Called a “celebration of all things art in the Mile High City”, Denver Arts Week is an opportunity to explore the creative and artistic forces within the city. Beginning November 1 and ending November 9, it’s a week packed with discounts on admissions, shows, and memberships on over 300 events at a variety of art galleries, museums, theaters, concert halls, and more. 

Nov. 1: The nine-day event commenced with First Friday Art Walks, where local art galleries across Denver offered discounted admission prices. Some of the galleries included were the Art District of Santa Fe, Olde Town Arvada, and 40 West Arts District. 

Nov. 2: Day two of Denver Arts Week was dubbed “Free Night at the Museums”, for which over 12 museums, including the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Museum of Art, stayed open late to offer free admission between 5 pm and 10 pm. Not only that, but free shuttle rides were given by buses on four different routes, each to a different combination of museums. 

Also on Saturday, the Ballet Hispanico dazzled audiences in the Lakewood Cultural Center. A New-York based troupe, America’s leading Latino dance organization was a powerful force on the Lakewood stage. 

Nov. 3-9: During the week, there are many other opportunities for unique experiences and deep discounts at places including the Molly Brown House, the Denver Performing Arts Center, the Clyfford Still Museum, and the Adams Mystery Playhouse. With the Denver Arts Week promo code (found on their website), you can even get 15% off tickets to Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker, and get free admission to the Dia de Los Muertos exhibit at the Longmont Museum. A complete list can be found on the Denver Arts Week website. 

Nov. 7: At the Daniels and Fisher Tower in Denver’s Theatre District, a new permanent display of billboard-sized outdoor art is to be introduced on day seven of Denver Arts Week. The “Night Lights” will be projected on the side of the tower and will feature a variety of local artists.

Nov. 9: The final day of the event observes the launch of Denver Fashion Week, Colorado’s largest fashion showcase. Back again for its third year, the event allows for new designers and new ideas to be displayed on an increasingly notable platform.

While meant to inspire Denver’s inhabitants to delve into the Mile High City’s creative, cultural scene, Denver Arts Week is also meant to support and market businesses that are part of that scene – just as cold weather starts to slow their success. And so it benefits both the buyers and businesses, many of which are local. 

With a variety of events to fit the preferences of any variety of people, Denver Arts Week is a unique part of Colorado culture. It is a commemoration of the diversity and artistry of Denver, an expression of what our city means to its inhabitants, and a representation of all we, as a community, have to offer. As such, it’s certainly worth checking out.