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Best time to visit

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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!

64 things to do in Denver

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

Denver 4th of July Weekend Events & Fireworks

July 4–7, 2024 Event

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

Colorado Renaissance Festival

June 15-August 4, 2025 Event

Are you ready for a flashback into 16th century?

Colorado Shakespeare Festival

June 8-August 11, 2024 Event

One of the oldest and most atmospheric theater events in Colorado

The Colorado Marathon

May 4, 2025 Event

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

Concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

April–September Event

An iconic open-air amphitheatre created by natural rocks

Whitewater Rafting

May–September Activity

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

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

Hiking the Colorado Trail

early July–mid-September Activity

The longest and challenging Colorado hiking adventure

Fishing

all year round Activity

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

Dog Sledding & Snow Tubing

late November–mid-April Activity

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

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

late May–early September Activity

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

Denver Christkindl Market

November 22-December 23, 2024 Event

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

Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show

November 15–17, 2024 | November 22–24, 2024 Event

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

Christmas Lights in Denver

mid-November–mid-January Event

Beautiful spots for a winter evening stroll

Breckenridge Snow Sculptures

January 20-29, 2025 Event

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

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

June–October Activity

Highly popular 14ers not far from Denver

Lone Eagle Peak

June–September Activity

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

Decalibron Loop

May–October (the area is currently closed) Activity

Hike four epic Colorado mountains at once

Frozen Dead Guy Days

March 15-17, 2024 Event

One of the most funny and quirky festivals in the USA

Breckenridge Oktoberfest

September 13–15, 2024 Event

The largest street party of the year in the Rocky Mountains

Great American Beer Festival

October 10-12, 2024 Event

Experience the best of American craft brewing at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver

Trail Ridge Road

June–October (check updates) Activity

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

Webster and Red Cone Pass Trail

late June–September Activity

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

Guanella Pass

late May–mid-November Activity

Enjoy the striking combination of nature and architecture

Bear Lake Road

late May–September (all year round) Activity

A beautiful drive through Rocky Mountain National Park

Berthoud Pass

all year round Activity

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

Arvada Harvest Festival

September 6–8, 2024 Event

The second longest running community parade in Colorado

Hudson Christmas

November 29, 2024–January 12, 2025 Event

A beautiful light display just a few miles south of Denver

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

Denver Labor Day Weekend

August 31–September 2, 2024 Event

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

Denver Fall Colors

mid-September–mid-November Nature

Denver boasts an unusually long fall foliage season

Skiing and Snowboarding near Denver

October–May (best in January-February) Activity

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

New Year's Eve

December 31 Event

Ring in the New Year in The Mile High City

Chinese New Year

February 10, 2024 Event

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

Tarantula Migration

late August–early October Nature

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

Monarch Butterfly Migration

March–May | September–October Nature

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

Hummingbird Migration

late April–early September Nature

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

Sandhill Crane Migration

late 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

Wildflowers

April–August Nature

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

Colorado Blue Columbine

June–August | best July Nature

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

Sunflowers

June–August Nature

Yellow wildflowers create amazing vibrant displays across the mountains and deserts

Indian Paintbrush

May–July Nature

Stunning red flowers add brilliant accents to Colorado landscapes

Halloween in Denver: Parade, Zombie Crawl, and Wild Fall at the Zoo

late September–October Event

Spooktacular October fun at the Mile High City

St. Patrick's Day

March 10, 2024 | March 16, 2024 Event

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

Frederick in Flight

June 21–23, 2024 Event

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

Water Lantern Festivals

July 2023 Event

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

Cherry Blossom

late March–early April Nature

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

Cherry Blossom Festival

June 22-23, 2024 Event

The annual Sakura Matsuri in downtown Denver

Fan Expo Denver (Denver Comic Con)

July 4–7, 2024 Event

The annual gathering for Colorado geeks and comic fans

Stargazing

all year round (best from October to December) Nature

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

Denver Oktoberfest

September 20–22, 2024 | September 27–29, 2024 Event

A huge Bavarian beer festival in Colorado

UllrGrass

January 31-February 2, 2025 Event

A popular wintertime beer and music festival near Denver

Denver Winter Brew Fest

January 27 Event

An indoor/outdoor beer festival showcases the finest Colorado brews

Squaw Pass Fall Colors

mid-September Nature

A scenic drive through the Mount Evans Wilderness

Thornton Winterfest

December 13–15, 2024 Event

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

Elizabeth Celtic Festival

July 20-21, 2024 Event

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

Evergreen Jazz Festival

July 26–28, 2024 Event

Three days of excellent jazz without crowds

Denver Memorial Day Weekend Parade & Events

May 25–27, 2024 Event

Street festivals, arts, crafts, and plenty of entertainment

Rockies To The Red Rocks Colorado

April 25–October 17, 2024 (selected dates) Activity

A scenic two-day railway route through stunning landscapes between Moab, Utah, and Denver, Colorado

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

July 5–7, 2024 Event

The premier art fest in the Mile High City

Denver Food and Wine Festival

September 4–7, 2024 Event

Experience a taste extravaganza where top chefs and wine experts unite

Krampus in Denver

early December, 2024 Event

Colorado celebrates the Christmas season with a spooky twist

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