Things to Do in Denver This Weekend (October 9–11)

GABF is finally outside this year, Red Rocks has back to back bass and techno nights that are going to sell out fast, and two different brewery anniversary parties are happening in the Santa Fe Art District. Basically: drink good beer, see loud music, and don't bother making plans for Sunday morning.

Here's what's actually worth your time and money this weekend.

Friday

Tape B Presents: Hallow Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 6pm. Jykl & Hyde, Gentlemens Club, Oliverse and Cozy Kev round out a full night of dubstep and bass, this one will sell out so grab tickets now if you're going.

GABF Week at Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Bierstadt Lagerhaus (RiNo), starts 4pm. The beer hall is running West Coast tap takeovers, trivia and musical bingo all week to ride the GABF hype, good warm up before the real thing hits Saturday.

Kal-El Astral Voyaging Tour w/ Goya & Black Moon Cult, Black Sky Brewery, 7pm. Stoner rock and metal in a Santa Fe Art District brewery, all ages at the door, cheap way to spend a Friday night getting riffed at.

Maceo Plex, Doc Martin - WD10YR, Reelworks Denver, 7pm. Whirling Dervish's 10 year party brings two heavyweight techno/house names to one room, this is the pick if you want to actually dance.

Hugel at Junkyard, 2pm start. Tiered GA pricing on this one so check the door time and lock in early access if you want it.

Colin Armstrong, Denver Comedy Underground, 7:30pm. Viral crowd work comic doing two nights in a tiny room, get there early for good seats since he gets up close.

Denver Sketch Festival, RISE Comedy, 7pm. Third year of this one, local and touring sketch troupes doing original sets, good alternative if you're comedy'd out on stand-up.

E.X.R. / Danny and the Black Feathers / Heart Shaped Zombie, Lion's Lair, 9:30pm. Three local rock bands, no cover drama, just a dive bar on Colfax doing what it does best.

Saturday

Great American Beer Festival 2026, Levitt Pavilion, Sat and Sun. GABF is outdoors for the first time in its 45 year history, this is the biggest beer event in the country and it will absolutely sell out, buy tickets now if you haven't.

Sara Landry w/ Pendulum, Supergloss, Lorely Mur, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 6pm. Hard techno at one of the best venues on earth, this one will sell out so don't sleep on it.

Black Sky Brewery 13 Year Anniversary Party, Black Sky Brewery, 6pm. Four local bands, a full day of drinking in the Santa Fe Art District, low key one of the better free-feeling brewery parties of the fall.

Booty in the Breakdown, Lion's Lair, 9:30pm. Metal soundtracked burlesque and go-go roulette, weird in the best way, exactly what a Colfax dive bar should be doing on a Saturday.

Sunday

GABF closes out at Levitt Pavilion, noon. Last chance to catch the festival's outdoor debut, go easy on the Red Rocks show later if you're hitting both.

Hovvdy w/ Emma Ogier, Globe Hall, 8pm. Austin slowcore turned indie duo in a tiny kitchen-and-bar venue, this is the "sit down with a beer and actually listen to the music" pick of the weekend.

Cement Gardens, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 4:50pm. Pouya, Paleface Swiss, Freddie Dredd and a stacked rap/metal bill, a lot of energy for a Sunday but that's kind of the point.

Free This Weekend

Old School Cool Vintage Market, Spaceship Bank (3501 S. Broadway, Englewood), Saturday 10am. Second Saturday pop-up with dozens of vintage and upcycled clothing vendors, totally free to walk through.

Union Station Farmers Market, Denver Union Station Plaza, Saturday 8am to 1pm. Easy stop before or after your GABF plans.

City Park Farmers Market, City Park Esplanade, Saturday 8am to 1pm. Good coffee and produce run if you're nursing a Friday hangover.

Urban Market at Union Station, Wynkoop Plaza, Sunday starting noon. Local makers, antiques, jewelry, and live entertainment on the plaza, good slow Sunday wander.

Highlands Farmers Market, Highlands Square, Sunday 9am to 1pm. Walkable, good for grabbing lunch after.

South Pearl Street Farmers Market, S. Pearl St. between Iowa and Arkansas, Sunday 9am to 1pm. One of the better neighborhood markets in the city, runs through November.

For everything else happening around town, check the full calendar at /events.