May events in Denver

Civic Center Eats | May 1-Oct. 10 | Denver

Denver’s favorite summer lunch tradition returns! Delicious food, fresh air, gorgeous views, live music and a great cause. Excluding July 2, 3 & 4; August 7, 28 & 29; September 3 & 12, enjoy Metro Denver’s largest gathering of gourmet food trucks. Civic Center Eats showcases 69 deliciously diverse vendors.  With approximately 25 options available each day, downtown employees, residents and visitors will enjoy an authentic local lunch while experiencing Civic Center ‘s architectural, horticultural and historic beauty. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Civic Center Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring, enhancing and activating downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park, a National Historic Landmark. Civic Center Eats is produced by the Civic Center Conservancy and presenting event sponsor Westword.

• Civic Center Park, Broadway & Colfax
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Tuesdays-Thursdays)

Taste of Evergreen | May 2 | Evergreen

Who doesn’t like a great party? Explore the various food offerings from some of Evergreen’s best restaurants and caterers. Each chef will choose something for you to try. There will be a contest to determine the Best Bite of the Taste and the Best Sip of the Taste. Think green chili mac & cheese vs. shrimp and chorizo lettuce wraps vs. triple chocolate fudge! Fun community event for all ages. Once again this year will be a beer and wine garden on the deck.

• Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd.
• 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Heirloom Tomato Farm Annual Sale | May 3-5, May 11-12, May 18-19 | Denver

HTF specializes in the cultivation and preservation of organic, non-GMO heirloom tomato plants.There are two farms located in Denver. Each year, over 5,000 heirloom tomato plants are sold with 100 or so different and “hard to find” varieties. Seedlings are grown in small batches so growers can experiment with different varieties that do best in Colorado.

• Farm 39, 3611 Chestnut Place
• The Sparrow, 475 Corona Street
• Friday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The Craftsman’s Market

Curated by the Salvage Design Center, the Craftsman’s Market happens each first Sunday of the month and features locally made goods for sale. The event features free entrance and hosts products made by “blacksmiths, fractal wood burners, carpenters, jewelry designers, sign makers & much more!”

• 1st Sunday of each month, 9 a.m. – 4p.m.
• 1200 West Evans, Denver, 80223

Benefit for Sand Creek Greenway | May 4 | Denver

Celebrate and support the 14 mile Sand Creek Greenway, and the partnership nonprofit that delivers trail and habitat support and appreciation, educational programming and volunteer clean-up efforts. Enjoy refreshments, entertainment and a silent auction. Program begins at 7 p.m. to include remarks by former United States Senator and Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar.

• Stapleton MCA – The Cube, 8371 Northfield Blvd.
• 5:30-8:45 p.m.

The Big Wonderful | May 4-5 | Denver

The Big Wonderful brings together the best of Colorado for a massive two-day festival featuring 100+ local makers, food & drinks, live music & much more.

• 4400 Fox St.
• Saturday: 12-6 p.m.
• Sunday: 12-6 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo | May 4-5 | Denver

Come enjoy live music, a taco eating contest, Chihuahua races, a car show, parade, food and much more at one of Denver’s most heralded events of the year. The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and you’ll enjoy music throughout the weekend, a variety of vendors and plenty of family fun.

• Civic Center Park, Broadway & Colfax
• Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Denver Mini Derby | May 4 | Denver

The 2019 Denver Mini Derby brings the spirit of the Kentucky Derby to the great state of Colorado. More than simply a viewing party with unlimited cocktails, the event will feature a live “mini” derby.” Join several thousands of your new best southern-styled friends for the most memorable social experience of the year. Watch the Kentucky Derby on two large viewing screens, one inside the event space and one outside near Denver’s own “Churchill Downs.” Pint sized riders will compete in a small race at the field adjacent to the venue with charitable betting encouraged. The Mini Derby will take place following the Kentucky Derby. Buy your tickets soon as this event usually sells out. Benefits Minds Matter of Denver and Next Step Horse Rescue.

• North Green, 8303 E. 49th Place
• 1-6 p.m.

Colorado Chocolate Festival | May 10-11 | Denver

It’s heaven on earth! Over 80 vendors from across the United States spreading chocolate delight with candy, cakes, cookies, truffles, fudge, brownies, toffees, coffees and more. Everything chocolate will be here. Not to mention the Mother’s Day gift market with jewelry, clothes, imports and crafts.

• Denver Mart, I-25 & 58th
• Friday: 4-9 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mother’s Day Run for MS | May 11 | Denver

Boulder Running Company is partnering with the MS Run the US Relay, America’s only 3,100-mile running relay across the United States, for the MS 5k/10k in Denver. Join in fighting MS and honoring mothers. Registration includes a fun run with fellow Coloradans, post-run brunch provided by local vendors, complimentary MOM-osas (for those 21+ — our Mother’s Day twist on the “mimosa”), special handmade finisher’s MOM-ento for all runners, personal cheering squad from enthusiastic volunteers, free downloadable photos after the event, and a chance to learn more about multiple sclerosis and ways to help those affected.

• Boulder Running Company Cherry Creek, 2500 E. First Ave.
• 9-11 a.m.

Spring Horseshoe Market | May 11-12 | Denver

There will be 200 vendors including artists, designers, artisanal food, food trucks and this year, a large vintage and antique component. Onsite free workshops and creative ‘experiences’ that focus on home inspiration and all things DIY. Live auction on Saturday, plus family friendly and kid focused art-making activities. Live music, food trucks and so much more.

• Broncos Mile High Stadium (Lot G), 1704 Bryant St.
• 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bacon and Beer Classic | May 11 | Denver

The annual Bacon and Beer Classic will feature local chefs serving up bacon inspired dishes and regional breweries boasting creative draft beers. Experience bacon and beer like never before. Choose between the afternoon or evening session. All-inclusive tickets get you 100+ craft beers, 30+ bacon dishes, music, games, Hormel® Bacon eating contest and more.

• Mile High Stadium, 1701 Bryant St.
• Various times and pricing; check website for more information

Union Station Farmers’ Market | May 11, 18, 25 | Denver

Outstanding food vendors, a cooking demonstration and live music make the Union Station Farmer’s Market a favorite among residents and visitors alike

• Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St.
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Urban Farm at Stapleton Plant Sale | May 18, 20-24, 25 | Denver

The Urban Farm is hosting its annual plant sale, featuring an expansive selection of heirlooms including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and herbs. All plants are grown on site at The Urban Farm using organic methods (non-certified). Come find tasty treats for your garden and gain expert advice from TUF staff and volunteers.

• Urban Farm at Stapleton,10200 Smith Rd.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Monday-Thursday: 2-6:30 p.m.
• Saturday (5/25): 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Five Points Jazz Festival | May 18 | Denver

This free festival celebrates the history of Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Once known as the Harlem of the West, Five Points was home to several jazz clubs which played host to many of jazz music’s legends such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and many more. Since its inception in 2004, the Five Points Jazz Festival has grown each year in size and popularity.

• Various locations and times, check event schedule

2019 Chicken Fight | May 23 | Denver

Kick off this summer with the down-home taste of Denver’s finest fowl and craftiest cocktails. Top Mile High restaurants will compete for your votes as we search for the best wings, fried chicken, and overall chicken dishes in the city. A curated selection of top restaurants, each of which will offer their own inimitable bite-sized taste of the titular in a bid to win your vote. Categories include Best Fried, Best Wings, Best Overall Chicken Dish and Best Cocktail. Entry fee includes unlimited food and beverage tastes, live country music performed by Buckstein, demos, takeaways, and fun surprises.

• INDUSTRY Denver, 3001 Brighton Blvd.
• 6-10 p.m.

Denver Day of Rock | May 25 | Denver

Denver Day of Rock is a free one-of-a-kind music event presented by Amp the Cause to raise awareness of the children in our community. This free event will feature five stages of live music throughout downtown Denver.

• 16th Street Mall
• 2-9:30 p.m.

Kickoff to Summer | May 26-28 | Denver

Kick off summer with three days of great family-friendly entertainment, delicious food, local vendors, and much more on Old South Gaylord Street. Check out the website for more information.

• Old South Gaylord neighborhood, 1000 S. Gaylord
• Saturday: 4 p.m.-10 p.m. (live music)
• Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Monday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Denver Arts Festival | May 25-26 | Denver

Since 1999, the Denver Arts Festival (formerly the Downtown Denver Arts Festival) is a fine arts and crafts festival that is dedicated to supporting Colorado artists while also showcasing a select group of national artists. This annual premier arts event features some of Colorado’s and the nation’s best artists with over 50,000 people expected to attend.

• Stapleton Conservatory Green, 8304 E. 49th Place
• Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bolder Boulder | May 27 | Boulder

Celebrate Memorial Day with tens of thousands of running enthusiasts at the annual Bolder Boulder 10K. Going strong for 41 years, the Bolder Boulder has grown to one of the largest and most highly acclaimed 10K’s in the world. Almost 1.2 million runners, joggers, walkers and spectators of all ages have gathered over the years to create a spectacle that defies description. Olympic medal winners and hopefuls, grandmothers and kids, running enthusiasts and one-race-a-year guests from all over the world come together at the foot of the Rocky Mountains to form one of the sport’s truly unique events. Each year we host 50,000+ participants and 70,000+ spectators at Folsom Field for one of the biggest and best Memorial Day celebrations on the earth. Register and celebrate fitness, the United States and the great state of Colorado.

• Walnut & 30th Streets
• 6:55 a.m.