The first full week of school is officially underway, but Aurora and downtown Denver aren’t done with summer just yet. From a 10th-anniversary block party at Stanley Marketplace to a dragon boat festival that draws tens of thousands to Sloan’s Lake and a food and wine weekend worthy of the Mile High City, there’s still plenty of reason to get out before fall settles in. Here’s what’s happening near Overland Ranch from August 20 through September 2.
TODAY, Thursday, August 20
FREE DAYS AT PLAINS CONSERVATION CENTER
Denver Botanic Gardens and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District open the gates to Plains Conservation Center for a free day of prairie exploration. Wander the 1,100-acre shortgrass preserve, visit the 1880s homestead village and Native American tipi camp, and take in a landscape that looks much the same as it did more than a century ago — right in Aurora’s backyard.
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free
TOMORROW, Friday, August 21
STANLEY10: LIVE MUSIC IN THE FIELD
Stanley Marketplace kicks off its 10th anniversary celebration with an evening of live music, local food and drinks, shopping, and family-friendly fun on the new outdoor field. Performances from Man Cubs and Ninety2K headline a night built around 10 years of community and connection — a great excuse to explore one of Aurora’s most beloved gathering spots.
Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora
4:00–8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free
FRIDAY DOUBLE FEATURE AT SLICK CITY
Teens and adults get three hours of nonstop trampoline park thrills every Friday night at Slick City Southlands. Grab your crew and make a night of it — jumping, sliding, and games galore, all at a discount off the regular admission rate.
Slick City Southlands, 5999 S. Southlands Pkwy., Aurora
7:00–10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $29.99
Saturday, August 22
MERSHOPS MARKET DAYS: DOTSERO TRIO
Town Center at Aurora’s farmers market and summer concert series pairs fresh, farm-grown produce with a full lineup of local musicians. Shop seasonal goods, fresh-baked treats, artisan foods, and handcrafted products in the Food Court Parking Lot while Dotsero Trio provides the live soundtrack — a relaxed, family-friendly Saturday morning tradition running through September.
Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free
UNICORN FESTIVAL
A magical weekend for imaginative kids, cosplayers, and anyone who loves a little fantasy takes over the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds with more than 50,000 square feet of indoor, air-conditioned space plus plenty of outdoor fun. Live unicorns, mermaids, and fairies; a Princess Palace; foam parties; a Flying Fantasy Circus Show; a Trolls Dance Party; Karaoke Kingdom; big inflatables and bounce houses; and free face painting. All entertainment and attractions are included with admission, and tickets are good for both days.
Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora
Sat.–Sun., 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25; Family 4-Pack $82; kids 2 and under free
FIESTA PARKER
Downtown Parker’s first-ever celebration of Latino culture takes over the Parker Station North Parking Lot for a full afternoon of music, food, dance, art, and tradition from Mexico, Central and South America, and Spain. Expect three live bands, Lucha Libre wrestling, two dance showcases, 10 to 15 food trucks and vendors, roughly 15 marketplace and cultural booths, and kids’ activities including inflatables, face painting, and cultural crafts. A signature event of the Parker Chamber Foundation, and well worth the short drive from southeast Aurora. General admission opens at 2 p.m.; VIP (21+) gets early entry at 1 p.m. with complimentary appetizers and drinks. Children 12 and under are free with a ticketed adult. Capped at 3,000 admissions, so advance tickets are strongly recommended.
Parker Station North Parking Lot, 19751 Mainstreet, Parker
VIP 1:00 p.m.; General Admission 2:00–7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35 GA presale / $60 VIP presale; prices increase at the gate
“PLAY FOR THE KIDS” 18TH ANNUAL CHARITY SCRAMBLE GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Play For The Kids Foundation hosts its 18th annual charity scramble, raising funds that pay registration fees for underprivileged and at-risk youth who couldn’t otherwise afford athletics and recreation. A full day of golf, raffles, giveaways, and awards, with men’s and mixed divisions available.
Meadow Hills Golf Course, 3609 S. Dawson St., Aurora
Check-in 10:00 a.m.; First Tee Time 11:00 a.m.; Awards & Raffles 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $165 per golfer / $660 per foursome
Monday, August 24
SUNSET HIKE
Catch the sunset, hang where the pronghorn play, and discover one of the most scenic destinations in Aurora on this guided evening hike through the Plains Conservation Center’s open prairie. A peaceful, easy way to spend a late-summer evening outdoors.
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
7:15–8:15 p.m.
Tickets: $5
Wednesday, August 26 – Saturday, August 29
DENVER FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL
Savor the best of Colorado’s restaurant scene at this four-day celebration bringing together top chefs, sommeliers, and local producers from across the region. Tastings, seminars, and signature dinners fill out a weekend built for food lovers looking for a proper downtown Denver outing.
Downtown Denver
Tickets: Pricing varies by event
Friday, August 28
FULL MOON HIKES: STURGEON MOON
Discover the cultural history and ecological meaning of August’s full moon on this guided evening hike at the Plains Conservation Center. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and take in the shortgrass prairie under a completely different kind of light.
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
7:00–8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5
Saturday, August 29 – Sunday, August 30
MERSHOPS MARKET DAYS: THE WRECKLUNDS
Town Center at Aurora’s farmers market and summer concert series closes out its August run with live music from The Wrecklunds. Shop fresh produce and handmade goods from local farmers and artisans while enjoying one more Saturday of live music before the season winds down.
Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free
HAVANA STREET NIGHT MARKET
Aurora’s beloved Havana Street corridor comes alive with global food, local crafts, and small businesses at this final summer night market. DJ Done Entertainment keeps the energy going alongside live performances by BSP (Better Sensory Perception) — a festive, easy way to close out the season.
Leezakaya Parking Lot, 2710 S. Havana St., Aurora
6:00–10:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free admission
Sunday, August 30
PASSPORT TO CULTURE: LOCOMOTION
National juggling champion and kinetic comedian Peter Davison brings juggling, unicycling, balancing, and acrobatics to Lone Tree Arts Center — while sneaking in real physics along the way. Newton’s Laws of Motion, gyroscopic action, center of gravity, and centripetal force all get a joyful, hands-on explanation in this hour-long performance built for families with kids 12 and under. Equal parts circus skill and science lesson, and a quick drive from southeast Aurora.
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $9
Tuesday, September 1
SEEDLINGS: CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO
Lone Tree Arts Center’s Seedlings series welcomes the ZOOMobile animal team from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for an up-close look at animals from around the world and the important roles they play in their ecosystems. Little ones get the chance to meet real animal ambassadors and see natural behaviors in action — a great early-learning outing for the youngest members of the family.
Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St., Lone Tree
9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Tickets: $5
OVERLAND RANCH TOPS THE LIST
Summer may be winding down, but Southeast Aurora and the surrounding metro aren’t slowing down one bit. With top-rated Cherry Creek Schools, scenic trails, and beautiful parks woven right through the neighborhood, Overland Ranch keeps you close to all of it. Join the Overland Ranch VIP list today and be the first to know about new releases and everything happening in the neighborhood and mark your calendars for the October 3 Grand Opening of all eight model homes in the model home hub of Pioneer’s Row!
