Revolutionizing · Modernizing · Simplifying
Revolutionizing · Modernizing · Simplifying
Picture this: It's 6 a.m. Sunday morning and Colfax Avenue — yes, that Colfax, the one you normally associate with late-night burritos and neon signs — is lined with 28,000 runners. That's not a protest. That's Denver doing what Denver does: going big, going outside, and making it a party.
Whether you're lacing up your shoes or just looking for something worth leaving the house for, this weekend (May 15–17) is genuinely one of the better ones on the 2026 calendar. Here are the ten things worth your time.
The 20th annual Denver Colfax Marathon is the centerpiece of the weekend. More than 28,000 runners are expected for a full slate of races — marathon, half marathon, urban 10 miler, 5K, and the nation's largest marathon relay. Fair warning: the half-marathon and urban 10 miler are already sold out. Spots remain in the marathon, relay, and 5K. Even if you're not running, the expo alone at Empower Field at Mile High on Friday and Saturday draws 36,000 people. It's worth a lap.
Denver has a legitimate Hollywood legend, and this weekend she's getting her flowers. Alamo Drafthouse's Littleton location is being officially renamed The Pam Grier Cinema, honoring the East High School graduate who carved out one of the most iconic careers in American film — Coffy, Foxy Brown, Jackie Brown — before most of us were born. Friday's launch event features a 35mm double feature of Foxy Brown and Jackie Brown, plus an on-stage conversation with Grier herself. This is a once-in-a-generation kind of night for Denver cinema.
The Tony Award-winning MJ opens at the Buell Theatre this weekend, and it runs through Sunday. Built around the making of Michael Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World Tour, the show was created by director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. If you've been on the fence, consider this your nudge. Tickets are going fast.
Now in its 9th year, Northglenn's Food Truck Carnival at E.B. Rains Park runs all three days — Friday through Sunday — with 20-plus food trucks daily, carnival rides, and live music. Admission is free. The food and rides will cost you, but all-day ride passes are available and there's a $5 discount at FoodTruckCarnival.com. Park at the Wagon Road Park-n-Ride at 120th and North Huron and walk over.
If you've never taken a kid (or yourself, honestly) to the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, this is the weekend to fix that. Colorado Crossings runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring coal-burning steam locomotives, Galloping Goose railcars, turntable demonstrations, roundhouse tours, and train rides behind two historic locomotives — including Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 315, on loan from the Durango Railroad Historical Society. Over 100 locomotives and cars on display. It's legitimately spectacular.
Lakeside has been running since 1908, which means it has been delighting Denver families longer than Coors Field, longer than the Broncos, longer than pretty much anything else you can think of. The park reopens for weekends starting Friday — trains, merry-go-round, drop tower, bumper cars, the works. It's a Denver institution that doesn't get nearly enough credit.
Saturday evening, head to 2705 West Colfax Avenue for the first Sun Valley Viaduct Night Market of the season. It runs 4 to 10 p.m., it's free and family-friendly, and it's one of those events that actually feels like community — local vendors, live music, art, neighborhood energy. This one's a sleeper hit that tends to sneak up on people every year.
If you're making a Boulder day of it, Firefly Handmade returns to Pearl Street Mall on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 80 local artisans will be set up with jewelry, ceramics, outdoor gear, apparel, home goods, and pet goods alongside live music and food. It's the kind of market where you actually find things you want to buy.
Red Rocks is already more than two months into its 190-plus date season, and this weekend brings two worth noting: LSDREAM: Dreamrocks II on Saturday evening (doors at 6 p.m.) and The Elovaters on Sunday. And if you're not headed up the hill this weekend, Khalid plays Monday and Kevin Gates is Tuesday — so your options don't stop when Sunday does.
Running through September 7, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science's newest exhibition features a life-sized model of a 60-foot-long Mamenchisaurus and the head of an Argentinosaurus — the largest land animals to ever walk the Earth. Interactive exhibits, museum specimens, and enough scale to make you feel genuinely small. It's a great rainy-day backup, and also just a great day out, period.
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A few honorable mentions if you're ranging further: the 29th annual Erie Town Fair is Saturday in Historic Old Town Erie (200 vendors, beer garden, the works); the Garden of the Gods Art Festival brings 150 artists to Rock Ledge Ranch in Colorado Springs with Pikes Peak as your backdrop; and the RetroMania Collectibles Show at Arapahoe County Fairgrounds has comic books, records, VHS tapes, and vintage toys for Denver doesn't really do quiet weekends. This one especially.0 general admission.