Event Calendar Aug/Sept 2023

Looking to fill your social calendar? We've got the rundown on what to do this season.

“agriCULTURE: Art Inspired by the Land” Exhibit

June 10–Jan. 7

A collaborative, contemporary art exhibit created by the Longmont Museum and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, “agriCULTURE: Art Inspired by the Land,” pairs more than 15 local and national artists with farmers throughout Boulder County to create three site-specific, new visual works. The exhibit draws on the expertise of farmers and the inspiration of nature and invites visitors to examine their own connections to the land and natural world. $8 adults; $5 students/seniors; free for children three and under. Daily. Longmont Museum & Cultural Center, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont. longmontcolorado.gov. 

Read to Rover

Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

Recommended for grades K and up, reading to a therapy dog can help your child build reading fluency and confidence. Free. No registration required. 4–5pm. Louisville Public Library, 951 Spruce St., Louisville. louisvilleco.gov.

One Man, Two Guvnors: By Richard Bean

Aug. 2, 3, 6, 9, 10 & 13

Brighton, England. The swinging 60s. Hilarity and hijinks ensue when Francis Henshall, fired from a skiffle band and in search of new work, finds himself employed by a woman (posing as her mobster brother) and by her boyfriend (who is hiding from that brother). How long can Francis keep them apart? Featuring live music and uproarious fun, Richard Bean’s adaptation of “The Servant of Two Masters” delivers a fresh spin on a farcical commedia classic. Since 1958, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has delighted audiences with professional theatre on the CU Boulder campus. Ticket prices and showtimes vary. University Theatre Building, 261 University of Colorado, Boulder. cupresents.org.

Summer Farmfest Music Evenings at Sunflower Farm

Aug. 2, 9, 11 & 18, Sept. 8, 15 & 29, Oct. 6

We want to offer local musicians and the community an amazing musical venue where bands play outside on the farm, surrounded by free-range chickens and screeching peacocks and children laughing and playing! Food trucks will also be available on all evenings, as well as our friend of the farm drink cart, Palo Coffee & Bar selling refreshing non-alcoholic drinks and snow cones. Bring your family, chairs/blankets and listen to some fantastic local bands. $27/person. 4–8pm. Sunflower Park, 11150 Prospect Road, Longmont. sunflowerfarminfo.com.

Picnic on the Plaza

Aug. 3, 10 & 17

Bring your picnic lunch and something to sit on, and join us at Picnic on the Plaza, featuring free, live music on the lawn. Each week will feature a different musician to please a variety of tastes, including 5 Foot Betty, Graciela Alvarado and Dave and Diane. Free. 12–1pm. Festival Plaza, 311 S. Public Road, Lafayette. lafayetteco.gov. 

Yappy Hour

Aug. 4

Yappy Hour serves as a haven for four-legged companions and their devoted owners to meet, bond and revel in the shared love for dogs. This event will include sniffing introductions, spirited games of fetch, infectious canine smiles and much more. Join us on 13th Street, Boulder as we celebrate the unbreakable bond between humans and their beloved furry companions. Remember, cats drool and dogs rule! Free. 2–5pm. boulderdowntown.com.

Louisville Street Faire

Aug. 4

The Louisville Street Faire presents DJ Williams, the young guitarist who has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with John Legend, Dave Matthews Band, John Oates, Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, Big Daddy Kane, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Soulive, Levon Helm, Slightly Stoopid, Robert Randolph, Slick Rick and many, many more. There is excellent food, cold drinks, lots of children’s activities, quality arts, crafts and sundries. Free. 5:30–9:30pm. Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street., Louisville. downtownlouisvilleco.com/street-faire. 

King Lear: By William Shakespeare

Aug. 4, 5, 9, 11 & 12

An aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, proportionally by who professes to love him most. His plotting comes to catastrophe and sees him cast from his own kingdom. Shakespeare’s tumultuous tragedy explores speaking truth to power, the cost of grievous mistakes and whether it’s ever too late for redemption. Since 1958, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival has delighted audiences with professional theatre on the CU Boulder campus. Complete your Colorado summer with Shakespeare under the stars in the historic Mary Rippon Outdoor Theatre—complimentary seatbacks included. Ticket prices and showtimes vary. Hellems Arts and Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder. cupresents.org.

First Friday Market

Aug. 4, Sept. 1 & Oct. 6

The First Friday Market aims to provide a fun, diverse, family event to Boulder County residents and visitors, by bringing together hundreds of talented artists, farmers, musicians, chefs, makers and entrepreneurs for a fun block party vibe. The market is an expansion of the monthly NoBo Art District First Fridays event (May through October) and will highlight local artists, makers, food trucks and creative entrepreneurs as well as dozens of artists in residence at KAF and Lee Hill, often known as the “Emerald City,” where the First Friday Market is held. Various locations in the Emerald Warehouse area, Boulder. noboartdistrict.org.

Creatures of the Creek

Aug. 5

Join Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Sam Peterson and Lafayette naturalist, Martin Ogle, for a fascinating morning of discovering the life of Coal Creek. Find the fish, inspect the insects, binocular the birds and mind the mammals! Lots of hands-on exploration as well as expert guidance provided to help you become familiar with the beautiful Coal Creek corridor. Ages 5 and older. Registration required. 10am–12pm. Coal Creek, at the end of Centaur Village Dr., Lafayette. lafayetteco.gov.

Art Market 

Aug. 5–6

Metamorphosis Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery is hosting a lovely indoor/outdoor art market loaded with a variety of local artisans. There will be all varieties of artforms present from paint, ceramics, illustration, clothing, leatherwork, resin and more, as well as musicians each day. There will be no tattooing during the event, but it’s a great opportunity to meet and greet our tattooists. We will have a raffle for free tattoos up to a $500 value and will be having a DIY tie dye party. Free. 11am–5pm. Metamorphosis Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery, 304 B Main St., Lyons. lyonscreativedistrict.org.

Louisville Farmer’s Market

Aug. 5, 12, 19 & 26–Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30

The Louisville Farmers Market seeks to support Colorado farms and businesses by providing Louisville and surrounding communities with a dynamic and inviting market that is beneficial to both its vendors and customers by emphasizing the importance of buying local products. It offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisan breads, honey, coffee, baked goods, fresh salsas, pastas, natural body care, cheese and much more to this wonderful community. Free. 9am–1pm. Steinbaugh Pavilion, 824 Front Street., Louisville. realfarmersmarketco.com/louisville-farmers-market.

Boulder Social Streets: Boulder Street Soccer Classic

Aug. 13

The Boulder Street Soccer Classic (BSSC) is a first of its kind for the city of Boulder! During this one-day street soccer tournament (featuring youth and adult brackets), teams will compete 5v5 on small street courts in friendly play to see who will be crowned the first BSSC Champion. With vendors, food trucks and DJs, it’s sure to be a day of fútbol fun. Free. 10am–8pm. Boulder Civic Plaza, 1770 13th St., Boulder. boulderdowntown.com. 

Ollin Farms Farm Dinners

Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 7 & Oct. 14

Join Ollin Farms for a unique farm-to-table four course meal of delicious vegetables and locally sourced meats, enjoyed next to the beautiful cottonwoods of Left Hand Creek. This season, they’re partnering with local chefs from The Magic Food Bus, Roots and La Vita Bella and featuring various musical guests. $90/person. Times vary. Reservations required. Ollin Farms, 8627 North 95th St., Longmont. ollinfarms.com.

Melanin Funk Festival

Aug. 25

The 2023 Melanin Funk Festival will be a vibrant celebration of Black culture and community in the heart of downtown Boulder. All are welcome to enjoy an evening of fun on 13th Street, Boulder, featuring live music, renowned artists/local groups, food and drinks. This will be an event like no other! Free. 6–9pm. boulderdowntown.com.

pARTiculars Art Gallery’s Annual Owner’s Show

Sept. 1 – Oct. 31

PARTiculars, established in 2008, is Lafayette’s premier cooperative art gallery and teaching studio, owned and operated by 40-plus local artists proudly showcasing fine art in various media. The annual Owner’s Show, which celebrates 15 years, will showcase new pieces for the owner’s exhibit, entitled “Enduring.” The artists’ reception will be held during the gallery’s September Art Night Out event on Sept. 8, 4–8:30pm. The Art Night Out event fills Lafayette’s Public Road with art, food and entertainment. 401 South Public Road, Lafayette. particularsart.com.

Colorado Mountain Half Marathon Series: Ned Ned Run

Sept. 9

Embark on your journey by winding through Old Town Nederland, the epitome of Colorado mountain towns. The Half Marathon will take you on dirt roads and single-track trails as you challenge yourself to be “a little more extreme” and immerse yourself in the history and beauty of the area. 5K and 10K runs will also be held. This long-time race is family friendly, and you are welcome to run with your dog on leash in the 5K ONLY. Costumes are encouraged! Registration required. 8am–12pm. 151 East St., Nederland. nednedrun.com.

Chili and Beer Fest

Sept. 9

The Town of Superior and the Rotary Club of Boulder Valley are once again hosting the town’s biggest event of the year. This year’s event features Colorado’s best funk band, food trucks (selling non-chili items), beer, cider and seltzer sampling from local breweries, a Ninja-Warrior themed kids’ zone, dunk tank, local vendors and much, much more. There will also be free chili samples and a hot chili competition from regional and local community cooks, businesses, restaurants and organizations. Ticket prices vary. 2–6pm. Community Park, 1350 Coalton Road, Superior. superiorcolorado.gov.

Erie Air Fair 

Sept. 10

This event is free to the community and is used to showcase the Erie Air Park. This event will include airplanes on static display, food trucks, bands, vendors and a bounce house. Free. 11am–3pm. Erie Municipal Airport. erieco.gov.

Jaipur Literature Festival 2023

Sept. 21–23

In January 2023, the 16th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival took place in the Pink City of Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was a resounding success, highlighting the power of words and ideas through a remarkable lineup of speakers. Experience the exhilarating energy of the Jaipur Festival as it makes its grand return to Boulder this year. Join us in celebrating the beauty of the Rockies and prairies, as well as the vibrant energy, excitement and intellect of Boulder. At JLF Colorado 2023, experience our hallmark camaraderie, a caravan of ideas and the enchanting flow of conversations. Get ready for a truly unparalleled festival! Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder. jlflitfest.org.

Boulder Fall Fest

Sept. 22–24

A three-day autumn festival featuring local food, a beer/wine/cocktail garden, live music, children’s activities and more. Plus, enjoy 100+ artisans in Firefly Handmade Markets’ Fall Show on the one-and-only Pearl Street Mall. Sponsored by Eldora Mountain Resort, this year’s Family Activities include free bounce attractions on the Boulder County Courthouse Lawn. Parents can grab a drink and some food and hang out on the lawn while their kids enjoy the bounce house, giant slide and inflatable obstacle course. Free. Pearl Street Mall, Boulder. boulderdowntown.com.

Oktoberfest Presented by Longmont Humane Society

Sept. 23

Party with your friends and neighbors at this community festival with a global vibe! Oktoberfest at Thompson Park will offer a fun mix of artisan goods, food, drinks and live music for a variety of tastes. Welcome to the stage Gasoline Lollipops, Better Sensory Perception, Quemando Salsa, High Lonesome and more. Proceeds benefit Longmont Humane Society. Ticket prices vary. 11am–7pm. Thompson Park, 9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont. longmonthumane.org.