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Celebrate African Diaspora in Art | July 7–9
The annual Colorado Black Arts Festival in City Park celebrates the role that black arts plays in local art and culture. From music and dance to visual art forms that represent the African Diaspora, this festival is a huge celebration of a different side of Denver’s culture.
Get Home Tips in the Center of Downtown | July 8
Homeowners rejoice because the Urban Home Show in Skyline Park is back. The event is free to attend and will feature live music alongside vendors bringing ideas for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping, and decorating for every room of your home—including the garden.
Take the Family to Clyfford Still | July 8
This free day at the Clyfford Still museum is all about the kids. The summer Family Day will include face painting, crafting, family tours of the galleries, and story time for the entire family.
Shop and Walk Through Cherry Creek North | July 13–16
We know that this sale isn’t necessarily free if you intend to do more than window shop (as you should), but it’s the closest to free you’ll get at some of Cherry Creek North’s most popular stores. New this year at the Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale, a number of restaurants and bars will be offering discounts on food and beverage.
Top of the Top 2017 | Your Choice
Our annual list of the very best of Denver hits newsstands this month. Discover our favorite place to see the sunrise, and—watch out!—plenty of things you will want to spend your money on in our July 2017 issue.
Escape the Heat and Take a Tour | Your Choice
You know what’s nice in the summertime? Air conditioning. Lucky for Coloradans, there are plenty of interesting and unique establishments that offer complimentary tours. Candy lovers can head to Hammond’s Factory; Celestial Seasonings gives you a look, taste, and smell into the making of Boulder’s famous tea; MillerCoors in Golden offers a tour of the world’s largest single-site brewery; and if you’ve never been, the U.S. Mint and the Colorado State Capitol are must-sees for everyone living in Denver. (Check out our guide for more things that are Classic Denver.)
Get an In-Depth Look into Denver’s Food Scene | July 14–16
Slow Foods Nation is stopping through some of downtown’s most iconic locations—Union Station, Larimer Square, Tattered Cover LoDo, and more— to celebrate both local and global food culture and traditions. With academic conferences, interactive workshops, local tours, meals and tastings (the majority of which are free) you will get to eat and drink your way through the thriving dining culture here in Denver (and the rest of the world). (Bonus: Check out nine can’t miss events at Slow Foods.)
Visit Denver’s Pop-up Parks | Your Choice
Throughout the summer, downtown Denver is home to two pop-up parks that are worth a visit. A segment of 21st Street is now home to the The Square on 21st, which offers a dog park, bike ramps, vendors, games, and more. Skyline Park’s Beer Garden also opened in June for its second year. This huge space will have (of course) Colorado craft beer, burgers and brats, and a number of outdoor games.
Float Through Summer at Sloan’s Lake | July 19–30
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in Sloan’s Lake Park is dedicated to the diverse Asian communities in the Centennial State. With thrilling dragon boat racing, food vendors, and performances throughout the weekend, it’s a great look into the Asian history and culture.
Visit the State’s Oldest Fair | July 28–August 6
Head up to Boulder for the 148th year of the state’s oldest fair, the Boulder County Fair. Admission is free and includes access to a number of family-friendly activities, including live music and entertainment, 4H activities, and more. Other events such as the rodeo, motorized sports, and the carnival do require purchase.
Find New and Eclectic Art | July 29–30
There’s something for everyone at the memorable Jackalope Arts Fair, which returns to the McNichols Building this July. Stroll through the festival for handmade items from more than 150 vendors that are just as unique as the jackalope—a mythical creature that resembles a jackrabbit with antelope horns—except they’re actually real.
See Shakespeare in a New Way| Sundays
Shakespeare will likely always have a place on the main stage, but the Wit Theatre Company is taking it somewhere new—a local brewery. At Shakesbeer, you can catch the company’s humorous (and crowd-involved) interpretation of A Midsummer’s Night Dr(a)m at Black Shirt Brewing for free. Huzzah!
