Colorado’s 150th Birthday: The Ultimate VIP Guide to the Biggest Weekend of the Year!

Colorado, whether you are up north in Larimer County or down south in Denver, this is officially the biggest weekend of the year!

This Saturday, August 1st, 2026, marks Colorado's 150th birthday, and to celebrate the Sesquicentennial, there are massive, FREE events going down everywhere. The energy in the state right now is unmatched, and if you are sitting at home this weekend, you are missing out on history.

Here is a quick breakdown of what you cannot miss:

• Colorado Day Community Fest (Denver): Head to the History Colorado Center in the Golden Triangle from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a free community pancake breakfast, live music, face painting, gold panning, and the grand opening of the Shared History community mural.

• FREE Museums (Denver): Your audience gets FREE admission to the History Colorado Center (which is launching the Setting Colorado's Table: 150 Years of Agricultural Legacy exhibit), the Center for Colorado Women's History, and the Denver Art Museum all day long!

• Colorado Day at Union Station: Denver Union Station is hosting "Spirit of the Centennial State" from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music, LoDo walking tours, and the Taste of Colorado featuring Colorado-inspired cuisine.

1. The Denver Festival Flex If you hit the pancake breakfast early, you have to transition to these two massive afternoon markets:

• Denver International Festival: Taking over Five Points, this is where you go for lunch. We are talking over 25 international food trucks, live art, and non-stop cultural performances.

• Colorado Day BAZAAR: Head over to Commons Park to check out 150 local makers, live music, and even more food at this massive outdoor market.

2. The Union Station Cocktail Trail If you are at the Union Station celebration, do not miss this:

• The VIP Move: Ask about the Colorado Cocktail Trail. It's a special alcohol add-on showcasing locally inspired cocktails and spirits from the celebrated dining destinations around the station.

3. The County Fair Circuit If you are looking for funnel cakes and rodeos, the county fairs are running all weekend long.

• Larimer County Fair (NoCo): If you are up north, you have to check out the massive drone show they are putting on for the anniversary.

• Douglas County Fair (Castle Rock): The spot for the best PRCA rodeo action south of Denver.

• Adams County Fair (Brighton): The perfect mix of carnivals, live country music, and deep-fried everything.

The Rockstar King Disclaimer: We hustle to bring you the most accurate, up-to-date drops in Colorado, but stuff happens and festival schedules change. Always do yourself a favor and double-check the official event websites before you head out the door!