The final Denver Derby Party
Saturday. The grand Denver Derby Party is calling it quits, having fulfilled its mission of raising $5 million for the Sean Ranch Lough Foundation. That nonprofit was founded in 2001 in honor of 29-year-old Lough, who died after a mountain biking accident. Twenty-five years later, organizers say, it’s become the largest Derby party west of Kentucky, selling 90,000 tickets and raising the full endowment for the foundation’s scholarship fund.
The final event is, of course, going large: 17,000 square feet of open-air space at McGregor Square, the Kentucky Derby itself on a 66-by-20-foot LED stadium screen, live entertainment and DJs, a fashion contest, and “unlimited” food and drinks with your ticket purchase. All-inclusive tickets are $150 each, with VIP options already sold out. It runs 1-6 p.m. at 1901 Wazee St. in Denver. Find out more about the 21-and-up event at denverderby.com.
Cinco de Mayo 2026
Saturday-Sunday. Denver’s delicious Cinco de Mayo celebration returns Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, with a impressive menu, given that its host, Civic Center park, is partially shuttered for construction. That hasn’t stopped the nonprofit NEWSED from bringing back chihuahua races, taco-eating contests, a lowrider car show, three stages of live music and dance performances, and dozens of food, drink and retail vendors.
Don’t miss the 11 a.m.-noon parade on Saturday, which leaves the staging area (three blocks west of the City & County Building) and continues through downtown before arriving at Civic Center. Admission is free and all-ages, with items available for purchase. The festival runs 10 a.m.-8 p.m. both days at 101 14th Ave. in Denver. Visit cincodemayodenver.com for more details.
SeriesFest Season 12
Wednesday-May 10. Denver’s SeriesFest, which brings global talent to the city for the “Sundance of television” (their words, but also accurate), is celebrating its 12th year with another round of world premieres, pilot competitions, workshops and panels, screenings, awards and a gala. Like a film festival, it’s part industry, part come-as-you-are and all focused on discovery.
This year’s opening-night (May 8) includes advance screenings of the next season of Peacock’s “Ponies” and the Netflix version of “Lord of the Flies,” among others. The event kicks off on Wednesday, May 6, and continues through Monday, May 10. Most events take place at Denver Film’s Sie FilmCenter, 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Tickets range in price per event, with screenings about $19 each. Visit seriesfest.com for more details.
Denver Fashion Week’s spring fling
Friday-May 9. It’s time to line up those outfits for Denver Fashion Week, which returns for its spring showing Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 9. The packed schedule features eight runway shows with workshops, auditions, “new concepts, returning favorites, and inclusive experiences that spotlight both rising designers and established talent,” organizers said. “This season introduces the Outerwear & Athleisure Fashion Show, marks the return of the Swimsuit & Resort Wear Show, and continues the inspiring Adaptive Fashion Show, showcasing fashion innovation for individuals of all abilities.”
The spring events — more will take place later in the year — are at the Furniture Row Showroom, 5445 Bannock St. in Denver. Tickets start at $50 per show, with VIP front and second row runway seats available. Visit denverfashionweek.com for the full schedule.
