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.
SATURDAY
A beautiful day for butterflies, bees, education and live music outdoors at the Pollinator Palooza (“Bee the Change”) concluding a special month about the importance of nature’s pollinators. The Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Butterfly releases, pollinator marketplace, a garden tour, beer garden and sustainable food trucks. $10.95+ butterflies.org/pollinator-palooza/
SATURDAY-AUG. 4
Summer in Colorado and the sounds of professional opera float through the mountains with the opening of Central City Opera’s 1878 mining era tradition. On the historic stage: Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance,” Puccini’s “The Girl of the Golden West,” and Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene.” Programs and performances all five weeks as well. tinyurl.com/mrya8hzv
SATURDAY
An afternoon at Coors Field and no baseball this time. It’s for all those fishing enthusiasts, Troutfest Colorado presented by Colorado Trout Unlimited. And it’s free. From 2-6 p.m., all about enjoying the outdoors, celebrating summer, fun for the youngsters and eating ballpark food. Register at troutfestcolorado.com
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Heavenly smells everywhere and fields of purple all around Palisade this weekend at the annual Colorado Lavender Festival. Friday, guided farm tours and lunch; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., festival time in Riverbend Park with vendors, cooking demonstrations, seminars, food and lavender products; Sunday, farm visits and shops open. coloradolavender.org/annual-lavender-festival
SUNDAY
Calling cosplay aficionados. Sunday’s a Meow Wolf Makers: Cosplay Workshop partnering with Fab Expo Denver, 2 p.m. The invitation: Meow Wolf “invites enthusiasts to unleash their inner hero, villain and everything in between” in the Perplexiplex at Convergence Station. Provided are fabric scraps, googly eyes, acrylic paint, heat guns, rotary cutters and other monster maker materials. $15, for ages 14+. It leads into Fan Expo Denver convention July 4-7. meowwolf.com
SATURDAY
Ever wonder what Big Blue Bear is peeking at? Here’s a rare opportunity to tour Colorado Convention Center Public Art right inside the bear’s window views. Most of the selected art is by Colorado artists. Meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, 700 14th St. Admission $5, free for kids 10 and under, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. artsandvenuesdenver.com/events/detail/colorado-convention-center-public-art-tour-8
SATURDAY
Love flight? An exciting Aerobatics Showcase is the Saturday highlight at Exploration of Flight, 13005 Wings Way, Englewood. Aerobatic aircraft will be there along with their pilots. Bring your questions about how those pilots trained to do their daring entertainment. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, $12.95. wingsmuseum.org/events/aerobatics-showcase
SATURDAY
