Summer 2021: Things to Do In and Around Denver

Admit it: Last summer was a bust. Denver soldiered on, of course — businesses pivoted, pivoted and pivoted some more, transforming IRL concerts, food fests, cooking classes, races, art exhibits, movies nights and more into online events — but summer 2020 isn't going on the top of anyone's list of good times. This year is a different story, as COVID restrictions are lifted and in-person fun of all kinds returns with a vengeance.

For our annual Summer guide (see it here in a flipbook) — we compiled listings of hundreds of recreational, food and drink, art, theater and shopping events.

Now the seasons are changing, but there are still ongoing events and activities to ease the transition into fall. Keep reading for details...
ONGOING EVENTS

Boulder County Farmers Markets: Weekly markets in Denver, Boulder, Lafayette and Longmont offer seasonal Colorado produce and products. Online ordering, curbside pick-up and delivery are also available. Days and hours vary, free admission, 720-840-0529, bcfm.org.
Colorado Rapids: Single tickets for home games are available through November 7. July 4: versus Austin FC; July 13: Orlando City SC; July 16: LA Galaxy; August 6: Minnesota United FC; August 13: Columbus Crew SC; August 20: Houston Dynamo FC; September 10: Vancouver Whitecaps FC; September 14: San Jose Earthquakes; October 1: FC Dallas; Dick's Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, coloradorapids.com.
Denver Art Museum: Memory Mirror, through March 5, 2023. Admission $10-$13, Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, 720-865-5000, denverartmuseum.org.
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms: The southern outpost of Denver Botanic Gardens is a native plant refuge and working farm. Open daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $10, 8500 West Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org.
Denver Botanic Gardens York Street: Of Sky and Ground: Yoshitomo Saito, through November 28; Fervor: Ana María Hernando, Through January 2, 2022. Open daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m., $15, 1007 York Street, 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Birdly Virtual Reality Experience and Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze, now open. Admission $18.95 plus special exhibits, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, 303-370-6000, dmns.org.
First Friday Art Walk, Art District on Santa Fe: The Art District welcomes summer along with the return of the city's largest gallery stroll. First Friday of every month year-round, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Free, 500 through 1200 blocks of Santa Fe Drive, denversartdistrict.org.
Four Mile Historic Park Free Days: Admission to the 19th-century farmstead is free on the second Friday of each month, year-round. 715 South Forest Street, 720-865-0800, fourmilepark.org.
History Colorado Center: Five Points Plus: Neighborhood Memory Project, through November 1; Forty Years on the ’Fax, through December 31; Black in Denver, through March 5, 2022; State Historical Fund Retrospective, through April 30, 2022; Brick & Soul // Armando Geneyro, through July 30, 2022; Building Denver: Visions of the Capital City, through August 31, 2022. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,  $14, 1200 Broadway, 303-866-2396, historycolorado.org.
Made by Us Merchant Collective: The (most every) weekend market appears around town with vegan eats, vintage clothes and handmade products of all sorts. Various Denver locations; Dairy Block, Infinite Monkey Theorem and Fort Greene are common venues. Free admission, @madebyus_denver.
MCA Denver: Deborah Roberts: I’m and Jason Moran: Bathing the Room With Blues, through January 30, 2022. Admission $10, 1485 Delgany Street, 303-298-7554, mcadenver.org.
PACE Center Gallery: Through the Eyes of Artists, Understanding Mental Health. Through November 14, free, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker, 303-805-6800, parkerarts.org.
Second Saturday Art Walk in Historic Westminster: The northern suburb's answer to First Friday art crawls. Noon-5 p.m. every second Saturday. Free, 73rd Avenue between Lowell and Bradburn boulevards, 303-426-4114, westminsterchamber.biz.
Until the Flood: A solo theatrical show tackling a range of responses to Michael Brown's 2014 murder in Ferguson, Missouri. Free on demand, denvercenter.org.
Volleyball of the Rockies: Grass and sand court leagues available, along with clinics and classes. Dates, times and locations vary; 303-745-2255, votr.com.

Know of a great event this summer? Send information to [email protected].