Things to Do in Denver, Colorado in May 2024

36 Hours in Denver, Denver, things to do in Denver, Uncategorized, Visit Denver Michelle@SquareState
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In the mountains, the time directly after the ski resorts close to the beginning of June is often called “mud season” Referring to all of the snow melting and making things a muddy mess. May is the heart of that season but in Denver we aren’t dealing with mud. Instead, we’re dealing with that weird in-between time when it’s not quite summer…yet. I will admit that May can be a slightly challenging time to visit. Bring layered clothing and a sense of adventure when booking a visit to Denver during the month of May. There will be a lot of things to do in Denver, Colorado in May 2024. If you need ideas of what to do continue reading on.

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Why May is a Fun Time of Year to Visit

There are certain times of the year when Denver is so much fun. And the first week of May stands out as one of those moments. There are a ridiculous number of events being held during the first week of May. These events range from May the 4th Be With You, Cinco de Mayo and then Derby Day parties. Then during the month of May all of the farmers markets open for the market season.

What is the Weather Like in May?

Moody. Denver’s weather can be moody and wildly unpredictable during the month of May. But, the first week of May for the past several years has had pretty nice weather. If you’re visiting during May, you will need to prepare for every season. Warm weather, chill, snow, rain and more. This weather could happen all in one day.

Book a Tour

One of the best ways to explore and experience Colorado is with a tour. What I love about booking a tour is that you can leave the planning, transportation and other details to someone else. I’ve visited 45 states and have found that some cities aren’t as intuitive to visit. In my view, Denver is one of those cities. Booking a tour is a great way to experience town especially as there are some significant infrastructure projects being worked on right now. I have some tour suggestions below.

Stay in Denver’s City Center

While there is a lot of infrastructure being worked on right now, I do recommend staying in Denver’s City Center during your visit or staycation. You will be close to a number of big venues, transit and it’s a great starting point for any road trip you may take to further explore the state.

Where to Stay

Here are some of my top choices of hotels and hostels to stay in that are within walking distance of downtown Denver. Or, they are in close proximity to public transit, ride share services or scooters.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Things happen when people travel. If you’re thinking about riding a scooter, going hiking, running or doing anything while you’re visiting-you may want to consider buying travel insurance. Make sure to review what it covers (injuries, bookings, etc) and cross reference that coverage with your current insurance policies.

Will You Need to Rent a Car

It’s absolutely possible to visit Denver without a car. One thing I do want to bring up is that if you’re unable to take a tour, or use public transit (Bustang) then heading to the mountains will require a car. You can compare the different car rental places around town to see which spot offers the best deal for your budget.

What to Do (General Comments)

This summer is shaping up to be incredible. May, however, is “pre-summer” where Denverites get a quick taste of how much fun we’ll be having during the summer.

May the 4th Be With You

This day is so much fun. But, why is the Star Wars fandom so disliked? What’s going on? Find a place to get your geek on and have a great day. I would start at the Wings Over the Rockies space to check out the life sized X-Wing Fighter and then make your way to other events around town.

Taste of Iceland

One of my bucket list destinations to visit is Iceland. I imagine myself driving around the island, taking dramatic photos, hiking and avoiding lava. But, in all seriousness, I’ve become even more excited about Iceland because of the Taste of Iceland tour hosted by Inspired by Iceland. It’s typically 3-4 days of Icelandic inspired fun, events and drinks. I’m waiting on more details but word on the street is that it will happen from May 9-May 11, 2024

Derby Day Parties

I’ve never had the opportunity to watch the Kentucky Derby in person. But, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything because Denver hosts several massive Derby parties. Imagine seeing thousands of people dressed in their absolute best as they make their way across town. I love seeing all of the giant hats, fascinators and more. I’ve attended the Denver Derby Party which is a fundraiser that is able to pay for several students to attend CSU on a full-ride scholarship. Even if you don’t get a chance to attend that event, support their mission.

Cinco de Mayo Festivities

Every single year people (outside of the United States) get mad at Americans for two massive celebrations: St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo. Well, I’m here to tell you that Denver is deeply committed to celebrating both and we have an insanely good time while doing it. If you get a chance I strongly recommend stopping by both celebrations listed below as they’re multi-day experiences. Currently, Cinco de Mayo en Westwood edges out the Civic Center Park celebration because I love everything that Hecho en Westwood dreams up.

Concerts

Can you guess which concerts I’m most excited about this month? They might surprise you. May tends to be a little lighter when it comes to concerts coming into town. Performing or attending an event at Red Rocks in May is always a risk because of the weather. You could get hail, cold or heat. I love the unpredictability of it all. Right now I’m trying to shove as much money as possible into my summer concert account because there are so many once in a lifetime concerts in Denver this summer.

Comedy and Theater Events

If you see me bundled up twice this month watching Trevor Noah and Hasan Minaj at Red Rocks-just waive. May looks like a great month for comedy and I think it’s way overdue for me to record a podcast episode about why the comedy scene is so good in Denver.

  • Emma
    • Ends on May 5, 2024 (Denver Center for Performing Arts)

Sporting Events

There are very few months during the year that are light on sporting events and interestingly enough May is one of them. If you love running, I do recommend checking out the Bolder Boulder at the end of the month.

Miscellaneous Events

One of the best things about May is that almost all of the local farmers markets are open and ready for business. There are so many fun activities to enjoy and I’ll keep adding to this list as we get closer to May.

  • Giselle-Colorado Ballet Academy (DCPA)

Things to Do in Denver Colorado in May 2024

There are a wide range of events and activities to enjoy during the month of May in Denver. If you’re planning to visit and are looking for plenty to do but a more low-key month to visit I recommend visiting in May. Be prepared to be flexible, varying weather and fun vibes. It’s also a very beautiful time of year because of all of the flowers and trees that are in full bloom at that time.

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