chain Reaction Brewing Company and Locavore Beer Works, music and giveaways provided by Señor Gordon's Foods. Larimer Square (between 14th and 15th). 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Grandma's House third anniversary party. Birthday beer releases, a thrift store fashion show, a balloon animal artist and tarot card readings. Grandma's House, 1710 S. Broadway. Noon-close.

Entertainment

Best bet: Future IslandsFillmore Auditorium, 1510 N. Clarkson St. 9 p.m. 

Best bet: The Weeknd and Gucci Mane. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle. 7:30 p.m. $39.50-150.

“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $30-36.

“Macbeth.” A reimagining of the Shakespeare tragedy in the DCPA’s in-the-round theater. Space Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 7:30 p.m. $30-65.

“Frozen.” The brand new stage version of the Disney hit. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $25-100.

“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 7:30 p.m. $29-39.

Big Gigantic. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway. 6 p.m.. $46.

Ozomatli. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $25-30.

The Ghost of Paul Revere. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $15-17.

Tristen. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Aaron Lee Tasjan. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 9 p.m. $10-12.

Junius. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $12-15.

Curren$y. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 8:30 p.m. $27-45.

Katharsis. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $10-15.

Too Short. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 8 p.m. $30-55.

Metro Station. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $16-18.

Electric LoveGods album release. Syntax Physic Opera, 554 S. Broadway. 9 p.m. $7.

HUMP! Film Festival. Features short (less than 5 minutes) dirty movies created by people who aren’t porn stars but want to be one for a weekend. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $20. 21+ only. 

Midnight Madness: "The Room." Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.

Art

Best bet: Untitled: Stories. Featuring a series of animal-inspired stories from The Narrators, improv in the elevator with the Buntport Theater, artist-led talks about "Mi Tierra: Contemporary Artists Explore Place" and more. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. College students with valid ID get 2-for-1 admission.

"Latinas Lead" with a presentation by artist Betsabeé Romero. RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe St. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Final Friday Art Walk. Explore the galleries of the Golden Triangle, plus special events in the venues and in the streets. 5-9 p.m. Free.

For families

“The Snowy Day.” Play inspired by Ezra Jack Keats’ acclaimed children’s books. Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th St. 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. $10.

For your brain

Dark History Explored: The KKK in Colorado. Expert historians on Colorado’s Ku Klux Klan will participate in a panel discussion regarding the presence and influence of the KKK in the state in the 1920s. Manual High School, 1700 E. 28th Ave. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

History Mystery Tour of Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St. 7-9 p.m. $25.

For a cause

Denver Innocence Project annual fundraiser. Food, drinks, live music from Jobless and guest speakers Jason Baldwin of the West Memphis Three, Don Knight, the attorney for a man who is awaiting execution for a crime he did not commit, and John Dicke, a post-conviction attorney for a man who was convicted based on DNA evidence that turned out to be false. Mercury Café, 2199 California St. 7:30-11:30 p.m. $25-350.

"DOLORES the Movie." Dolores Huerta, her family and staff of the Dolores Huerta Foundation will be in attendance for a screening of a feature documentary about Huerta’s lifetime of work for social justice. All proceeds go to the foundation. Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive. 6-8:30 p.m. $15-1,000.

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.

Saturday

Food & drink

The Big Wonderful Oktobergrass. Beer, bands and a bazaar. 4400 Fox St. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free admission before noon. $5 for just the bands and bazaar. $30 GA.

Denver Oktoberfest. Live music, food and beer on Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd. 11 a.m.-midnight. Free.

Grandma's House third anniversary party. Birthday beer releases, a thrift store fashion show, a balloon animal artist and tarot card readings. Grandma's House, 1710 S. Broadway. Noon-close.

Dog Daze of Summer. Declaration Brewing is celebrating the opening of its legally dog-friendly patio with dog adoptions booths, the Gyros Kings food truck, a dog treat cart by Smart Cookie Barkery and live music from Zack Maruniak and Kindred Soulz. Several beers will be for to the Dumb Friends League, so $1 of every designated pint sold will go to them. Declaration Brewing, 2030 S. Cherokee St. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 

Seedstock Oktoberfest. Music by the Alan Polivka Band and food from the Wilder Meats and Eats food truck, plus stein hoisting, a new beer release, giveaways and more. Seedstock Brewery, 3610 W. Colfax Ave.  3-11 p.m. 

Sojourner's Oktoberfest Party. Stein hoists, stein races, beer pong, live music from Sweet T and the Big Drink, Karma Food Truck and more. The Intrepid Sojourner Beer Project, 925 W. Eighth Ave. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Bottle release: Hirakata Farms Crenshaw Melon IPA. Banded Oak Brewing Company, 470 Broadway. 6-8 p.m.

Coffee Tasting: The New and The New-ish. Cupping and chatting about at least three coffees: Colombia Las Brisas, Guatemala Don Pedro and Kenya Gicherori Peaberry. Huckleberry Roasters, 4301 Pecos St. 11 a.m.-noon.

Beer Flights. Beer garden featuring 10 local breweries on the outdoor plaza at DIA's Jeppesen Terminal, with trivia, table games and more from 4-7 p.m.. Denver International Airport. 8500 Peña Blvd. 11 a.m.-7 pm.

Entertainment

Best bet: TOKiMONSTABluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $20-23.

Best bet: Japanese BreakfastLarimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 9 p.m. $12-14.

Best bet: Comedy Saved the Video StarComedians do standup, then play their favorite music video, which everyone discusses afterward. Night starts with a half hour of TRL (they’ll take your music video requests). Mutiny Information Café, 2 S. Broadway. 9:30 p.m. 

“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 8 p.m. $30-36.

“Macbeth.” A reimagining of the Shakespeare tragedy in the DCPA’s in-the-round theater. Space Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $30-65.

“Frozen.” The brand new stage version of the Disney hit. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $25-100.

“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $29-39.

Florida Georgia Line. Pepsi Center, 1000 Chopper Circle. 7 p.m. $39.75-79.75.

Turkuaz. Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $22-25.

JD McPherson. Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $20-22.

One-Eyed Doll. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $17-20.

Daniel Norgren. Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St. 8 p.m. $15-17.

Dark Descent Records 8th Anniversary and Spectral Voice album release. Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $20.

Goldie. Cervantes Other Side, 2637 Welton St. 9 .m. $25-30.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 2637 Welton St. 9 p.m. $22-25.

Vermillion. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.

No Thank You. Lion's Lair, 2022 E. Colfax Ave. 9 p.m. $8.

HUMP! Film Festival. Features short (less than 5 minutes) dirty movies created by people who aren’t porn stars but want to be one for a weekend. Oriental Theater, 4335 W. 44th Ave. 6 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 1o:30 p.m. $20. 21+ only. 

The Unseen Festival: The Films of Andrew Busti. Counterpath, 7935 E. 14th Ave. 7:30 p.m.

Midnight Madness: "The Room." Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.

Free Outdoor Movie Night: "Bidder 70." BYO blankets and chairs.Fresh popcorn and other movie snacks will be served. Dogs welcome. Feral Mountain Co., 4320 Tennyson St. 7:30-9:30 p.m. RSVP.

For families

“The Snowy Day.” Play inspired by Ezra Jack Keats’ acclaimed children’s books. Conservatory Theatre, 1101 13th St. 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. $10.

Family Saturday Workshop: Giasco Bertoli. Participants are invited to recreate and modify the iconographic album covers selected from Bertoli’s piece using gesso and ink transfer techniques, acrylic paint and other mediums. The Dikeou Collection, 1615 California St. Noon-3 p.m.

Out of This World Astronomy. Explore planetary movement, constellation myths and phases of the moon. Children's Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For your brain

Artifacts Speak Lecture Series: Colorado Aviation Part I. former Lockheed Martin engineer Stephen Kelly will discuss developments in aviation in Colorado. Tickets also get you museum entry. Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd. 1-2 p.m. Free-$12.50.

For a cause

March for Black Women Denver. Black Women of will assemble on the West steps of the State Capitol. The rally is being held in connection with the March for Black Women in D.C. and other states. Includes speakers, music, poetry and more. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Swing for Science benefit concert featuring La Pompe Jazz and Jeremy Mohney Swing Band, with dance lessons provided by Swing Nights Denver. Proceeds go to funding clean energy scientists and the renewable energy mission. Mercury Café, 2199 California St. 7 p.m.-midnight. $15.

Sports

Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.

Colorado Rapids vs. Montreal Impact, 7 p.m.

Sunday

Food & drink

The Big Wonderful Oktobergrass. Beer, bands and a bazaar. 4400 Fox St. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free admission before noon. $5 for just the bands and bazaar. $30 GA.

Entertainment

Rob Lowe: "Stories I Only Tell My Friends." Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 1385 Curtis St. 7:30 p.m. $55-225.

“Appropriate.” In this play by Brandon Jacob-Jenkins, three siblings “collide over clutter, debt and a contentious family history” while cleaning out their family’s Arkansas plantation estate. Curious Theatre Co., 1080 Acoma St. 2 p.m. $30-36.

“Macbeth.” A reimagining of the Shakespeare tragedy in the DCPA’s in-the-round theater. Space Theatre, Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe Street. 1:30 p.m. $30-65.

“Frozen.” The brand new stage version of the Disney hit. Buell Theatre, 1350 Curtis St. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $25-100.

“Girls Only.” Two-woman play “that celebrates the honor, truth, humor and silliness of being female.” Garner Galleria Theatre, 1101 13th St. 2 p.m. $29-39.

Sugar Candy Mountain. Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. 8 p.m. $10-12.

Dead Rider. Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. 8 p.m. $10-12.

Smokepurpp. Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St. 8 p.m. $25-100.

Lockjaw. Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St. 7 p.m. $10-12.

Midnight Madness: "The Room." Esquire Theatre, 590 Downing St. Midnight. $9.

The Unseen Festival: Closing Night. Counterpath, 7935 E. 14th Ave. 7:30 p.m.

Art

Foul-Mouthed Cross-Stitch Sundays. Get crafty and do some cross-stitching. All materials provided with purchase. Grandma’s House, 1710 S. Broadway. Noon-9 p.m.

For families

Dinosaur Ridge Scientific Spelling Stomp. All-ages competitive spelling bee. First prize is $500, second prize is $100. Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. 6-9 p.m. $15-40.

Japanese Kite Festival. Central Park, 8801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

Bo's Lego Tinker Time. Second Star to the Right, 4353 Tennyson St. 1-2 p.m. Free.

For a cause

Colorado for Puerto Rico. Areyto Puerto Rican Food will be donating the proceeds of 150 plates of food and Banded Oak will donate $1 per every beer sold that day. Banded Oak Brewing Company, 470 Broadway. Noon-3 p.m. 

Free to Breath Run/Walk. Lung cancer benefit. Washington Park, 701 South Franklin St. 8:45 a.m. $20-35.

Sports

Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.

Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders, 2:25 p.m.


Didn't find what you're looking for? Here's a link to Meetups near Denver. Or you might try MileHighOnTheCheap.com's calendar.

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