Old Globeville Days and the Orthodox Food Festival (annually in July)
The Old Globeville Days Orthodox Food Festival celebrates Denver's international immigrant heritage with a diverse selection of free entertainment and international food. The music features outstanding performers of diverse folk heritage including an amazing Celtic performance. The incredible food selection is sample sized and you purchase tickets to try the samples. One of the best things to do in Denver on a warm mid-July weekend.
Golden Clear Creek Kayak festival (Wednesdays in June)
The "Golden Community Rodeo" is a weekly kayak competition in downtown Golden along Clear Creek at the Golden kayak park. You can sit or stand along the creek and watch the competition. It's pretty amazing what these kayakers can do, and definitely worth taking some time to watch. Can you think of a better thing to do on a warm spring Wednesday?
Competitors are arranged according to class. This year the classes are:
Juniors
Masters
Men: Sport, Intermediate, and Expert
Women: Sport, Intermediate, and Expert
Punkin Chunkin Colorado | Aurora Jack-O-Launch (annually, 2nd Saturday in October)
This October festival has become a Denver tradition.
Louisville Street Faire
The downtown Louisville Street Faire in Louisville, Colorado brings great music to the Front Range every summer Friday from mid-June to mid-August. This fair's last performance of the year is usually the biggest with internationally known headliners.
In addition to the concert, the fair features excellent food and drink vendors, and children's activities such as arts and crafts.
When:
Summer Fridays from 5 to 10pm.
Music is typically 6:30 - 9.
Where:
Downtown Main Street in Louisville.
Schedule:
The 2013 Louisville Street Faire schedule is as follows:
June 14: CJ Chenier
June 21: Young Dubliners
June 28: Richie Furay
July 12: BoDeans
July 19: The Samples
July 26: Samantha Fish
August 2: Tab Benoit
August 9: Fireball
August 16: Dickey Betts and Great Southern (CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS)
I was really looking forward to seeing Dickey Betts again and hope he gets well soon and can come back to Colorado.
Chris Daniels and Freddi will be stepping in at the last minute for this concert.
More Info from the downtown Louisville web site: 
Colorado Day, Free Colorado State Parks (First Monday in August)
Colorado Day is an annual tradition of celebrating Colorado's acceptance into statehood. Colorado was first recognized as a state on August 1, 1876, and now we celebrate Colorado Day on the first Monday of every August.
Buffalo Bill's Birthday (February)
Golden, Colorado celebrates Buffalo Bills birthday in grand style every year at Rock Rest Lodge. This free festival features re-enactments of the wild west days as well as great music, food, and western authors.
Community Car Show and Drag Race
The annual Community Car Show in Littleton takes place Saturday September 12th, 2015, from 10am to 2pm. Admission is free both for spectators and exhibitors. The car show takes place at Heritage United Methodist Church and will include music, free snacks, and you will vote on the People's Choice winner.
After the car show, a drag race takes place from 4pm - 8pm at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison. Admission is free for spectators, and $30 for racers.
You are encouraged to bring a canned food item or good condition used winter coat or boots.
When:
Saturday September 12, 2015
Car show runs from 10am to 2pm.
Drag race runs from 4pm to 8pm.
Where:
Car show takes place at Heritage United Methodist Church:
7077 S. Simms Street
Littleton, CO 80127
(next to Chatfield Sr. High)
Drag Race takes place at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison:
Immediately off the C-470 Morrison exit.
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Colorado State Capitol Free Tours (Weekdays)
The Colorado State Capital is one of the popular Denver Attractions, not only for the well known '5280 step' but also for the free tours inside.
Why take a Colorado State Capitol tour? I'll give you three reasons:
- The Colorado State Capital building in downtown Denver allows you to watch our state Legislature in action. As more people take an interest in the workings of our government, this is a great opportunity to see firsthand how the system works. The Colorado State Legislature is in session from early January to early May.
- The capitol building itself is awash in history and amazing architecture. It was built using Colorado materials as much as possible, such as Colorado gold for the dome, granite walls from Granite, Colorado, and Colorado's distinctive red onyx throughout the interior.
- The views from the Dome tour are some of the best in Denver!
Location:
Just head for downtown Denver and the 16th Street Mall, you can't miss the gold domed building beyond the southern end of 16th street mall. The steps on the western side are the most popular area to enter as the "1 mile above sea level" markers are there. The civic center park area has become very sketchy, expect to encounter quite a few homeless if you walk through the park.
Visitors to the state capitol are allowed to wander the public areas on their own, or you can take one of several guided tours:
Historical Tours:
All about construction of the building and early Colorado history, as well as some of the more interesting artifacts on display within the building. Reservations are not required unless you have a group of 10 or more. Tours are 45 minutes long and are available weekdays except holidays.
Historical Tour Hours:
10am - 3pm every Monday - Friday
Legislative Tours:
Legislative tours are a popular field trip for Colorado grade school students. When possible, you will make stops in the House and Senate galleries to see the legislature in action. This tour is only for school groups and reservations are required.
Legislative Tour Schedule:
Annually, early January through early May. Reservations are required.
Dome Tours (currently closed):
This tour climbs a long spiral staircase to an indoor observation area with amazing views of Denver.
Dome Tour Hours:
Daily from 9am to 2:30pm. Reservations are required.
Dome tours are currently closed until further notice due to dome renovations.
Mr. Brown's Attic:
This exhibit area illustrates Colorado's history and the legislative process, and includes a hands-on children's area. The attic is open 9am to 3pm on weekdays and reservations are not necessary.
For more information about Colorado State Capitol Tours, visit the Colorado Legislative Council Site:
Zengo (Downtown Denver)
The first thing that hits you when you enter Zengo near the 16th Street mall in downtown Denver is the atmosphere. The low lighting, the expansive bar and the couches in the lounge all say one thing- "I am hip and young in Denver."
Euclid Hall Denver Happy Hour (Downtown Denver)
OK, I normally make it a policy to only check out Denver happy hours that have food specials with drink specials. However, when I saw that that 5280 had deemed Euclid Hall the best Denver happy hour, I had to check it out for myself. I went in skeptical, and came out satisfied and stuffed.
Aurora History Museum (always free)
The Aurora History Museum is free and open every day except Monday and certain holidays. There is a permanent display of Aurora history as well as changing displays. This is a great Denver area free attraction, where you can gain a perspective on the real Colorado and the early days of settling this landscape.
U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor Center and Chapel, Colorado Springs (always free)
The United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs has a unique visitor center and chapel area that is free and open to the public. Visitors can learn a wealth of information about the academy and it's history as well as view the planes on display. The Chapel is absolutely beautiful and due to it's unique architecture it's probably the most photographed building in all of Colorado.
Olympic Training Center Tours in Colorado Springs (always free)
The United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs is the home of a huge Olympic visitor's center, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and serves as the training center for many of our country's top athletes. A free tour of the Olympic Complex is one of the best things to do in Colorado Springs.
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys
For the dollhouse fan in every little girl at heart, the Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls, and Toys has a Community Day on the first Sunday of every month, from 1 pm to 4 pm.