Weekend things to do around Denver and beyond: Lavender Fest at Chatfield Farms and more

FRIDAY-JULY 26

More than 200 athletes from five branches of the military will be competing in Colorado Springs at the Department of Defense Warrior Games, headquartered on the Colorado College campus. Competitors in 11 adaptive sports are military wounded, ill or injured and their 2025 theme is “LIMITLESS.” For competitions and locations: dodwarriorgames.com

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

Chatfield Farms in Littleton is alive with the colors and aromas of 2,000 plants at the weekend Lavender Festival. Artists, murals, interactive activities, educational demonstrations, lawn games, live music, food and drinks and plants to take home. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, $9-$17, free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets: botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/lavender-festival.

SATURDAY

The name Dana Crawford is synonymous with Larimer Square and rightfully so because she was the one who changed it from a run-down, seedy area of vacant buildings to the chic area of today. So, appropriately, they’re celebrating Dana Day to pay tribute to what the famed preservationist created in the years before her death at age 93 in January. From 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday there will be Dana memories and dancing in the street to jazz to go with food specials. Advance registration requested: larimersquare.com/events/dana-day

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Think punk rock, spiky hair and combat boots instead of cowboy hats this weekend at Denver’s National Western Center Stockyards with the three days of Punk in the Park. A huge lineup including punk legends: Bad Religion, Dropkick Murphys, Descendents, Pennywise, Streetlight Manifesto and many more. Teamed with the 40 bands on two stages are craft beer tastings. Tickets: punkinthepark.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Combine the natural beauty of the Royal Gorge area with family fun, whitewater competitions, a Build Your Own Boat Race, wiener dog races, full days of music, vendors, local brews and more at the 16th Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival in Canon City’s Centennial Park, Friday and Saturday. royalgorgewhitewaterfestival.com

SUNDAY

Get ready to be horrorfied watching 20 short films at the Six Feet Under Horror Film Festival. Scary for sure, with a serving of campiness, because they’re hand-picked by two forensic pathologists. VIP for all films, popcorn and soft drinks and even a poster, $41.80. General admission $21.40. Roadhouse Cinemas in Colorado Springs, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. visitcos.com/events/six-feet-under-horror-fest-horror-shorts-vol-3

SATURDAY

Exciting dance by 10 Denver companies awaits during the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Mile High Dance Festival outdoors at Benedict Fountain Park starting at 2 p.m. Saturday and it’s free to just enjoy. At 6 p.m., the main performance by guest companies. Food trucks and a marketplace too. cleoparkerdance.org

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

A two-day Tennyson Street Fair takes over Tennyson to 43rd Avenue. Friday is for beer tasting along the street, combined with food trucks and music starting at 4 p.m. Saturday is for shopping, artists and family activities, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 15 restaurants. tennysonstreetfair.com.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

A perfect opportunity to support independent businesses all weekend at the conclusion of Colfax Ave Indie Week. Special shopping and eating all along Colfax. Pop-ups and goodies of all sorts including donuts, books, tattoos, cocktails, axe throwing and more. For a map: colfaxave.com/indie-bash-and-indie-week

FRIDAY-JULY 27

Head for Wyoming. Time for the legendary “Daddy of ‘em All” Cheyenne Frontier Days and “The Year of the Bull.” PRCA Xtreme Bulls and Rodeo, an iconic concert schedule that routinely sells out early, and an entire city filled with rodeo-time activities. cfdrodeo.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

Downtown Boulder is transformed into an outdoor art gallery for the Pearl Street Arts Fest, a tradition since 1978 when it was the first event at what was the new Pearl Street Mall. boulderdowntown.com/arts-fest

SATURDAY

They’re running through Castle Rock along the East Plum Creek Trail Saturday during the Summer Splash Prairie Dog Half, 10k & 5k, 6:30 a.m. The charity partner is the Backpack Society providing food for families. Also Shoes4Good donations of gently used and new athletic shoes. To go running: runsignup.com/Race/CO/CastleRock/PrairieDogHalfand10kCastleRock

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