Summertime, when the living is easy, and summer festivals abound in the Denver area. While summer does not officially start until June 21 this year, summer festival season kicks off with the Downtown Denver Arts Festival over Memorial Day weekend.
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Downtown Denver Arts Festival
Date: Friday, May 25 - Monday, May 28
Location: Denver Pavilions, Downtown Denver
Cost: Free admission.
What: The Downtown Denver Arts Festival, in its 9th year, takes place at the Denver Pavilions Mall over Memorial Day weekend.
More: Pavilions One of Best Shopping Malls in DenverJUNE
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Capitol Hill People's Fair
Date: Saturday, June 2 - Sunday, June 3
Location: Civic Center Park, Denver
Cost: Free admission.
What: The granddaddy of all summer festivals in Denver, the People's Fair began as a hippie gathering. While now embraced by corporate sponsors, glimpses of the art fair's origins remain in some exhibits.
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Colorado Renaissance Festival
Date: Weekends from June 9 - July 29
Location: Larkspur, CO (30 min. south of Denver)
Cost: $17.95 for adults, $8 for children 5-12.
What: Relive the Renaissance with medieval entertainment such as jousts, but be prepared for the summer sun because there is not much shade on the grounds. Honey mead is available to slake your thirst, and don't miss the turkey legs!
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Denver PrideFest
Date: Saturday, June 23 - Sunday, June 24
Location: Civic Center Park, Denver
Cost: Free admission.
What: PrideFest celebrates the diversity of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community with a parade and vendor exhibits. The Denver PrideFest is one of the ten largest in the U.S.
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Denver Greek Festival
Date: Friday, June 22 - Sunday, June 24
Location: 4610 E. Alameda Ave.
Cost: Admission is $1 before 9 p.m. and $3 after 9 p.m.
What: The Denver Greek Festival features authentic Greek food, dancing and art exhibits. The festival is located in the parking lot of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
More: Photos from the 2007 Denver Greek FestivalJULY
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Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Date: Friday, July 6 - Sunday, July 8
Location: Cherry Creek North, Denver
Cost: Free admission.
What: The nationally-renowned arts festival comes to Cherry Creek every Fourth of July weekend. Photography, sculpture and fine arts are all on display.
More: Photos from the 2007 Cherry Creek Arts Festival -
Denver Black Arts Festival
Date: Friday, July 13 - Sunday, July 15
Location: City Park West, Denver
Cost: Free admission (but $1 gate donation welcomed.)
What: The theme of the 2007 festival is "A Legacy Unfolds," and features drum and drill team competitions, parades, music and art exhibits.
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Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
Date: Saturday, July 28 - Sunday, July 29
Location: Sloan's Lake Park, Denver
Cost: Free admission.
What: A celebration of Asian culture culiminates in races between teams of rowers in wooden dragon boats. Food, crafts and musical acts are also featured in the festival honoring a Chinese poet.
More: Photos from the 2006 Dragon Boat FestivalAUGUST
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Golden Fine Arts Festival
Date: Saturday, August 18 - Sunday, August 19
Location: 11th St. and Arapahoe St., Golden
Cost: Free admission.
What: Visit the arts festival from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days, and don't miss the free horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of historic Golden.
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Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival
Date: Saturday, August 25 - Sunday, August 26
Location: Chatfield State Park, Littleton
Cost: Free admission.
What: Catch a glimpse of hot air balloons lifting off from 6:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, or just enjoy local musical acts and exhibits.
- Taste of Colorado
Dates: Friday, Aug. 31 - Monday Sept. 3
Location: Civic Center Park
Cost: Free admission. Food tickets are $5 for a strip of eight.
What: The annual event at Civic Center Park draws foodies from around the city to sample Denver's finest restaurants. Music, arts and crafts, and kids' activities also are on tap for the Taste of Colorado.
MAY
