Summer Event Line Up

Major Events

Some of the most exciting events only come around once a year. Every month, you can find a festival or activity that makes a great day trip.

Aurora Fest
Where: 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
When: June 13

Aurora Fest is the city’s signature multicultural celebration, bringing together the sights, sounds, and flavors of cultures from around the world. Now in its 12th year, this free, family-friendly event features live music and dancing on two stages, international food trucks, a global marketplace, the Parade of Nations, and cultural art and fashion showcases that reflect Aurora’s diversity.

Arapahoe County Fair
Where: 25690 E Quincy Ave
When: July 23-26

The Arapahoe County Fair is celebrating its 120th year as one of Colorado’s most beloved summer traditions, bringing together classic fair fun and community spirit. Held at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, the event features rodeo action, 4-H livestock shows, live entertainment, carnival rides, and a lively midway filled with games and fair food favorites. With something for all ages, it’s a time-honored celebration of local agriculture, heritage, and summer excitement that continues to bring the community together year after year.

4th of July Spectacular
Where: 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
When: July 4, 6-10pm

Celebrate Independence Day in the heart of Aurora with an evening full of summer fun and community spirit. This free, family-friendly event features live music on two stages, food trucks, craft vendors, and activities for all ages, all leading up to a spectacular 30-minute fireworks show lighting up the night sky at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Aurora Pride
Where: 9898 E. Colfax Ave
When: August 29

Aurora Pride is a vibrant, free community celebration honoring love, identity, and inclusion in the heart of the city. This all-ages festival brings together live music and performances, local vendors and community resources, and welcoming spaces that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and allies. With a block-party atmosphere full of color, connection, and joy, it’s a powerful expression of unity and pride in Aurora.

Farmers Markets

Nothing says summer like a trip to the farmers' market to pick out some fresh produce and unique goods! Aurora has several farmers' markets happening all summer to explore.

Southlands Farmer's Market
Where: 6155 S. Main St
When: Saturdays, May - September

The vendors always have something interesting whether it is locally grown or homemade. This is the ideal place to get super fresh veggies and high-quality items. They offer fresh baked goods, terrific salsa, a wide variety of hot sauces, CBD offerings, kettle corn, and more. For more information, click here.

Mershops Market Days
Where: 14200 E Alameda Ave
When: 3rd and 4th Saturdays of the month

Celebrate summer at the Town Center at Aurora on the 3rd and 4th Saturday of each month, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This lively outdoor market features fresh produce, baked goods, artisan goods, and live music from 11 AM to 1:30 PM. Bring friends and family to shop local, enjoy entertainment, and keep the day going with great deals inside the mall.

Havana Street Night Market
Where: 2802 S. Havana St
When: Last Saturday of the Month, May - September

Through local small businesses, this event will promote and celebrate ethnic variety. You'll find a diverse range of merchants from all over the world selling cuisine, crafts, home goods, art, jewelry, and more. While you shop, enjoy music, dance, and ethnic celebrations!

Rebel Marketplace
Where: 12000 E. 6th Ave
When: 1st and 3rd Saturdays, May - September

Rebel Marketplace is a community-driven farmers market experience held at Del Mar Park and the Hoffman Heights Library. Focused on sustainability and local connection, it features fresh produce, meats, dairy, and artisan goods sourced from nearby growers and makers within a six-mile radius. More than just a market, it’s a vibrant community gathering space that supports small businesses, promotes healthy food access, and offers family-friendly activities.

Live Concerts

Who's ready for a summer filled with local music?

Sounds of Southlands
Where: 6155 S. Main St
When: Thursdays, June - August

Enjoy live music in Town Square alongside refreshing drinks and a variety of great food options, all while taking in performances from some of the city’s most talented musicians. Southlands offers a vibrant outdoor shopping experience with something for everyone, from a movie theater and bookstores to cafes, restaurants, and unique specialty shops. It’s the perfect spot to spend a beautiful day, grab some ice cream, and relax to the sounds of live music.

Dotsero Concert
Where: 2430 S Havana St
When: August 25

Join On Havana Street for a free, high-energy night of live music at The Stampede featuring the acclaimed Colorado jazz group Dotsero. From 7 to 9 p.m., experience their signature “contemporary jazz on the edge” as you dance and unwind in a lively, adults-only setting (21+). It’s the perfect evening to enjoy great music, good company, and the vibrant energy of the Havana corridor.

Denver International Airport: Concerts on the Fly
Where: 8500 Peña Blvd
When: August - September

Live jazz concerts will be held on the outdoor plaza between the terminal and the Westin on various Fridays during the summer. Enjoy this series of free and open-to-the-public events by sitting in provided lounge seats or lying out on the grass-like turf.

Outdoor Activities

Fresh air, sun, trees. Nature is a magical thing, and according to some studies, can have strong healing powers - Get outside and enjoy these outdoor activites.

Catch a Soccer Game
WHERE: 6000 Victory Way

Colorado Rapids games have many electrifying moments packed into one exciting event. The crowd alone is something to see. The madness that you witness here is stimulating. If you're going to an MLS soccer game for the first time, keep an eye out for a bicycle kick. As entertaining as watching the kick on YouTube is, seeing it live is far better.

SOUTHLANDS WINE WALK
Where: 6155 S. Main St
When: June and September

Sip, stroll, and savor the season at the Southlands Wine Walk, a favorite event created especially for wine lovers. Explore a variety of wine tastings from tent to tent while enjoying friendly conversation, laughter, and chances to win fun prizes. With many shops open and offering special promotions, it’s the perfect summer evening to sip, shop, and unwind.

Wright's Amusements: Summer Carnival
Where: 14200 E. Alameda Ave
When: June 19 - July 5

Get ready for bright lights, big laughs, and nonstop excitement when Wright’s Summer Carnival comes to Town Center at Aurora! Enjoy a classic carnival experience with thrilling rides, family-friendly attractions, games, and all your favorite fair food. Bring your friends and family and make unforgettable summer memories under the lights!

Saddle Up at 12 Mile Stables
Where: 5547 S. Parker Rd

Discover the Colorado wilderness in a new way at 12 Mile Stables, located within Cherry Creek State Park. Visitors can enjoy more than 3,000 acres of open space while riding along 27 miles of riding routes, which are open all year. Riders can choose their own adventure with one to two hour-long rides in various regions of the state park, making it ideal for groups. For reservations, click here.

Cheap & Free Things to Do

If you're seeking free things to do in town, these free attractions are a great place to start.

Experience Nature at Plains Conservation Center

Experience Colorado’s prairie landscape at the Plains Conservation Center, where visitors can explore wide-open grasslands, historic homestead sites, and native wildlife in a peaceful natural setting. Walk scenic trails, tour authentic 1800s-style prairie cabins, or join interpretive programs like guided nature walks, birdwatching sessions, and hands-on educational activities that highlight the region’s ecology and pioneer history. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with Colorado’s past and present while spotting wildlife and enjoying the beauty of the high plains.

Admire the street art

Colfax Canvas is a public art initiative that transforms East Colfax Avenue into an open-air gallery filled with vibrant murals and creative installations. Each piece reflects the culture, history, and diversity of the surrounding communities. The artwork is accessible throughout the day and spread across public spaces, making it an easy self-guided art experience.

Walk the Cherry Creek Trail

The Cherry Creek Regional Trail is a scenic 40-mile trail that connects suburban and rural Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, including the cities of Parker, Centennial, and Franktown, and begins in downtown Denver. You can jog, cycle, run, or simply stroll along any stretch of the path while taking in the varied scenery and terrain. Discover our other favorite trails in Aurora here.

VISIT The Aurora History Museum

The Aurora History Museum showcases the region's rich and diverse stories. This summer, visitors can explore “Unsung Heroes of WWII,” highlighting the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen, Navajo Code Talkers, Women Airforce Service Pilots, and Japanese American Nisei soldiers, along with “Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora’s Filipino Community,” which celebrates the heritage and impact of Aurora’s Filipino residents. With interactive displays and locally focused storytelling, the museum offers a meaningful look into the people and events that shaped the community.

Looking for more events in Aurora? Check out Visit Aurora’s Events Page