For more activities, check our roster of events worth the price of admission and our concert calendar, as well as our Fall Arts Guide calendar. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver this week:
Free things to do in Denver...ongoing
Most museums charge admission, but there are exceptions worth searching out for SCFD free days, including Monday, September 30, at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. And on Thursday, October 3, both the Molly Brown House and the Colorado Railroad Museum offer free admission.Although Civic Center EATS is now back with its fall edition on Wednesdays and Thursdays, that isn't the only action at Civic Center Park; there are finally new exhibits at the McNichols Building. But fair warning: The Central Library is closed until November.
Free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week:
Denver Museum of Nature & Science SCFD Free Day
Monday, September 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2001 Colorado Boulevard
Satisfy your science curiosity during an SCFD Free Day. Walk up anytime and gain access to the Wildlife Halls as well as the permanent exhibitions. (A separate ticket is required for the planetarium or Infinity Theater.) Find out more here.
Pretty Woman
Monday, Septmeber 30, 7 p.m.
Edgewater Public Market, 5505 West 20th Avenue, Edgewater
The screening of Pretty Woman initially set up for this series was rained out, but all systems look go for tonight's replacement showing. Grab a spot on the lawn, grab some grub from the market (no outside food or drink allowed) and enjoy a last summer-like night outdoors. Admission is free; learn more here.
Where is Koketso? A Search, Seek and Find
Tuesday, October 1, through Friday, October 26
Based at Second Star to the Right Bookstore, 1455 South Pearl Street
Second Star to the Right is home base for this seek-and-find adventure involving local author Nyasha Williams's new book. Koketso will visit local businesses throughout the south Denver community this month; pick up a passport at Second Star to collect stamps and become eligible to win prizes at the October 26 finale at the bookstore. Get the details here.
Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party
Tuesday, October 1, 6:30 p.m.
brother jeff's Cultural Center, 2836 Welton Street
Catch a watch party of the Walz-Vance Vice Presidential debate at brother jeff's Cultural Center. Share community and your opinions at this free event; learn more here.
Denver Walls 2024
Through Saturday, October 5
Various locations in RiNo Art District
Denver Walls, a free street art festival, returns to the Denver Art District, where sixteen artists will be painting new murals all week; stop by and watch anytime. There are more organized activities starting mid-week, including the free Secret Walls Academy Artists Workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. October 2, a Drink and Doodle-style event led by artist Birdcap at the Blue Moon bar. The Secret Walls Paint Battle runs from 8 to 11 p.m. on October 3, but requires a ticket. On October 4, however, admission to the Wet Paint gallery show at RedLine from 6 to 10 p.m. is free, as is the Denver Walls Closing Block Party from noon to 6 p.m. October 5 in the RiNo Artpark. Get more details here.
Genomic Approaches to Understanding Adaptation and Plasticity at High Altitude
Thursday, October 3, 5 p.m.
CU Museum of Natural History,1035 Broadway, Boulder
At high altitude, hypoxia is the fundamental challenge that sojourners and native residents face, necessitating physiological acclimatization and/or genetic adaptation to overcome. Research provides key insights into the patterns of genetic adaptation and epigenetic plasticity to high-altitude hypoxia, shed light on genetic variation contributing to complex phenotypes, and are of potential importance for public health given HIF-pathway involvement with various disease processes such as chronic ischemic disease and regulation of tumor growth. Free, get details here.
LoHo Soiree
Thursday, October 3, 5 to 10
1615 Boulder Street
Made by Us is hosting this outdoor market that features local businesses and local artists. Admission is free; learn more here.
Throwback Thursday With Head Distiller for Whisky Library Tasting
Thursday, October 3, 6 to 7 p.m.
Spirit Hound Denver Tasting Room, 3622 Tejon Street
Enjoy a Throwback Thursday with the head distiller from Spirit Hound, who will host this exclusive tasting of rare whiskies pulled straight from the distillery's private whisky library. Admission is free, but registration is required here.
A Taste of Hope: The Blue Plate Book Launch and Local Farmer Connections
Thursday, October 3, 7 p.m.
Patagonia Boulder, 1630 Pearl Street
Mark Easter, Fort Collins-based ecologist and author of The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos, along with Phil Taylor, founder of Mad Agriculture, will talk about regenerative agriculture with local farmers from Bluebird Sky Farmstead, Off Beet Farm and Speedwell Farms & Gardens. Guests will be able to join the discussion while sampling local brews and food. Admission is free, but registered is required here. Easter will also be at Tattered Cover Colfax on October 8.
Idaho Springs Literary Festival: Celebrating Community, Literature and Connection
Friday, October 4, and Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, October 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Around Idaho Springs
Friends of the Idaho Springs Public Library present this free community event designed to celebrate reading, foster connections and support the beloved local library, which offers everything from digital access to eBooks and audiobooks to an innovative “Library of Things,” which includes electronics, outdoor gear and even seasonal ski passes. The weekend-long celebration will showcase the restored Carnegie Library as well as local authors ranging from Sandra Dallas to Joanne Greenberg. Admission is free; learn more here.
Ghostbusters
Friday, October 4, 3 to 5 p.m.
The Curtis, 1405 Curtis Street
The Curtis continues its series of Friday events with a screening of Ghostbusters in the lobby, where you'll also be able to enjoy a free popcorn bar. Learn more here.
Old School Cool First Friday Vintage Market
Friday, October 4, 4 to 9 p.m
The Bird Lot, 2532 Larimer Street
The outdoor market season continues with live music and local vendors offering vintage finds and other old-school cool items. Admission is free; learn more here.
La Raza Youth Leadership Conference
Saturday, October 5, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Auraria Campus
La Raza’s annual Youth Leadership Conference is free and open to all high school-aged youth in Colorado. This year’s theme is “La Lucha Sigue” (“The Fight Continues”), and it will focus on the perseverance of communities facing societal and cultural oppression as well as strategies to confront and dismantle systemic challenges. The inspirational day-long event will include youth speakers, workshops, awards, food and entertainment; learn more and register here.
Lalo Delgado Poetry Flor y Canto Fest
Saturday, October 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MSU Denver School of Music Building, 800 Kalamath Street
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at this tribute honoring Chicano poet Abelardo “Lalo” Barrientos Delgado, who taught at MSU for seventeen years; from 2006 until 2019, an annual poetry festival at the school honored the poet. Now the event is back, with keynote speaker ZBassSpeaks (also known as Z), the poet laureate of Lafayette; Unknown Poets Contest winners and an open mike; PoeJazz featuring Dr. Ramon Del Castillo, Donnie Lucero and Freddy Rodriguez, Jr.; and special tributes from Dr. Renee Fajardo, Dr. Christina Sigala and the Delgado Family. There will also be poetry workshops. Admission is free; learn more here.
Pet Pawrade and Woof-O-Ween
Saturday, October 5, 3:30 to 9 p.m.
Aspen Grove, 7301 South Santa Fe Drive, LIttleton
Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary will be the grand marshal for the first annual Pet Pawrade that kicks off Aspen Grove’s free Woof-O-Ween. The dog-friendly event will include a Bark Bazaar Market, dog-friendly hayrides, two dog agility shows and a special showing of Cruella. Learn more here.
Third World With Mono Verde Collective and DJ Imeh
Saturday, October 5, 7 p.m. (doors at 6)
Levitt Pavilion, 1380 West Florida Avenue
Celebrating 49 years, Third World is one of the longest-lived reggae bands and one of Jamaica's most consistently popular crossover acts among international audiences. Mixing elements of R&B, funk, pop and rock, as well as dancehall and rap, Third World’s style has been described as "reggae fusion." Admission is free; learn more here.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list through the week; send information to [email protected].
