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February isn’t over yet, even though the weather makes it feel more like May. But you can still celebrate the last events of Black History Month, as well as join in Lunar New Year festivities. And Arvada knows the season: It’s hosting its annual Winterfest tomorrow.
For more options around town, check our list of activities worth the price of admission. Now keep reading for free things to do in Denver (and beyond) this weekend.
Ongoing
SCFD Free Days
Locations and dates vary
Thanks to the sales tax you pay into the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, many arts institutions around the metro area offer occasional free days and programs. For example, there’s no admission charge at Four Mile Historic Park today, February 27. For more bargains, check the SCFD site.
Ruby Hill Rail Yard
Daily, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Ruby Hill Park, South Platte River Drive and West Jewell Avenue
How many cities have their own terrain parks? Since 2007, Denver Parks & Recreation and Winter Park Resort have teamed up to provide urban skiing and snowboarding at Ruby Hill; Rail Yard opened for the season on February 1, with newly designed rails, boxes and configurations to accommodate skill levels from beginner to advanced. Fair warning: the lights are out, so beware if you’re recreating after dark.
USPS
America 250 – Colorado 150
Through 2026
Around the state
Happy 150th birthday, Colorado! On August 1, 1876, Colorado became a state, and there will be celebrations all year — at the same time this country is celebrating its 250th anniversary. You can find a full list of the activities at Am250CO150.org, but don’t miss the already-open exhibits at the History Colorado Center: Moments That Made US, 38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State, and the new John Fielder show, Majestic Mountains.
Thornton Yesterday, Thornton Today, Thornton Tomorrow
Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thornton Arts & Culture Center Annex, 9211 Dorothy Boulevard
When Sam Hoffman purchased the land that would one day become the City of Thornton and began building homes in 1954, he envisioned a thriving community that could stand on its own — a dream realized just two years later when Thornton officially became a city in 1956. Thornton is celebrating its seventieth anniversary with Thornton Yesterday, Thornton Today, Thornton Tomorrow, an exhibit that opened January 5 and runs through the year.
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Photography Exhibit
Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sangres Art Guild’s 3rd Street Gallery, 59000 Highway 69, Westcliffe
Start your celebration of Colorado’s sesquicentennial with a visit to Westcliffe, which just opened a show of 52 photographs taken along Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways. Frontier Pathways, Custer County Tourism and the Sangres Art Guild are hosting the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways exhibition through April 19, with a Welcome Spring reception on March 21. Learn more at visitwetmountainvalley.com.
Winter of Reading 2026
Through February 28
Any Denver Public Library
Read alert! Winter of Reading, Denver Public Library’s annual reading challenge for adults, is almost over. The official game board includes 24 flexible activities; if you complete five in a row, you can win prizes. “These days, it can be hard to disconnect from our digital screens,” says Nicolle Davies, the new city librarian. “Our Winter of Reading challenge encourages people to connect with the community and engage with our library services in ways they probably haven’t imagined before.” The gameboard is available in several languages; you can pick one up at any library or download it from denlib.org/wor, where you can also find more info. But you’ll need to work fast!
“We Are the Land”
Denver’s YouTube
On February 7, Landmark Preservation staff and the American Indian community celebrated the culmination of more than three years of work to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of Denver’s current American Indian population, as well as Tribal Nations with cultural and historic ties to the land that is now Denver, with the oral history project “We are the Land: American Indian Life, Legacy and Future in Denver.” The project includes an accompanying documentary produced by Off the Road Productions, “We Are the Land,” which is now available on Denver’s YouTube channel.
Free Salsa Classes with Jesús Muñoz
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th Street, Boulder
This eight-week series will examine the relationship between the movement, music, history and culture of salsa dancing. The classes include live music and instruction in Cuban Popular, Cuban Folkloric and Afro-Cuban dances. All levels welcome, and you can attend one or all of the sessions.
This Week
The Bride Pop-Up
Friday, February 27, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Lavender Coffee Cherry Hills, 1400 East Hampden Avenue
Lavener Coffee is hosting a pop-up activation to celebrate The Bride‘s release. Come get a free Gothic Latte or Unnatural Awakening drink, as well passes to a special advance screening for the film at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, before the film opens March 6.
Denver Summit FC Countdown to Kickoff
Friday, February 27, 4 to 7 p.m.
Larimer Square
Denver Summit FC is one month out from its home opener and Larimer Square is celebrating early! The official Countdown to Kickoff brings fans of all ages together for live DJ sets, exclusive giveaways, and plenty of pre-season energy.
Denver Mayor’s Office: Black History Month Celebration
Friday, February 27, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Struggle of Love, 12005 East 45th Avenue
Hosted in partnership with the Denver Mayor’s Office, Human Rights & Community Partnerships, the Denver African American Commission and the Struggle of Love Foundation, this celebration honors the power of community, culture and connection. Throughout the evening, attendees will have opportunities to connect with community members, celebrate cultural heritage,and reflect on the lasting impact of Black leadership, creativity, and service within the City and County of Denver.
Walk Off Hot: Vincent Cheap
Friday, February 27, 7 p.m.
Mutiny Comics and Coffee, 3483 South Broadway, Englewood
The monthly Walk Off Hot showcase will celebrate the release of Flightless, a pocket book of sixty paintings by Denver artist Vincent Cheap. The night will include films by Charly Fasano, music by Rachael Pollard and Scooter Jennings, poetry readings by Brian Polk and Garin Daum, and an art talk by Denver creator Becky Warring-Steele. Flightless is the first in a series of art and literature pocket books that Walk Off Hot plans on releasing throughout 2026.
Lunar New Year Celebration: The Year of the Horse
Saturday, February 28, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Circle, Parker
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Parker’s Lunar New Year Celebration, a family-friendly event featuring traditional performances, martial arts, mini classes, and hands-on activities. The event is free, but registration is required here.
Arvada Winterfest
Saturday, February 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Olde Town Square, Arvada
The Arvada Festivals Commission is hosting the annual Arvada Winterfest, a day of interactive cultural performances across two stages. This year’s event highlights traditions from around the world, and includes drum demonstration by the Colorado African Innovation and Cultural Center; a mariachi performance by Mariachi Los Correcaminos de MSU; a dragon and lion dance by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center; Brazilian samba dancing by Samba Colorado; Irish dancing by the McTeggart Irish Dancers; Polynesian dancing by Kalama Polynesian Dancers; and Folklórico dancing by Fiesta Colorado Dance Company. And thanks to Olde Town Arvada’s Designated Drinking Zone, you’ll be able to carry alcoholic beverages.
Grow With What You’ve Got: Black Farmers Growing The Future
Saturday, February 28, 11 a.m. to noon
Ford-Warren Branch Library, 2825 High Street
Get your hands dirty with Freedom Acres Ranch! Farmers from the ranch will share their connection to the historic legacy of Black farmers, and help you envision your part in creating sustainable food systems of the future.
Motus Playback: Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors
Saturday, February 18, 1 to 3 p.m.
HQ, 60 South Broadway
Motus Theater and Denver District 7 will present this performance of Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors, with live storytelling bringing community together in real time.
Thrifts & ‘Tinis: A Curio Thrift Event
Saturday, February 28, 1 to 5 p.m.
Maven Hotel, 1850 Wazee Street
The Maven Hotel and Poka Lola Social Club are partnering with Curio Cabinet Magazine to host Thrifts & ‘Tinis, an indoor thrifting extravaganza with more than a dozen vendors with “gently used” clothing and accessories scattered through the Maven lobby. Meanwhile, Poka Lola will be offering Teenage Dirtbag Martinis and other craft cocktails and mocktails as you sip and socialize.
Epstein Accountability Protest
Saturday, February 28, 3 p.m.
West steps of the Colorado State Capitol
Grassroots organizers, survivors, and concerned Coloradans will gather to call for full transparency regarding the Epstein files.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 28, 4 to 6 p.m.
Stanley Marketplace, south entrance parking lot, 2501 Dallas Street, Aurora
Ring in the Year of the Horse at this Lunar New Year Celebration complete with a live lion dance performance by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center, as well as other family-friendly activities.. Watch as these magnificent lions leap and dance to the thundering rhythm of drums and cymbals, bringing good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead.
The Life We Have Community Run, Brunch and Film Screening
Sunday, March 1, 8:30 a.m.
REI Denver, 1416 Platte Street, and The Outpost, 1635 Platte
Join REI Denver, Latinos Run Denver, First Descents and The Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation for a community run, brunch and film screening celebrating the healing power of movement. Meet at REI Denver for the 5K hosted by Latinos Run Denver, then head down the block to The Outpost for brunch and a screening of The Life We Have, a 24-minute documentary about a man who vows to run every day after he receives a cancer diagnosis, followed by a panel with local advocates. Free with RSVP here.
The Little Shop of Physics Open House
Sunday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lory Student Center, Colorado State University
This annual open house features more than 300 hands-on science experiments for all ages – all aimed at encouraging exploration and cience education. The Open House is one of the largest annual academic events on campus and is hosted by the Little Shop of Physics – an interactive science engagement and outreach program based in the College of Natural Sciences.
Dairy Block Petite Parade
Sunday, March 1, noon to 2 p.m.
Dairy Block, 1800 Wazee Street
Welcome the eighth annual Petite Parade! You’re invited to “laissez les bons temps rouler” by building a tiny (but mighty!) float starting with a shoebox base; it must be able to be pulled on wheels. Bonus points for coordinating team costumes and creating miniature parade “throws”(no glitter bombs). You need to register to enter a float, but anyone can show up at the Alley to watch; there will be live music and prizes. Sign up and learn more here.
Plan ahead
303 Day
Tuesday, March 3, 5 to 9 p.m.
Number Thirty Eight, 3560 Chestnut Place
Join Indie 102.3 is it celebrates 303 Day — honoring Colorado’s first area code — with a big, loud party featuring three favorite Local 303 artists of 2025: Bruha, Graveyard Choir and Cheap Perfume. There will also be Indie swag (including a custom, limited-edition 303 Day poster by Ink Lounge), and a chance to win a Victrola Eastwood record player. The show is all-ages (but some bands may use profanity, organizers warn). RSVP here.
International Women’s Day
Saturday, March 7, 10 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, March 8, noon to 4 p.m.
Center for Colorado Women’s History, 1310 Bannock Street
There’s no admission charge on the weekend marking International Women’s Day. View the historic house, take part in a historical scavenger hunt, and celebrate the accomplishments of women both past and future. While there, you can see the current exhibit, Domestic Bliss.
Do you know of a great free event? We update this list throughout the week; send information to editorial@westword.com.