The Ultimate Father’s Day Match-Up
Your guide to activities for your special day.
It’s your day, Dad! You get to choose the itinerary. Whether you like to spend an afternoon at the ballpark or a morning on the lake, there is something for you to do with the family around town this Father’s Day. Just find your style below and we”ll give you a list of great ideas.
Gutsy
Is there anything as gutsy as donning a cape and breeches and watching jousting while tearing into a giant turkey leg? Whether you go for the cosplay or not, the Colorado Renaissance Festival is a daylong adventure to a time of steel blades, chainmail, meat on a stick, and good fun―you know, man stuff.
Colorado Renaissance Festival
June 17-18
Larkspur
For the Kids:
All ages will enjoy the giant swing, games, and rides. The general ballyhoo at the festival makes it perfect for kids to be active and get loud.
Not Your Thing? Also Gutsy:
- CARSTAR Thunder on the Mountain at Bandimere Speedway bandimere.com
- Zip Line Tours at Broadmoor Soaring Adventures at Seven Falls broadmoor.com/broadmoor-adventures/soaring-adventures
- Full or half day rafting and fishing trips dvorakexpeditions.com
Playful
Blasting down a water slide or floating on the lazy river at Water World makes you feel more like one of the kids than the dad. On Father’s Day, take advantage of free admission to the park for dads (when accompanied by a guest purchasing a full-price ticket at the Water World ticket window) and show your kids what a real belly flop looks like.
Dads Free Father’s Day
June 18, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Federal Heights
For the Kids:
Gallons of water features, swimming pools, and rides, basically the same reason you will love it.
Not Your Thing? Also Playful:
- Elitch Gardens featuring a concert by Los Huracanes del Norte elitchgardens.com
- iFLy Indoor Skydiving iflyworld.com/denver/
- Reserve a bay at Topgolf for June 18 for up to 6 guests ($75 for two hours in the first time slot of the day, $115 for two hours the rest of the day. Reservations close on Sat, June 17 at midnight) topgolf.com
Gritty
If a flight of fine whiskeys and an Old Western gunfight flick starring John Wayne sound like your idea of a relaxing Sunday, saddle up for a big screen viewing of Rio Bravo at high noon at Alamo Drafthouse in Littleton. If baseball movies are more your thing, the newly opened Sloans Lake location will show Field of Dreams at 6:30 p.m.
Rio Bravo Screening
June 18, noon
Alamo Drafthouse, Littleton
For the Kids:
This isn’t for little ones, no matter how much they love cowboys. No kids under six are admitted, so rustle up your dad posse, older kids, or your own dad instead.
Not Your Thing? Also Gritty:
- The Western: An Epic in Art and Film at the Denver Art Museum denverartmuseum.org
- Go-kart racing unserkarting.com
- Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band at Hudson Gardens hudsongardens.org
Chill
Cast your line and enjoy a morning at the Snow Mountain Ranch free Father’s Day Fishing Derby. No need for gear, free fishing poles will be available. Prizes will be awarded in each age group and if you are the lucky one to catch Rocky the Rainbow Trout, you”ll win two nights lodging.
Father’s Day Fishing Derby
June 18, registration begins at 8:30 a.m., derby from 9-11 a.m.
Snow Mountain Ranch, Winter Park
For the kids:
Time to learn a new skill from their favorite guy: you!
Not Your Thing? Also Chill:
- Free Admission for Dad on Father’s Day at Colorado Railroad Museum coloradorailroadmuseum.org
- City Park Jazz featuring Linda Styles and a picnic cityparkjazz.org
- Hike, camp, or boat in one of the Colorado State Parks cpw.state.co.us
- Cirque du Soleil Luzia cirquedusoleil.com/luzia
Competitive
Lace up your shoes and pick your distance for the Father’s Day Classic 5k and 10k in Arvada. Run with your home team in the one-mile fun run or challenge the kids to try to beat their dad in the 5k. The top male and female in each race and overall earn an award. After the race, stay to check out the sweet rides at the free Father’s Day Car Show at APEX Recreation Center.
Father’s Day Classic
June 18, 7 a.m. race-day registration opens. First race begins at 7:30 a.m.
APEX Center, Arvada
For the Kids:
The races are open to all ages.
Not Your Thing? Also Competitive:
- Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants colorado.rockies.mlb.com
- Denver Outlaws vs. Boston Cannons (June 17) denveroutlaws.com
- Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers (June 17) coloradorapids.com
Culinary
Let someone else do the grilling while you enjoy a Father’s Day weekend of barbecue, bacon, and whiskey at the Colorado BBQ Challenge in Frisco. Watch chef demos, enjoy live musical entertainment, eat, and then run off the calories in the Bacon Burner 6k. The fun wraps up on Saturday night, leaving time on Sunday to relax and let it all digest.
Colorado BBQ Challenge
June 15-17
Frisco
For the Kids:
Kids” activities and the pig races will keep the little ones engaged, on top of fantastic food and time to relax with dad.
Not Your Thing? Also Culinary:
- Denver Greek Festival thegreekfestival.com
- Family Day Out: Father’s Day Brunch Cooking Event at Uncorked Kitchen uncorkedkitchen.com
- Father’s Day Grilling Class at Cook Street School cookstreet.com
