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- 🥢 Don’t Miss Denver’s Biggest Night Market of the Season!
🥢 Don’t Miss Denver’s Biggest Night Market of the Season!
Food, DJs, art, culture, and a summer night under the lights at Civic Center Park—don’t miss this coming Friday’s FREE celebration.
What's Happenin' Denver
May 14, 2025
Civic Center NIGHT MARKET x AAPI Culture Fest Lands Friday Night
Hey Denver!
We’re halfway through the week, but let’s be real—all eyes are on Friday. Why? Because Civic Center Park is about to transform into a full-on night market and cultural celebration for one epic evening. Picture this: street food, art installations, live performances, DJs, cold drinks, and 10 immersive cultural hubs honoring AAPI Heritage Month. It’s the kickoff to summer nights in Denver—and trust us, you won’t want to miss this one. Let’s break it down 👇
🏞️ Mile High Trivia
Denver has the largest population of which AAPI community in Colorado? |
Answer at the bottom!
Civic Center NIGHT MARKET x AAPI Culture Fest
📍 Civic Center Park | ⏰ Friday, May 16 | 5–10 PM | 🎟️ Free Entry
This is not your average market—it’s a whole experience. As part of AAPI Heritage Month, this Friday’s NIGHT MARKET brings the vibrant cultures of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities into the spotlight. Expect:
🍱 Food Galore – From dim sum to lumpia to fusion bites, over 80 food and retail vendors are popping up across the park.
🎭 Cultural Hubs – Explore interactive spaces like Chinatown, Little Saigon, Filipino Barrio, Japan Square, and more—each one packed with hands-on activities, games, and stories from across Colorado’s AAPI communities.
🎨 Art Showcase + Pop-Up Auction – Head to the McNichols Building for an exhibit of local AAPI artists. You can even place a bid at the 8:30 PM auction—proceeds support the artists and future cultural programs.
🍹 Drinks + DJs – Two bars are serving up craft cocktails and beers with a cultural twist, while local AAPI DJs keep the vibes flowing at the Greek Theater.
🧘♀️ Family-friendly, bike-friendly, and totally free—this is how summer Fridays in Denver should feel.
💻 Full vendor list, parking/transit info, and more at civiccenterpark.org
🌮 Lunchtime Plans? EATS Is Back!
 | 📍 Civic Center Park | ⏰ Tuesdays–Thursdays, 11 AM–2 PM (May 14–June 26) | 🎟️ Free Entry – Just pay for your food Your favorite lunch break tradition is back for spring! Civic Center EATS is serving up a rotating lineup of local food trucks every week, turning Civic Center Park into a midweek foodie fest. It’s a great excuse to step outside, support small businesses, and taste your way through Denver’s food scene. Bonus: proceeds benefit the Civic Center Conservancy, so every bite supports a good cause. 🍴 No EATS May 28–29, but otherwise, come hungry! |
🌆 Mile High Happenings
Wednesday, May 14 🆓 Free Events 🧵 Chess Night📍 Woods Boss Brewing | ⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Wednesday) 🧵 Open Mic Comedy📍 Wide Right | ⏰ 8:30 PM – 1:30 AM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Wednesday) 🧵 Mile High Roundup📍 Mile High Spirits | ⏰ 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Wednesday) 🧵 Punk Rock Trivia Night📍 Bowman’s Vinyl & Lounge | ⏰ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Wednesday) Baby Goat Nights📍 New Terrain Brewing Co | ⏰ 5:00 PM | 🎟️ Free 🎟️ Ticketed Events Being Dead📍 Lost Lake Lounge | ⏰ 8:00 PM Rilo Kiley📍 Red Rocks Amphitheatre | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $55+ Peter Bjorn and John📍 The Bluebird Theater | ⏰ 8:00 PM Chaos & Carnage 2025📍 Fillmore Auditorium | ⏰ 4:00 PM Singing Bowl Workshop📍 Denver Botanic Gardens | ⏰ 5:30 PM | 🎟️ $43 Dana Landry Trio📍 Nocturne | ⏰ 6:00 PM | 🎟️ $26–$98 Holly Channell w/ Dawn Clement & Brad Goode📍 Dazzle | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $15–$25 Miro Quartet & Steven Banks📍 2344 E. Iliff Ave. | ⏰ 7:30 PM | 🎟️ $5–$50 | Thursday, May 15 🆓 Free Events 🧵 Geeks Who Drink Trivia📍 Jagged Mountain Brewery | ⏰ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Thursday) 🧵 Trivia Night @ Waldschänke📍 Waldschänke Ciders | ⏰ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Thursday) 🎟️ Ticketed Events Katy Perry📍 Ball Arena | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $80–$388+ Gang Of Four📍 Gothic Theatre | ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎟️ $35–$40 Ramirez📍 The Bluebird Theater | ⏰ 8:00 PM Kaleta & Super Yamba Band📍 2700 Arapahoe St | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $30–$55 Handmade Paper from Foraged Mushrooms📍 Denver Botanic Gardens | ⏰ 5:30 PM | 🎟️ $43 Joe Anderies Quintet ft. Gabriel Santiago📍 Dazzle | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $25–$35 Mike Cannon📍 Comedy Works South | ⏰ 7:30 PM | 🎟️ $20–$30 The Toxhards📍 Lost Lake | ⏰ 8:00 PM | 🎟️ $18+ Peter Sommer Trio📍 Nocturne | ⏰ 6:00 PM | 🎟️ $26–$98 |
👋 That’s the midweek scoop, Denver!
Make your Friday plans now—Civic Center NIGHT MARKET is the move. And if you’re downtown during lunch, don’t sleep on EATS (your stomach will thank you). 💬 Got an event, opening, or announcement? Hit reply and let us know—we might feature it in the next issue. ’Til next time, The What’s Happenin’ Denver Team 🧠 Answer: A. Vietnamese – Denver’s Vietnamese community has deep roots and plays a big role in shaping the city’s cultural landscape. |
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