Consider this your ultimate guide to fall arts and cultural events in Denver. As ski season approaches, the city heats up with live performances, exclusive art exhibitions, and citywide festivals.
From the Golden Triangle Creative District to the street art in RiNo and the dozens of local galleries in the Santa Fe Art District, creative energy is everywhere. With concerts, plays, and festivals citywide, Denver offers plenty of ways to warm up before the first snowfall.
Theater
‘Misery,’ Arvada Center
When: Through Oct. 11
Stephen King’s 1987 novel “Misery” hits the stage like a sledgehammer—literally. What happens when a celebrated author wakes up after a roadside accident and finds himself in a superfan’s remote cabin will send chills down your spine.
Kathy Bates won an Oscar for the film adaptation. Arvada Center’s production stars Geoffrey Kent as author Paul Sheldon and Jacque Wilke as the obsessive Annie Wilkes. The production is already getting raves, with Onstage Colorado writing, “Check out ‘Misery’ for a top-notch production that may just have you shopping for new snow tires this fall.”
‘The Tempest,’ Denver Center for the Performing Arts
When: Oct. 2 – Nov. 1
A storm is brewing, and for once, it’s not because of global warming. Denver Center for the Performing Arts takes on Shakespeare’s last play, “The Tempest,” changing the central character of Prospero to Prospera, with Jacqueline Antaramian as the exiled island sorceress.
Director Chris Coleman infuses the production with jazz standards, using music as a magical element that transcends its 16th-century Mediterranean setting.
“Hopefully the magic will be the discovery of this story coming to you—the music making it feel more accessible, and the play allowing you to find the compassion in your own heart,” says Coleman. “That’s something we can all benefit from.”
‘One of the Good Ones,’ Curious Theatre Company
When: Nov. 12 – Dec. 13
Curious Theatre Company celebrates its 29th season centered around one question: Who are we to each other?
Gloria Calderón Kellett’s “One of the Good Ones” follows Yoli, who’s excited to introduce her boyfriend to the family. But not everyone is thrilled at his arrival. In a nod to Norman Lear’s sitcoms (Kellett co-created Netflix’s reboot of “One Day at a Time”), expect plenty of laughs with an undercurrent of social commentary.
“Being a daughter, being a parent, those are all universal themes,” Kellett told San Diego’s Downtown News when the play opened at The Old Globe Theatre, adding that “It’s very important for me to show a Latino family of means. We never get to see that in the theater.”
Art
Robischon Gallery
When: Through Oct. 31
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Robischon Gallery continues to raise the bar on Denver’s art scene, with seven exhibitions per year. This fall is no exception, with four artists’ work in conversation throughout the gallery space. Currently on display:
“Tom Judd: Interrupted Landscape” – The artist’s multi-faceted technique, including paint, collage, and drippy brushstrokes, gives new meaning to the landscape of the American West.
“John Buck: New + Review” – The sculptor’s symbolist abstract figures of jelutong wood and bronze, along with a new series of ink-on-wood landscape drawings, offer an unexpected interpretation of familiar objects.
“David Hytone: The Other End of the Telescope” – Creating collage paintings built around memory and identity, Hytone often incorporates theatrical references or juxtaposes non sequitur references to engage the viewer.
“Stephen Batura: Still Point” – Returning for his eighth exhibition at Robischon Gallery, Batura’s large-scale works often incorporate early 20th-century photography and, in this collection, reflect on the aftermath of specific disasters.
‘The Place of Flowers: Works by Daisy Patton,’ Denver Botanic Gardens
When: Through Jan. 31, 2027
Discover more than fall foliage at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Its expansive mission also includes world-class art exhibitions.
This fall, “The Place of Flowers: Works by Daisy Patton” repurposes vintage photos through archival printing and colorful oil paints.
“This is what fuels my work, thinking about what I hope my work does out in the world, outside the studio,” Patton told Twirl. “I make work about connection and care, about story-carrying and memory and how to embrace our shared humanity and dream of better futures.”
Also opening this fall at the Gardens is a unique collection of botanical illustrations, “Curious Companions: Fungi, Parasites and Carnivores,” and “Realm of Wonder: Izumi Yokoyama,” an exhibition of nocturnal ink drawings and sculptures.
‘DIVA,’ Denver Art Museum
When: Oct. 4, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027
The Denver Art Museum rolls out the red carpet for “DIVA.” Over 200 objects and costumes, along with immersive audio installations, will welcome visitors into the world of some of the entertainment industry’s most prolific women.
The exhibition originated at London’s V&A Museum, with the Denver dates as the only U.S. venue showcasing the collection. Divided into two major sections, “Act I” traces the history of the diva, with nods to opera, theater, music, and film icons like Maria Callas, Sarah Bernhardt, Josephine Baker, and Marilyn Monroe.
“Act II” spotlights our modern-day favorites, from Beyoncé and Dolly Parton to the phenomenon of Taylor Swift, including two costumes from her “The Life of a Showgirl” tour.
“The story of sisterhood runs throughout the exhibition, which is both subtle and powerful. Throughout the years, female performers have stood together and raised one another up,” says Jill D’Alessandro, Director of the Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion and organizing curator. “Collectively, through invincible female vitality they have improved the lives of women around the world. They are our champions.”
Music
Doja Cat: Tour Ma Vie World Tour, Ball Arena
When: Oct. 8
Doja Cat hits the road after releasing her fifth studio album, “Vie.” Denver’s Ball Arena is one of her first stops on the North American leg of the tour, which also features Latto.
The pair will likely perform “Okayyy,” a collaboration from Latto’s new album, “Big Mama,” but when Doja Cat takes the stage solo, all bets are off. Expect pop beats with an 80s vibe, and the costumes to match.
Zac Brown Band, Red Rocks
When: Oct. 19-20
For almost 25 years, the Zac Brown Band has brought country rock to fans worldwide, but the picturesque Red Rocks Amphitheater show is one not to miss.
Featuring special guest Grace Potter, the two-night engagement sold out quickly, but VIP and premium tickets are still available for those with deep pockets, and a waitlist remains open for regular admission.
‘Home Alone’ in concert, Colorado Symphony
When: Nov. 27-29
A holiday classic reimagined, the Colorado Symphony under the direction of conductor Christopher Dragon brings “Home Alone” to life with a screening accompanied by a live orchestra playing John Williams’ memorable score.
For an extra treat, the symphony’s HalfNotes program welcomes families with children to the Bach Room of Boettcher Concert Hall for pre-show activities tailored to each concert.
Comedy
The Paramount
When: various dates
Built in 1930, the Paramount’s “Zig Zag Art Deco” provides the perfect backdrop for big-name comedy acts. The 1,865-seat venue features an ornate lobby, cut-glass chandeliers, and a recognizable neon marquee for headliners, including an impressive fall lineup:
Leslie Jones: I’m Hot Tour (Oct. 3) – As proven by her podcast, The Fckry with co-host Lenny Marcus, nothing is off limits for Leslie Jones. The comedian spent five years on “Saturday Night Live,” and her recent TV special, “Life Part 2,” is on Peacock for a taste of what audiences can experience live at the Paramount.
Nikki Glaser: The Stunning Tour (Oct. 16-18) – Anyone who saw Nikki Glaser on “The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady” knows that Glaser’s wit can take down any room. Her fifth filmed special, “Good Girl,” premiered on Hulu earlier this year, and the comedian is now back on the road with her self-described “shockingly honest, no-holds-barred style.”
Fred Armisen: Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome (Oct. 30) – Who says musicians aren’t funny? Armisen led the 8G Band on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” for a decade in addition to his film and TV credits, including “Portlandia” and his hit IFC show “Documentary Now.” Expect laughs and guitar licks.
Festivals
Great American Beer Festival
When: Oct. 10-11
Colorado’s craft beer is defying a national trend, increasing production by nearly 10% in 2025. Beer lovers will unite this October for the Great American Beer Festival. The two-day event features over 200 breweries, including Centennial State award-winning favorites like Cannonball Creek Brewing Company and Prost Brewing Co.
No beer festival is complete without entertainment. The Mile High Stage will feature rocker Low Cut Connie on Oct. 10 and the soul-folk-indie rock duo Próxima Parada on Oct. 11.
Denver Film Festival
When: Oct. 22 – Nov. 1
Over 40,000 attendees descend upon the Mile High City for the Denver Film Festival, now in its 49th year.
As of press time, the full lineup had not yet been announced, but the festival’s Instagram page revealed its Colorado Spotlight selections—films made locally or with Colorado connections. One to watch is “The Ascent,” a gripping documentary about Colorado mountain climber Mandy Horvath, a bilateral amputee attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, and the mystery behind the circumstances that left her without both legs at age 21.
Denver Arts Week
When: Nov. 6-15
Ten days of cultural events and offers take over Denver, encouraging locals and visitors alike to experience Denver’s arts scene—the perfect capstone to any Denver fall arts and culture guide.
First Friday Art Walks (Nov. 6) kick off the celebration, with expanded participation in neighborhoods across the city. Sixteen museums will participate in Free Night at the Museums, with venues staying open until 10 p.m., and free shuttles transporting participants between exhibits. Deals, discounts, and free events throughout the 10 days include a free improv class, discounts to “Celestia” at St. John’s Cathedral, and more.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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