Denver weekend guide: UMS 2024, Dragon Boat Festival, Kenny Chesney
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Beach Fossils perform at the 2024 Governors Ball. Photo: Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images
This weekend: Attend Denver's largest music festival, watch boat races at Sloan's Lake Park or see Kenny Chesney in concert.
1. 🎵 Underground Music Showcase
Beach Fossils, Tkay Maidza, and Amyl and the Sniffers are headlining this year's Underground Music Showcase.
Why it matters: In Denver, music festivals don't get bigger or better than the UMS, the city's longest-running event of its kind since it first kicked off in 2001.
What's new: Organizers are introducing a new mental wellness initiative for festival-goers.
- Resources include one-on-one support, wellness pop-up activations for artists, affirmations on the UMS app, sober spaces and sober bars.
What they're saying: "It's crucial to foster a culture where mental health struggles are openly embraced in the music community," Danielle Lumpkin, wellness manager with UMS, said in a statement.
- "We hope to create such a culture and provide resources for folks to thrive at the festival and beyond."
What to expect: Hundreds of musicians will perform on four outdoor stages and at 10 venues along the Broadway business district. Map
When: 4pm–2am tomorrow; 2pm–2am Saturday and Sunday.
If you go: Download the UMS app for details, announcements and the most up-to-date schedule.
2. 🍻 Final Fridays
- Celebrate the last Friday of the month by dancing to DJ sets and enjoying live entertainment and food and drink specials on Larimer Square, 4–8pm tomorrow.
3. 🐲 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
- This free two-day event at Sloan's Lake Park features dragon boat races, dozens of Asian cuisine vendors, a marketplace, and live performances on three stages. Details
- When: Races begin 8am Saturday and Sunday.
- If you go: There is no parking onsite. Free shuttle service is available from MSU's Auraria campus.
4. 🎵 Kenny Chesney
- The six-time Grammy nominee will take the stage 5pm Saturday at Empower Field at Mile High with Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker. Tickets vary
5. 🎭 Wicked
- See this hit Broadway musical live at Buell Theatre before the movie comes out later this year. Tickets start at $45
- Dates: Tonight through Aug. 25.