For a starter set of other options, see our list of free things to do in and around town, as well as the latest Art Attack. Now keep reading for five events worth the price of admission this weekend:
Nan Desu Kan: Anime, Friendship & Community
Sunday, September 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gaylord Rockies
This is the 26th anniversary of Nan Desu Kan, a celebration of Japanese culture. The lineup is full of cosplay, workshops, shopping, competitions, live music and more. Get the full schedule and admission information here.
Colorado State Fair
Sunday, September 3, and Monday, September 4, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
1001 Beulah Avenue, Pueblo
Are you ready for a mountain of fun? The 151st Colorado State Fair is now underway, with plenty of ongoing activities (including a carnival open until midnight daily) and more yeehaw activities, including rodeos, competitions and concerts. Admission is $15 ($7 for kids five to twelve; under five get in free), with add-ons for carnival rides and concerts. Get all the details here.
San Souci Festival of Dance Cinema
Sunday, September 3, 6:45 p.m.
Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder
The San Souci fest is celebrating its twentieth anniversary with a special installation in the Museum of Boulder, as well as live dance performances; the main event is a screening of the new season's top-scoring dance films. Tickets start at $32; find out more here.
DCPA Theatre Company, A Little Night Music
Sunday, September 2, 1:30 p.m.; run continues through October 8
Wolf Theatre, Bonfils Theatre Complex, Denver Performing Arts Complex
There’s nothing like a Tony Award-winning musical composed by Stephen Sondheim, with a book by Hugh Wheeler to match, as the days grow shorter and we begin to review where time has gone. A Little Night Music, based on Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night, is even set at the summer solstice; the plot follows misbegotten romances among three couples in Gilded Age Scandinavia. And then it’s time to send in the clowns. Get more information and tickets, from $30 to $105, here.
Golden Triangle Artist Showcase
Sunday, September 3, 4 to 9 p.m.
Bar Standard, 1037 Broadway
Some of Denver’s seminal street artists — Delton Demarest, Sandra Fettingis, Diego Flores, Anthony Garcia Sr., Chris Haven, Jher451, Voice, Scot Lefavor and Patrick (Kane) Mc Gregor — will gather at Bar Standard Sunday for the Golden Triangle Artist Showcase, a live mural-making presentation. The artists will be working on canvas throughout the day; after 4 p.m., live music, food trucks, hands-on art tables, artist panels, a screening of Mixtape, the Broadway Bizzarre Market and the big mural reveal will turn the showcase into a festival. Admission is $20 or $50 VIP here.
and two ongoing events:
Dance with the jellyfish.
Verse Immersive
Through February 25, Wednesday through Sunday
Southwest Plaza, 8501 West Bowles Avenue, Littleton
Verse Immersive's The Unreal Garden works differently from other immersive spectacles in that it relies on augmented reality via headset to blow minds and lead viewers into an imaginary world, serving up personal experiences in a video-game environment. The visual expedition includes artwork by fantasy artists Android Jones and Scott Musgrove, and even gives you a choice of several adventures at the box office. The Unreal Garden opens Friday at Southwest Plaza and runs at least through February; tickets start at $24.99 at Eventbrite.
Bright Nights at Four Mile
Through October 1, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, 7 to 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 to 11 p.m.
Four Mile Historic Park, 715 South Forest Street
Colorful light displays don't have to be reserved for those frozen winter holidays. Enjoy Denver’s lovely summer nights at Four Mile Historic Park, where Bright Nights, a spectacle of giant brightly colored lantern sculptures and other light features by Tianyu Arts & Culture, will switch on five nights a week at dusk. No snowflakes, elves or Santa hats — and you can wear sandals. Tickets are $15 to $25 (with discounts for members) here.
Do you know of a great event in Denver? We'll be updating this list through the weekend; send information to [email protected].
