Best time to visit Denver

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Denver

Best time of year to visit Denver

Shoulder periods from April to May and September to October are the best times to visit Denver. Spring brings rising temps, fewer tourists, and reduced hotel rates. Hiking Decalibron Loop or climbing Mount Bierstadt can be exceptionally enjoyable in late spring or early fall. Generally, September and October show nice and sunny weather. However, it can change dramatically, so you'd better bring layers and raingear. The period between June and August is the most popular time to explore Denver. Hotel rates and temps are at their highest, but 4th of July celebrations and numerous concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre are definitely worth the trip. Winter off-season slopes are usually blessed by numerous skiers and snowboarders, ready to swish down the Rocky Mountains from November to March. So if you don't mind cold and snow, pack warm clothes and just enjoy the ride!

31 THINGS TO DO IN DENVER (JULI 04 - JULI 13)

4th of July Weekend Events & Fireworks

4th of July Weekend Events & Fireworks

July 1–July 4 • event

The Mile High City celebrates Independence Day with music, picnics and fireworks

Erie Town Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival

Erie Town Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival

July 12–14, 2024 • event

Mark your calendar for Historic Downtown Erie's biggest event of the year

Greeley Stampede

Greeley Stampede

June 26-July 7, 2024 • event

Wild West 4th of July experience is not complete without a visit to a rodeo, especially if it's one of the largest in the world

Fire Rainbows

Fire Rainbows

late March–September • nature

A curious optical phenomenon occurs quite rarely and only in special locations. If you are in the right time and in the right place, just look up to the sky

Fan Expo Denver (Denver Comic Con)

Fan Expo Denver (Denver Comic Con)

July 4–7, 2024 • event

The annual gathering for Colorado geeks and comic fans

Concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

April–September • event

An iconic open-air amphitheatre created by natural rocks

Bear Lake Road

Bear Lake Road

late May–September (all year round) • activity

A beautiful drive through Rocky Mountain National Park

Wildflowers

Wildflowers

April–August • nature

From columbine to bluebells, the Rockies are blanketed with blooms every spring and summer

Hummingbird Migration

Hummingbird Migration

late April–early September • nature

For nearly five months, Colorado hosts thousands of wee birds on the move

Trail Ridge Road

Trail Ridge Road

June–October (check updates) • activity

The so-called 'highway to the sky' is a kind of true inspiration

Lone Eagle Peak

Lone Eagle Peak

June–September • activity

Hike Colorado's most photogenic mountain reflecting in the Mirror Lake

Colorado Renaissance Festival

Colorado Renaissance Festival

June 15-August 4, 2024 • event

Are you ready for a flashback into 16th century?

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

late May–early September • activity

Take a scenic ride on the highest paved road in North America

Sunflowers

Sunflowers

June–August  • nature

Yellow wildflowers create amazing vibrant displays across the mountains and deserts

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

June 8-August 11, 2024 • event

One of the oldest and most atmospheric theater events in Colorado

Jones Pass

Jones Pass

late June–early November • activity

One of Colorado's highest mountains with an easy access

Webster and Red Cone Pass Trail

Webster and Red Cone Pass Trail

late June–September • activity

A perfect ride for a 4WD with scenic views of the Continental Divide

Deer Creek Canyon Park

Deer Creek Canyon Park

all year round (best in August–January) • activity

A scenic getaway, just a 35-minute drive from the city of Denver

Colorado Blue Columbine

Colorado Blue Columbine

June–August | best July  • nature

The state flower of Colorado is the queen of the Rocky Mountains

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater Rafting

May–September • activity

The Rocky Mountain rivers of Colorado offer world-class whitewater rafting

Fishing

Fishing

all year round • activity

Fly-fishers, ice-fishers and rod-and-reelers can find many great spots in Colorado

Butler Gulch

Butler Gulch

June–September • activity

The wildflower paradise not far from Denver

Indian Paintbrush

Indian Paintbrush

May–July • nature

Stunning red flowers add brilliant accents to Colorado landscapes

Stargazing

Stargazing

all year round (best from October to December) • nature

Denver and its outskirts offer you breathtaking stargazing spots. Check them out!

Hiking the Colorado Trail

Hiking the Colorado Trail

early July–mid-September • activity

The longest and challenging Colorado hiking adventure

Twin Sisters Hike

Twin Sisters Hike

May–October • activity

An outstanding trail in the Rocky Mountains

Decalibron Loop

Decalibron Loop

May–October (the area is currently closed) • activity

Hike four epic Colorado mountains at once

Guanella Pass

Guanella Pass

late May–mid-November • activity

Enjoy the striking combination of nature and architecture

Berthoud Pass

Berthoud Pass

all year round • activity

Drivers, backcountry skiers and hikers can't get enough of this scenic pass

Mount Bierstadt

Mount Bierstadt

May–November • activity

Conquering the mountain of such size is a must for every hiker in Colorado

Hike to Grays and Torreys Peaks

Hike to Grays and Torreys Peaks

June–October • activity

Highly popular 14ers not far from Denver

35 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Breckenridge Snow Sculptures

Breckenridge Snow Sculptures

out of rangeJanuary 22–31, 2024 • event

Teams of snow artists from around the world descend on Colorado for the International Snow Sculpture Championships

Breckenridge Oktoberfest

Breckenridge Oktoberfest

out of rangeSeptember 15 - 17, 2023 • event

The largest street party of the year in the Rocky Mountains

Sandhill Crane Migration

Sandhill Crane Migration

out of rangelate February–March | mid-September–mid-November  • nature

Thousands of cranes can be spotted at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in southern Colorado

Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show

Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show

out of rangeNovember 10–November 12 • event

This Denver Christmas Gift Show is one of the major fairs in Colorado

Denver Christkindl Market

Denver Christkindl Market

out of rangeNovember 17–December 23, 2023 • event

This German Christmas fair offers great food, beer, Gluehwein, and handmade crafts

Tarantula Migration

Tarantula Migration

out of rangelate August–early October • nature

For a few months, arachnids can be seen roaming prairies outside their hideouts

Monarch Butterfly Migration

Monarch Butterfly Migration

out of rangeMarch–May | September–October  • nature

Watch the annual butterfly spectacle as tiny creatures fill the sky with colors

Water Lantern Festivals

Water Lantern Festivals

unconfirmedJuly 2023 • event

An extremely spectacular celebration has taken over pretty much the entire USA

Frederick in Flight

Frederick in Flight

unconfirmedlate June 2023 • event

Plan yourself a colorful summer weekend of ballooning only 30 minutes north of Denver

Colorado Irish Festival

Colorado Irish Festival

overAugust 14–15, 2021 • event

For three days, everyone in Colorado can become Irish

Christmas Lights in Denver

Christmas Lights in Denver

out of rangemid-November–mid-January • event

Beautiful spots for a winter evening stroll

Arvada Harvest Festival

Arvada Harvest Festival

out of rangeSeptember 8–10, 2023 • event

The second longest running community parade in Colorado

Frozen Dead Guy Days

Frozen Dead Guy Days

out of rangeMarch 15-17, 2024 • event

One of the most funny and quirky festivals in the USA

Thornton Winterfest

Thornton Winterfest

out of rangeDecember 8–10, 2023 • event

Come to witness the magic as Carpenter Fields transform into a winter fairytale

A Hudson Christmas

A Hudson Christmas

out of rangeNovember 24–December 31, 2023 • event

A beautiful light display just a few miles south of Denver

Denver Fall Colors

Denver Fall Colors

out of rangemid-September–mid-November • nature

Denver boasts an unusually long fall foliage season

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

out of rangelate March–early April • nature

Gorgeous blossoming cherry trees can be viewed in Denver and Boulder every spring

Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossom Festival

unconfirmedJune 22-23, 2024 • event

The annual Sakura Matsuri in downtown Denver

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year

out of rangeFebruary 10, 2024 • event

Lion dances, festive dinners and parties all over Colorado's capital

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day

out of rangeMarch 10, 2024 | March 16, 2024 • event

Denver's healthy way of celebrating St. Patrick's Day

Denver Oktoberfest

Denver Oktoberfest

out of rangeSeptember 16–October 3, 2023 • event

A huge Bavarian beer festival in Colorado

Great American Beer Festival

Great American Beer Festival

out of rangeOctober 10-12, 2024 • event

Visit the largest ticketed beer festival in the United States

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Ring in the New Year in The Mile High City

Elizabeth Celtic Festival

Elizabeth Celtic Festival

out of rangeJuly 20-21, 2024 • event

Get transported to another realm, where legends and old sagas come alive

Dog Sledding & Snow Tubing

Dog Sledding & Snow Tubing

out of rangelate November–mid-April • activity

Even if you are not into skiing or snowboarding, you can still enjoy famous Colorado slopes

Skiing and Snowboarding near Denver

Skiing and Snowboarding near Denver

out of rangeOctober–May (best in January-February) • activity

Some of Colorado's top ski resorts can be easily reached from the state capital

Denver Halloween Events

Denver Halloween Events

out of rangelate September–October • event

Spooktacular October fun at the Mile High City

UllrGrass

UllrGrass

out of rangeJanuary 26 - January 28 • event

A popular wintertime beer and music festival near Denver

Colorado Freeride Festival

Colorado Freeride Festival

on holdsuspended in 2019 • event

The largest freeride bike contest in the US

Squaw Pass Fall Colors

Squaw Pass Fall Colors

out of rangemid-September • nature

A scenic drive through the Mount Evans Wilderness

Denver Labor Day Weekend

Denver Labor Day Weekend

out of rangeSeptember 1–4, 2023 • event

The Mile High City is packed with festivals, live music, and plenty of late-summer activities for Labor Day Weekend

Denver Winter Brew Fest

Denver Winter Brew Fest

out of rangeJanuary 27 • event

An indoor/outdoor beer festival showcases the finest Colorado brews

The Colorado Marathon

The Colorado Marathon

out of rangeMay 5, 2024 • event

Enjoy the iconic Colorado views during this scenic long-distance race in Fort Collins

Evergreen Jazz Festival

Evergreen Jazz Festival

out of rangeJuly 26-28, 2024 • event

Three days of excellent jazz without crowds

Denver Memorial Day Weekend Parade & Events

Denver Memorial Day Weekend Parade & Events

out of rangeMay 25–27, 2024 • event

Street festivals, arts, crafts, and plenty of entertainment

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