Top 11 Father’s Day Events in Denver!

This week at Mile High Mamas, we’re honoring the dads in our lives so be sure to tune in all week long for humorous and touching blog posts. Also learn about a Denver dad who has taken fun to a new level: he has written a book about Denver’s top playgrounds (and yes, he’ll be sharing his favorites). Here are five events Dad will love for Father’s Day:

Father’s Day Falconfest. June 21, 9-11 a.m. Treat your dad, pop, father, or papa to a one-of-a-kind experience the whole family will enjoy. Enjoy a savory breakfast burrito provided by Mi Cocina Mexican Restaurant and delicious bagels by Einstein Bros. Bagels. Get up close and personal with live raptors presented by Hawkquest at our outdoor Audubon Nature Center amphitheater. Enter to win prizes from Lone Tree Brewing Company and Cabela’s, as well as unique raptor merchandise. Raptor hikes will leave from the amphitheater at the conclusion of the raptor program or event attendees will be able to view the “Colorado Wild” art show happening in the Audubon Nature Center. Registration Required by calling the Audubon Society of Greater Denver at 303-973-9530 or emailing [email protected]. 

Father’s Day Toy Takeover. June 21, 11:30 a.m.-noon. Join the History Colorado Center for a special Father’s Day Toys Take Over. They’ll set up wooden train sets on the map of Colorado in the atrium and cover the state in their creations. Then, give Dad a blast from his past with the museum’s new exhibit: Toys of the ’50s, ’60’s and ’70s.  Gumby. Barbie. Slinky. Mr. Potato Head. Wham-O. Spirograph. Hot Wheels. The names of these popular toys capture the craziness, the joy, the sheer fun of being a kid. But beneath those nutty names are rich veins of nostalgia, memory and history. The stories of the kids who played with these toys, the adults who bought them, the child-rearing experts who judged them and the people who invented them reflect the rhythms of American life.

Greek Festival. June 19-21. OPA! Eat, drink and dance like a Greek at the 2015 Greek festival on the grounds of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral (the big gold dome). Whether you are nine or 99, there is something fun to do at the Greek festival. For the younger kids, there are fair rides, games and toys. In the past festivals, younger children have also enjoyed dancing on the stage with the live musicians. For the adults, there is shopping to be done, food to be sampled and traditional music and dancing to enjoy. 

Dinosaur Train. June 19-21. All Aboard! Families and children are sure to enjoy an adventure-filled trolley ride, music, games, stories, and the Nature Trackers Club activities area at Dinosaur Ridge. Plus, an opportunity to meet their favorite T. rex, Buddy. Tickets are $26/person 2 and older. Discounts available for members.

Colorado BBQ Challenge. June 18-20. Does Dad love BBQ? Then Frisco, Colo. is the place to be! The event kicks off on Thursday, June 18, with an evening of live music.  Approximately 70 BBQers will compete for a variety of awards in a wide variety of categories including pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, anything goes, barbecue sauce, side dish, salsa and dessert. Guaranteed, you won’t go away hungry and there’s plenty of family-friendly entertainment including pig races, live music and more!

Father’s Day 5K and Car Show. June 21, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Arvada’s Apex Center hosts this family event that includes music, family activities and refreshments. Register for the 5K at 3wraces.com and for the car show at foundation.apexprd.org. 

Outhouse Races. Celebrate Breckenridge’s Kingdom Days (June 19-21) in the most original way possible:  Outhouse Races celebrate Breckenridge’s mining history during Kingdom Days. With names such as Potty Mouth and Jamaican Me Poop, costumed teams of five (one person must ride in the outhouse) pull decorated outhouses through the streets of historic. It’s a nod to the community’s mining past and part of Kingdom Days, the annual heritage celebration. Also that weekend, modern-day miners show their skills for cash and bragging rights during the Colorado Gold Panning Championships. 

Juneteeth Music Festival.  June 19-20. Commemorated in cities across the nation and around the world, Juneteenth is a cultural event celebrated by diverse people of all colors, backgrounds, and nationalities…joining hands to mark the ending of slavery and the beginning of African American independence in the United States. Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival is one of the nation’s largest celebrations, drawing in record numbers of festival-goers and participation. The two-day event features live performances, art and cultural exhibitions, and food and commercial vendors; with partners and sponsors ranging from community support networks and organizations, to local and international companies.

Bear Grylls Survival Academy

Colorado Rockies Game to Benefit the United Way. Make a double play this Father’s Day! Watch the Colorado Rockies take on the Milwaukee Brewers on Father’s Day weekend – and help support United Way. This annual event brings together family, friends and supporters of the entire Colorado United Way network to sit together in the LIVE UNITED section while cheering on the home team. Everyone is welcome, so put on a baseball hat and bring Dad, the family and friends down to enjoy some fun entertainment and a beautiful day at the ballpark.

Bear Grylls Survival Academy. June 17-18. Is Dad a survivor? Find out at Snow Mountain Ranch’s Bear Grylls Survival Academy and offer 24 hour survival courses for adults and families. With ‘The Island’ TV show currently airing, Bear Grylls sets the trends for the ultimate in outdoor survival.  Snow Mountain Ranch is the only Colorado location hosting courses this summer and fall.  The 24 hour family courses are for kids 10-17.

VegFest Colorado.  June 20-21. Is Dad a health nut? This family-friendly event offers two days of activities including speakers, cooking demonstrations by nationally acclaimed chefs and cookbook authors, food sampling, exhibitors, food trucks, movies, activities for children and more. 

Author: Amber Johnson

Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.