Since 1970, the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival has attracted thousands of people from Wheat Ridge and surrounding communities. This year’s festival held Friday to Sunday, August 8 to 10, 2025, is no exception with a fireworks display on Friday and Saturday, as well as live music acts performing on multiple stages with entertainers such as Boogie Machine, Delta Sonics, Ryan Chrys and The Rough Cuts, Stone Beat Invasion, Message in a Bottle and Project Foreigner.

Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival parade / Source: Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival
Enjoy a traditional spaghetti dinner ($14/adults, $7/children) in the Food Court on both Friday & Saturday nights. Throughout the event food vendors dish up festival fare.
There’s also a Chili Cook-off on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Another great Wheat Ridge tradition is the pancake breakfast at the Wheat Ridge Grange Hall (3850 High Court) on Saturday morning before the Carnation Festival parade. The breakfast, from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., will include ham, eggs, pancakes, coffee and juice. There is no required cost, but donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated.
During the day, check out the fine art show, carnival rides for all ages (order unlimited ride wristbands in advance to save) and the Saturday morning Carnation Parade (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) on 38th Ave. between Ames & Upham.
The Carnation Festival Beer Garden, despite the name, will offer a wide variety of beverages for the entire family. There are two locations: one in the beer garden near the Main Stage, the other in the center of the Food Court. Water, diet and regular soft drinks are available. Beer and wine is available for adults.
Sunday centers around the Carnation Car Show — “Big Wheels on the Farm.” Cars will be parked in the grass right in the heart of festivities.
The beautiful vehicles will roll in (loudly) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Expect decades worth of American muscle, hot rods, exotics, classics and vintage vehicles. The car show will help raise money for Wheat Ridge High School clubs and sports.
All events, unless otherwise noted, take place at Anderson Park at 44th and Field (4355 Field St.).
Parking
There is limited paid, on-site parking. However, there is FREE shuttle service from multiple locations. The shuttle schedule and information can be found here.
Upcoming Events in the Metro Area
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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