DENVER – Every weekend, Denver7 compiles a list of some fun events you might enjoy. Here are our picks for the 7 best things to do in the Denver metro area and beyond this weekend.
1. Discover the many forms of flight Frederick in Flight
What: Join the Town of Frederick as they celebrate the many forms of flight in June with a hot air balloon lift, glow party, and tons of fun for the whole family! There will be live music, food vendors, beer garden, kids’ activities and hot air balloons candle sticking and glowing (weather permitting).
Where: Centennial Park, 630 Eighth St. in Frederick, Colo.
When: Friday, June 21, Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23 starting at 6 a.m. Saturday’s Glow Party starts at 5 p.m.
Admission: Free to attend
More info: https://www.frederickco.gov/239/Frederick-in-Flight
2. Pig out at the world’s highest BBQ competition and brew festival
What: At 10,152 feet, the Leadville BBQ & Brew Festival is the world’s highest! Prepare to pig out on delicious BBQ and fine local microbrews, topped off with live music. Along with the BBQ event, there will be a family zone with numerous activities.
Where: Leadville, Colo.
When: Friday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
More info: http://leadvillebbq.com/
3. Eat, drink and dance like a Greek during Denver’s Greek Festival
What: Come eat, drink and dance like a Greek at the 2018 Greek Festival this weekend on the grounds of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral. There will be live cooking demonstrations, late night mezes (Greek tapas) as well as a Greek boutique, displaying the best of Greek artisans from around the country
Where: Assumption of the Theotokos Metropolis Cathedral of Denver, 4610, E. Alameda Ave. in Denver
When: Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, June 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $0-$75; Find tickets here.
More info: https://www.thegreekfestival.com/
4. Get in the spirit at the Strawberry Days Festival
What: The 122nd annual Strawberry Days Festival is a tradition for the City of Glenwood Springs. Enjoy arts and crafts, live music and main stage entertainment, the crowning of the 2019 Miss Strawberry Days, FamilyFest with interactive, entertaining and creative experiences for the kids and parade down Grand Avenue.
Where: Glenwood Springs, Colo.
When: Friday, June 21 from noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
More info: https://glenwoodchamber.com/strawberrydays/
5. Think big by going small at the Colorado Tiny House Festival
What: The Colorado Tiny House Festival will return for its third year this weekend in Brighton. While the festival will have several tiny houses on show, it will also have other little living spaces, such as container homes, conversions of semi-trailers and school buses and vans, teardrop trailers, yurts and more. Attendees can also enjoy speaker presentations, hands-on workshops, a product and service marketplace, and food and drinks.
Where: Adams County Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton, Colo.
When: Friday, June 21 from noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: $10 (single day); $20 (three-day)
More info: https://coloradotinyhousefestival.com/
6. Roar with the waves at the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival
What: The 11th annual Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival is a fundraiser for Cañon City, featuring whitewater competitions, along with other land-based events to promote the outdoors and an active lifestyle. There will be food, beer, vendors and entertainment for the whole family.
Where: Centennial Park in Cañon City, Colo.
When: Friday, June 21 from 4 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission: Free to attend; between $25-$90 if participating. More here.
More info: http://www.royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com/
7. Learn about Scandinavian heritage at the Midsummer Festival
What: Over 80 artisans, organizations and performers will share their cultural heritage through food, crafts, demonstrations and entertainment this weekend in Estes Park. Enjoy mead, aquavit, potato sausages, Swedish meatballs, lefsa, smoked salmon, as well as uff da band-listening, nervous maidens, flower crown-making and Viking visiting!
Where: Bond Park, in downtown Estes Park, Colo.
When: Friday, June 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 22 from 9:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, June 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free to attend
More info: https://www.estesmidsummer.com/
Looking for more? Check out these other fun events
See donkeys race at the Donkey Derby Days celebrations
What: Donkey Derby Days has been a staple celebration of the City of Cripple Creek. The celebration sees people from all over the world descend on downtown, in order to see a race inspired by the town’s resident donkey herd – believed to be distant descendants of the original donkeys from the town’s Gold Rush days. Enjoy live entertainment, heritage competitions and other fun family activities.
Where: Cripple Creek, Colo.
When: Friday, June 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: Free to attend
More info: https://visitcripplecreek.com/event/donkey-derby-days/
TEDx Mile High: Human Kind
What: Explore the human element behind innovation: whether it’s science, technology, the arts, or education, it is the collective efforts of groups, and the ingenuity that leads people forward.
Where: Buell Theater, 1350 Curtis St. in Denver
When: Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: $66-$500; get tickets here.
More info: https://www.tedxmilehigh.com/humankind/
PurpleStride Colorado
What: Join the vibrant community that seeks to end pancreatic cancer during PurpleStride Colorado 2019. Besides the 5K walk/run, there will be music, speakers, activities and food trucks.
Where: Washington Park in Denver
When: Sunday, June 23 starting at 8:10 a.m.
Admission: Free-$40
More info: http://support.pancan.org/site/TR?fr_id=1700&pg=entry
Enjoy all that Japanese culture has to offer at the Cherry Blossom Festival
What: The 47th annual Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japanese heritage and culture through live entertainment, food and drink, a marketplace and informative exhibits and demonstrations. Fans of taiko drumming, teriyaki chicken, sake and Japanese artwork won’t want to miss this year’s festival!
Where: Sakura Square, 1255 19th St. in Denver
When: Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, June 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free to attend
More info: https://cherryblossomdenver.org/
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Oh, hey there! We see you've made it to the bottom of the article - that's awesome! Whether you're visiting Denver or live in town, Denver Beer Co. is a great place to hang out with some friends and even your dog while you enjoy a beer in the Colorado sunshine, making it a Mile High Must!
Have an event you’d like for us to tell viewers about? Send an email to oscar.contreras@thedenverchannel.com at least a week ahead of the event and make sure to title it "7 best things to do" so he can put your event on the list.