Family events in Thornton, CO

Part of Levitt’s free concert season presented by Kaiser Permanente, this Fiesta CO event features Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra alongside Chicano Heat. It is open to all ages and will go on rain or shine. Admission is free with RSVP, and optional upgrades are available.

Get ready for the Summer Sizzler 5K at Carpenter Park/Thornton Recreation Center Park. Packet pickup runs from 5:30 to 6:45 AM, followed by the Kids Dash at 6:55 AM. The national anthem and the race start happen at 7:00 AM.

Join this family-friendly race day with multiple distance options, including 5K, 10K, and 15K, plus a 1 Mile event that is untimed. There will also be a Kids Dash for children ages 10 and under. The schedule includes packet pickup early in the morning, a Kids Dash walk-out to the start area, and the national anthem followed by the race start. Everyone taking part receives a designer shirt, a custom finisher medal, chip-timing with live results and awards, and free photos. Kona Ice will be available at the finish line, and youth-based pricing is listed for the shorter distances and Kids Dash. Participants are encouraged to register early to guarantee a shirt.

Market in the Park at The Aurora Highlands creates a neighborhood gathering in the open air each month from June through September. Set in Winged Melody Park, it welcomes families and friends to browse, snack, and relax outside. Explore artisan booths with handmade pieces and local goods, along with a farmers market selection of produce and baked treats, plus food trucks, sweets, and refreshing drinks. During market hours, the Winged Melody Park carousel offers free rides for all ages, adding a nostalgic touch to the day.

Bring the whole family to the Karter Karnival Festival at Karter School of Thornton. Expect carnival-style fun like bounce houses and games, a petting zoo, face painting and balloon artists, plus DJs and family entertainment. There will also be food trucks, local vendor booths, and giveaways throughout the day. Admission is $5 per child, and adults are free.

Serving as the official finale to Denver Days, this free, family-focused back-to-school festival for Denver families features the distribution of more than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, access to community resources, a clinic offering vaccinations and basic physical exams, and activities for all ages. Students can personalize their new backpacks at a customization station presented by Goodwill of Colorado. Live performances from Youth on Record add to the celebration, and haircuts will be available from R&R Headlabs. It is a welcoming showcase of community, culture, and opportunity that helps kick off the new school year.

Market at the Center is a monthly outdoor marketplace at the National Western Center that spotlights local makers, food vendors, artists, and community groups. In partnership with the National Western Stock Show and CSU Spur’s Second Saturdays, it brings together families, entrepreneurs, and neighbors for a full day of exploration, connections, and fun. Set in the Main Campus Plaza, the event fills the heart of campus with vendor booths, shopping, activities, and CSU Spur offerings. Explore handcrafted goods, meet small business owners, and enjoy the lively feel of a distinctive Denver gathering place. Throughout the season, editions introduce rotating themes such as celebrations of mothers and the earth, sustainability highlights, a playful rubber ducky focus, a back to school edition with a backpack giveaway, and a showcase of Colorado-made foods.

Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary opens its gates for an easygoing visit centered on kindness and connection with rescued farm animals. Wander through pens and pastures to meet residents from 23 species, with caretakers and volunteers nearby to introduce individual personalities and share moments from daily life. Every ticket directly supports animals recovering from neglect, abuse, or abandonment by funding veterinary care and lifelong safety. Pricing is intentionally accessible, with $10 admission in advance and $15 at the gate, and EBT or SNAP guests receive free entry with a card. To keep animals safe, outside food or drink is not allowed for people or animals, and companion animals are not permitted on the property or in vehicles. Everyone needs their own ticket, and any food or beverages offered on site are sold separately. Tickets are nonrefundable unless the event is canceled because of severe weather, and arrival on time is important since hours cannot be extended. This is a sanctuary, not a petting zoo. Many animals enjoy attention, but interactions are guided by their comfort. Move calmly, respect boundaries, and let each animal choose how to engage. Some residents are older, healing, or living with chronic conditions, and their care follows long term wellbeing with veterinary guidance. The sanctuary is reachable by public transit, close to the 88 bus line and within a short walk of rail service.

Bubble Palooza brings a day of bubbly fun to Arvada Marketplace with playful activities for kids and kids at heart. Enjoy swirling bubble machines, a foamy play zone, and giant inflatable slides, along with hands-on bubble science that sparks curiosity. Face painting adds extra color, a live DJ keeps family-friendly music flowing, and all-ages entertainment keeps the energy high. Between activities, browse local shops and savor tasty treats for a lively community outing.

Explore the Denver Art Museum’s campus on an hourlong tour guided by trained docents. The experience focuses on how the museum’s three distinctive buildings reflect evolving ideas about what an art museum can be. If the weather cooperates, the itinerary includes time outside to study the building exteriors as well as time in the galleries. Tours take place on the second Saturday each month. Meet the docent in the Hamilton Building lobby to begin. Groups of more than ten are encouraged to arrange a group tour. Participation is covered by general admission and is complimentary for members.

This event features a drawing for a chance to win a year of free pizza. The first 200 children will receive backpacks, there will be a spin-the-wheel game for prizes, and complimentary treats and slices of pizza will be available. Giveaways continue only while the backpack supply lasts.

Now in its sixth year, the Northglenn Parks & Recreation youth wiffleball tournament features divisions for ages 9 to high school, with brackets for 9 to 10, 11 to 12, 13 to 14, and high school. Rosters range from three to six players depending on division, and every team will take the field for at least three games. The entry fee is $135 per team and includes a wiffleball T-shirt.

Enjoy live music while children cool off at the splash pad, and explore a wide selection of produce and baked goods, including cheese curds.

Set at Improper City, this family-friendly outdoor festival is an annual celebration of Latin sabor with lively music and a curated selection of food from across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Expect a festive atmosphere with drinks, plenty of choices for different tastes, and desserts, plus vegetarian and vegan options. Tickets or an RSVP are required for entry, and space is limited. Outside food and beverages are not permitted. Pets should be left at home unless the venue states otherwise, and lost and found assistance is handled by the venue. By attending, guests consent to photography and video recording, and all sales are final.

Magical Meet & Greets brings character fun to Town Center at Aurora with a special appearance by Paw Patrol’s Chase and Skye. Families can head to the Lower Level Center Court for meet and greets, play time, and photo opportunities. The event is free and family friendly, and it is part of the ongoing monthly Magical Meet & Greets series.

Celebrate 130 years with a season-long celebration featuring surprises, engaging activities, and brand-new experiences. Highlights include animal birthday celebrations, extended hours at the zoo, exclusive offerings for members, and a range of special events. There is always something new to explore throughout the season, and a single visit may not be enough.

Cool off at Kiwanis Outdoor Pool during a family swim night with no cost to attend. Spend a summer evening swimming in the pool, taking a ride down the slide, and enjoying the splash pad with family and friends. Relax on the deck or jump into the fun as you celebrate the start of summer. Pack swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen for an easygoing night by the water.

Get set for the new school year at a back to school event offering school supplies along with community resources, raffles, and more. Attendees must bring either a school ID or a birth certificate, or have the child present. Donations of school supplies from the list can be dropped off at Servicios.

The Teen Book Club welcomes readers ages 12 to 17 for a guided conversation that explores teen-friendly titles across fiction and nonfiction, encouraging thoughtful and inspiring discussion. This meeting focuses on Losing Hit Points by Kristopher Mielke. Participants will gather in the Parsons Theatre Lobby on the south side of the Northglenn Recreation Center, then head with staff to the Admin Conference Room. A limited number of copies are set aside through Anythink Library on a first come, first served basis, and books may also be borrowed through the library. A virtual option will be available for those who cannot attend in person after school, and a meeting link will be shared.

Part of Levitt’s Free Concert Season presented by Kaiser Permanente, this all-ages, rain-or-shine performance features Shwayze with Claire Wright. Shwayze brings a laid-back mix of hip hop and alternative sounds with storytelling at the forefront, including songs from his album Shwaycation. An independent artist, he also continues to explore work in television and film. Claire Wright, a Northern California native who honed her songwriting in Southern California and Nashville, blends sunny, carefree energy with country-style storytelling and reggae influences. Her debut release on Ineffable Records includes collaborations with Iration and G. Love & Special Sauce. Free RSVP is available, with optional upgrades.

A family friendly bike ride is held on Thursdays at Ketner Park. Participants meet at the park and depart together for a group ride that welcomes all ages.