The big news this week is Denver Arts Week, a nine-day celebration that features more than 300 events including FREE night at the museums! Also, don’t miss Dia de los Muertos Celebration, free days and more. See full listings at our event calendar.
Cirque Italia (North)
Nov 1 – 4
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Aquatic Spectacular”? Water, entertainment, excitement……? You can expect all these things and so much more from the brand new themed Cirque Italia production with its perfectly fitting new title. After six years of enhancements, a rigorous casting selection, and countless performances nationwide, this newest form of Cirque Italia’s innovative and unique “traveling circus” spectacular production is set to be its finest to date.
Monster Match Tournament at the National Western Complex
Nov 2 – 3
The Mile High Monster Match Nationals is Colorado’s premier youth wrestling tournament this fall. Capped at 1500 wrestlers, you won’t want to miss out on this tournament at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado on November 3, 2018.
Altares Vivos at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center
Nov 2, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Looking for a fun way to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos? Come down to Su Teatro for a fun celebration! Perfect for every age. We will have a giant altar and inside altars, where you can bring items and pictures of your loved ones Mariachi, El Teatro VolARTE and other performances. Games for the kids, sugar skull decorating, face-painting and so much more.
Denver Arts Week at Denver museums and theaters
Nov 2 – 10
Denver Arts Week, Nov. 2-10, 2018, is an nine-day celebration of all things art in The Mile High City, featuring more than 300 events at a wide variety of art galleries, museums, theaters and concert halls, many of which are deeply discounted.
First Friday Art Walks: Arts on Belmar at the Belmar Shopping District
Nov 2, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Visit art galleries, artist studios and museums presenting exhibits by painters, sculptors, photographers
First Friday Art Walks: District-wide Art Walk & Diá de los Muertos Celebration
Nov 2, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Fire artists, Aztec dancers and a district-wide Diá de los Muertos celebration. It’s all happening on First Friday in November. 40 West Arts District invites the public to a huge celebration based loosely around the theme of Diá de los Muertos on First Friday November 2nd from 5-9pm. All of our galleries, studios and creative businesses will be open to the public and visitors to the district will see multiple exhibits inspired by Diá de los Muertos including altars and pieces by local grade school students.
First Friday Art Walks: Tennyson Street Cultural District at Tennyson Berkeley Business Association
Nov 2, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Stroll the neighborhood boutiques, meet the artists at galleries and find original art on sale starting at $52.80 at participating galleries.
First Friday Art Walks: RiNo Art District at River North Art District – RiNo
Nov 2, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
On the First Friday of every month many RiNo locations open their doors with events ranging from art openings to live music. Standard hours are 6–9pm but many locations are open during the day and later into the night.
First Friday at Converge Denver
Nov 2, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
It’s First Friday in the RiNo, River North Art District, the start of #DenverArtsWeek, the launch of our new nonprofit – Transforming Creatives, and more! Come meet some of our creatives & culture shapers and hear about the great work they’re doing. We’ll have live music from Andy Thomas’ Dust Heart, food, drink, and more in the context of artful community and raise a bit of support for creatives in our city.
NWCA All Star Classic at the National Western Complex
Nov 2, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
America’s Top Women Wrestlers share Center Stage with the Top Men! See future TEAM USA Members, Future Olympians and Champions. Featuring an elevated mat, as seen during the NCAA Division I Finals, surrounded by tables as well as up to 5000 spectators in the stands, this spectacular production promises to be a prime showcase for the best college wrestling talent. For the second year, the event will feature top-tier men’s and women’s collegiate wrestlers in a dual meet format. Many of these match-ups could be a prelude to the national championship finals at the end of the year.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Denver Botanic Gardens
Nov 3, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday traditionally observed on Nov. 1 and 2. A holiday with ancient roots combining Mexican indigenous customs and European traditions, Día de los Muertos is a lighthearted and joyful tribute to the memory of family and friends who have passed away. Families celebrate by creating ofrendas (offerings) – elaborate displays commemorating loved ones – decorating sugar skulls and more.
Free Day at the Denver Botanic Gardens
Nov 3, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Free Days occur throughout the year at both York Street and Chatfield Farms, thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). No tickets are needed for admission to Free Days. Free Days are for regular Gardens hours only and do not include ticketed events.
Inside the Orchestra’s Tiny Tots Performances
Nov 3, 9:30 am – 11:45 am
Tiny Tots gets children truly inside the orchestra by seating the audience on the floor and surrounding them with a 30+ piece orchestra, modern dancers, opera singer, and teaching artists. Designed for children six and under, this 45-minute program gives young ones the chance to interact with the music and learn about the instruments in the process. Tiny Tots audiences receive an up-close-and-personal performance in a casual, fun environment. The experience is one-of-a-kind!
Free day, Denver Art Museum
Nov 3, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
General admission is free on the first Saturday of the month thanks to Your 6 Hometown Toyota Stores and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
Explore fun things for families (including bilingual programs for the whole family), visit exhibitions throughout the museum, hear storytelling, and more!
Open House at Mauzies
Nov 3, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Mauzie’s Fine Jewelry of Centennial, your one-stop local jewelry shop, and they’re having their annual open house on Nov. 3 from 10 .m.-7 p.m. They offer custom designs, jewelry from major brands, and high-quality repair. Enjoy 20% everything in store along with giveaways, libations and fine jewelry. Feel free to bring your gang…the more the merrier.
Christmas celebration at Breckenridge Brewery
Nov 3, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Breckenridge Brewery is here to help you get into the holiday spirit! Join us on Saturday, November 3 for a family-friendly afternoon featuring the season’s first batch of Christmas Ale, Breck’s beloved holiday beer combining rich chocolate and caramel flavors with the spicy edge of Mt. Hood and Chinook hops. Highlights of the event will include: unlimited hot cocoa and cider, live music by Mark Hudson, carolers, holiday card photo booth, crafts for the kids and an ice carving demonstration.
Dance is for Every Body
Nov 3 – 4
These annual dance showcases at the Boulder Public Library are equal parts entertainment and education, and serve as a testament to the amazing range of dance along the Front Range. Over 35 different groups will present finished dances, work-in-progress, structured improvisations lecture/demonstrations and mini classes with audience participation. Professional as well as novice performers range in age from 5 – 80, and in styles such as tap, African, salsa, clogging, Middle Eastern, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, Classical Indian, samba, hoop, and ballet in 5 – 15 minute time slots. It’s a fun, free weekend for anyone who likes dance.
Night at the Museums: Dinosaur Ridge
Nov 3, 4:00 – 9:00 pm
To celebrate Denver Arts Week and Night at the Museums, the gift shop, track site, and exhibit hall at Dinosaur Ridge will be open after dark. Take a 30-minute flashlight tour of the world-famous Dinosaur Ridge tracksite, learn from our docent in Trek Through Time, our hands-on, indoor exhibit hall and enjoy track paintings and dinosaur mask making.
Free day at Denver Botanic Gardens
Nov 3, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Free Days occur throughout the year at both York Street and Chatfield Farms, thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). No tickets are needed for admission to Free Days. Free Days are for regular Gardens hours only and do not include ticketed events.
Night at the Museums Open House at the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Nov 3, 5:00 – 10:00 pm
Kick off Denver Arts Week during Night at the Museums! Admission is FREE from 5 – 10 pm, and the Children’s Museum is one of the stops on the complimentary shuttle provided by Visit Denver. Swing by The Art Studio to make your own print with artist-in-residence alum, screenprinter Jennifer Ghormley, from 6 – 8 pm.
Night at the Museums: Black American West Museum @ Black American West Museum
Nov 3, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Watch African-American history come alive through re-enactments, videos and the stories told throughout this museum in Historic Five Points.
Night at the Museums: Center for Colorado Women’s History @ Byers-Evans House Museum
Nov 3, 5:00 – 10:00 pm
Experience this historic landmark where expert tour guides will share the stories of the home and its residents in the 1900s.
Night at the Museums: Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus @ Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Nov 3, 5:00 – 10:00 pm
Visit the museum dedicated to learning through play, open tonight only to adults, as well as children. Swing by The Art Studio to make your own print!
Night at the Museums: Clyfford Still Museum at the Clyfford Still Museum
Nov 3, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
For one night only, enjoy extended hours and free admission at Denver’s internationally renowned Clyfford Still Museum, a breathtaking art museum dedicated to the mysterious life and revolutionary art of a modern master who chose integrity and principles over celebrity and fortune. Smithsonian Magazine calls it “one of the best art museum experiences anywhere.”
Night at the Museums: Denver Art Museum @ Denver Art Museum
Nov 3, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Denver Arts Week 2018 (Nov. 2–10) is a celebration of the arts and culture in Denver. The Denver Art Museum (DAM), along with more than a dozen other museums in Denver, will offer free late-night general admission on Nov. 3, 2018 from 5 to 10 p.m. for Night at the Museums. This unique evening offers visitors of all ages an after-hours creative art experience and access to all the museum’s galleries and current exhibitions.
Night at the Museums: Denver Botanic Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens
Nov 3, 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore a portion of the Gardens at night during Night at the Museums. Outside, see the colorful sculptures of the Winged Souls exhibition. Inside, bring your family to experience a variety of activities, learn about the hidden lives of plants in the Science Pyramid and enjoy a rare opportunity to explore the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory at night.
Night at the Museums: Denver Firefighters Museum
Nov 3, 5:00– 10:00 pm
Discover one of the “hottest,” family-friendly places in town, and learn about the history of firefighting.
Night at the Museums: Denver Museum of Nature & Science @ Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS)
Nov 3, 5:00 – 10:00 pm
Local artists will activate spaces with light, sound, movement, color, story and passion – uniting the arts with nature and science in the Museum’s wildlife halls during DioramART.
Night at the Museums: Forney Museum of Transportation at Forney Museum of Transportation
Nov 3, 5:00 – 10:00 pm
Stroll through this one-of-a-kind collection and explore the progress of American automotive design at American Cars of the 1970s.
Night at the Museums: Four Mile Historic Park at Four Mile Historic Park
Nov 3, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Experience the Park after dark! Join us for nighttime tours of the Four Mile House, campfire tales, and more. S’mores kits will be available for purchase. Night at the Museum is part of Denver Arts Week, a celebration of the city’s vibrant art and cultural scene.
Night at the Museums: History Colorado Center at History Colorado Center
Nov 3, 5:00– 10:00 pm
See how Colorado became Colorado! Visit Zoom In: The Centennial State in 100 Objects. A hundred objects, a hundred portals to the past.
Breakin’ Convention at Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Nov 3 – 4
The world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance theatre showcasing the very best from around the world and around the corner. Spilling off stage and taking over the whole building, dance workshops, graffiti, DJs, and freestyle sessions create an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz at the Pepsi Center
Nov 3, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ballet Ariel Open House
Nov 4, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Ballet Ariel once again throws open the studio doors, welcoming the community to its annual Open House on Sunday, November 4, 2018, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m during Denver Arts Week.
Bring the whole family to meet the dancers that will be performing everyone’s favorite ballets throughout the season, tour the facility, enjoy free refreshments and learn all about Ballet Ariel’s exceptional programming. Known for its original choreography of traditional and non-traditional ballets, Ballet Ariel offers the finest in dance education and performance.
DFW: Children’s & Teenager’s Show Fall ’18
Nov 4, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Children’s and Teenager’s Fashion Show includes Children’s and Families Red Carpet Reception.
Free Day at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield Farms
Nov 6, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Free Days occur throughout the year at both York Street and Chatfield Farms, thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). No tickets are needed for admission to Free Days. Free Days are for regular Gardens hours only and do not include ticketed events.
Ongoing Events and Exhibits
2018 Holiday Preview Exhibition
Nov 1 -30, 2018
Before you know it, the winter holidays will be upon us and the festivities will begin. Be prepared this season, if you aren’t already, and finish your gift shopping now to avoid that last-minute hectic rush. Artists on Santa Fe Gallery + Studios has a huge variety of specialty items that will be perfect for your family and friends – paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry, sculpture and more! Stop in and have a leisurely look at our fantastic array of functional and decorative art. artistsonsantafe.com
Play Ball!at the History Colorado Center
Apr 7, 2018 – Jan 6, 2019
Treasured memorabilia and iconic photographs bring the past to life through stories that begin on the ball field and echo through American history. Size up your hand against Babe Ruth’s. Find the nails Ty Cobb used to hold his favorite bat together, and admire the glove flashed by Willie Mays to make some of the game’s most memorable catches. See the uniform Joe DiMaggio wore in his final World Series and a receipt for roses he sent to Marilyn Monroe. And much, much more—these are just a few of the one-of-a-kind items on view in Play Ball!
historycolorado.org/exhibit/play-ball
Seussical at the Arvada Center
Oct 10 – Dec 29, 2018
Enter the fantastic world of Dr. Seuss in the musical, Seussical! Music and dance bring characters like Horton, the Cat in the Hat, and Gertrude McFuzz together on stage. Don’t miss out on all the fun and all the “thinks you can think.”
arvadacenter.org/seussical-2
TreeHouses: Look Who’s Living in the Trees! Hands-on exhibit
Jun 2, 2018 – Jan 6, 2019
Explore the forest canopy – indoors! In the Longmont Museum’s newest hands-on exhibition, visitors roam from tree to tree as they discover the many habitats that trees provide for animals large and small, and people too. Climb through large treehouses, become an animal tracker, get face-to-face with wildlife of all sizes, move your feet on the forest-sound dance floor, and more. This exhibition makes learning fun, as visitors explore responsible forestation, wildlife ecology, and local epidemics such as the ash borer beetle. longmontmuseum.org
Aloha: Postcards from Polynesia
Oct 12, 2018 – Nov 18, 2018
Have you ever wondered why the sun takes so long to cross the sky? Or how we discovered the secret of fire? Tour the islands of Polynesia with our favorite demi-god, Maui, while he regales you with his stories of creation. Who knows, you might even pull an island or two from the ocean! The BiTSY Stage provides high quality, free theatrical productions for the whole family.
bitsystage.com/anansi
Mindbender Mansion
July 20 – January 6, 2019
Love brainteasers? Enter “Mindbender Mansion,” a quirky place full of puzzles, brainteasers and interactive challenges that put minds of all ages to the test. This unique, high-energy experience opened at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on July 20.
Denver Art Museum
There are several family-friendly exhibits at the DAM including Stampede: Animals in Art on view at the museum through May 19, 2019. A Walk in the Woods is still on view, which coincides with Stampede, and includes animal-themed artmaking activities and after their summer break, Foxy & Shmoxy: Art Detectives, are back. Children have been really loving the gallery games and book in the exhibition Ganesha: The Playful Protector. Their Learning & Engagment department created a children’s book specially to be used while visiting this exhibition with children, and don’t miss Past the Tangled Present. Go to https://denverartmuseum.org/ for more information.
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.
