Denver Upcoming Festivals: BBQ Fest, Dragon Boating, Taste Of CO

DENVER, CO — Children are getting ready to head back to school and the official start of fall is fast approaching, but there are still quite a few fun summer events scheduled in the coming weeks in Denver.

Upcoming local events are set to showcase live music, the arts, food and community spirit.

Denver's largest summer events have been selling out quickly, so you'll want to make your ticket purchases early.

A Taste of Colorado

• When: Sept. 4 to 6
• Where: 16th Street Mall
• Tickets: N/A

The Downtown Denver Partnership is hosting the return of Taste of Colorado, but this year’s event will be more spread out than previous years, organizers said. The free festival will feature a city-wide celebration — for people of all ages — of local culture, food, music and art.

>> Learn more about A Taste of Colorado here.

Denver Auto Show

• When: Sept. 15 to 19
• Where: Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle
• Tickets: $15 for adults, $9 for children

Check out all the newest models with state-of-the-art features. From self-parking and self-driving to virtual reality displays, today’s cars and trucks showcase cutting-edge technology that pushes "the frontiers of capability," organizers said.

>> Learn more about the Denver Auto Show here.

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Denver BBQ Fest

When: Sept. 17 to 19

Where: Empower Field at Mile High, 1701 Bryant Street

Tickets: Admission is free on Friday evening (beginning at 5 p.m.), Saturday and Sunday (beginning at 10 a.m.), but for an elevated experience, VIP lounge tickets and all-you-can-eat Pit Passes are available here.

Traditionally held on Father’s Day Weekend, the new fall dates will bring together pitmasters from Denver and around the nation to serve award-winning barbecue. Attendees can also enjoy live music, cold beer, refreshments, barbecue tutorials and demonstrations; as well as games and activities for people of all ages. Attendees will be able to listen to great music and purchase barbecue from some of the most iconic pitmasters and restaurants across the country.

>> Learn more about the Denver BBQ Fest here.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

• When: Sept. 25 and 26
• Where: Sloan's Lake Park, near West 17th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard
• Tickets: N/A

The festival will celebrate the ancient Chinese sport of dragon boat racing in 2021 — the Year of the Ox. The event will include demonstrations, performances and cultural activities.

>> Learn more about the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival here.