DENVER — One of the biggest Pride festivals in the country returns in Colorado this weekend.
Denver PrideFest will be held Saturday and Sunday in downtown Denver.
The weekend is expected to be full of activities for people of all ages, including a 5K run on Saturday followed by a parade on Sunday.
The festival will also feature exhibitors, food and drink vendors, and live performances throughout the weekend.
The event's organizer, The Center on Colfax, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round programs and services for the LGBTQ+ community, said they are expecting over 500,000 to attend the festival.
Before the busy weekend in downtown Denver, here's a list of everything you'll need to know before you head out the door Saturday and Sunday.
Denver PrideFest
The Denver PrideFest festival will be at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver on Saturday and Sunday. The event is free to attend.
The festival kicks off Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The festival will reopen Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
There will be food and drink vendors throughout the event for guests who want to purchase food and drinks. No outside food, coolers, weapons of any kind, marijuana, bikes, and open beverage container (including water bottles) will be allowed inside the event.
Guests should leave pets at home for their comfort and safety.
Denver Pride 5K
The Denver Pride 5K is open to runners, walkers and rollers. The event is Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the Colorado State Capitol Building.
Online registration closes Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. Organizers said the 5K is more than 90 percent full, as of Tuesday morning.
Proceeds from the race support The Center on Colfax's programs and services for Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community.
Pride Parade
More than 100,000 people are expected to line up along Colfax Avenue on Sunday morning for the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade.
The parade will span 14 blocks of Colfax Avenue from Cheesman Park to Civic Center Park. The parade will feature colorful floats, marchers, music and more.
The parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Cheesman Park.
Who's performing
At the Denver PrideFest, there will be a diverse lineup of entertainment throughout Saturday and Sunday.
There will be three stages inside the event. The entertainment lineup includes Big Freedia, Salina EsTitties, Marcia Marcia Marcia, and more.
RTD
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will add extra train cars to D, E, H and W light rail lines. The festival is not expected to impact rail service, but multiple bus routes will need to detour to accommodate the festivities.
Impacts to bus service include:
- During Denver PrideFest from Friday at 6 p.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m., the following bus routes will detour: 0, 0L*, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 15L, 16, 19, 48, 52, 83*, 83L (board the eastbound 83L on Broadway at 13th Ave.) and the 16th Street MallRide shuttle (board the MallRide on Tremont at 16th Street). *Friday only
- Saturday, the Pride 5K event will run along 14th Avenue from Sherman Street to Cheeseman Park. Cheesman Park will be closed to vehicle traffic. RTD customers should expect delays for bus routes that cross 14th Avenue during the Pride 5K race.
- The Denver Pride Parade is scheduled to take place on Sunday. Downtown bus routes will detour around festival activities in Civic Center Park and on East Colfax Avenue.
Where to park
Denver PrideFest takes place at Civic Center Park at the intersection of Colfax and Broadway in the heart of downtown Denver.
Both Saturday and Sunday are expected to draw a large crowd into downtown Denver. Festivalgoers who plan on driving to the festival are encouraged to reserve a spot using Laz Parking and SpotHero.
No bicycles or unicycles will be allowed in the park. Festival goers who plan on biking to the festival can park their bikes at the following locations:
- 14th Street between Bannock & Broadway (Denver Art Museum)
- Broadway between 14th & 13th (Denver Public Library)
- 14th Street between Cherokee & Bannock (City & County Building)
- 11th & Broadway
- 12th & Broadway
- 13th & Broadway
- 16th & Broadway
- 12th & Lincoln
- 13th & Lincoln
- 13th & Acoma
- 14th & Cherokee
- 14th & Court
- 15th & Court
- Court & Colfax
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