Free Things to Do in Denver (and Beyond) Today

We’re heading for fall, fast, and the forecast today is for fun, with Oktoberfests across Colorado, outdoor concerts and more.

Check our weekly list for one-off activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this week:

Ongoing

SCFD Free Days
Locations and dates vary
Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many art institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. Admission to Four Mile Historic Park is free on Friday, September 26; for more upcoming bargains, check the SCFD site.

Civic Center EATS
Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Civic Center Park
For over a decade, food trucks have rallied at Civic Center for lunchtime fun that often includes live entertainment. The fall session started September 10.

Skyline Beer Garden
Wednesday through Sunday
16th and Arapahoe streets
Experience summer the Denver way at this outdoor beer garden with food, drinks, games and live entertainment all summer long. Find the complete schedule here.

Upper DownTUNES
Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.;  Thursday and Friday, 4 to 7 p.m.
Outer Space, 16th and Welton streets
Liven up your lunch at Upper DownTUNES, a free live music series in Upper Downtown Denver.

This Weekend

Market in the Park-et
Sunday, September 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2001 Steele Street
Get out and enjoy the day, while supporting local businesses and artists. This vintage and handmade market will feature more than 140 vendors.

Denver Oktoberfest
Sunday, September 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (repeats next weekend)
Larimer between 20th and 22nd streets
Now one of the biggest and best-attended Oktoberfests in the nation, downtown’s celebration of German heritage has been drawing oompahphiles for 55 years. In addition to the usual festivities (music, vendors, beer), there will be talent shows each Friday evening and a sausage-eating showdown on Saturday, September 27. This being Denver, dogs are not only welcomed, but dachshunds can race in the “Long Dog Derby” (12:30 p.m., both Sundays). No wiener dog, no problem: Pups of any size are welcome to strut their stuff at the dog costume contests, held right after the races. Admission is free, but group cabanas and VIP experiences are available.

Creektoberfest
Sunday, September 21, noon to 6 p.m.
Fillmore Plaza, 105 Fillmore Street
Cherry Creek North is hosting its first-ever Creektoberfest in partnership with the German American Chamber of Commerce. At this free fest, there will be authentic German food and beer, traditional vendors, live music and festive activities like stein-hoisting, costume parades and the ceremonial keg tapping.

Denver Sun Day
Sunday, September 21, 1 to 4 p.m.
1600 City Park Esplanade
Third Act is hosting this Denver celebration of Sun Day with an afternoon of speakers, presentations, demonstrations of solar power and family fun, all to celebrate the free power of the sun and wind on this Fall Equinox.

I.C.E. Baby: Inside Colfax East
SSunday, September 21, 2 p.m.
Roshni Healing Arts Center, 9709 East Colfax Avenue, Aurora
Roshni is presenting the eleventh annual New American Arts Festival, under the theme “Confluence: Move as One, Excluding None,” with programming through September 21. The big production this weekend is Ryan Makepeace’s original play about a female police officer and a community leader.

Elevate Boulder Storytelling Project
Sunday, September 21, 3 to 5 p.m. (reception at 2 p.m.)
Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder
Join Motus Theater for an afternoon of storytelling regarding the Elevate Boulder, the city’s Basic Income Project that’s helped 500 people. Meet some of the participants at a reception at 2 p.m.

Sounds & Stories of the West
Sunday, September 21, 3 p.m.
Mountainview Christian Church, 40 East Highlands Ranch Parkway, Highlands Ranch
The Legendary Ladies and the Highlands Ranch Concert Band present a free concert of songs and sounds of the Old West.

Plan ahead:

High Holy Day Services: Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 22, and Tuesday, September 23
Temple Micah, 1980 Dahlia Street
Temple Micah’s High Holy Day services are open to anyone in the community, but registration is required. The reform synagogue in Park Hill is led by Rabbi Adam Morris (Rabbi Mo). Services will continue through October 2, and are also livestreamed.

Drag Bingo Night at Terminal Bar
Monday, September 22, 5 p.m.
Terminal Bar, Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street
On the second and fourth Monday of each month, dazzling Denver queens Miss Jessica and Talia Tucker will host a free night of fierce fun, high-energy performances, cheeky banter and great prizes.

The Littleton Long Table
Wednesday, September 24, 6 p.m.
Downtown Littleton
The Long Table program comes to Littleton, where thousands of people from all walks of life will sit down at a single long table for a free, shared meal. Register here.

60 Minutes in Space
Wednesday, September 24, 6 p.m.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard
Explore breaking space news with space scientists and hear the latest updates on missions exploring the solar system, rocket launches, cutting-edge astronomy, and more. This presentation is by Dr. KaChun Yu, DMNS Curator of Space Sciences.

West Metro Veterans Fair
Thursday, September 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lakewood Elks Lodge #1777, 1455 Newland Street, Lakewood
This annual event provides veterans with anopportunity to network with fifty organizations that provide support and services, including benefits consultation, counseling services, employment opportunities, health-care options and housing assistance. Specialized support kits will be available for veterans who are experiencing homelessness, and a complimentary barbecue lunch will also be provided. Learn more at Lakewood.org/VeteransFair.

Whole Health Experience
Thursday, September 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
970 Yuma Street
The Whole Health Alliance is hosting the Whole Health Experience, where community members, health professionals and local leaders will explore how we can move toward a future of health care that is proactive, inclusive and community-driven. Register here.

Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Américas
Thursday, September 25, 7:00 p.m.
Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver Performing Arts Complex
This free concert, a signature event of Denver’s Hispanic Heritage Month, brings the community together for an evening of music and dance inspired by the rich traditions of Latin America, with a focus on Afro-Mexican culture and rhythms. Featured artists include Denver’s Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra, the region’s premier mariachi ensemble known for its authentic and energetic sound; soprano Alicia Irigoyen Herch, celebrated for her powerful voice and expressive artistry; a special joint performance by El Sistema Colorado — a youth music program transforming lives through classical training and performance — and Centro Educativo Musical Tomza from Juárez, Mexico, recognized for nurturing young talent and preserving regional traditions; and the dazzling folkloric dance troupe ArtistiCO. The evening will also feature the Colorado Symphony Association Chorus and Percussionists, as well as a pre-concert lobby performance by El Sistema Colorado.

South Denver Artists (SoDA) Open Studio Tour
Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Denver
This second annual South Denver Artists Open Studio self-guided tour will take you through thirteen working studios where artists ranging from Michael Dowling to Mai Wyn Schantz create.

Central Park Denver Open Studio Tours
Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Cube, 8371 Northfield Boulevard
Take a self-guided tour of the Cube and other locations, where Central Park Artists explore a diverse range of art forms.

Ballet Folklorico
Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m.
Blair Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton Street
Denver Public Libraries hosts a program of cultural expression and vibrant storytelling through dance as Sangre de México takes the stage for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

The Zine Scene
Saturday, September 27, 1 to 2 p.m.
Bob Ragland Branch Library, 1900 35th Street
This hands-on workshop exploring the powerful world of zines is part of One Book One Denver, inspired by Stay True, by Hua Hsu. The Denver Zine Library is now based at the Bob Ragland branch, and this free program will look at the history of zine-making; share lived experiences of Asian American communities, and then help participants create their one zines. Then, create your own zine to take home, using collage, drawing, and writing to share your story in your own voice.

Downtown Denver Public Art Bike Tour
Saturday, September 27, 4 p.m.
Meet at Cuernavaca Park, 20th and Platte Streets
This tour’s highlights include artwork at Denver Skate Park, Commons Park, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Colorado Convention Center, plus some additional works not known to the general public. Kyle Hedden will leave the free tour; registration is required.

Sazon & Liberation Launch Party
Monday, September 29, 6 to 8 p.m.
Mile High Spirits, 2201 Lawrence Street
Celebrate the launch of Cocina Libre’s second book, which celebrates immigrant chefs, resistance recipes,and community through food. You’ll meet the chefs featured in the book who’ll participate in a live Q&A , catch the premiere screening of the “Cocina Libre 2” short documentary, and enjoy free desserts. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested, and RSVPs are required here.

Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.