Denver PrideFest is back

Saturday-Sunday. Colorado’s biggest LGBTQ+ weekend returns June 28-29, with Denver Pride, a celebration that includes a massive festival, PrideFest at Civic Center park, a charitable 5K and of course the annual parade. That moves from East Colfax Avenue to 17th Avenue this year, stepping off at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at Franklin Street and continuing to Lincoln Street. Organizers at the nonprofit The Center on Colfax expect about 100,000 attendees.

At Civic Center park, tens of thousands more will sample local food and drink, visit vendors, support LGBTQ nonprofits, and dance and sing to entertainment from top DJs, drag queens and kings, including Pattie Gonia, Detox, Vanessa Vanjie, and CHIKA. Admission is free; visit denverpride.org for more information about the 5K and the parade. — John Wenzel

Buntport’s “Handlers”

Friday-Sunday. The sharp players at Buntport Theater brought back an audience favorite this month. “The Book Handlers,” which debuted in 2018, is a satirical comedy about anti-intellectualism, and takes its inspiration from an essay by Irish author Brian O’Nolan. In it, he proposes a service for wealthy people who buy fancy books, but never read them; the book handlers would come in to make the tomes look well-read, worn and even dog-eared.

The show has been running since June 13, and will close on Sunday, June 29. But in the meantime, you can catch one of the final three showings on Friday and Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., or on Sunday, at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 717 Lipan St. and there is a name-your-own-price option. Go to buntport.com for tickets and information. — Jonathan Shikes

Denver Dog Fair

Saturday. The National Western Complex on Saturday, June 28, will be filled not with cowboys and horses but a puppy kissing booth, “celebrity” dogs, a furry fashion show, and more as part of the Denver Dog Fair. After entertaining dogs and their humans — and adopting out 187 pups at last year’s event — the fair from Dana Cain Events returns with dog-related vendors, competitions, demos and more.

Admission: $20 for humans, with kids 5 and under free (a family four-pack goes for $72). Dog tickets cost $5 per pup. Free parking. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the National Western Complex Expo Hall’s Stadium Arena, 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver. Visit denverdogfair.com for more. — John Wenzel

See the sea lions

Open now. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (formerly just Denver Zoo) this month unveiled a huge, beach-themed update to its popular sea lion habitat — one of the highest-visibility, most photographed and most popular parts of the 80-acre City Park institution.

The zoo’s California sea lions update replaces Northern Shores, “which started housing sea lions in 1987, and offers significant upgrades for the animals and guests, including a 16-foot viewing window that allows guests to observe the sea lions’ natural movements and behaviors underwater,” officials wrote. It also features new saltwater pools and filtration systems, further supporting the animals’ health.

Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at 2300 Steele St. in Denver. Admission: $26 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $19 for ages 3-15, with kids under 2 free. Online timed ticket reservations are required for entry. Visit denverzoo.org for more information. — John Wenzel

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Originally Published: June 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM MDT