Downtown festivals, Broadway, symphonic music and three different Denver sports venues make up this week’s short list. These seven picks are verified for September 21 through 27, 2026. All times are local Mountain Time; follow each official organizer, venue or team link for changes before leaving home.
🎨Free admission
Friday to Sunday, September 25–27
Denver Oktoberfest: Weekend Two
Fri 3 p.m.–midnight; Sat 11 a.m.–midnight; Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Larimer Street, 20th–22nd
Denver Oktoberfest returns for its second weekend in the Ballpark neighborhood with live music, stein hoisting, keg bowling, vendors and the Sunday Long Dog Derby. General admission to the festival grounds is free; upgraded VIP experiences cost extra.
Why it made the list: Three days of free general admission in the heart of downtown, with a different feel from daytime family hours to the late-night festival.
Check official Oktoberfest details →
🐼Ticketed festival
Friday to Sunday, September 25–27
Panda Fest Denver
Fri 4–10 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Civic Center Park
Panda Fest brings Asian food, cultural performances and a market fair to Civic Center Park with more than 60 food vendors, 200-plus street-food options and 30-plus merchandise vendors. Admission is ticketed by time slot; children under six do not need a ticket.
Why it made the list: A three-day food-and-culture festival in central Denver with long weekend hours and family-friendly programming.
Check official Panda Fest details →
🎭Ticketed theater
Tuesday through Sunday, September 22–27
The Outsiders
Buell Theatre | Multiple remaining performances
The Tony Award-winning musical runs Tuesday through Sunday at the Buell Theatre. The official venue schedule lists Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.; use the official event page for the complete midweek schedule and any changes.
Why it made the list: Plenty of performance times make a major touring Broadway show easier to fit into the week.
See official performance times →
🎻Ticketed concert
Friday to Sunday, September 25–27
Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto
Fri/Sat 7:30 p.m.; Sun 1 p.m. | Boettcher Concert Hall
Rune Bergmann leads the Colorado Symphony with pianist Garrick Ohlsson in Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto, alongside works by Svendsen and Sibelius. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Why it made the list: Three performance times make a major symphonic program easy to fit around the weekend.
See the official Colorado Symphony event →
🎶Preseason hockey
Friday, September 25
Avalanche vs. Jets: Preseason
6:30 p.m. | Ball Arena
Colorado hosts Winnipeg in the Avalanche’s final Denver preseason game. The official team schedule lists a 6:30 p.m. Mountain Time start at Ball Arena before Colorado closes its preseason on the road the next day.
Why it made the list: A Friday-night hockey option at Ball Arena before the regular season begins.
Confirm the Avalanche preseason schedule →
⚾Early-week homestand
Tuesday through Thursday, September 22–24
Rockies vs. Diamondbacks
Tue/Wed 6:40 p.m.; Thu 1:10 p.m. | Coors Field
Colorado hosts Arizona for three home games before leaving town for the weekend. The official Rockies promotions page lists Bark at the Park ticket packages for Tuesday and Wednesday, while Thursday is a 1:10 p.m. day game.
Why it made the list: Three early-week home dates give Denver baseball fans options before the Rockies head to Chicago.
Confirm Rockies tickets and promotions →
🏈Sunday Night Football
Sunday, September 27
Broncos vs. Rams
6:20 p.m. | Empower Field at Mile High
Denver hosts the Los Angeles Rams under the lights Sunday. The Broncos’ official schedule lists a 6:20 p.m. Mountain Time kickoff at Empower Field at Mile High on NBC.
Why it made the list: Sunday Night Football gives the week a marquee local finale at Empower Field.
Confirm the Broncos schedule →
