Memorial Day Weekend Itinerary in Aurora, Colorado

Whether you spend the weekend honoring Memorial Day traditions, discovering Aurora’s food scene, or simply soaking up the start of summer, this itinerary offers a little bit of everything that makes Aurora unique. From community celebrations to hidden local gems, Memorial Day weekend is one of the best times to experience the city.

Friday, May 22nd

Kick off Memorial Day weekend with dinner at Stanley Marketplace, one of the most unique gathering spots in the Denver metro area. Built inside a former aviation factory, Stanley Marketplace blends restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, boutiques, and patios into one massive community hub. (As you explore, see if you can figure out what the factory was once famous for inventing!)

For dinner, grab:

• Wood-fired comfort food at Annette
• Empanadas from Maria Empanada
• Tacos made with homemade tortillas (and chapulines for the adventurous) at Molino Chido

After dinner, head to Vintage Theatre for the 7:30 p.m. opening night performance of Ain’t Nothing But The Blues, a vibrant musical tracing the evolution of blues music from Africa to America through powerful performances and storytelling. If you can’t make opening night, the show runs every weekend through June 21. The theater also offers drinks for purchase, so you can sip on a cocktail or glass of wine while enjoying the performance.

Saturday, May 23rd

Saturday is the heart of Memorial Day weekend in Aurora, and there’s no better place to spend it than the Colorado Freedom Memorial. The memorial is one of the only memorials in the country dedicated to fallen military members from every war tied to a single state.

During Memorial Day weekend, the memorial hosts its annual “Colorado Remembers” ceremony. This year’s event also celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood. It’s one of the most meaningful Memorial Day events happening anywhere in the Denver metro area this weekend.

Event Schedule:

• 8–10 a.m. — Pancake breakfast and musical performance by The Victory Three
• 10–11:30 a.m. — Remembrance Ceremony
• 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. — Static military displays and memorial tours

If you have time before or after the ceremony, or just want a slower-paced morning, check out the Southlands Farmers Market happening from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here you can shop small local vendors offering organic, pesticide-free produce, fresh dairy products, delicious baked goods, salsas, honey, and more! It's a perfect spot to grab a unique gift for any Memorial Day celebrations you may be attending later.

After a reflective morning at the memorial, spend the afternoon exploring one of Aurora’s most vibrant cultural corridors. 

Head over to Havana Street for a late lunch or early dinner. Since May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it’s the perfect time to support Aurora’s incredible AAPI-owned restaurants. Shin Myung Gwan Korean BBQ is perfect for small and large groups. The restaurant features tabletop grills where guests can cook premium cuts like marinated short ribs, pork belly, and bulgogi to their liking. The extensive menu also offers traditional dishes such as bibimbap, kimchi stew, and spicy tteokbokki with ramen. Each meal is complemented by a variety of banchan (side dishes), enhancing the communal dining experience.

As the evening winds down, stick around Havana Street for karaoke, where you and your crew can belt out everything from power ballads to early-2000s throwbacks in your own private room with no judgment, even if someone insists on singing Bohemian Rhapsody. If you’re more in the mood to mingle, head over to Vanishing West Ciders for Drag Queen Bingo to cap off the night.

Sunday, May 24th

Start your morning back at Stanley Marketplace for the Divine Time Metaphysical Weekend. This two-day event brings together spiritual practitioners, wellness vendors, and interactive experiences, including tarot card readings, aura photography, Reiki and energy work, intuitive sessions, metaphysical shopping, and wellness experiences. Even if you’re just curious, the event creates a fun and unexpected atmosphere throughout the marketplace. Sessions are affordable, and visitors can enter door-prize drawings all weekend long.

After browsing the fair, step outside for one of Aurora’s best Memorial Day food events: the Memorial Day Grill Out at Molino Chido. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Chef Michael Diaz de Leon fires up a special outdoor grill on the patio for a summer kickoff celebration featuring grilled meats, fresh tacos hot off the grill (with their homemade tortillas!), ice-cold cervezas, all on a sunny patio. The smell alone will pull you in from the marketplace before you even spot the grill.

Spend the evening exploring Aurora’s brewery scene with Cheers Aurora! While at Stanley Marketplace, stop into Cheluna Brewing Co. and find the Cheers Aurora poster with this quarter’s keyword. Then continue the brewery crawl with stops at Second Dawn Brewing or Cerebral Brewing to collect even more badges in one evening. If you can't make it out this weekend, you have until the end of June to collect all your badges for this quarter!

Monday, May 25th

After a full weekend of events and exploration, Monday is the perfect time to slow down and reflect.

Start your morning with breakfast at The Common Good. Located inside The Benson Hotel, it’s an easy meeting spot if you have friends or family visiting from out of town and staying at the hotel. Even if you’re not a guest, the restaurant welcomes everyone for breakfast. The menu changes frequently to highlight seasonal ingredients, but the eggs Benedict often remains a year-round standout.

After breakfast, head to Cherry Creek State Park for a peaceful morning walk. The park tends to get busy later in the day, so visiting early in the morning or later in the evening offers a much quieter experience. There’s also a large dog park, making it a great stop if you’re traveling with furry friends.

In the afternoon, explore the art at the Aurora Highlands, including Umi, a 21-foot-tall interactive sculpture. Bring water and sunscreen as you enjoy walking through the art.

Later that evening, wrap up the weekend with West Coast Swing dancing at Stampede. Lessons begin at 6:15 p.m., with different classes offered throughout the evening before open dancing starts at 8:30 p.m. It’s a fun, energetic, and uniquely Colorado way to close out Memorial Day weekend.