Things To Do Downtown
August is Happiness Month, and we can't wait to celebrate! From mountain views and outdoor recreation to over 80% locally-owned shops and restaurants, there is plenty in downtown Boulder to bring you joy. And the best part about happiness? It's contagious - which is why we want you to share your happy places with us! Participate in our August social media giveaways and happiness challenge for chances to win $50 and $100 Downtown Boulder Gift Cards (learn more here). And if you're curious about which places other people love downtown, check out our happy place spotlights. This month (and always), take time to find the joy in the little things!
August is also a month packed with activities - and what better place to enjoy them then in our amazing downtown? The Boulder County Farmers Market fun is just getting going with the most delicious stuff coming in to season now. Boulder Taco Fest will be happening on Saturday, August 6th from 12 - 7 pm - check here to see if tickets are still available. There's also still time to register for the Pearl Street Mile on Saturday, August 6th - which is also the 45th Anniversary of the one-and-only Pearl Street Mall. Read on for more details on all of the fun to be had to celebrate - even if you're not a runner!
In addition to our highlights below, you can always check out other downtown Boulder events that are going on on our events calendar. For updates on what our business community is doing to keep us all safe, please check out our Visit Safe page. As a reminder, facial coverings are not required in Boulder County, however; individual businesses and/or event organizers may implement their own policy requiring masks for individuals in their space/at their events.
As we continue to rebuild and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we humbly request that you join us in our efforts to support our cherished community events.
Highlights for August 2022
Racism and Discrimination at the Lafayette Swimming Pool
Panel Discussion: Thursday, August 4 | 5:30 - 7 pm | Museum of Boulder
Exhibit: Now through August 14 | Museum of Boulder (The Lodge)
A historical exhibit examining events in Lafayette during the 1930s, when the first Lafayette Swimming Pool was built and then shuttered. The panel, on Thursday, August 4, will discuss the work underway to document a lost part of local history. Tickets are free for Museum Members and $5 for non-members.
The exhibit, available to view through August 14, features extensive research and photographs and highlights the brave efforts of Latina Rose Lueras, who fought for civil rights and justice in Lafayette in the 1930s.
Pearl Street Mile
Saturday, August 6 | 5 - 9:30 PM | 1300 Block of the Pearl Street Mall
This year's Pearl Street Mile is a big celebration. It's the 25th Anniversary of the iconic race PLUS the 45th Anniversary of the Pearl Street Mall!
Register to run the race by Thursday, August 4th. The criterium multi-lapped course starts on Spruce St (between 13th and 14th Street), and completes 3.75 laps around the Boulder Court House and up the Pearl Street Mall. There will be a Kids 800m, Family and Friends 1-Mile, time based 1-Mile waves, Masters 1-Mile races, and Elite Open 1-Mile races.
There's no better way to spend a Saturday night than to be out there running or cheering on those runners and celebrating these milestones. A DJ will be playing from 5 - 7 pm, The Journey Girls will play from 7:30 - 9:30 pm and we'll have brews from Avery Brewing Company all evening long.
Boulder Taco Fest
Saturday, August 6 | 11 am - 7 pm | Boulder Civic Area
Downtown for the first time, this popular annual event serves up the BEST tacos from Boulder County vendors, a curated list of craft breweries, tequila tasting, high-flying Luchadores, awesome live bands, and lots of free fun for the kiddos. It's quickly becoming Boulder's must-do event of the summer.
Tickets are free for kids under 14 with the purchase of an adult ticket, $30 for General Admission and $60 for VIP. Buy soon - it will sell out!
Tebo Train - FREE Rides
Through September 2 | Monday - Fridays from 9:30 - 11 am | Wells Fargo on Pearl St
Nothing makes children happier than train rides. All summer long, children ages 10 and under (along with accompanying adults) will chug along Pearl Street in this one-of-a-kind FREE experience. The Summer Tebo Train boards in front of Wells Fargo at the corner of 13th and Pearl. The rides start at 9:30 am each day. The last train leaves the station at 11 am SHARP.
Want to support these FREE rides? You can make a tax-deductible donation to support the train here.
Boulder Creek Hometown Festival
Friday, August 19 | 5 - 9 pm | Boulder Bandshell
Saturday, August 20 | 10 am - 9 pm | Boulder Bandshell
Sunday, August 21 | 10 am - 7 pm | Boulder Bandshell
Head down to the Boulder Bandshell for the Boulder Creek Hometown Festival, featuring arts and crafts exhibitors, live performances, craft beer garden and food court - plus Hometown Festival only events like the Great Zucchini Race and LETR StarLite Classic Car & Motorcycle Show.
Sofie Ramos: DEEP END
Now - September 5, 2022 | Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Sofie Ramos animates the inanimate and creates alternate existences for abandoned objects. She paints found household items, such as couches and lamps, and re-presents them as characters in her wildly imaginative installations and stop-motion animations. Ramos transforms each object by “cleaning” them in house paint in order to cover up memories and histories to render the object anew. In her installations, she piles these painted objects into architectural spaces, allowing them to sprawl, stretch, and stack on top of one another in truly immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences.
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Heard about something we're missing? We'd love to help share news of safe downtown activities - please email us!