Sip and stargaze
Friday. Colorado skies are renowned for their stargazing potential. And where better to get a front row seat to the Milky Way than atop a peak? On July 23, Copper Mountain hosts its first installment of Ales and Astronomy, a summer event series that invites stargazers out for a guided sky tour paired with a beer. Attendees meet up at 8:15 p.m. outside JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern in the ski resort’s East Village before heading to the Copper Creek Golf Course. Each event is timed to coincide with a celestial event and in July, viewers can see the conjunction of the moon and Saturn. Tickets cost $10 and include a complimentary beer from 10 Barrel Brewing Co. –Tiney Ricciardi
RELATED:
Colfax Ave Independents Day
Friday-Sunday. Head to Colfax Avenue this weekend for a celebration of the independent businesses that make this stretch of Colorado avenue so interesting. There will be specials and pop-ups at 30+ businesses along Colfax, with everything from Drag Queen Storytime at French for Sugar to bar portraits from cartoonist at Tooey’s, National Tequila Day celebrations at Illegal Pete’s, donation-based open-air yoga at Rooted Heart, a patio pop-up at Studio Colfax and more. See a full schedule and details at . –Beth Rankin
Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival
Friday-Saturday. Boats, bands and beer — what’s not to love? Grab whatever floats — and your dirt bike and running shoes — and head to downtown Cañon City for a return of the always fun and family-friendly Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival in Centennial Park.
There’ll be paddleboard and kayak races, casual floats on the river, 5/10K runs, 5/10K mountain bike rides, a 27K gravel grinder, and the famous Build Your Own Boat Race. Bands will play both days and into the nights.
Entry is just $5, with kids ages 12 and younger admitted free. Proceeds benefit Royal Gorge RIO, a nonprofit group that supports expansion of the whitewater park, river restoration, and community causes. There will be food and drink vendors on-site. —Dena Rosenberry
Celebrate Christmas in July
Saturday. Summer weather beating you down? Transport yourself to a cooler time of year by celebrating Christmas in July at the Cherry Creek Beer Garden on July 24. From 3 to 7 p.m., chill out with live music from Foreign Roots, burgers from Shake Shack and festive cocktails like Naughty But Nice (a bourbon drink with cranberries), a peppermint martini and Christmas Punch made with gin, pomegranate and cranberries. This event is free to attend. –Tiney Ricciardi
Itchy-O at Levitt Pavilion
Saturday. Originally meant to be a ticketed show at the Sculpture Park, this weekend’s concert from Itchy-O — a based here in Denver — has been moved to Levitt Pavilion. The best part of this move: General admission tickets are now free, with $45 VIP ticket options. Pack a picnic blanket, some camp chairs and snacks — or eat from local food trucks — while you enjoy the open air and see a band that describes itself as “Denver’s throbbing 57-member electro-percussive pyrotechnic troubadours.” Doors at 5 p.m. Saturday, show starts at 6 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion, 1380 W. Florida Ave. Reserve tickets at . –Beth Rankin
