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1. Park the car, don a costume, and pedal away on a Denver Cruiser Ride.
Why You Should Go: Each year, our Top of the Town issue picks out the best-of-the-best in Denver. This year, the Denver Cruiser Ride, a group ride with quirky themes (July 29 is “Analog vs. Digital”), won Editors’ Choice for best Organized Bike Ride.
Details: Various dates through September, various start locations
2. Watch The Princess Bride on the big screen—outside at Infinity Park.
Why You Should Go: Because we’re always impressed by how many people can quote from this movie. Inconceivable!
Details: July 13, Infinity Park
3. In the spirit of collaboration, don’t miss the free concert (Flobots and Making Moves) at the opening of the Biennial of the Americas.
Why You Should Go: This weeks-long effort to connect the Americas via art, business, and culture is packed with free events (view the full schedule here).
Details: July 14, Biennial Pavilion
4. Take a stroll—and have a picnic—in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
Why You Should Go: Before kickoff for the MLS All-Star Game, burn off some calories by exploring the trails in the Arsenal, which is right across the street. (Bonus: Read about who’ll coach the team here.)
Details: July 29, Commerce City
5. Lay out a blanket, but you may not be able to sit—you’ll be dancing—during the free Na’an Stop Lawn Concert at the Clyfford Still Museum.
Why You Should Go: A free concert is compelling enough, but if you need another reason to go: Museum admission is waived from 5 to 8 p.m. Now, that’s a deal.
Details: July 10, Clyfford Still Museum
6. If you are looking for the just-perfect art piece to hang over the fireplace, check out works by more than 100 artists in one place at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.
Why You Should Go: Cheesman Park’s sloped lawns also boast ample shade, making this festival a little less daunting (read: more cool) than other summer fests.
Details: July 25 to 26, Cheesman Park
7. Nosh on Russian sochni—bread with stuffed with cottage cheese—and watch Greek dancers at the Orthodox Food Festival & Old Globeville Days (pictured).
Why You Should Go: Globeville’s historic streets are in the midst of a revival. Read why here.
Details: July 18 to 19, Argo Park
8. If you’ve got a kid who can’t enough of cars, trucks, and things that go, make plans to go to Highlands Ranch Community Association’s Touch-A-Truck.
Why You Should Go: As the name implies, this event is all about playing in fire engines, police cars, and trucks.
Details: July 25, Cherry Hills Community Church
9. The spirit of the Old West lives on during Buffalo Bill Days, one of Golden’s largest annual events.
Why You Should Go: Summer is all about local fairs and this one has a little bit of everything: pancakes, vintage cars, and, of course, a duck race.
Details: July 22 to 26, Golden
10. Watch Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds projected on the side of the Denver Public Library, as part of Pop Up Film on the Side.
Why You Should Go: This classic film is creepy enough, but try to watch it in open air without getting a little worried about the pigeons circling in Civic Center Park.
Details: July 10, Central Library
Looking for more things to do in Denver? Check out our events calendar.
Discover more ways to enjoy summer in Denver at 5280.com/summerguide.
Follow senior editor Natasha Gardner on Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.
