Each Thursday, explore Denver’s essential weekend events curated by The Denver Gazette. Dive into cultural experiences and entertainment delights across the city. Whether you enjoy art galleries, pottery, or outdoor sports, there’s something for everyone in Denver’s vibrant cultural scene. To submit an event for consideration, email listings@gazettedev.gazette.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Delicious! The Colorado Chocolate Festival takes over the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center, 15500 E. 40th Ave., with chocolate everything. Candy, Zero-Proof Choctails, Chocolate Fountain, Cakes, Cookies, Truffles, Fudge, Brownies, Toffees, Coffees. Add to that Chocolate Bingo, eating the most Hershey’s Kisses in 30 seconds, Mother’s Day Cake Cutting and a chocolate pudding eating contest among other competitions. 4-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. $10 admission and VIP available online: cochocolatefests.com/colorado-chocolate-festival.html

SATURDAY

Opening weekend for the 33rd annual Governor’s Art Show & Sale
“Art With Heart,” featuring 62 artists from throughout Colorado. Through June 6, daily except Mondays, at Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave. or online GovernorsArtShow.org. Admission $7, free for youngsters under 12. Besides excellent Colorado art, the show and sale proceeds go to good causes, the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs’ charitable projects and scholarships for art students.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

Come along and uke it up all weekend with the Swallow Hill Ukefest starting Thursday with an open mic party on the street at Brewability and three days and evenings filled with uke musicians, workshops and concerts. You can borrow a ukulele for the music fun. Tickets at swallowhillmusic.org. Swallow Hill also has a summer of music coming up at Denver Botanic Gardens and neighborhood parks. 

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Experience the land of the Northern Lights at Taste of Iceland at different locations around Denver. An Icelandic menu at Coohills, special fares aboard Icelandic Air, Reykjavik music at Globe Hall, an Invisible City Elemental Sound Bath, Taste of Iceland cooking class, geology and volcanos, cocktails and comedy. Info at inspiredbyiceland.com.

SATURDAY

Beautiful Japanese kites take to the skies and there’s an opportunity to make one of your own at the Japanese Kite Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Adams County Rotella Park, 1824 Coronado Parkway North. Presented by Japan America Society of Colorado with guests from Japan Edo Kite Master Mikio Toki and apprentice Asami Toki. Free. jascolorado.org

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Spring is here at the Denver Botanic Gardens Plant Sale, 1007 York St., with everything for gardens and houseplants chosen for the Colorado climate. Florals, fruits and vegetables as well as native, steppe and adapted plants. Horticulturists will be there for help with choices. Free but advance reservations required, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., botanicgardens.org. 

SATURDAY

Year 28 for fresh food, flowers and farm favorites at the Colorado Fresh Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays all the way to October at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. It moves to the east side of the center near Macy’s and has free parking validation by Huntington Bank. coloradofreshmarkets.com, @coloradofreshmarkets (Instagram).

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

A Legacy: Opening the Way concert celebrates Mother’s Day and a groundbreaking as they expand facilities for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. It honors those who have been supporters of the historic dance company through its years of growth at CPRD Theatre, 119 Park Ave. West in the Five Points neighborhood. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday’s VIP reception at 6:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets $45, children and elders $35, VIP $75, cleoparkerdance/tickets

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Unique Mother’s Day gifts by ceramic artists. The Spring Pottery Sale at Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., features pieces by the faculty and advanced students. Pottery, dinnerware, jewelry and sculpture. Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Proceeds benefit the artists and Arvada Center Ceramics Studio. The Denver Potters Association Spring Show and Sale is located at 3250 E. Sixth Ave., 6th Avenue United Church. The biannual show by local artists includes ceramics, jewelry, glass, wood, personal care products, and fiber art. 3-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, castleclayartists.net/Artist.asp?ArtistID=20959&Akey=HKACJ6VA

SATURDAY

Gather round for some Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” performed casually outdoors atop a pickup truck by Denver Center for the Performing Arts at 2 p.m. in River North Art District (RiNo), 1900 35th St. Free. The performances travel by the pickup stage to various locations over the spring and summer. denvercenter.org 

SUNDAY

Experience the culture, dances and food of India at the inaugural Indian Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Denver’s Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave. Presenters are Laya Dance Academy. Free. Indianfestivalindenver@gmail.com