There is no shortage of festivals and fairs in the Denver Metro area in the summer! — Whether you’re excited about getting your Renaissance on, checking out chalk art, or cheering on the Dragon Boats, there’s something to please everyone! We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Denver area summertime fairs and festivals.
Denver Chalk Art Festival – June 3 – 4
This Italian-inspired festival takes place June 3rd through June 4th and is located in downtown’s Larimar Square. In Renaissance Italy, artists used to use chalk to create masterpieces on asphalt, but the practice was forgotten until recently. The the Denver Chalk Festival, artists use colored pastel to create their sidewalk art. They outline, fill, and blend until the final product is to their liking. In addition to beautiful art, there will be music, Italian food, and a kids corner. Come enjoy these masterpieces before the rain washes them away!
Renaissance Festival – June 10 – July 30 (weekends)
The Colorado Renaissance Festival, located in Larkspur, runs for eight weekends this summer beginning on June 10th. The festival features live music, an artisan market, a hypnotist, a living fountain, a jousting tournament, an endangered cat show, and much more! The family-friendly festival operates rain or shine and has been a Denver favorite for many years. So, dress up in your favorite renaissance attire and come enjoy a full day of entertainment and delicious food! Tickets can be purchased online for a discount and parking is free.
Unicorn Festival – June 25
On Sunday, June 25th at Littleton’s Clement Park, a magical event will take place: Denver’s first Unicorn Festival! The festival includes unicorn rides, a mermaid lagoon, princess photos, fairy dances, an arts and crafts castle, and much more. Tickets to the family-friendly event can be purchased online at a discount. The festival runs from 10 am to 6 pm, and food will be available for purchase.
Cherry Blossom Festival – June 24 – 25
Denver’s 45th annual Cherry Blossom Festival will take place at Sukura Square in downtown Denver on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th. The Japanese-inspired festival will have Japanese foods, artwork, dancing, and live music. There will also be marketplace vendors selling jewelry, art, and apparel. Come enjoy a day of delicious food and learn more about the Japanese culture. Admission is free.
Series Fest – June 27
This five day TV festival opens at Red Rocks Amphitheater and aims to bring together television creators, actors, writers, and audiences through competitions, sneak peaks, and television premieres. The festival begins on June 27th at Red Rocks with a 90’s throwback concert by Lauryn Hill and Common and En Vogue.
Denver Comic Con – June 30 – July 2
Running from Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 2 at the Colorado Convention Center, this pop culture phenomenon will feature Weird Al Yankovic, Amy Chu, and Aaron Kuder along with many other well-known people in the comic world. DCC is the brainchild of the Colorado nonprofic Pop Culture Classroom, which aims to increase learning and literacy through pop culture education. The festival attracts people from all over the world and is a family-friendly event. DCC’s highlights include various panels and workshops, a celebrity summit, and cosplay activities. Visit the website to purchase a three day or a single pass for your comic-loving family.
Denver County Fair – July 21 – 23
The urban county fair offers affordable family fun while showcasing Denver’s unique character and culture. Bring the family and enjoy the largest DCF carnival yet, with more than 20 amusement rides, pony rides, camel rides and unicorn rides. The indoor/outdoor fair will include over 12 unique pavilions, 6 stages with a variety of programming, local bands and talents, a ukulele contest, live contests that test your know-how and hot dog, pie and bug-eating contests.
Colorado Dragon Boat Festival – July 29 – 30
Don’t miss the 10th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, July 29th and 30th at Sloan’s Lake! Head out and enjoy the gorgeous Colorado weather, cultural eats, shopping, performers, and the exciting dragon boat races!
