🎬 Summer Flicks Under the Stars + Weekend Fun Around Denver

Popcorn, patios, and Shrek under the stars—see where to catch outdoor movies around Denver this weekend (and what makes each venue special).

Summer Flicks Under the Stars

Happy Friday, Denver!

Summer in Denver means movie nights with mountain views, rooftop laughs, and big screens in unexpected places. Whether you’re posting up on a plaza lawn with a cocktail, floating through a drive-in double feature, or watching Shrek 2 with thousands of fans at Red Rocks, the Mile High movie scene is stacked with summertime magic. We’ve got your Friday flicks, venue highlights, and what’s coming next on the reel.

🍻 Mile High Trivia

Which prehistoric creature left behind a 40-foot fossil at Red Rocks Amphitheatre?

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Answer in the outro 👇

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🥾 Denver Hike of the Day: City Park Perimeter Loop

A breezy 4.7 km loop in the heart of the city—great for walking, running, or lazy laps with a leashed pup. It’s low-effort, high-reward with lake views, skyline glimpses, and plenty of people-watching opportunities. Easy and always accessible.

☕ Craving: Sweet Bloom Coffee

Small-batch beans, top-tier pour overs, and a chill vibe that makes you want to linger. Sweet Bloom serves up ethically sourced coffee with serious craft—and yes, the chai and baked goods are as good as they say. Bonus points for gluten-free and vegan treats that actually taste amazing.

🎬 Mile High Movie Magic: Where to Catch an Outdoor Film This Weekend

Outdoor movie season is having a blockbuster summer in Denver. Whether you’re in it for the cult classics, family flicks, or free popcorn under the stars, this city has a spot for every kind of moviegoer. Rooftop screenings, drive-ins, inflatable park setups—you name it, Denver’s got it.

Here’s what’s playing this weekend and where to keep your lawn chair ready:

🍿 What’s Playing This Weekend

🎥 Friday, June 27

Movies at McGregor @ McGregor Square, 5:00 PM – 🎟️ Buy Tickets

Dive-In Movie @ Elitch Gardens, 6:30 PM – 🎟️ Buy Tickets

 Outdoor Movie Night: The Fast and the Furious @ Infinity Park (Glendale), 7:30 PM – 🆓 Free

Movies on the Green: The Wild Robot @ Founders’ Green, 8:45 PM – 🆓 Free

🎥 Saturday, June 28

📍 Top Movie Venues & What Makes Them Special

🎞️ Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Film on the Rocks: A summer tradition. Where else can you watch Legally Blonde with 9,000 fans surrounded by towering red sandstone? Bonus: live music before the show.

🍔 Avanti F&B – Rooftop Nights: Fan-favorite films paired with themed cocktails and Denver skyline views. Great for date night or hanging with the crew. Thursdays through summer.

🛟 Elitch Gardens – Dive-In Movies: Catch a flick while floating in a lazy river. Yes, really. It’s equal parts nostalgic and ridiculous—in the best way.

🚗 88 Drive-In (Commerce City): Old-school triple features from your car. Bring snacks, tune your FM radio, and relive a classic summer vibe.

🍿 Infinity Park (Glendale): Tailgate-style movie nights with food trucks, coolers allowed, and enough space to spread out. Bonus points for the family- and dog-friendly setup.

🌳 Movies on the Green (Central Park): Feel-good Friday nights with concessions that benefit local nonprofits. Chill atmosphere, neighborhood vibes, and a lineup the whole family can enjoy.

🌲 Backcountry Wilderness Area (Littleton): Small-scale, scenic, and all for a cause. These drive-in style screenings support wilderness conservation and include a voter’s choice night.

🔜 Coming Attractions

  • June 30: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory @ Red Rocks

  • July 1: The Greatest Showman @ Sunset Cinema, Sculpture Park

  • July 4: Top Gun Double Feature @ McGregor Square

  • July 7: Legally Blonde @ Red Rocks

  • July 13:The Thing @ Junkyard Social Club, Boulder (Summer Cult Series)

🌆 Mile High Happenings ☀️

Friday, June 27

🆓 Free Events

🧵 Free DJs @ Hapa Sushi📍 Hapa Sushi LoDo | 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Friday & Saturday)

🧵 Happy Hour Gone to the Dogs📍 Spirit Hound Denver | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Friday)

🧵 Poetry Open Mic📍 Mercury Cafe | 9:30 PM – 11:30 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Friday)

🎟️ Ticketed Events

Space Bacon 📍 Meow Wolf Denver | 9:00 PM | 🎟️ $24+
Daniel Allan 📍 Bluebird Theater | 9:00 PM | 🎟️ Price varies
Tracy Lawrence 📍 Paramount Theatre | 8:00 PM | 🎟️ $49.95+
Metallica (Night 1) 📍 Empower Field | 6:00 PM | 🎟️ Price varies

Saturday, June 28

🆓 Free Events

🧵 Free DJs @ Hapa Sushi📍 Hapa Sushi LoDo | 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Friday & Saturday)

🧵 Small Batch Trivia📍 Tapville Social Denver | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Saturday)

🧵 Guided Meditation📍 Great Dharma Chan Monastery | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Saturday)

PRIDE DJ Brunch 📍 The Original | 11:00 AM | 🎟️ Free

🎟️ Ticketed Events

Dirty Heads 📍 Red Rocks | 7:00 PM | 🎟️ $46.50+
Anthony Ruptak Vinyl Release📍 Hi-Dive | 8:00 PM–11:59 PM | 🎟️ Price varies

James McMurtry 📍 Bluebird Theater | 9:00 PM | 🎟️ Price varies

Sunday, June 29

🆓 Free Events

🧵 Bingo @ Jagged Mountain📍 Jagged Mountain Brewery | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Sunday)

🧵 Jazz Sundays📍 Woods Boss Brewing | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 🆓 Free (Recurring Sunday)

City Park Jazz: Buckner Funken Jazz 📍 City Park | 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | 🎟️ Free

MarchFourth w/ Banshee Tree 📍 Levitt Pavilion | 5:00 PM | 🎟️ Free

🎟️ Ticketed Events

Metallica (Night 2)📍 Empower Field | 6:00 PM | 🎟️ Price varies

Elvis Costello & The Imposters 📍 Bellco Theatre | 8:00 PM | 🎟️ Price varies

Shelly Belly 📍 Comedy Works South | 5:00 PM | 🎟️ GA $25, VIP $35

🏁 That’s a Wrap

Grab the bug spray, cue the quotes, and pass the popcorn—it’s peak movie season in Denver. Whether you’re there for the nostalgia, the skyline, or the snacks, summer nights don’t get much better than this. 🎥🌆

🧠 Trivia Answer: B) Plesiosaur

That’s right—a 40-foot plesiosaur fossil was discovered at Red Rocks! This long-necked aquatic dinosaur once swam through ancient seas where music lovers now sway to Phish under the stars. Add in some Jurassic-era flying reptiles and mosasaurs, and you’ve got a prehistoric party embedded right in the rocks. 🦕🎶

Catch you on the lawn,

— The What’s Happenin’ Denver Team 🫶

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