16 Things to Do in Denver This Week · July 16–19, 2026

Music & Nightlife

The Head And The Heart at Red Rocks

The Head and the Heart returns to Red Rocks for a second night, this time with special guest Wilderado opening.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 · Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Colorado Burlesque Festival

A multi-day celebration of burlesque performance art running through July 18 at the historic Oriental Theater.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 · Oriental Theater

Are You Garbage? at Comedy Works Downtown

The popular comedy podcast duo brings their live show to Comedy Works Downtown for a multi-night run.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 7:30 PM · Comedy Works Downtown

Secret Late Night Comedy Show at Denver Comedy Underground

Denver Comedy Underground's mystery headliner late-night show with free pizza and nationally touring surprise guests.

Friday, July 17, 2026 7:30 PM · Denver Comedy Underground, 675 22nd St

Funny Marco at Denver Improv

Social media comedy sensation Funny Marco brings his viral humor to Denver Improv for a multi-show weekend run.

Friday, July 24, 2026 · Denver Improv

Festivals & Special Events

Compost Heap Fest IX

A multi-day underground music festival at Seventh Circle Music Collective featuring local and touring indie acts across July 17–19.

Friday, July 17, 2026 · Seventh Circle Music Collective

Underground Music Showcase 2026

Denver's annual indie music festival takes over the RiNo Art District July 24–26 with 200+ local and national acts across multiple stages and venues.

Friday, July 24, 2026 · RiNo Art District, Denver

Free Events

One Painting at a Time with Joyce Tsai and Geo Barrios

CSM director Joyce Tsai and CSM Institute Fellow Alum Geo Barrios lead a close-looking, dialogue-based tour of a single painting.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 · Downtown Denver

Las Cafeteras at Levitt Pavilion

LA-based band Las Cafeteras blends Afro-Mexican son jarocho with hip-hop and spoken word in a free outdoor show.

Friday, July 17, 2026 · Levitt Pavilion Denver

Sunset Cinema: The Prestige

Coca-Cola presents a free outdoor screening of Christopher Nolan's 'The Prestige' at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 · Denver Performing Arts Complex

Food & Drink

THE BIG EAT 2026

EatDenver's signature annual food festival returns to the Arts Complex, celebrating the city's independent restaurant scene.

Thursday, July 23, 2026 · Denver Performing Arts Complex

Arts & Culture

Samuel J. Comroe at Denver Improv

Stand-up comedian Samuel J. Comroe performs a multi-night run at Denver Improv through Saturday.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 · Denver Improv

Jaume Plensa: A New Humanism

World-renowned sculptor Jaume Plensa's major exhibition celebrates universal human connection across indoor and outdoor spaces at Denver Botanic Gardens through September 7.

Friday, July 17, 2026 · Denver Botanic Gardens, York Street

Flourish at William Havu Gallery

An opening reception for 'Flourish' featuring seven artists including Dorothea Cheney and Stephen Dinsmore, running through September 12.

Friday, July 17, 2026 5:00 PM · William Havu Gallery

Collective Nouns at Center for Visual Art, MSU Denver

A closing weekend for this free exhibition featuring 23 MSU Denver faculty and staff artists working across diverse media exploring environment, culture, and memory.

Saturday, July 18, 2026 · Center for Visual Art, MSU Denver (965 Santa Fe Drive)

Date Night

Chris Botti at Denver Botanic Gardens

World-renowned jazz trumpeter Chris Botti performs an outdoor evening concert at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Thursday, July 16, 2026 · Denver Botanic Gardens