Things to Do in Denver This Weekend (July 31–August 2)

This weekend is stacked: Tedeschi Trucks Band takes over Red Rocks for two nights, Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire bring the disco ball to Ball Arena, and there's enough dance/electronic and dive bar energy scattered across town to fill every night through Sunday. Patios are open, farmers markets are everywhere, and Colorado Day means free stuff all over downtown on Saturday. Here's what's actually worth your time.

Friday

Tedeschi Trucks Band with Lukas Nelson, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 7pm. Twelve piece band, a red rock sunset, and one of the best live sounds in the country. This one will sell out.

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire, Ball Arena, 7:30pm. "All Night Long" and "September" back to back is basically a guaranteed good time, this will sell out fast.

Interpol, Mission Ballroom, 8pm (16+). Turn On the Bright Lights still holds up and Mission Ballroom's sound system does it justice. Grab tickets soon, this one will sell out.

Excision, Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre. Bass so heavy you'll feel it in your chest, plus the amphitheater setting makes it worth the drive out.

Civic Center NIGHT MARKET: Homegrown Colorado, Civic Center Park, 5pm, free. Over 80 Colorado vendors, DJs, a silent disco, and live bands right downtown. Great pregame before whatever else you're doing.

It's A 2000's Party, Bluebird Theatre, 9pm. Denim, frosted tips, and every song you're embarrassed to still know all the words to.

Grave Rave, The Church Nightclub, 10pm. The Church is always a good time for a dance/electronic night, moody lighting included.

Emo Night Brooklyn, The Federal Theatre, 8:30pm (18+). Scream every My Chemical Romance lyric with strangers, no judgment.

RISE Comedy Festival: Mainstage, RISE Comedy, 9pm. Four improv troupes closing out the festival's final weekend, cheap laughs and a good excuse to skip another Netflix night.

21-35 Only Speed Dating (RiNo), New Friends Denver, 7pm. Low pressure way to meet people your age without swiping for another hour.

Saturday

Tedeschi Trucks Band with Lukas Nelson, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 7pm. Second night, same magic, still likely to sell out.

Meghan Trainor: The Get In Girl Tour, Ball Arena, 6:30pm. Pop bangers, big production, ideal for a girls' night that starts loud.

Dombresky & Walker & Royce, Mission Ballroom, 8pm (16+). Solid house/dance double bill in one of the best sounding rooms in the city.

Andy C, Club Vinyl, 10pm. Drum and bass legend, expect the bass to actually rattle your ribs.

Excision, Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre. Night two, same chaos.

Heated Twilight: A Heated Rivalry + Twilight Dance Party, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, 9pm. If you know, you know. If you don't, it's still a fun theme dance party.

Emmit Fenn, The Church Nightclub, 10pm. Melodic electronic set, good one for a chiller late night than the harder stuff around town.

Colorado Day Community Fest, Golden Triangle Creative District, 9am, free. Pancake breakfast, live music, a lowrider car show, and it's marking the state's 150th birthday. Good daytime start before the night gets loud.

Sunday

Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge with the Colorado Symphony, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 7pm. A full symphony backing two legends at Red Rocks is a solid way to close the weekend, this one will sell out.

El Tri, Fillmore Auditorium, 7pm. Mexican rock legends, the crowd energy alone is worth the ticket.

2slimey USA Tour: NO BASS NO FUN, Marquis, 7pm. High energy hip hop/rap night if you want something a little heavier before the week resets.

Chris Luno, Alisha, William Kiss, Club Vinyl, 1pm. A daytime dance set for anyone who wants a Sunday funday instead of another brunch mimosa.

Malik S., Denver Improv, 6pm. Easy way to end the weekend laughing instead of dreading Monday.

Free This Weekend

Civic Center NIGHT MARKET: Homegrown Colorado, Civic Center Park, Friday 5pm. 80+ local vendors, DJs, silent disco, live bands, zero cost to get in.

Colorado Day Community Fest, Golden Triangle Creative District, Saturday 9am. Free pancake breakfast, live music, lowrider show, all celebrating 150 years of Colorado.

Mile High Flea Market, 7007 E 88th Ave, Fri/Sat/Sun 7am-5pm. 80 acres of vintage junk and treasure, easy way to kill a morning.

Cherry Creek Fresh Market, Cherry Creek Shopping Center, Saturday 9am-2pm. Produce, food stalls, and a good excuse to walk off Friday night.

South Pearl Street Farmers Market, S. Pearl St., Sunday 9am-1pm. One of the best neighborhood markets in the city, good coffee and people watching.

Highlands Farmers Market, Highlands Square, Sunday 9am-1pm. Small, walkable, and close to a dozen patios if you want to turn it into brunch.

Want the full rundown of everything happening around Denver this weekend? Check out /events.

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