City Park Farmers Market
Sunny weather and farmers markets are the perfect pairing for a summer afternoon. One of the largest in Denver is the City Park Farmers Market, which opens for the season on May 4. Visitors will find fresh locally grown produce, monthly cooking demos, live music and more. This year, more than 100 Colorado-based farmers, ranchers, bakers, meat purveyors, cheesemakers and food producers will line the City Park Esplanade. The market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 26. cityparkfarmersmarket.com
Free Comic Book Day
Pow! Zap! Free! Comic book fans can swoop into local comic book shops around Denver for super fun on Free Comic Book Day, May 4. For more than 20 years, the action-packed day is the biggest event in the comic book industry, a single day when shops around the world give away comic books for free to all. It is an opportunity for newbies to ignite a new hobby or true fans to add to their growing collection. Many local shops are participating, including All C’s Collectibles, Coffee Cat Comics, Hall of Justice Comics & Collectibles, Mile High Comics and Monkey Paw Toys. Activities and giveaways vary by shop. freecomicbookday.com
Colorado Chocolate Festival
Calling all chocoholics! The annual Colorado Chocolate Festival at the Crowne Plaza DIA (15500 E. 40th Ave.) in Denver takes place on May 10 and 11. The sweet celebration features more than 50,000 chocolate samples from 80-plus national and regional vendors. Attendees enjoy lots of family-friendly activities, including Chocolate Bingo, a Chocolate Crown contest, free chocolate cake for moms, a tasting with the Chocolate Therapist and more. Admission is $10. Tickets are valid for both days. Kids 12 and younger get in for free. Taste Tickets ($10 for 12) allow attendees to sample treats. The festival runs 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. cochocolatefests.com/colorado-chocolate-festival.html
Denver Botanic Gardens plant sale
Grab you garden gloves and dig in to the always-anticipated annual spring plant sale at the Denver Botanic Gardens (1007 York St.) on May 10 and 11, with tens of thousands of plants available. In addition to 15 plant divisions (herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets, seeds, container gardens, water-smart plants, etc.), the sale includes gardening supplies and gifts. Plus, the gardens’ horticulturists will be on hand to answer questions. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own wagons and carts or even recycled boxes to transport plants. The sale runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Arrive early for the best selection. Admission to the sale and gardens is free, but reservations are required. Credit/debit cards and checks are the only forms of payment accepted. botanicgardens.org
Dairy Queen $1 cones
Batter up, Dairy Queen fans! Little League and Dairy Queen are teaming up to offer families a sweet deal this spring and summer. Through July 31, DQ is offering a $1 small cone for young athletes every time they visit the ice cream shop wearing their youth sports uniform. Families are encouraged to stop by DQ after their games to celebrate any sweet victory big or small with teammates, coaches and friends. littleleague.org
Taste of Iceland 2024
Iceland, a country that has become a hotbed for emerging music and innovative cuisine, brings a “taste” of its culture to Denver for a series of events as part of the Taste of Iceland 2024. The tour lands in the Mile High City on May 10 and 11 with a series of events around town inspired by the best of Icelandic culture through food and beverage, music, nature, wellness and more. Most of the events are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. And, best of all for travel enthusiasts, from May 7 to 14 Icelandair is offering a $549 roundtrip special from Denver to Iceland. The deal is for travel from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15, 2024, excluding Thanksgiving. For more information, including the event schedule and how to register, visit inspiredbyiceland.com
Colorado Artisan Markets
Shoppers now have a new place to find lots of local treasures with the launch of Colorado Artisan Markets. More than 70 artisans have been selected based on their creativity, uniqueness and desirability. The market opens on May 11 and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month, through October. On Saturdays, the market is held at The Shops at Northfield (8370 Northfield Blvd.) in Denver. On Sundays, you’ll find the market at Centennial Promenade (9555 E. County Line Rd.) in Centennial. Admission is free. The outdoor market is pup-friendly, so bring your furry family members. artisanmarkets.co
Colorado Governor’s Art Show
For 33 years, the Colorado Governor’s Art Show has put a spotlight on Colorado’s best artists. This year is no exception, with 62 of the state’s most talented showcased. The 2024 show will be displayed at the Loveland Museum (503 N. Lincoln Ave.) from May 11 to June 9. The juried show spotlights Colorado artists in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture and mixed media. Art collectors will enjoy both in-person and online fine art sales. Find a new piece for your art collection, add a statement piece to your home or select a special gift. The museum is closed on Mondays, with hours varying by day for the rest of the week. Exhibit entry is $7 and free for those 12 and younger. governorsartshow.org
Castle Rock Spring Kickoff Concert
Music starts flowing in downtown Castle Rock with a Spring Kickoff Concert on May 18 in Festival Park (300 2nd St.) from 5 to 10 p.m. Enjoy live music by Sarah P and the Dirty Logger and headliner Premium Diesel. Attendees will also enjoy food trucks, local breweries, face painters and lots of vendor booths. downtowncastlerock.com
Mile High Flea Market free fridays
Never been to Mile High Flea Market? Now you have no excuse. Admission will be free on select Fridays: May 24, June 21, July 19 and Aug. 23. Mile High Flea Market (I-76 & 88th Ave.) is home to a traditional flea market. It’s open to anyone who wants to sell and is a four-season farmers market with covered shops, food and beer stands, live music and more. Open every weekend year-round, the market boasts more than 2,500 weekend sellers. Open every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free and plentiful. milehighfleamarket.com
Rocky Mountain Stamp Show
Philatelists of all ages are placing a stamp of approval on Denver. Hundreds will be at the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show May 24- 26 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds (25690 E. Quincy Ave.) in Aurora. The 45 dealer and activity booths will showcase a variety of stamps and philatelic fun. Plus, “What’s in Your Attic?” offers free advice for those wanting to learn more about inherited stamp albums and old family collections. Young collectors will enjoy many hands-on activities, including an opportunity to design their own stamp. Admission is free. The show runs Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bonus: Right across the hall will be the Denver Postcard and Paper Show. rockymountainstampshow.com
City Park Day
City Park Day is back with a Victorian theme that takes the family-friendly event all the way back to its first days. On May 31, from 5 to 8 p.m., stop by the City Park Pavilion (1700 York St.) in Denver for free ice cream from Sweet Cooie’s, live music by the Denver Municipal Band, caricatures, face painting and more. For added fun, dress in your finest Victorian era attire. Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation, if possible. victoriansocietyofcolorado.org
Send tips to info@milehighonthecheap.com 14 to 21 days in advance.
