2009 Community Events

ONGOING IN 2009

Denver Outlaws MLL Lacrosse, Now through July
Watch the Denver Outlaws at INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium. Season runs through July 25. (720) 258-3606; http://www.denveroutlaws.com/

Colorado Rockies Baseball Home Games, Now through September
Watch the 2007 National League Champions all summer long at Coors Field. Season runs through September. (303) ROCKIES; http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/

Denver Botanic Gardens Signature Exhibit, Now through September 30
Jurassic Gardens is an exhibit of enormous proportions. The Denver Botanic Gardens presents over 15 gigantic dinosaurs onsite. The exhibit discusses dinosaurs and their related plant environments, evolution and extinction of plants and dinosaurs and endangered and rare plants. (720) 865-3500; http://denverbotanicgardens.org/

Colorado Rapids, Now through October
Watch the MLS Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Season runs through October. (303) 727-3500; www.coloradorapids.com/

12th Annual Ballpark Market, Now through October
Visitors will discover hidden treasures at Denver’s urban, open-air flea market featuring more than 100 vendors selling antiques, furniture, art, clothing and fresh flowers and a local farmers’ market. (@ Larimer between 21st & 22nd streets) (second Saturday of each month, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.) Free admission. (303) 589-2800; http://ballparkmarket.com/

Film on the Rocks, June-August
Denver rocks! Local bands perform before blockbuster films, from Braveheart to The Matrix, shown on a giant outdoor screen at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. (720) 865-2494; http://redrocksonline.com

City Park Jazz Summer Concert Series, June 7-August 9
Every Sunday evening Denverites prepare for the work week by relaxing and listening to jazz in at the historic City Park Pavilion. (303) 744- 1004; http://cityparkjazz.org/

Botanic Gardens’ Summer Concert Series, June-August
Pack a picnic and head to the Denver Botanic Gardens’ summer concert series featuring an intimate outdoor amphitheater set amidst lush gardens. Concerts include top jazz, pop, folk and blues musicians. (720) 865-3500; http://denverbotanicgardens.org/

Film in the Parks Summer Series, June-August
Parks aren’t just for concerts. Families picnic under the stars while they catch fun films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Casablanca and Toy Story. June-August, dates & locations vary. (720) 913-0677; http://denvergov.org

JUNE 2009

Capitol Hill People’s Fair, June 6-7
Experience Denver’s most eclectic neighborhood festival in Civic Center Park. (303) 830-1651; www.peoplesfair.com/

La Piazza dell’Arte, June 6-7
The streets of Larimer Square are transformed into a giant canvas by hundreds of artists, professional, amateur and students alike, who recreate masterpieces and original works with vivid pastel chalk. Italian music and food complement this visual feast! (303) 685-8143; http://larimerarts.org/

Greek Festival, June 19-21
Indulge in Greek culture featuring traditional Greek dishes, an art exhibit and sale, live music and dancing, and a children’s carnival. (303) 388-9314; www.assumptioncathedral.org/

Highlands Street Festival, June 20
Over 35,000 visitors attend this free event annually to listen to live music, taste local cuisine and sip micro-brews. Live music on 3 stages and over 125 vendors. www.highlands-square.com/Fair/

Juneteenth, June 20
Celebrate and share in the vibrant African American culture with food, music and a parade in the Five Points neighborhood. (303) 832-3770; http://denverjuneteenth.org/

Cherry Blossom Festival, June 27-28
Celebrate Japanese culture with exhibits and demonstrations, live entertainment, contemporary and traditional art, and delicious Japanese delicacies at Sakura Square. (303) 295-1844; www.tsdbt.org/cherryblossom/

JULY 2009

Confluence Concerts, Thursdays in July
Relax by the riverfront and enjoy a free summer concert series featuring the best in local entertainment, from jazz and blues to classical performances. (303) 637-2645; http://greenwayfoundation.org/

19th Annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival, July 3-5
Ranked as the No.1 fine arts and crafts exhibition in the nation, this festival draws more than 250,000 people. Participating artisans represent every type of media from photography and watercolor, to jewelry and glass. Entertaining music and dance performances are held on several stages and booths featuring Denver’s premier restaurants offer a variety of signature dishes. (303) 355-2787; http://cherryarts.org/

Denver Black Arts Festival, July 10-12
For over 24 years the Black Arts Festival has enriched and entertained Denver with its heritage celebration. http://www.denbaf.org/

Colorado Irish Festival, July 10-12
Experience the largest Irish celebration in the Rocky Mountains with traditional Irish music performances and dancing, Irish drama and storytelling, crafts, games and food and drinks at Clement Park. (303) 561-4007; http://www.coloradoirishfestival.org/

Mile High Music Festival Presented by SanDisk, July 18-19
The second annual Mile-High Music Festival will be held on the outer fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. For more info visit: http://www.milehighmusicfestival.com

9th Annual Dragon Boat Festival, July 25-26
Set sail for summer fun at Sloan’s Lake Park where vibrantly decorated dragon boats race in an exciting pan-Asian sport. The weekend is filled with cultural entertainment including an Asian marketplace with great food and gifts, stage performances featuring Japanese Taiko drum groups, martial arts and other crosscultural collaborations. (303) 722-6852; http://cdbf.org/

AUGUST 2009

Colorado Scottish Festival & Rocky Mountain Highland Games, August 8-9
Join this Celtic celebration featuring pipe bands, drumming, Scottish athletic competitions, highland dancing and folk music. (303) 238-6524; http://www.scottishgames.org/

Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival, August 28-30
Fun takes flight at Chatfield State Park where hundreds of vibrant hot air balloons will fill the sky. Enjoy various activities and exhibits, live music and dazzle your eyes during Lites in the Nite Balloon Illumination. (303) 697-1039; www.rockymountainballoonfestival.com/

SEPTEMBER 2009

Colorado Ballet Season Opening, September
(303) 893-4100; www.coloradoballet.org/

Colorado Symphony Orchestra Season Opening, September
(303) 292-5566; http://www.coloradosymphony.org/

Festival of Mountain & Plain: A Taste of Colorado, September 4-7
Give your taste buds a treat this Labor Day weekend. Enjoy great food from 75 of Colorado’s premier restaurants, live entertainment, artisans and carnival rides. (303) 295-6330; www.atasteofcolorado.com/

Oktoberfest, September 18-20 & 25-27
Take part in a seasonal German tradition held in the ballpark neighborhood (on Larimer between 20 & 22nd Streets, six blocks from Larimer Square). As always, this event will feature dancing, oompah bands, colorful costumes, a Kinderplatz, beer and bratwursts. http://oktoberfestdenver.com/

Denver Broncos Home Opener, September 20
Watch the Denver Broncos take on the Cleveland Browns at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Season runs through January, 2010. (720) 258-3333; http://www.denverbroncos.com/

OCTOBER 2009

Fright Fest, October 3-November 1
Get ready for a “scream” of a time as Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, Denver’s downtown amusement park, transforms from theme park to “scream” park Saturdays and Sundays all month long! (303) 595-4386; www.elitchgardens.com

NOVEMBER 2009

Opera Colorado Season Opening, November
Opera Colorado starts off its season with Pucinni’s “Madame Butterfly” and continues in 2009 with Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers” and Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte.” (303) 893-4100; www.operacolorado.org

The Starz Denver Film Festival, November
Grab the popcorn and check out this four-star event! Dozens of filmmakers introduce a slate of new movies at the Starz Film Center on the Auraria Campus. (303) 595-3456; http://denverfilm.org

Denver Arts Week, November 6-14
Denver celebrates all of the arts from performing to visual. Explore Denver’s neighborhood studios and galleries, as well as its world-class museums. http://denverartsweek.org/

Light Up Larimer! November
Organizers flip the switch on the “decked halls” of Larimer Square to kick off the holiday season downtown. (303) 685-8143; http://www.larimersquare.com/

Downtown Denver’s Grand Illumination, November 27
Dazzling lights illuminate downtown Denver to kick off the holiday season. (303) 534-6161; www.downtowndenver.com

DECEMBER 2009

Annual Tuba Christmas, December
More than 400 tuba players will converge on Skyline Park to give a concert that has become an annual holiday tradition. http://tubachristmas.com/

Blossoms of Light, December 2009 – January 2010
Journey through the brilliantly lit Denver Botanic Gardens, featuring artistically highlighted silhouettes of plants throughout 17 acres. Enjoy festive carolers, dancers and hot beverages. (720) 865-3500; http://botanicgardens.org/

9News Parade of Lights, December 4-5
The streets of downtown burst with color as spectators enjoy sparkling lights, ornamented floats, marching bands, giant balloons and festive costumed performers. (303) 534-6161; http://www.denverparadeoflights.com/

Zoo Lights, December 12, 2009-January 4, 2010
Specific December dates to be announced. Luminous animated animal sculptures, traditional Christmas tunes and roaming wildlife make this event among the brightest and most beautiful in the state. http://denverzoo.org/ or (303) 376-4800

Annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown, December 31
Toast to 2010 under an umbrella of spectacular fireworks on the 16th Street Mall. (9 p.m. & Midnight) Admission is free.