Things to do in Denver, events and local news | Khora Social

Photos: Denver Zine Fest Brings Colorado Artists and Writers to Central Library

Denver Central Library filled with readers, artists and independent publishers on Sunday, Sept. 13, for the 2026 Denver Zine Fest. The six-hour event brought together more than 85 zine creators from across Colorado, drawing a large crowd to browse handmade publications and speak directly with vendors. Tables throughout the library offered zines, artwork, stickers, books and other printed work. Visitors flipped through hand-folded booklets covering subjects ranging from animals and poetry to sex, gender and monsters. The festival highlighted zines as a form of self-publishing that allows creators to circulate personal, political and artistic ideas outside traditional publishing channels. Denver Zine Fest is organized by the Denver Zine Library, a volunteer-run collection based at the Denver Public Library’s Bob Ragland branch. Longtime volunteer Vera Benschop previously described zines as an independent and accessible way for people to express themselves, stressing the value of using free speech. The 2026 gathering marked the second year that the festival was held at Central Library. The Denver Zine Library maintains roughly 20,000 donated zines, which are available for checkout on Saturdays when the library is open.

7 Best Things to Do in Denver This Weekend: Sept. 11-13, 2026

7 Best Things to Do in Denver This Weekend: Sept. 11-13, 2026

Denver7’s Sept. 11-13 weekend roundup includes events across Denver, the metro area and beyond. The annual Denver7 Electronics Recycling Drive takes place Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in parking lot H near 60th Avenue and Quebec Street. Residents can bring unwanted computers, televisions and other devices. Admission costs $5 per car, and some items carry additional fees. The Denver Art Museum hosts its 37th Annual Friendship Powwow and Free Day on Sept. 12, featuring traditional dancing, drum groups, artists, cultural demonstrations and free museum admission. Saturday also brings the Centennial Chalk Art Festival, where professional and amateur artists will create large-scale sidewalk drawings alongside interactive family activities. Hi Points Fest will fill several venues in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood with live music, art and performances, celebrating the area’s longstanding place in music, entertainment and community. Aurora’s Taste of Ethiopia runs Sept. 12-13 with Ethiopian food, music, dance and cultural activities. Steamboat OktoberWest, scheduled for Sept. 11-12 in Steamboat Springs, offers craft beverage tastings, food and live music. On Sunday, the Buffalo Bicycle Classic will bring thousands of cyclists onto routes ranging from recreational rides to mountain climbs while raising money for student scholarships at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Barona Cultural Center & Museum: Lakeside’s Kumeyaay Story

Barona Cultural Center & Museum: Lakeside’s Kumeyaay Story

In Lakeside, California, the Barona Cultural Center & Museum offers a meaningful stop beyond the usual East County drive. Located on the Barona Reservation, this museum introduces visitors to the history, art, and continuing traditions of the Kumeyaay people, whose homeland spans much of San Diego County and beyond. The experience is grounded in objects rather than vague storytelling. Inside, you can encounter artifacts that reach back as far as 10,000 years, alongside baskets, tools, beadwork, photographs, and contemporary art that connect the past to living culture. It is a place where a stone tool or woven basket becomes more than an exhibit label: it helps explain how people lived with this landscape, from local plants and waterways to seasonal food gathering. Take your time in the galleries and look for the details in the craftsmanship. Basketry is especially worth slowing down for, with patterns and materials that reflect deep knowledge of the region. The museum also gives helpful context to the Kumeyaay place names and traditions that shaped this part of Southern California long before modern Lakeside developed around its roads, ranches, and reservoirs. Barona Cultural Center & Museum is not a quick roadside attraction; it is a thoughtful cultural visit that can add depth to a day exploring Lakeside and the surrounding foothills. Plan it as a calm indoor stop before or after a drive through East County, and leave room to read the displays rather than rushing through. It is well worth a detour for anyone curious about the people and stories rooted in this landscape.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Returns to Denver’s Sloan’s Lake Park

Thousands of paddlers, families and visitors filled Sloan’s Lake Park on Saturday as the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival returned to Denver with energy, color and a strong sense of community. The annual event, free and open to the public, brought teams to the water for dragon boat races while welcoming attendees to experience and learn more about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures. From the shoreline, spectators cheered on boats moving in rhythm across the lake, creating one of the city’s most spirited late-summer gatherings. This year’s festival carried added meaning after an algae bloom forced organizers to postpone the 2025 dates. Its return gave competitors and attendees a chance to reconnect around a tradition that combines sport, cultural celebration and local participation. Beyond the races, the festival offered a space for Denver residents to gather, celebrate diverse communities and share in a weekend built around movement, music, food and cultural education. For many, it was not only a chance to watch the competition, but to take part in a welcoming event that reflects the city’s growing cultural landscape.

Denver Food + Wine, Dragon Boats and More Things to Do This Weekend

Denver offers a busy stretch of food, culture and music events, led by the Denver Food + Wine Festival on the Auraria campus. The three-day festival, which raises funds for the Colorado Restaurant Association, begins Wednesday with a Riedel wine glass seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday’s Shake + Brake Showdown, held from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Tivoli Quad, combines cocktails, food trucks, games and music. The festival’s Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, Aug. 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Tivoli Quad, 1000 Larimer St. More than 50 restaurants will serve unlimited small bites, with new participants including Bella Colibri, Temaki Den, Joy Hill, Paperboy, Rougarou and Welton Street Cafe. Mixologists and wine professionals will also be present. Advance general admission is $175. Also on Aug. 29-30, the 26th Colorado Dragon Boat Festival returns to Sloan’s Lake. Dragon boat races start at 8 a.m. each day, alongside food vendors, live music, cultural displays and performances. Organizers note that hot weather is likely and that there is no on-site parking; shuttles will run from the Auraria campus. On Sunday, Denver-area residents can visit the Affordable Arts Festival at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton or attend Harry Tuft’s CD-release celebration at Swallow Hill Music in Denver. These events matter because they highlight the city’s varied cultural life, from its evolving restaurant industry and AANHPI traditions to accessible art and longtime local music figures.

Evento

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan’s Lake Park, August 29–30

29 agosto 2026 alle ore 08:00

Sloan's Lake Park

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan’s Lake Park, August 29–30 — August 29, 2026 — Sloan's Lake Park, Denver

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival returns to Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver on August 29–30, 2026. Dragon boat races begin at 08:00 on both Saturday and Sunday, while the public festival is open from 10:00 to 19:00 Saturday and 10:00 to 17:00 Sunday. The event takes place at Sloan’s Lake Park, 1700 N Sheridan Blvd. Admission is free. There is no public parking onsite, so visitors should plan transportation in advance. Free shuttles will operate from Auraria Campus. The listed parking option is the 5th Street Garage at 1351 5th St, Denver, CO 80204, with shuttle service connecting attendees to the festival.

Khora local guide

Event details

When: August 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM – August 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Where: Sloan's Lake Park1700 N Sheridan Blvd, 80212 Denver, CO, US
Organizer: Colorado Dragon Boat
Admission: Free

Official event page

Verified event facts

The festival is scheduled for August 29–30, 2026, at Sloan's Lake Park in Denver.
Dragon boat races begin at 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
The public festival runs from 10:00 to 19:00 on Saturday and from 10:00 to 17:00 on Sunday.
Admission is free.
There is no public parking onsite.

Verified sources

Information last verified August 28, 2026.

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7 Best Things to Do in Denver This Weekend: Aug. 21-23, 2026

7 Best Things to Do in Denver This Weekend: Aug. 21-23, 2026

Denver residents have several options for the weekend of Aug. 21-23, from local arts and theater to family attractions and food-focused festivals. The Art Students League of Denver’s Summer Art Market will feature work by local artists in painting, ceramics, jewelry and photography. Visitors can browse and buy original pieces, meet artists and celebrate Colorado’s creative community. Families and people looking for interactive entertainment can consider The Big Bounce America, described by organizers as the world’s largest touring inflatable event. It includes bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides and other attractions for all ages. The Unicorn Festival also offers a fantasy-themed experience with mythical characters, costumes, games, interactive activities and colorful entertainment. Denver’s theater audience has a final chance to see the world premiere of “504: The Musical” at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Produced by Phamaly Theatre Company, which supports theater artists with disabilities, the production combines music, storytelling and social impact before closing its run this weekend. Several events are also within reach beyond Denver. Greeley’s tenth and final Monster Day will bring monster-themed art, costumes, activities and entertainment, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Don’t Be A Monster. Boulder Taco Fest will combine tacos, Lucha Libre wrestling, music and margaritas, while the Palisade Peach Festival highlights the Western Slope’s peach-growing region with food, entertainment and local growers. The roundup is useful for Denver because it offers a range of nearby weekend plans, including cultural events in the city and day-trip destinations across the metro area and Colorado.

Denver Competes With Boston, Philadelphia to Host 2028 Democratic National Convention

Denver Competes With Boston, Philadelphia to Host 2028 Democratic National Convention

Denver is making a serious push to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention, going up against major contenders Boston and Philadelphia. The city’s pitch is built around a practical question for delegates, media teams and visitors: how easy will it be to get around once they arrive? A walkable downtown is central to Denver’s case. Convention venues, hotels, restaurants and entertainment are close together, which could help reduce the complicated transportation plans that often come with events of this size. The city is also pointing to its growing hotel inventory as a way to accommodate thousands of attendees in and around the core. Airport access is another major selling point. Denver International Airport offers extensive connections across the country, giving the city an advantage for delegates traveling from both coasts, the Midwest and the West. For a national convention that brings together people from every state, convenience can matter as much as capacity. Boston and Philadelphia bring their own political history, infrastructure and appeal. But Denver is betting that its combination of accessibility, compact downtown experience and room for visitors can make a compelling case. The competition is far from settled, yet Denver clearly sees an opportunity to prove it can deliver a smooth, memorable convention in 2028.

Denver Businesses Assess Costs After Democratic Socialist Victory

Denver Businesses Assess Costs After Democratic Socialist Victory

Denver business leaders are weighing the possible effects of a stronger democratic socialist presence in local and national politics after Melat Kiros defeated 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in Denver’s Democratic congressional primary. Affordability was a major concern for voters, but some business representatives say proposed policies could add to the pressures already facing employers. J.J. Ament, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, told Fox News Digital that the chamber supports pragmatic, pro-business policies but does not endorse individual candidates. He argued that Colorado has become more difficult for businesses because of increased regulation, fees and taxes, while housing shortages and rising costs have made affordability a central issue for employers and workers alike. Kiros’ platform includes measures such as higher corporate taxes and an increase in the federal minimum wage. Ament said policies intended to support workers or consumers can also create difficulties for small businesses, particularly restaurants affected by minimum-wage and tipped-wage rules. He said the chamber wants to promote incentives that make it easier and less expensive to start and run a business. Some local owners also point to public-safety concerns. Brad Deen of Import Mechanics said his Denver auto shop has faced more crime, drug use and visible homelessness as the city’s population has grown. He helped establish the South Broadway General Improvement District, where businesses and residents approved an extra mill tax to pay for private security and cleaning services. Deen said the district has improved cleanup efforts and cooperation with police. The story matters for Denver because it highlights the tension between affordability-focused political proposals and the practical concerns of local employers, including taxes, labor costs, safety and the condition of commercial districts.

Live Bullet Found on United Flight Prompts Security Sweep at Denver International Airport

Live Bullet Found on United Flight Prompts Security Sweep at Denver International Airport

A United Airlines flight from Denver to San Diego was delayed Thursday after a live bullet was found aboard the aircraft before departure from Denver International Airport. The discovery was made during routine checks while United Flight 1302 was preparing to leave for the runway. Passengers were told to leave the Boeing 737-900 with their carry-on bags so security personnel could conduct a sweep of the aircraft. An announcement to those on board described the bullet as a security breach and said everyone would need to deplane. At the time, the crew said it did not know how the round had entered the plane or where it had come from. United confirmed that a bullet was discovered on board before the flight departed and that the aircraft underwent a security sweep. The airline said security personnel cleared the plane and it later continued to San Diego. The flight carried 178 passengers and six crew members. Flight 1302 had been scheduled to depart Denver at about 1:25 p.m. but took off at about 3:41 p.m., more than two hours later, according to FOX31 Denver. United referred further questions to the Transportation Security Administration. It was not immediately clear who owned the bullet or how it ended up on the aircraft. Fox News Digital also sought information from TSA and Denver International Airport. The incident is relevant to Denver because it involved a security response at Denver International Airport, affecting passengers and flight operations. It also highlights the role of pre-departure checks in identifying potential security concerns before an aircraft leaves the airport.

RedT Claims Hidden Dump at Arvada Site Halted 54-Unit Housing Development

RedT Claims Hidden Dump at Arvada Site Halted 54-Unit Housing Development

A recent development in Arvada has stirred controversy and concern among local residents and stakeholders. The proposed 54-unit housing project at the Howard Ranch property has been halted due to the discovery of a secret dump beneath the site. This unexpected finding has raised significant questions about the environmental implications and the future of housing in the area. The revelation of the dump has not only delayed the construction plans but has also sparked discussions about the potential risks associated with the site. Local officials and developers are now faced with the challenge of addressing the environmental concerns while also considering the community's need for more housing. The situation highlights the complexities involved in urban development, especially in areas with a history of industrial use. Residents of Arvada have expressed mixed feelings about the halted project. While some are concerned about the environmental impact and the safety of future residents, others are frustrated by the delay in addressing the housing shortage in the area. The community is eager for solutions that balance environmental safety with the pressing need for new homes. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how local authorities will respond to the findings at Howard Ranch. The outcome will likely influence not only this specific project but also future developments in Arvada and surrounding areas. Stakeholders are urged to engage in transparent discussions to ensure that the community's needs are met while prioritizing environmental health. In the coming months, Arvada will be at a crossroads, navigating the challenges of urban development amid environmental concerns. The decisions made in response to this situation will shape the future landscape of the city and its commitment to sustainable growth.

Evento

Upcoming Events at Denver's Dairy Block This August

12 agosto 2026 alle ore 12:00

Seven Grand, Dairy Block, Denver

Upcoming Events at Denver's Dairy Block This August

This August, Denver's lively Dairy Block is set to host a variety of exciting events that promise to engage and entertain. Kicking off the festivities on August 12, Seven Grand will present the Whiskey Society, an exclusive tasting event where participants can delve into the rich world of whiskey. With expert guidance, attendees will explore a curated selection of whiskeys, gaining insights into their unique flavors and histories. As the evening unfolds, the atmosphere will shift to the sounds of live Bluegrass music at Seven Grand's Bourbon Barrels & Blue Grass event, running from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm. The talented duo Slay & Stinson will take the stage, providing a lively soundtrack that complements the whiskey tasting experience. This combination of education and entertainment makes for an unforgettable night, appealing to both whiskey aficionados and music enthusiasts. Nestled in the heart of Denver, Dairy Block offers a distinctive ambiance that enhances every event. The charming surroundings create a welcoming environment, perfect for those looking to unwind and enjoy a night out. Whether you're a seasoned whiskey lover or simply in search of a cozy spot to enjoy live music, these events cater to a diverse crowd. Don't miss out on the chance to be part of these memorable experiences. For more information about this event and others happening in the Dairy Block, be sure to check out their official website.

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Event details

When: August 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Where: Seven Grand, Dairy Block, Denver

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