Estes Park is a bit of an insider secret for Coloradan’s, and it’s especially lovely during the winter months with the snow-topped pine trees, herds of statuesque elk roaming the countryside, and the impressive view of the Stanley Hotel when you first approach Estes from Denver. Estes lies 90 minutes northwest of Denver and lies next to the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Estes Park’s snow-covered evergreens and the snow-capped Rocky Mountains provide the perfect location for adventure lovers to enjoy the activities a Colorado winter has to offer from snowshoeing and cross country skiing, to ice climbing, fly fishing, and more!

LONGS PEAK SCOTTISH IRISH HIGHLAND FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2021

For more than four decades, Estes Park has been the backdrop for one of the nation’s largest celebrations of the heritage, the sounds, the tastes, and the arts of the Scottish and Irish cultures. To buy tickets or find more information about this year’s event visit www.scotfest.com.

SEPTEMBER 10-12, 2021

Held annually the weekend after Labor Day, Estes Park’s Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival is the largest gathering of its kind between the Mississippi River and California, and traditionally hosts bands – from the marching kind to the rocking kind and everything in-between – hailing from Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and, of course, the United States.

With jousting knights, dancing girls, hoisting athletes and calling bagpipes, groups and families of all ages will catch the Celtic spirit at this festival – surrounded by the scenic peaks of Estes Park!

One of the weekend highlights is the free hour-long parade on Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park’s main street. Bagpipes, drummers, dancers, clans in tartan, Dogs of the British Isles, brass military bands and precision drill teams give a preview of what can be seen on the festival grounds.

2021 FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES:

Music & Entertainment

Scottish Irish Shopping Markets: Browse a variety of Scottish and Irish vendors in the shopping tents to find highland-inspired jewelry, clothing, kilts, accessories, home décor, and more.

Scottish Athletics: Strong Man Competition. On the Festival field, there will be hammer throws, putting the stone, and caber throwing contests. Come join us and see a mere man toss a 19’7″,  140 lb. caber end over end!

US/International Jousting Championships: Games, Light Armor & Heavy Armor

Dogs Of the British Isles: Dog Agility & Herding, Terrier Races & Dog Exhibit Booths

Looking for tickets?  Purchase here.

During the festival, many Estes Park business feature live Celtic music and whiskey tastings throughout the village! Check out the event calendar for additional events throughout the weekend.

More information and the full event schedule go to the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Festival Website.

ELK FEST

OCTOBER 2-3, 2021

Celebrate Estes Park’s resident elk at this family-friendly festival in Bond Park (170 MacGregor Ave). Enjoy vendors, live music, food, bugling contests, performances and more at this year’s Elk Fest! Check back for more detail.

CATCH THE GLOW PARADE & CELEBRATION

NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Check back for more information on this beloved local event.

ESTES PARK WINTER FESTIVAL

JANUARY 2022

​Celebrate the winter season in Estes Park at the Annual Winter Festival weekend!  Sample a variety of beers, browse retail vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and more at the Estes Park Event Center (1125 Rooftop Way)! Check back for more details and to buy tickets.

At Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom, and we–you and us–stand on the backs of these tiny giants.

Virtual Classes

Aquatics 101 Virtual Class: How To Set Up a Successful Home Aquarium

Coming Soon in 2021!

Makes a great gift!

An ideal opportunity for beginners to the aquarium hobby, join Sara Stevens, Aquatics Manager at Butterfly Pavilion for an engaging and interactive tutorial on how to set up your home to have a successful and thriving tank. In this session, we will cover everything you need to know to get started with the right equipment, aquarium setup, and animal care strategies to allow your aquatic animals to thrive. Learn how to properly cycle your tank, how to pick animals that get along, and so much more. See how Butterfly Pavilion supports its aquaria, and get all of your questions answered with a live Q&A with our experts!

Arachnids Around Us Livestream

Join us for this virtual learning program to explore the arachnids that live around us!

Do you ever see spooky spiders or scary scorpions all around you? Join us for a virtual program as we explore the amazing arachnids that live among us. Figure out what makes an arachnid, unlearn some common misconceptions, and discover why having Arachnids Around Us is not as bad as it sounds!

Please note that registrants will be sent a link to join the class 30 minutes prior to start time. We understand technical difficulties may occur, please contact registrar@butterflies.org with your questions.

Teachers! Looking for exciting programs for your class? Check out our Distance Learning options by visiting www.butterflies.local/virtuallearning!

Buy Online for the Best Price on Admission

Adult $13.00
Child (2-12) $9.00
Senior (65+) $11.00
Child Under 2: Free
Members: Free & Unlimited*Event Day pricing may apply. Closed certain holidays.

The Butterfly Pavilion is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., year-round, except for Summer Thursdays (June 27 – August 22) when we’re open until 7 pm (last admission at 6:15 pm)

•     The last entrance is at 4:15 p.m.
•     We are open seven days a week
•     We are closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Adults	$9.50
Adult–Westminster Resident*	$7.50
Seniors (65+)	$7.50
Children (2-12)	$6.50
Children (1-year-old and younger)**	FREE

*To receive the reduced admission rate, Westminster Residents must present a valid ID with a Westminster, CO address.
**Up to two per adult entry.

The Butterfly Pavilion is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown Denver off Hwy 36 at 104th Avenue. Map 

The Butterfly Pavilion
6252 W. 104th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80020

Butterflies at Chatfield Farms

Encounter native butterflies flying through a lush and colorful garden setting in a one-of-a-kind butterfly house at Chatfield Farms.

May 29 – Sept. 6
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily, included with admission

Chatfield Farms Location

8500 W Deer Creek Canyon RoadLittleton, CO 80128 Map

720-865-3500

This seasonal habitat is home to hundreds of native butterflies such as swallowtails, monarchs, mourning cloaks and painted ladies. It is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The plants in this house are used as a nectar source for butterfly food and designed to create a whimsical atmosphere for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Learn what types of plants you can add to your garden to attract butterflies and other pollinators.

Butterflies at Chatfield Farms is a joint venture between Butterfly Pavilion and Denver Botanic Gardens.

Butterflies at Chatfield Farms Gallery

Salvador Dalí: Gardens of the Mind

Experience the rarely seen fanciful color lithographs on loan from The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, FL.April 10 – Aug. 22, 2021

York Street Location

1007 York StreetDenver, CO 80206 Map 720-865-3500

Freyer – Newman Center

Mixing flora with the artist’s signature motifs two series of prints, FlorDalí and Surrealist Flowers, underscore Dalí’s ongoing infatuation with his native landscape of Catalonia and the intriguing images of his Surrealist works. The images of fruits and flowers unsettle what we think we know about reality by juxtaposing seemingly incongruent elements. The exhibition of nearly 40 works is organized by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and The Dalí Museum.

Gallery admission included with York Street general admission tickets.
Gallery Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily

Get Tickets and Member Reservations

---

Evenings al Fresco

Savor the golden hours at the Gardens with socially distanced performances on select Mondays and Wednesdays this summer.Select Mondays/Wednesdays, June – Aug., 4:30-8:30 p.m.

York Street Location

1007 York StreetDenver, CO 80206 Map

720-865-3500

Awash in the golden light of the evening, this collaborative series enhances the beauty of the Gardens with musical performances, providing respite and renewal in nature. Unlike a traditional concert setting, visitors strolling through the Gardens encounter small, socially distanced ensembles or musicians performing works designed to underscore and bring delight to their evening visit.

Denver Botanic Gardens is proud to partner with Swallow Hill Music to produce this series. 

Dates to be announced. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, May 20.

Last entry 7:30 p.m. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance; tickets are limited in each 30-minute time slot.

Music throughout the Gardens 5:30-8:30 p.m.

$30 Non-member
$20 Member
Free for children 2 and under (no ticket required)

---

---

DALE CHIHULY EXHIBIT

As the Chihuly exhibition comes to a close at Denver Botanic Gardens (on view through November 30), we are pleased to announce – through the generosity of private donors including Robert and Judi Newman and the RC Kemper Charitable Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee – a Chihuly work of art will be added to the Gardens’ permanent collection. The new work, part of the Tower series, will be installed in the Ellipse garden and called “Colorado.” It will be comprised of approximately 700 hand-blown glass elements and stand over 11 feet tall.

Brian Vogt, Denver Botanic Gardens CEO says, “We will never forget this extraordinary year and the outpouring of enthusiasm for the combination of Chihulyand the Gardens. Now, we will have the opportunity to relive this unique and dynamic fusion long into the future.”

I am so pleased that a significant work of art will be added to Denver BotanicGardens’ permanent collection,” says artist Dale Chihuly. “It is such a beautiful garden and such a great city – my thanks to Brian Vogt for helping make the exhibition such a success and to the donors for their generosity and the honor of this permanent installation.”

Dale Chihuly

Donors share enthusiasm for the gift. Robert and Judi Newman say, “We are thrilled and honored to provide the lead gift for the legacy piece which will commemorate theGardens’ monumental and stunning Chihuly exhibition. Dale Chihuly’s work easily transforms any space and engages viewers in unique ways that merge science and art. We love it!”

The Kemper family has a long history with the Gardens and Dale Chihuly. Mariner Kemper, Chairman and CEO, UMB Financial Corporation says, “It was only natural for us to help bring a permanent Chihuly artwork to the Gardens. Giving back to the community and supporting the arts has always been a focus for our family and we hope the citizens of Denver enjoy the piece for years to come.”

Chihuly used a red, orange and yellow color pallet as it reminded him of the beautiful skies and sunsets he has enjoyed during his visits to Denver. He drew inspiration for this new work from one of his most challenging outdoor installations, Icicle Creek Chandelier, a permanent outdoor installation he did in 1996 at Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth, Washington. Installed on a granite rock, the chandelier is a permanent reminder of how a work of art can be framed in nature and find harmony within in it. Like Icicle Creek Chandelier, “Colorado” will be designed to sustain similar outdoor weather conditions.

ABOUT DALE CHIHULY

Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly was introduced to glass while studying interior design at the University of Washington. After graduating in 1965, Chihuly enrolled in the first glass program in the country, at the University of Wisconsin. He continued studies at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he later established the glass program and taught for more than a decade.

In 1968, after receiving a Fulbright Fellowship, he went to work at the Venini glass factory in Venice, Italy. There he observed the team approach to blowing glass, which is critical to the way he works today. In 1971, Chihuly cofounded Pilchuck Glass School in Washington. With this international glass center, Chihuly has led the avant-garde in the development of glass as a fine art.

His work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. He has been the recipient of many awards, including 12 honorary doctorates and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Photo credits: Dale Chihuly, Blue and Purple Boat (detail), 2006. New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx, New York.Dale Chihuly, Saffron Tower, 2006, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, 2008. Dale Chihuly, Red Reeds, 2008, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2010. Dale Chihuly, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida, 2006

Many of these are TBA in 2022- Please click the links to see updated information.

List of Fireworks and 4th of July Celebrations

Englewood: Fourth of July

July 4, 2021

The City of Englewood is excited to announce an evening of fun, food and fireworks to celebrate this year’s Fourth of July on July 3, 2021.

The Annual Fourth of July Event brings together friends and families from four areas – Englewood, Littleton, Sheridan, Arapahoe County and the South Suburban Parks & Recreation. Celebrate our National Holiday with friends and family at Belleview Park and Cornerstone Park starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy local business vendors and food trucks. Bring a picnic dinner and blankets to watch the fireworks! The fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m. 

englewoodgov.org/englewood-happenings/4th-of-july-festivities

Adams County: Independence Day Celebration

July 4: Family-friendly activities and live music with Spinphony and the 6 Million Dollar Band, a Children’s Fun Zone, games, eating contests, food vendors and a beer garden are included. A “Stars and Stripes” opening ceremony honoring first responders and the military get things started at 4 p.m. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. A screening of the film “Top Gun” follows. Adams County Regional Park, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, 303-637-8000, adcogov.org

Arvada: Independence Day Celebration

July 4: Activities kick off at 4 p.m. with live music, food, bounce houses, games, human hamster balls, vendors and more followed by fireworks simulcast to KOOL 105 radio at dusk. New this year are Berg cars (similar to tricycles) and remote control cars. Lutz/Stenger Sports Complex, entrance at 58th Avenue and Oak Street, 720-898-7000, arvada.org

Aurora: Fourth of July Spectacular

July 4: Festivities are offered from 4 to 10 p.m. with food, a hot dog eating contest, a car show, and more. Emily West, country/pop singer, and finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” takes the stage at 8 p.m. Fireworks to begin around 9:30 p.m. with choreographed music on Studio 1430 KEZW. Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, auroragov.org

Boulder: Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast

July 4: The celebration is presented by The City of Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder. Gates open with free admission at 8 p.m. Activities begin at 8:30 p.m. with the Mad Hops jump rope team, The Mighty Twisters and Ralphie. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m.Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave.,boulder4thofjuly.com

Brighton: Fourth of July

July 4: Entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and music with DJ Tidal Wave, Romero Unplugged and Dotsero (includes a laser show). Activities begin at 2 p.m. Fireworks at dusk.Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St., 303-655-2000, brightonco.gov/4thofjuly

MAP: Denver metro area July Fourth celebrations

Broomfield: Great American Picnic Evening light put a warm glow on thousands of people packing Civic Center Park waiting for the show to start. The Civic Center Conservancy put on an Independence Eve show complete with food, live music, and fireworks Thursday night, July 3, 2014. (Denver Post file)

July 4: Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a children’s carnival offering inflatables, pony rides and a petting zoo along with food vendors and live music with Princess and That Eighties Band. The ninth annual Bike Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m. Broomfield County Commons Park on Sheridan Boulevard, 303-464-5530, broomfield.org

Castle Rock: Rockin’ the Fourth

July 4: The Red, White & Boom! fireworks celebration begins between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m.Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Road, 303-660-1364, crgov.com/july4

Commerce City: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

July 4: Fireworks follow the Colorado Rapids vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC soccer game starting at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $31. Patio and field seating also available. 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, coloradorapids.com

Denver: Coors Field

July 10: The Rockies are on the road so fireworks follow the Atlanta Braves game starting at 6:10 p.m. Tickets vary. 2001 Blake St., coloradorockies.com

Denver: Civic Center Park Independence Eve

July 3: The sixth annual free community celebration presented by the Civic Center Conservancy includes live music with Funkiphino and the 101st Army Concert Band from Buckley Air Force Base, 8-10 p.m. A light show and fireworks are included. Lawn seating is available. Blankets and low-rise chairs recommended. Food trucks will be on site, and picnics are welcome. Civic Center Park, Colfax and Broadway, 303-861-4633, civiccenterconservancy.org

Denver: Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park

July 4: Fireworks show begins at dusk. Included with admission. 2000 Elitch Circle,elitchgardens.com

Denver: Four Mile Historic Park

July 2: Annual celebration, “A modern take on our traditional 4th of July celebration,” includes historic demonstrations, children’s activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, games, live music, food and a beer garden, 5-10 p.m. Admission is free, some activities require a fee along with food and drinks. 715 S. Forest St., 720-865-0800, fourmilepark.org

Denver: Cranmer Park and Glendale Fireworks

July 2: Save Our Sundial, a project of The Park People, hosts a celebration with games, live music with Hank Troy and the Sundialers and others, food trucks and entertainment 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Cranmer Park, 4501 E. First Ave. Proceeds benefit the efforts to rehabilitate the historic sundial and Cranmer Park Plaza. Glendale fireworks begin at dusk with recommended viewing at Cherry Street, north of Virginia Avenue, south of Cherry Creek Drive and west of Colorado Blvd. Glendale’s Whole Foods Market at 870 S. Colorado Blvd. is hosting its eighth annual party with Colorado craft beer, a vendor village and specialty foods, 5:30-9 p.m. glendale.co.us,saveoursundial.com

Estes Park

July 3-5: The “4th of July Weekend Celebration” includes music, a car show, pancake breakfast, Historic Hoedown and more. Dates and locations vary. Fireworks begin at dusk over Lake Estes on July 4. 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com

Evergreen: Music Festival

July 4: Gates open at 9:45 a.m. for a day of festivities from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with live music with the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra with Colorado Ballet Classical, Queen City Jazz Band, Frangelo Jazz Quintet, The Denver Brass, The Hazel Miller Band and others along with a circus performance, juggling and balloon show, pie and hot dog eating contests and children’s activities. Blankets and chairs welcome. $10, $5 ages 13-18, free age 12 and under, veterans and active military. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Mt. Evans Home Health & Hospice. Buchanan Park, corner of Highway 74, Evergreen Parkway and Squaw Pass Road,evergreenmusicfestival.org

Fort Collins: Independence Day 2015

July 4: Day-long festivities include the FireKracker 5K, a golf tournament, parade, 33rd annual Old Timer’s Game, live music and fireworks at approximately 9:35 p.m. over Sheldon Lake. Times and locations vary. fcgov.com/july4th/

Golden: Lions Park Festival

July 4: The Golden Lions Club presents its annual festival with children’s activities, food and drink, rides, live music and more, noon-11 p.m. The Johnny O. Band, Chuck Hughes and the New Classic Band perform. Picnics welcome. Fireworks at dusk. Lions Park, 1300 10th St.,visitgolden.com

Greenwood Village:  Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre 

July 4: The Colorado Symphony performs a family-friendly concert with music from Frozen, Harry Potter, Star Wars and more along with traditional patriotic favorites. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the concert at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$36.50. Fireworks follow. 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, fiddlersgreenamp.com/events/detail/277859

Lakewood / Morrison:  Bandimere Speedway 

July 4:  Gates open at 2 p.m. for the “Jet Car Nationals & Family Festival” offering games, food, live bands, contests and more along with “fire breathing jet dragsters racing down the quarter-mile track at more than 290 mph.” Admission is $28, $25 in advance; $16, $14 in advance for juniors; free for children age 5 and under. Fireworks, sponsored by the City of Lakewood, begin at approximately 9:45 p.m. Fireworks are viewable outside Bandimere without buying a ticket. 3051 S. Rooney Rd, Morrison, bandimere.com

La Junta: Bent’s Old Fort

July 4:  The “Frontier Fourth Celebration” is commemorated 1840’s-style with a parade, orations, games, storytelling and cannon firings from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Enter a contest for a replica 1845 flag that was flown over the fort. Included with regular admission of $3 for ages 13 and over, $2 ages 6-12, free age 5 and under. Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, located on Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas nps.gov/beol

Kiowa: Elbert County Museum

July 4:  Celebrating a “Pioneer Fourth” with live music, games, food, watermelon, and pie-eating contests and artisan demonstrations, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Museum admission is free. 515 Comanche St., Kiowa,  elbertcountymuseum.org

Littleton: Clement Park

July 3:  The Foothills Park & Recreation District presents “Red, White & You!,” a family fest offering children’s activities including a bounce house, live music with the Nacho Men, booths, food and a beer and wine garden, 5-10 p.m. Free admission. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m.7306 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, foothills.org/rwy.asp

Morrison: BandiMere

Exhilarating fireworks show with live music and fire-breathing jet dragsters running down a quarter mile track at over 290 MPH. Also featuring 7-second racers, family festivals and games, contests, food, live bands, and much more! Gates open at 2pm for spectators.
Tickets:
Adults 25$ for advance and 28$ at the gate
Junior 14$ for advance and 16$ at the gate
5 and under are free!
Fireworks time:
At approximately 9:45 pm
For more information visit www.Bandimere.com or call 303-697-4870

Northglenn: Family Festival

July 4: The festival runs 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a pancake breakfast, Patriotic Pooch Parade, Firecracker and Flapjacks Run, Bike, Trike & Wheelchair Parade, booths, children’s activities, car show, Ducky Derby and more along with live music by Soul X. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. over Webster Lake. E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11801 Community Center Drive,northglenn.org/july4th

Parker: Salisbury Park

July 4: Stars & Stripes is the theme for a concert with Rocky Mountain Brassworks kicking off a celebration at 6 p.m. Bounce houses, games, slides, human hamster balls, food and more is also included. Fireworks begin at dusk. Salisbury Park, 11920 Motsenbocker Road, Parker, 303-805-3253,

Park Hill: Fourth of July

July 4: The sixth annual parade with more than 60 registered groups and 750 participants offers handcrafted floats, drum lines and pageant queens, 1:30-3 p.m. The route travels along 23rd Avenue from Dexter Street to Krameria Street where it ends at the Kearney Street Fair on the 2200 block of Kearney Street. Food trucks, live music and children’s activities are included.  303-918-6517 parkhillparade.org

Thornton: Fourth of July

July 4: Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with food vendors, a beer garden, live music including the Thornton Community Band and the Kory Brunson Band and more. A parachute jump at 9:30 p.m. is followed by fireworks. Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard,cityofthornton.net

Westminster: Fourth of July

July 4: Festivities are offered 3 to 10 p.m. and include a Patriotic Bike Parade, Activity Zone, food vendors, a car show, live music with Daddy Blue and fireworks around 9:15 p.m. City Park, 10455 Sheridan Blvd., ci.westminster.co.us/ParksRec/SpecialEvents.aspx

Contributions from the Denver Post and 9News