☀️Good morning, Bucket Listers!
September’s celebrations are calling your name! Whether you’re into street fairs, stand up, or solar energy, there’s something for everyone. Take a look at this week’s lineup.
Festivals & Celebrations
High Plains Comedy Festival
📍Multiple Venues | Thursday, Sept. 18-Saturday, Sept. 20 (times vary)
With a new semester underway, a good laugh might be just what we need. Come see some of the funniest comedians from Denver and beyond at this multi-venue comedy takeover. Happening September 18-20 with both free and ticketed shows, expect a weekend full of laughter and fun.
Denver Oktoberfest Weekend 1
📍21st & Larimer St. | Friday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m.-Sunday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Denver brings Oktoberfest to downtown with beer steins, bratwurst, live music, and wiener dog races! This street party spans two weekends with plenty of free fun and ticketed upgrades. Join the celebration September 19-21 and 26-28.
Denver Street Fairs: It’s Fall Y’all
📍1100 W 11th Ave | Saturday, Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m.-Sunday, September 21, 5:30 p.m.
Celebrate the season at this festive fall street fair and support local makers! Hosted in the heart of Denver, it’s a great spot to shop small and soak in this beautiful fall weather. Hungry? Grab a bite to eat from food trucks on site.
Jamming on the Jetty Neighborhood Festival
📍Sloan’s Lake | Saturday, Sept. 20, 1-8 p.m.
Come to Sloan’s Lake for the 10th Annual Jamming on the Jetty Neighborhood Festival! This event features local bands, dancing, delicious food from a variety of vendors, and a Kids Zone for young attendees. This family-friendly day is guaranteed fun for people of all ages.
Community Gatherings
Bright Nights at Four Mile Historic Park: Adults Only Night
📍Four Mile Historic Park | Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7-11 p.m.
Four Mile Historic Park lights up after dark with lanterns, music, and plenty of seasonal drinks. This adults-only evening is a perfect chance to unwind and connect while wandering the grounds. Don’t miss this event!
Vantage Movement Talent Show
📍Vantage Movement Gym | Friday, Sept. 19, 6-8 p.m.
The Vantage Movement Talent Show is a fun night where members and coaches share their talents, from short skits to five-minute acts. Everyone is welcome to perform or cheer and enjoy the show. Beer, wine, and snacks will be provided, and you can also bring your own.
Paws with Pride 2025
📍Denver Union Station | Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Celebrate love, community, and dogs at Paws With Pride 2025, a free, Pride event at Denver Union Station presented by Sploot Veterinary Care. Rescheduled from June due to heat, this joyful day benefits Canine Partners of the Rockies. Enjoy local vendors, raffles, pet portraits, and the popular Doggie Drag Show hosted by Talia Tucker.
Denver Sun Day
📍City Park Esplanade Denver | Sunday, Sept. 21st, 1-4 p.m.Gather at the City Park Esplanade for an afternoon dedicated to clean energy and community. It’s the perfect way to spend the fall equinox! Come to Denver Sun Day for family-friendly activities with opportunities to learn about solar power and sustainable living.
Arts & Culture
The Federal Theatre: Grand Opening Weekend
📍The Federal Theatre | Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.-Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 p.m.
The Federal Theatre is back, kicking things off with a two-night live music celebration. Friday brings the energy of iZCALLi and Los Mocochetes, while Saturday rocks with Cobranoid, The Pitch Invasion, and Vitrify. Come witness this reopening and the start of a new chapter in Denver’s music scene!
Meet S. A. Cosby, Southern Noir Crime Fiction Author
📍Embassy Suites DTC | Thursday, Sept.r 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Join bestselling author S. A. Cosby for an evening of stories and conversation about his Southern noir novels. Known for their gritty style and unforgettable characters, his books have captivated readers across the country. This is a rare chance to meet the writer behind the page and hear what inspires his crime-driven worlds.
Spice Detective: Journey to the Worlds of Middle Eastern Spices
📍JCC Denver Phillips Social Hall | Thursday, September 18, 7-9 p.m.
Yaniv Cohen, widely known as The Spice Detective, is bringing the vibrant flavors of the Middle East to Denver for a one-night-only event on Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. as part of the Mizel Arts and Culture Center’s JAAMM Festival. Guests will be immersed in the world of spices through live cooking demonstrations, flavorful tastings, rich storytelling, and an engaging Q&A with Cohen.
“Art For The Soul of Black Folks” Panel Discussion
📍The Studio Loft | September 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Celebrate the power of Black art at “Art For The Soul of Black Folks”, a free panel hosted by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and IABD. Don’t miss this chance for a powerful panel discussion exploring Black art as the foundation of American culture. Moderator Nijeul X leads an inspiring conversation with artists from dance, music, theater, and visual art.
September 16-23 is packed with festivals and celebrations for everyone. The hardest part will be choosing which one to hit first. See you next week for more fall events!
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Natalie Montoya
Events Manager/ Bucket List Community News
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