Best Things to Do in Denver in July (With Something for Everyone)

Are you planning a summer vacation in Denver or a local looking for fun experiences? We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll share the best things to do in Denver in July 2024.

We’ll discuss what you can enjoy this July, with something for everyone, including beer-inspired spa services, local festivals, and outdoor activities.

Celebrate 4th of July

When: July 3rd-6th, 2024

There are several fun 4th of July events to celebrate Independence Day in Denver, including the following:

• Indy Eve - An interactive, family-friendly event on July 3rd from 5 to 10 PM at Civic Center Park
• Pancake Breakfast & Parade - A patriotic event on July 4th at 9:30 AM at Founders Green
• Wash Park July 4th Celebration - An annual event with a children’s parade, live music, and more on July 4th from 11 AM to 1 PM at Washington Park Boathouse Pavilion
• Park Hill 4th of July Parade - Denver’s largest Independence Day march on July 4th at 1:30 PM in the Park Hill Neighborhood
• 4thFest - A festival and Colorado Rapids soccer game on July 4th, starting at 5 PM at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
• Colorado Rockies & Fireworks - A Colorado Rockies baseball game, followed by a fireworks show on July 4th at 6:10 PM at Coors Field
• Elitch Gardens Fireworks Show - A fireworks show after the park closes around 9 PM at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
• Four Mile Historic Park’s Independence Day Celebration - A paid event with fun activities for the whole family on July 6th from 10 AM to 4 PM at Four Mile Historic Park
• Denver Red White and Brew Bar Crawl - A patriotic bar crawl around Denver starting at 4 PM at The Passport bar

Go to a Farmer’s Market

When: Saturdays and Wednesdays 

One of the best summer activities in Denver is visiting a Farmer’s Market. Shop with local vendors selling produce, sweet treats, and plants. You can also find unique artwork, jewelry, and soaps.

• Southwest Plaza Farmers Market - 8501 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, Saturdays from 8 AM - 2 PM
• Littleton Farmers Market - 7301 S. Santa Fe, Littleton, Wednesdays from 10 AM - 2 PM
• Lakewood Farmers Market - 9077 W Alameda Ave, Lakewood, Saturdays from 10 AM - 2 PM

Relax at Oakwell Beer Spa

When: Daily from 8 AM to 10 PM

Treat yourself to a spa day this July at Oakwell Beer Spa, an award-winning day spa.

You can enjoy a rejuvenating spa experience with Beer Bath Hydrotherapy, an Infrared Sauna, and Zero Gravity Massage—the perfect way to take care of yourself during the busy summer season.

Every month, Oakwell Beer Spa features a local Colorado brewery and five of its best beers. This July, enjoy refreshing brews from Spice Trade Brewing. During your spa day, you can also sip on cider, kombucha, tea, or wine.

Go to the Cherry Creek Art Festival

When: July 5th - 7th, 2024; 10 AM to 8 PM on Friday & Saturday; 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday

If you’re looking for free things to do in Denver in July, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival is perfect. Celebrate local artists and Denver’s art culture with over 250 exhibitors, an art auction, and adult and kid-friendly crafts. There’s no cost to attend the event, but you can purchase art, food, and drinks.

The event takes place throughout the Cherry Creek Shopping District. Paid parking is available at the shopping center or parking garages throughout the area.

Attend a Sporting Event

When: Dates vary

Watching sports is an iconic summer activity in Denver, whether you want to watch the Colorado Rapids play soccer or the Colorado Rockies play baseball.

The Colorado Rapids play home games at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City just outside of Denver on these dates:

• July 4th at 7:30 PM
• July 7th at 8:30 PM
• July 13th at 7:30 PM
• July 20th at 7:30 PM

The Colorado Rockies play at the iconic Coors Field stadium in Downtown Denver on these dates:

• July 1st-3rd at 6:40 PM
• July 4th & 5th at 6:10 PM
• July 6th at 7:10 PM
• July 7th at 1:10 PM
• July 19th at 6:40 PM
• July 20th at 6:10 PM
• July 21st at 1:10 PM
• July 22nd & 23rd at 6:40 PM
• July 24th at 1:10 PM

Spend time at Denver Botanic Gardens

When: Daily (Mondays & Tuesdays 9 AM - 2 PM and Wednesdays - Sundays 9 AM - 8 PM)

The Denver Botanic Gardens is beautiful and one of the largest in the nation. Visit during July to stroll through the 23 acres of gardens and see summertime blooms. You can also visit the shop, dine, and drink at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

The gardens also host regular events, including yoga, kid-friendly activities, and a summer concert series.

Experience the Underground Music Showcase

When: July 26th - 28th, 2024

One of the best things to do in Denver in July if you enjoy live music is experiencing the Underground Music Showcase. It’s the longest-running and largest music festival in Denver, running for three days in the South Broadway Neighborhood.

You can listen to live music at different indoor and outdoor venues. There are various ticket options starting at $90, depending on how many performances you want to enjoy.

Visit Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

When: Daily from sunrise to sunset; event dates vary

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is less than half an hour from Denver. It’s an iconic park and open-air theater surrounded by unique red rock formations. There’s also a trading center for shopping and a visitor center with a restaurant, coffee shop, and the Red Rocks Hall of Fame.

There are paved trails throughout the park. You can also go to the amphitheater for cool views even when there isn’t a performance. 

There are concerts most nights in July, including The Avett Brothers July 5th-7th and The String Cheese Incident July 12th-14th. There’s also Yoga on the Rocks on July 13th, 20th, and 27th from 7 to 8 AM and Film on the Rocks on July 8th and 15th at 7 PM.

Listen to Jazz at City Park

When: July 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, 6 to 8 PM

City Park is a trendy area in Denver with green space, a lake, trails, and popular landmarks like the Denver Museum. Every summer, City Park Jazz hosts free jazz concerts at the park.

You can listen to fun jazz bands every Sunday evening this July. All concerts are rain or shine and you’ll need to bring a blanket or chair for seating. There will also be food trucks during the concerts.

Attend the Dragon Boat Festival

When: July 27th & 28th, 2024, starting at 8 AM

Denver’s Dragon Boat Festival is the largest in the United States. Celebrate Asian and Asian American heritage with nearly 50 teams competing in the dragon boat race at Sloan’s Lake Park.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a free, family-friendly event with food trucks, a children’s area, and live performances.

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park

When: Daily, 24 hours a day (timed entry reservation required)

If you want to go on a day trip this July, Rocky Mountain National Park is about an hour and a half from Denver and well worth a visit. The park covers 415 square miles and has incredible mountain environments, including meadows, alpine lakes, and tall mountain peaks.

Visit the park to explore over 300 miles of hiking trails, view wildlife, or go fishing. If you want to spend the night in nature, you can also go camping in the park.

Things to Do in Denver in July: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are excited to explore Denver this July! There’s so much to see and do, from celebrating the 4th of July and relaxing at the spa to seeing live music and enjoying nature.

If you’re ready to start planning for July in Denver, book your spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa. It’s the perfect way to unwind during the busy summer season and enjoy a unique experience!