# Things to Do in Denver with Friends This Weekend \(Oct 16–18\)

Things to do in Denver with friends this weekend, Oct 16–18: 7 dated events, buzzy bars, group-friendly restaurants and plans. Updated Oct 17.

Canonical: https://wonderkit.app/discover/denver-co/friends
HTML: https://wonderkit.app/discover/denver-co/friends

This weekend in Denver: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · 7 dated events

Updated: Oct 17, 2026

What's on in Denver, CO this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.

## Happening Today

Events and things to do tonight

### Denver Pioneers vs. Michigan Wolverines Hockey
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.
- Venue: Magness Arena
- Location: University Hills, Denver
- Date: 2026-10-17 6:00 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A7x_uz

### Nikki Glaser: The Stunning Tour at Paramount Theatre
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.
- Venue: Paramount Theatre
- Location: Downtown, Denver
- Date: 2026-10-17 7:00 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Adults
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/nikki-glaser-the-stunning-tour-denver-colorado-10-17-2026/event/1E006396AF8F6BC5

### Joe Hisaishi with the Colorado Symphony
Legendary Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi conducts the Colorado Symphony through sweeps of cinematic orchestral masterworks at Boettcher Concert Hall.
- Venue: Boettcher Hall
- Location: Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver
- Date: 2026-10-17 7:30 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A70JuE

## This Weekend in Denver, CO

Fall outings and weekend shows

### Dermot Kennedy: The Weight of the Woods Tour
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.
- Venue: Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- Location: Morrison, CO
- Date: 2026-10-17 8:00 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://www.axs.com/events/1386297/dermot-kennedy-tickets

### The Milk Carton Kids at Bluebird Theater
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.
- Venue: Bluebird Theater
- Location: City Park East, Denver
- Date: 2026-10-17 8:00 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A70Zo7

### Sueco at Meow Wolf Convergence Station
High-octane pop-punk meets mind-bending multidimensional installations inside the neon-lit Perplexiplex venue space at Convergence Station.
- Venue: The Perplexiplex at Meow Wolf Denver
- Location: Sun Valley, Denver
- Date: 2026-10-17 8:00 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://tickets.meowwolf.com/denver/

## Eat & Drink

Wood-fired seasonal plates and cozy autumn tables

### Annette at Stanley Marketplace
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.
- Location: Stanley Marketplace, Aurora
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Food Lovers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Annette%20at%20Stanley%20Marketplace%20Stanley%20Marketplace%2C%20Aurora

### Tavernetta by Union Station
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.
- Location: LoDo, Denver
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Date Night
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Tavernetta%20by%20Union%20Station%20LoDo%2C%20Denver

### Hop Alley
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.
- Location: River North Art District \(RiNo\), Denver
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Groups
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Hop%20Alley%20River%20North%20Art%20District%20(RiNo)%2C%20Denver

## New & Notable

Seasonal installations and autumn spectacles

### Glow at the Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens
Thousands of intricately hand-carved, locally grown pumpkins illuminate York Street across three glowing one-way pathways, alongside live performers and seasonal cider bars.
- Venue: Denver Botanic Gardens \(York Street\)
- Location: Cheesman Park, Denver
- Date: 2026-10-17 5:30 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Families & Couples
- Link: https://www.botanicgardens.org/events/public-events/glow-gardens

### Corn Maze & Harvest at Chatfield Farms
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.
- Location: Littleton, CO
- Cost: $
- Best for: Families
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Corn%20Maze%20%26%20Harvest%20at%20Chatfield%20Farms%20Littleton%2C%20CO

## Quick Escape

Scenic day trips and weekend escapes under 2 hours away

### Golden Gate Canyon & Panorama Point
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.
- Location: Golden, CO \(45 mins west\)
- Cost: $
- Best for: Outdoor Lovers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Golden%20Gate%20Canyon%20%26%20Panorama%20Point%20Golden%2C%20CO%20(45%20mins%20west)

### Estes Park & Fall River Gateway
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.
- Location: Estes Park, CO \(1.5 hours northwest\)
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Nature Lovers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Estes%20Park%20%26%20Fall%20River%20Gateway%20Estes%20Park%2C%20CO%20(1.5%20hours%20northwest)

## Ready-made Denver, CO itineraries

- [A fall weekend in Denver with kids](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/denver-co/fall-weekend-with-kids)
- [All Denver, CO itineraries](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/denver-co)

## More city guides

- [Albuquerque, NM](https://wonderkit.app/discover/albuquerque-nm)
- [Amsterdam, Netherlands](https://wonderkit.app/discover/amsterdam-netherlands)
- [Ann Arbor, MI](https://wonderkit.app/discover/ann-arbor-mi)
- [Asheville, NC](https://wonderkit.app/discover/asheville-nc)
- [Athens, Greece](https://wonderkit.app/discover/athens-greece)
- [Atlanta, GA](https://wonderkit.app/discover/atlanta-ga)
- [Austin, TX](https://wonderkit.app/discover/austin-tx)
- [Bangkok, Thailand](https://wonderkit.app/discover/bangkok-thailand)
- [Barcelona, Spain](https://wonderkit.app/discover/barcelona-spain)
- [Belgrade, Serbia](https://wonderkit.app/discover/belgrade-serbia)
- [Berlin, Germany](https://wonderkit.app/discover/berlin-germany)
- [Birmingham, AL](https://wonderkit.app/discover/birmingham-al)
- [Boise, ID](https://wonderkit.app/discover/boise-id)
- [Boston, MA](https://wonderkit.app/discover/boston-ma)
- [Boulder, CO](https://wonderkit.app/discover/boulder-co)
- [Burlington, VT](https://wonderkit.app/discover/burlington-vt)
- [Cambridge, MA](https://wonderkit.app/discover/cambridge-ma)
- [Cancun, Mexico](https://wonderkit.app/discover/cancun-mexico)
- [Charleston, SC](https://wonderkit.app/discover/charleston-sc)
- [Chattanooga, TN](https://wonderkit.app/discover/chattanooga-tn)
- [Chicago, IL](https://wonderkit.app/discover/chicago-il)
- [Cincinnati, OH](https://wonderkit.app/discover/cincinnati-oh)
- [Copenhagen, Denmark](https://wonderkit.app/discover/copenhagen-denmark)

---

Content from WonderKit public guides. Trip planning accounts are human-only at https://wonderkit.app.