Earth Day\u2019s over, but you can continue celebrating Colorado\u2019s (very) great outdoors all week, ending with free live music at the base on Sunday, the last day of the Loveland ski season. That\u2019s also D\u00eda del Ni\u00f1o, when you can visit the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Art Museum and the Clyfford Still Museum for free, too. And don\u2019t miss Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday!<\/p>\n
For other options, check our list of activities worth the price of admission<\/a>. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond).<\/p>\n National Parks Navy Week<\/a> A Conversation on the U.S. \u2013 Iran Conflict: Global Impacts and What Happens Next<\/a> Tattered Cover Book & Lovers\u2019 Day<\/a> Deaf President Now!<\/a><\/em> Enchanted Evening: Earth Day<\/a> City Floral Greenhouse 115th Anniversary Party #Denver Resilient Landscapes Symposium<\/a> National Library Week: Aurora Public Library <\/a><\/strong> D\u00eda Del Ni\u00f1o 2026<\/a> Sculpting Sound<\/em> Reception<\/a> D\u00eda del Ni\u00f1o\u00a0\u2014 Denver Museum of Nature & Science<\/a> D\u00eda del Ni\u00f1o 2026<\/a> \u2014 Denver Art Museum D\u00eda del Ni\u00f1o \u2014 Clyfford Still Museum<\/a> Loveland Ski Area\u00a0Closing Weekend<\/a> Pollinator Power Hour <\/a> SCFD Free Days Colorado State Capitol Tours<\/a> America 250 \u2013 Colorado 150<\/a>This Week<\/h2>\n
Thursday, April 23, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cortez and Mesa Verde
<\/strong>Ready for a road trip? The U.S. Navy will join the Mesa Verde and Cortez communities for a full day of music, ceremony, and public engagement as part of National Parks Navy Week, a nationwide initiative celebrating the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary. Events include a student band festival at Bayfield High school, followed by a flag-raising at Mesa Verde National Park and tours of the park with sailors. The day concludes with a 6 p.m.concert by the Navy Band Southwest\u2019s Brass Band in Montezuma Park in Cortez, complete with a synchronized performance by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.<\/p>\n
Thursday, April 23, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
CAVEA Theater, MSU Denver, Auraria Campus<\/strong>
Join Metropolitan State University of Denver, in collaboration with the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver, for a panel discussion examining the U.S.-Iran conflict. The expert-led conversation will explore the geopolitical, military and economic dimensions of the conflict \u2014 and what these developments could mean for global stability in the weeks and months ahead. The program will also be livestreamed; learn more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Thursday, April 23
Four Tattered Cover locations (DIA excluded)<\/strong>
There have been plenty of changes at Tattered Cover in recent years, but the tradition of Book & Lovers\u2019 Day remains. Customers shopping in-store will receive a flower and a special, limited-edition bookmark; there will also be special deals for Friends of the Tattered Cover members.<\/p>\n
Thursday, April 23, 6 to 9 p.m.
Louise McCabe Performing Arts Center, Denver Academy, 4400 East Iliff Avenue<\/strong>
Denver Academy is hosting a screening of the film Deaf President Now<\/em>, followed by a Q&A with co-director Davis Guggenheim. The event benefits Deaf Reach, but you can register for free; learn more here<\/a>.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Friday, April 24, 6 to 9 p.m.
South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, 3000 West Carson Drive, Littleton
<\/strong>Enjoy an evening under the stars with live music, a campfire, and art! The nature center will be open late with special activities, and guides will lead sunset walks in the forest throughout the event. Register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1440 Kearney Street<\/strong>
City Floral is celebrating its 115th anniversary with a plant sale and party that includes live music, food trucks, and a Garden Center exhibit featuring historic photos and memorabilia.<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to noon
Hydro Building, CSU Spur, 4777 National Western Drive<\/strong>
The city\u2019s planning department is hosting this symposium on how to garden during a drought. Stop by for resources, including rebates, free native seeds, tree giveaways, and expert advice to help transform your landscapes.Sign up at\u00a0Denvergov.org\/landscape<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 25, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Central Library, 14949 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora
<\/strong>\u201cNational Library Week highlights the important impact of libraries in the quality of life of our community and the valuable contributions of library staff through their dedicated work nurturing curiosity, capability, and confidence throughout all of life\u2019s chapters of our library patrons,\u201d says Ginger White Brunetti, director of Libraries and Cultural Services. \u201cThis year\u2019s theme, \u2018Find Your Joy,\u2019 invites the community to explore the library and brings a positive message of hope.\u201d Events range from musical performances for children to \u201cThe Librarians,\u201d a program at 10:30 a.m. Saturday that shares stories about librarians as not just information providers, but protectors of trust, democracy and civic connection. And at 2 p.m. Saturday, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts will host a free performance of Romeo and Juliet<\/em> in the parking lot of the Central Library. Find details here<\/a>.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 25, 10 to 4 p.m., with film at 7 p.m.
Estes Park<\/strong>
Celebrate all things Squatchy: Bigfoot celebrities and experts, Colorado Bigfoot stories, live music, outdoor\u00a0activities for the entire family, a Bigfoot calling contest, and much more! The Bigfoot BBQ on Friday is ticketed, as is the Bigfoot 5K race the next day. But there will be a free Bigfoot Days Festival all day Saturday, along with a free screening at 7 p.m. of The Squatch<\/em>, a film by Tom Chaney and Squatch LCC at the Historic Park Theatre, followed by a panel discussion. Get full details .<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Glen Huntington Bandshell, Boulder<\/strong>
Enjoy a family-friendly day of multicultural festivities including art-making, dance and musical performances by Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico de la Diversidad Cultural, Colorado Youth Mariachi Group, Mi Chantli and more.<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 25, 6 to 9 p.m.
Leon Gallery, 1112 East 17th Avenue<\/strong>
The Playground Ensemble continues its 25th anniversary celebration with Sculpting Sound<\/em>, an exhibit that plays off Playground\u2019s 2022 collaboration with BRDG Project and sound sculptor and interdisciplinary artist Alex Branch. New sonic artworks by local visual and installation artists will become an \u201corchestra\u201d for a series of new musical commissions that will premiere at two concerts at the end of May. In the meantime, you can interact with the art at the opening reception.<\/p>\n
Sunday, April 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard<\/strong>
Celebrate the Day of the Child with the Mexican Cultural Center at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.\u00a0In addition to free general admission for all visitors, the celebration will include special performances, music, and activities for the entire family. You\u2019ll also get 25 percent discounts on the special exhibits.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
April 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Denver Art Museum, 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway<\/strong>
The Denver Art Museum is hosting its 24th Annual D\u00eda del Ni\u00f1o Celebration, a day celebrating children across the globe with free admission, special activities and performances from Arts & Culture of Indonesia, Colorado Mestizo Dancers, Colorado New Style, Colorado Youth Mariachi Program, Comparsa Morelos en Denverm DAM\u2019s Friendship Powwow Dancers, Danza Matachina Guadalupana, DAVA student film selection, Denver Children\u2019s Choir, Denver Preschool Program Bilingual Reading\u00a0What Will We Build Today?\u00a0<\/em>\/\u00bfQu\u00e9 construiremos hoy?<\/em>\u201d by Katherine Durgin-Bruce, El Sistema Colorado, Fiesta Colorado y Danzantes de Colores, Girls Inc., Grupo Folkl\u00f3rico Alma Mexicana, Latino Arts & Cultural Institute \u2013 Studio Colombia, Q\u00b2C\u00b3 Robotics Team; Qhaswa Peru USA, Panam\u00e1 de mi Coraz\u00f3n, Sandoval Singers, and Swallow Hill Music. Registration requested here.<\/p>\n
Sunday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clyfford Still Museum, 1250 Bannock Street<\/strong>
This free, family-friendly program invites visitors of all ages to experience art, music, and community in an engaging museum setting. There will be hands-on art activities with artist M\u00eda Madalena in the Museum\u2019s Making Space, and well as a performance by Mariachi Coraz\u00f3n de Oro, a Denver-based youth ensemble from the Colorado Youth Mariachi Program, at noon.<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Loveland Ski Area<\/strong>
While you\u2019ll need to buy a ticket to Saturday\u2019s 25th annual Corn Harvest Benefit Ski Party, a long-standing community event that blends skiing, music, and philanthropy on the slopes, you can enjoy live music for free at the base by Mark Morris & the Rope Duckers.<\/p>\n
Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m. to noon
Rally Hotel, 1600 20th Street<\/strong>
In a partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion<\/a>, the Rally Hotel lobby is transformed into an educational hub every Sunday morning, when you can engage in hands-on learning about Colorado\u2019s essential pollinators, complete with preserved specimen displays.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"stamp](\"https:\/\/www.westword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/fielderusps.jpg?w=1024\")
Ongoing<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Locations and dates vary
<\/strong>Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many arts institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. You can visit Four Mile Historic Park for free on Friday, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is free on Sunday. For more bargains, check the SCFD site<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
200 East Colfax Avenue<\/strong>|
The Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free guided tours are available, but limited to thirty people on a first come, first served basis. Check in at the Visitor Information Desk, which opens at 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
Through 2026
Around the state<\/strong>
Happy 150th birthday, Colorado! On August 1, 1876, Colorado became a state, and there will be celebrations all year \u2014 at the same time this country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. You can find a full list of the activities at Am250CO150.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n