Weekend things to do around Denver and beyond

Each Thursday, explore Denver's essential weekend events curated by The Denver Gazette. Dive into cultural experiences and entertainment delights across the city. Whether you enjoy art galleries, pottery, or outdoor sports, there’s something for everyone in Denver's vibrant cultural scene. To submit an event for consideration, email listings@gazette.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Share the celebration of the Year of the Wood Dragon with several thousand people watching the colorful Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in Sloan's Lake Park, Saturday and Sunday. To go along with the boat races, a plethora of ethnic food vendors, an Asian marketplace and cultural entertainment of the presenting host AANHPI (Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander) communities. Free, donations accepted for the nonprofit Colorado Dragon Boat. Races 8 a.m. to dusk. Bag checks at entry. Free shuttle from Auraria Campus parking. cdbf.org

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

The history continues and the burros are ready to race ... maybe. It's the 75th Burro Days in Fairplay all weekend. Even the llamas will share the racing spotlight, too. Concert Friday night, "Llama Rama" race and fireworks Saturday and the mining-era pack burros take to the streets Sunday, followed by a parade and outhouse races. fairplayco.us/special-events

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

So very Colorado. VegFest Colorado is all about a plant-based lifestyle, and learning about living one. A festival filled with familiar vegan sponsors and including speakers, demonstrations, yoga and food trucks. At Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus and in Turnhalle Event Center, Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: vegfestco.com.

SATURDAY

Olympic City USA Colorado Springs signals the opening of the Paris Summer Olympics with a free Downtown Summer Fest Saturday at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. There are athletes and many medal winners, a morning Rocky Mountain 5K at 9:30 a.m. and 1K Sasquatch Shuffle for the youngsters. In a local tradition, a lighted Olympic torch will be carried across America the Beautiful Park over the bridge to the museum plaza to start the festival at 11 a.m. where the Paris events will be shown on the big screen wall until 4 p.m. and there will be multiple sports demonstrations. The festival is free, there is admission to the museum. coloradospringssports.org/events/summer-fest

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

His grave is up there on Lookout Mountain and that's why there have been Buffalo Bill celebrations since 1940s trail rides. This is the weekend for Golden's Buffalo Bill Days with a parade (10 a.m. Saturday) just like the original in the 1960s. There's muttin' busting fun at 9 a.m. Sunday and music, arts and crafts all three days. goldenbuffalobilldays.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

More than 150 artists and craftsmen from across the country will be here after being curated into the annual Cheesman Park Art Fest, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Art lovers can stroll the park to the sounds of jazz and folk from the stage. A dozen food trucks and carts will be on hand. dashevents.com/productions/cheesman-park-art-fest

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Party time in Cañon City at the 15th Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival on the water and in Centennial Park. It's "boats, bands and beer" plus family activities. Proceeds benefit the community. Whitewater competitions on the Arkansas River. Admission $7-$13. royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com

SATURDAY

Bring your blankets or lawn chairs to Benedict Park, corner of Logan and 20th, for Mile High Dance Festival by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. Starting at 2 p.m. Saturday with food and vendors followed by a youth show at 3 p.m., music at 5 p.m. and the headline performance by Denver professional dance companies at 6 p.m. Free. cleoparkerdance.org

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Sample these fine wines and it's a sure probability you'll find a new favorite among the 300 at Breckenridge Food and Wine Festival, Main Street Station Plaza and The Village at Breckenridge. A large selection of food vendors as well. The weekend festival features a Grand Tasting at 2 p.m. Saturday and Brunch and Vines on Sunday. rockymtnevents.com/breckenridge-food-wine.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

Just a short drive up I-25, PRCA rodeo at the final days for the Year of the Cowgirl at Cheyenne Frontier Days, the "Daddy of 'em All." The event culminates 125 years of history in Wyoming. Among the rodeo highlights, the PBR Last Cowboy Standing, a five-round pro bull-riding competition. Concerts are historically sold out well in advance. cfdrodeo.com

SATURDAY

A gourmet Heritage Fire Snowmass tasting event, part of a 15-city tour, is a three-hour event Saturday at Snowmass Base Village. Tasters will choose a favorite "bite of the day." Side offerings include custom hat making and a jewelry station. Tickets $125, VIP $175 heritagefiretour.com/tour-dates/snowmass-co.

SATURDAY

Curious about amateur (ham) radio? Maybe learning about radios during disasters, weather and more. Answers at the Pikes Peak Radio Amateur Association's Megafest for operators, their families and interested folks. Lewis-Palmer High School, Monument; ppraa.org/megafest