For friend groupsThis weekend in Denver: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · 7 dated events
What's on in Denver, CO this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.
13 hand-picked things to do in Denver, CO right now · 7 with confirmed dates
Photo: Acton Crawford / Unsplash
Events and things to do tonight
Catch collegiate hockey royalty clashing on the ice at Magness Arena as the Pioneers defend home ice against the Wolverines. Arrive early to grab local craft taps in the concourse.
Fresh off her acclaimed specials and celebrity roasts, Nikki Glaser brings her unfiltered stand-up routine to the historic Art Deco stage in downtown Denver.
Legendary Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi conducts the Colorado Symphony through sweeps of cinematic orchestral masterworks at Boettcher Concert Hall.
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three Denver, CO trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.
Wood-fired seasonal plates and cozy autumn tables
Caroline Glover’s wood-fired, James Beard Award-winning bistro shines in autumn. Sit near the hearth for charred cabbage with bonito, roasted whole fish, and seasonal marrow toast.
Frasca’s sister spot brings Northern Italian hospitality right beside the historic train platform. Order the silky cacio e pepe, braised octopus, and a glass of Nebbiolo to fight off the evening chill.
Tommy Lee's buzzing RiNo dining room packs bold, fiery Sichuan cooking with craft cocktails. Don't skip the bone marrow fried rice, Beijing duck rolls, and house-made chilled tofu.
Fall outings and weekend shows
Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy fills Red Rocks with raspy, impassioned vocals and soaring folk-pop melodies under the brisk autumn night sky. Bring layers and stadium blankets.
Grammy-nominated acoustic duo Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan deliver delicate vocal harmonies and dry stage banter at one of Colfax's most storied live venues.
High-octane pop-punk meets mind-bending multidimensional installations inside the neon-lit Perplexiplex venue space at Convergence Station.
Seasonal installations and autumn spectacles
Thousands of intricately hand-carved, locally grown pumpkins illuminate York Street across three glowing one-way pathways, alongside live performers and seasonal cider bars.
Sprawling across seven acres in the foothills of Jefferson County, this intricate labyrinth includes 15-foot observation bridges and a mini-maze tailored for younger kids.
Scenic day trips and weekend escapes under 2 hours away
Just 45 minutes west of Denver, this foothill retreat offers mid-autumn hiking without the severe high-altitude alpine exposure. Take the Mule Deer Trail to Panorama Point for sweeps of the snow-dusted Continental Divide.
Head 90 minutes northwest into the gateway of the Rockies during peak elk rut season. Hear the echoing bugles throughout the meadows of Moraine Park, then warm up with small-batch whiskey flights at Elkins Distilling downtown.
Ready-made plans for Denver, CO, written out in full and built from real local spots — start from one instead of a blank page.
Group-friendly highlights in Denver, CO right now include Denver Pioneers vs. Michigan Wolverines Hockey, Nikki Glaser: The Stunning Tour at Paramount Theatre, and Joe Hisaishi with the Colorado Symphony. WonderKit updates this guide daily so plans stay current.
The "Eat & Drink" section above lists buzzy restaurants and bars in Denver, CO — the spots locals are actually packing this week.
Check the sections above for current events, buzzy bars, and weekend plans in Denver, CO worth texting the group chat about.
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three Denver, CO trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.