On August 1, 1876, President Grant made Colorado the “Centennial State.” Join History Colorado, the Denver Art Museum and the Center for Colorado Women’s History on Saturday, August 1, 2026, for the Colorado Day Community Fest. Enjoy FREE admission to the festival (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in Denver’s Golden Triangle District, as well as a FREE community pancake breakfast (9 a.m.) and FREE museum entry (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), as we celebrate Colorado’s 150th birthday.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District will feature music, art, food, and activities that exemplify Colorado’s remarkable culture. Start your morning with a FREE community pancake breakfast.
There is also a special performance by Isaac Slade, former lead singer of The Fray, performing two John Denver classics, as well as interactive activities, face painting, gold panning, archaeology demonstrations, and the grand opening of the Shared History community mural.
Guests will also enjoy free admission to the History Colorado Center, the launch of Setting Colorado’s Table: 150 Years of Agricultural Legacy, and opportunities to connect with community and cultural partners from across the state.
Throughout the festival, attendees can experience live musical and cultural performances, browse local vendors at the Artisans and Colorado Proud Markets, explore a lowrider car show, and participate in family-friendly games and activities.
If you get hungry again, don’t worry! There will also be food trucks and vendors serving up tasty local foods.
As an additional perk, visitors will have FREE access to the History Colorado Center, the Center for Colorado Women’s History and the Denver Art Museum. This is a rare opportunity to experience some of the area’s top cultural destinations while taking part in a statewide day of festivities.
Event Day Schedule: History Colorado
9 a.m. — FREE Pancake Breakfast kicks off festivities (first come, first serve)
9:30 a.m. — Official Opening at History Colorado Center (1200 Broadway, 80203)
10 a.m. — Stages, Booths, Artisan Market and Activations open
11 a.m. — Denver7 Story Hour inside History Colorado Center
1 p.m. — Outdoor Street Festival concludes – cool off in the nearby museums
5 p.m. — Museums close for the day
Attractions include:
Denver7 Story Hour at 11 a.m
Gold panning with the Georgetown Loop
Activations and activities within exhibition spaces
Face Painters
History Lab Activities
Archaeology Activities
Setting Colorado’s Table: 150 Years of Agricultural Legacy book launch and mural hosted in the atrium
Interactions with departments across History Colorado
Colorado Day Art Market/Photo by Studio JK Photo
Event Day Schedule: Denver Art Museum
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Colorado Day Art Market
Walk the museum plaza and enjoy fine art and crafts, available for purchase, from nearly 50 local artists and artisans.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Denver Art Museum OPEN– Free general admission for all!
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Creative License (Artmaking)
Design your own license plate with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. Learn about the process and artistry of these everyday art pieces.
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Spotlight Talk Extravaganza: Colorado Day
Docents are available throughout the museum for pop-up conversations about Colorado. They will share stories and answer questions about works of art featuring Colorado artists and locations. Drop in on multiple talks throughout the day to create your own customized tour.
12 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Cosmic Studio Demo Artist: Larysa Medina
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and connect with local artist Larysa Medina. Larysa is a graphic designer and artist originally from Alamosa, Colorado. Her work as an artist draws upon her Chicana culture and the tattoo community. She is the designer of the Colorado Chicana/o Pride license plate.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Native Arts Artists-in-Residence Gallery Talks
Join our 2026 Native Arts Artists-in-Residence CooXooEii Black, Adrian Stevens, Sean Snyder and Benjamin L. West to celebrate their new installations in the museum’s Home/Land section of the Indigenous Arts of North America galleries. Home/Land recognizes the Native Nations that call Denver and the surrounding region, today known as Colorado, their ancestral homelands.
Colorado Day Around the State
The fun doesn’t stop in Denver! There’s something for everyone to enjoy across Colorado.
ALL History Colorado museums are offering FREE admission on Colorado Day, including special exhibitions unique to select community museum locations. For more information on statewide community events, visit here.
Want More Fun Things To Do?
Look at our full events calendar, where you can type in any date, or check out what’s happening over the next few days right here:
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