Denver Arts Week 2024: Explore Denver’s Art Scene

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Denver Arts Week is November 1st-10th, 2024 – a ten-day celebration of local culture and arts with various activities and specials. You can enjoy many different local festivities, free museum entries, and discounted events.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best activities during Denver Arts Week with helpful information to experience the fun. If you’re visiting Denver, we’ll also discuss the best places to stay and how to get around.

Denver Arts Week Events & Activities

Learn more about first Friday art walks, free nights at local museums, and special deals below.

First Friday Art Walks

Denver Arts Week kicks off on Friday, November 1st, with art walks in different parts of the city throughout the day and evening.

We recommend exploring on foot during your art walk in the vibrant neighborhoods below. You’ll find shops and vendors where you can meet local artists and buy original artwork.

• Art District on Santa Fe - A quaint area with a lively art scene and local galleries along Santa Fe Drive
• Olde Town Arvada - The downtown area in Arvada’s Olde Town Square lined with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants
• River North Arts District (RiNo) - One of Denver’s most trendy neighborhoods that runs between Larimer St. at Broadway and Larimer St. and 32nd St., known for its murals and street art, plus shopping, drinking, and dining
• Tennyson Berkeley Association - Independently owned businesses along Tennyson Street with about ten blocks of unique shopping, dining, art, and culture experiences
• Westwood Creative District -  A colorful part of Denver on Morrison Rd. between Alemeda Ave. and Mississippi Ave. with Mexican-American roots and culturally inspired murals and restaurants
• 38th Avenue Cultural District - The area from Sheridan to Wadsworth Boulevard with galleries, studios, boutiques, and gift shops
• 40 West Arts District - A creative arts district just west of Denver in Lakewood hosting a family-friendly festival with food trucks, craft stations, galleries, and exhibitions

Free Night at Local Museums

On Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, museums throughout Denver are offering free admission as a part of Denver Arts Week.

Visit the following museums between 5 and 10 PM for free entry and a unique experience:

• Center for Colorado Women’s History - Take a three-room tour in a historic house for unique stories, memories, and experiences of Colorado women
• Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus - Enjoy kid-friendly activities like rocket launching, bubble making, and art projects
• Clyfford Still Museum - Learn about and see works from Clyfford Still, an American painter
• Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL) - Explore an immersive experience about the origins of violent extremism while learning how to help prevent future threats
• Denver Art Museum (DAM) - Visit one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago with a collection of more than 70,000 diverse works from across the world 
• Denver Firefighters Museum - See historic fire engines in a space that preserves the history of the Denver Fire Department with original artifacts, documents, and photos
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science - Appreciate art, nature, and science with exhibitions adults and children can both enjoy
• Dinosaur Ridge & Morrison Natural History - Travel back in time for a prehistoric party with various exhibits and hands-on activities, plus a guided tour of a dinosaur track site for an additional $8
• Forney Museum of Transportation - Learn about historical transportation and discover over 600 artifacts 
• Four Mile Historic Park - Stroll through 12 acres of a peaceful oasis with Denver’s oldest-standing structure and a working farm
• Freyer Newman Center at Denver Botanic Gardens - Enjoy art and science with exhibitions, music, and a performance lecture by artist Nathan Hall
• History Colorado Center - Explore over 15 exhibits of artifacts, stories, and art that showcase Colorado’s history and the American West
• Museum of Contemporary Art Denver - Visit one of Denver’s most popular art museums and enjoy city views from the rooftop cafe, various exhibitions, and the gift shop
• Molly Brown House Museum - See one of Denver’s most historic homes, where Titanic survivor Margaret “Molly” Brown lived
• Museo de las Americas - Experience the rich cultural heritage of the Americas with a fun scavenger hunt through fascinating exhibitions 
• The Museum for Black Girls - Celebrate the rich art, culture, and heritage of Black women with interactive exhibits that honor Black female artists and cultural icons
• Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum - See historic aircraft, artifacts, and memorabilia while exploring the future of aviation and space

Arts Week Deals

Throughout Denver Arts Week, you can enjoy the following discounts on admission, memberships, and art:

• November 1st - $3 off tickets to the Denver Selfie Museum
• November 1st - 50% off CELL exhibit admission
• November 1st through 3rd - 10% off tickets to Do You Hear People Sing at Central Presbyterian Church
• November 1st through 10th - Join the DAM and get one month free
• November 1st through 10th - 20% off tickets to shows at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA)
• November 1st through 10th - Arts Week special at Black Western Museum
• November 1st through 10th - Free 30-minute trial lesson at School of Rock Denver
• November 1st through 10th - New art daily at Dairy Block
• November 2nd through 10th (Mondays & Saturdays) - Discounted behind-the-scenes tour of DCPA
• November 2nd - Free day at the DAM
• November 2nd - Free entry for Night at the Museums at Denver Museum of Nature and Science
• November 6th - Backstage 2 for 1 tickets at Comedy Works Downtown with promo code BOGO
• November 9th - Free admission for The Little Prince at the Theatre for Young Audiences

How to Get Around for Denver Arts Week

Since the events and activities take place throughout the Mile High City, you'll need transportation to get around and explore.

You can get around by car, and many locations have on-site or nearby parking. However, traffic may be congested, and parking will likely be limited. That said, it’s best to use public transportation or a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft.

We recommend visiting one specific area at a time and exploring their art scene, events, and activities on foot if possible. For example, RiNo and the Art District on Santa Fe are both walkable areas where you can spend a couple of hours. 

Where to Stay During Denver Arts Week (For Visitors)

If you’re planning a Denver vacation during Arts Week, there are many areas to stay with hotels and Airbnbs.

Since the events take place throughout the city, central locations like Downtown Denver or River North Art District are ideal. Or you can stay away from the hustle in quiet neighborhoods like Sunnyside and Washington Park.

Our favorite Denver hotels are the Crawford Hotel and Halcyon Hotel. 

Crawford Hotel is conveniently located above the lively Denver Union Station. The rooms are cozy and elegant, and many Denver Arts Week activities, shops, and restaurants in Downtown Denver surround the hotel.

Halcyon Hotel is in the Cherry Creek shopping district and offers a homey yet elegant vibe. When you're not exploring the city's art scene, you can enjoy the hotel's rooftop pool with city views. There's also on-site dining and drinking.

Denver Arts Week: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are looking forward to exploring Denver’s vibrant art scene.

If you’re looking to relax during Denver Arts Week to fully enjoy the experience, book a spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa. Enjoying art activities and then unwinding at Oakwell Beer Spa makes the perfect date night or friends' night out!