Good evening, Denver. Is this some sort of trick? Santa…really? It’s May!

In today’s Denver Weekly:

• Explore Santa’s Workshop

• Memorial Day Weekend Festivities

• Red Rocks Heats Up

• Nuggets Hire New Coach

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan Mattox

TOP STORIES

16th Street Mall Rebranded

The 16th Street mall as we know it is being rebranded to just 16th Street. In addition to new trees, landscape and facade to the overall look and feel of the 16th Street there are 23 new ground floor retailers who’ve moved in. There’s also 2 new beer gardens and multiple restaurant patio areas for outside dining. There will be a massive block party this Memorial Day weekend to kick off the grand opening!

One-Way Streets in the City, No More?

The city of Denver is working on a 20-year horizon plan for the future to possibly change all one-way streets to two way.

“This plan is all about how do we bring more residential amenities into downtown,” “How do we bring things like childcare? How do we support our local businesses to thrive? How do we create more open space? The plan really lays out this idea of creating mixed-use districts. And so having a street grid that performs with those districts is essential.” — Andrew Iltis Downtown Denver Partnership

I for one think this is a fantastic idea and definitely will encourage more people to go downtown and enjoy the amenities and outdoor actives the city has to offer.

DUI Checkpoints are Coming!

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and that means if you get in your car while under the influence of drugs or alcohol only bad things happen next. Law enforcement will be out all over the metro area from May 22-28th conducting checkpoints and checking for impaired drivers.

Bottom line: Take an Uber or get your Grandma to come pick you up at 3am!

LOCAL BUSINESS

North Pole Amusement Park, Now Open

Who loves Christmas & Santa! I know I do!

Did you know there is a Brand New Amusement park opening in Cascade, CO?

Since opening in 1956 the Lawhorn family has run the park for 69 years.

“We are built for families with kids age 12 and younger,” said Austin Lawhorn, the Manager at The North Pole Amusement Park. “That’s our demographic and that’s who we’ve focused on forever.”

From rowboats to a Tilt-A-Whirl there’s sure to be rides for everyone of all ages.

Located at: 5050 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809

Hours: Open Thursday - Monday | 10am - 5pm

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Memorial Day weekend is always a blast around the Mile High City — whether you are looking for a way to cool off from that hot sun or enjoy a nice day at the ball park we have you covered for all events happening around town this weekend.

Water Hotspots 💦

• Water World — The famous Colorado water park has its opening day on May 24, and is great for anyone who loves swimming, sliding, surfing, oh and screaming.

• Paddlefest — Located in Buena Vista. Really anything that has to do with water you’ll find it here. Events include kayak races, vendors, tournaments, live music and plenty of other water competitions. The event begins on May 22 and ends on May 26.

Outdoor Markets 🍎🍊🍉🍓

Warm weather will be inviting to farmers’ markets, which will pop up all over Denver.

• Cherry Creek Fresh Market: Cherry Creek Shopping Center, May 24. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• City Park Farmers Market: City Park Esplanade, May 24. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Highland Square Farmers Market: Highlands Square, May 25. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Metro Denver Farmers Market — Highlands Ranch: Highlands Ranch Town Center, May 25. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Metro Denver Farmers Market — Southwest Plaza: Southwest Plaza Southeast Parking Lot, May 24. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• South Pearl Farmers Market: South Pearl Street, May 25. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sports Fanatics ⚾ ⚽

• Baseball: Colorado Rockies vs. New York Yankees

  • May 23, 6:40 p.m., Coors Field

  • May 24, 2:10 p.m., Coors Field

  • May 25, 1:10 p.m., Coors Field

• Soccer: Colorado Rapids vs. St. Louis City SC

  • May 24, 7:30 p.m., Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

• Rugby: Denver Onyx vs. Boston Banshees

  • May 24, 1 p.m., Infinity Park at Glendale

EVENTS

Summer has arrived at Red Rocks

Ladies & Gentleman, the GREATEST Live Music venue in the entire World has kicked off its 2025 concert season. Here’s the most updated list of concerts we’ve found, at the time of posting.

May

• May 22: Sting

• May 23: Leon Bridges

• May 24: Brad Paisley

• May 25: Justice

• May 26: Leftover Salmon & Kitchen Dwellers

• May 27: The Black Keys

• May 28: Lord Huron

• May 29: Lord Huron

• May 30: Michael Franti & Spearhead

• May 31: Ganja White Night

June

• June 1: Peach Pit and Briston Maroney

• June 2: Louis C.K.

• June 3: Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen

• June 4: Thievery Corporation

• June 5: Brit Floyd

• June 6: Quinn XCII

• June 7: Big Head Todd and the Monsters

• June 8: Big Head Todd and the Monsters

• June 10: Sheryl Crow

• June 11: Bloc Party

• June 12: Stick Figure

• June 13: James Taylor

• June 14: James Taylor

• June 15: Trevor Hall

• June 16: Lindsey Stirling with the Colorado Symphony

• June 17: Barenaked Ladies

• June 18: Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

• June 19: Pierce The Veil

• June 20: Tash Sultana

• June 21: O.A.R.

• June 22: Halsey

• June 24: “Weird Al” Yankovic

• June 25: Charley Crockett

• June 26: Dirty Heads

• June 27: Widespread Panic

• June 28: Widespread Panic

• June 29: Widespread Panic

July

• July 1: Dr. Dog

• July 2: Zeds Dead

• July 3: Zeds Dead

• July 4: Blues Traveler

• July 5: Vulfpeck

• July 6: Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration

• July 8: Russ

• July 9: Primus

• July 10: INCUBUS

• July 11: The Avett Brothers

• July 12: The Avett Brothers

• July 13: The Avett Brothers

• July 14: ERIC CHURCH vs THE ECB

• July 15: ERIC CHURCH vs THE GUITAR

• July 16: ERIC CHURCH vs THE GUITAR

• July 17: SLANDER

• July 18: The String Cheese Incident

• July 19: The String Cheese Incident

• July 20: Alabama Shakes

• July 21: Mumford & Sons

• July 22: Mumford & Sons

• July 23: Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

• July 24: CAKE

• July 25: Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge

• July 26: Cody Jinks

• July 27: Beck with the Colorado Symphony

• July 28: Killer Queen

• July 29: Bailey Zimmerman

• July 30: The Marías

• July 31: Parker McCollum

August

• Aug. 1: Tedeschi Trucks Band

• Aug. 2: Tedeschi Trucks Band

• Aug. 3: The Beach Boys with the Colorado Symphony

• Aug. 4: ZZ Top

• Aug. 5: K-LOVE

• Aug. 6: K-LOVE

• Aug. 7: DISPATCH

• Aug. 8: Joe Bonamassa

• Aug. 9: Slightly Stoopid

• Aug. 11: Gracie Abrams

• Aug. 12: Gracie Abrams

• Aug. 13: LCD Soundsystem

• Aug. 14: Mt. Joy

• Aug. 15: My Morning Jacket

• Aug. 16: My Morning Jacket

• Aug. 19: HEART

• Aug. 21: “1965” the Tribute

• Aug. 23: Reggae On The Rocks 2025

• Aug. 24: Goo Goo Dolls

• Aug. 25: Riley Green

• Aug. 26: Teddy Swims

• Aug. 27: Ray Lamontagne

• Aug. 28: Sierra Ferrell

• Aug. 29: Little Big Town

• Aug. 30: Chris Lake

• Aug. 31: Gregory Alan Isakov

September

• Sept. 1: Gregory Alan Isakov

• Sept. 2: Pixies

• Sept. 3: Billy Idol

• Sept. 5: Brandi Carlile

• Sept. 6: Brandi Carlile

• Sept 7: Brandi Carlile

• Sept. 8: Rainbow Kitten Surprise

• Sept. 9: Ken Carson

• Sept. 10: MANÁ

• Sept. 11: MANÁ

• Sept. 12: Coheed and Cambria

• Sept. 13: Greensky Bluegrass

• Sept. 14: The Red Clay Strays

• Sept. 15: The Red Clay Strays

• Sept 18: Get the Led Out

• Sept. 19: Atmosphere & Friends

• Sept. 22: Pulp

• Sept. 24: Jordan Davis

• Sept. 25: Bonnie Raitt

• Sept. 27: Big Gigantic

• Sept. 30: Megan Moroney

October

• Oct. 1: Bert Kreischer

• Oct. 2: AIR PLAY MOON SAFARI

• Oct. 3: Madeon

• Oct. 9: The Revivalists

• Oct. 10: Tape B

• Oct. 11: Lane 8

• Oct. 13: Carl Cox

• Oct. 14: Lorde

• Oct. 15: Charles Wesley Godwin

• Oct. 16: Parcels

• Oct. 17: Parcels

• Oct. 18: REZZ ROCKS VII

• Oct. 19: REZZ ROCKS VII

• Oct. 20: Flatland Cavalry

• Oct. 21: Chris Tomlin

• Oct. 23: Martin Garrix

• Oct. 24: Martin Garrix

• Oct. 25: Daily Bread

• Oct. 26: Daily Bread

• Oct. 27: Zach Williams

• Oct. 30: Sub Focus & Dimension & Culture Shock & 1991

• Oct. 31: Denzel Curry & Freddie Gibbs & Earl Sweatshirt

November

• Nov. 1: MIDSOMMAR – ALL HALLOWS

• Nov. 7: deadmau5

• Nov. 2: Apashe

• Nov. 8: deadmau5

• Nov. 13: SVDDEN DEATH

• Nov. 14: SVDDEN DEATH

• Nov. 15: Mau P

PET OF THE WEEK

Save A Life @ Colorado Puppy Rescue

Meet Cricket — Cricket is a tiny whirlwind with endless energy! This little ball of joy is quick on her paws and always up for a game of “I’m too fast for you to catch me and remove this forbidden item from my mouth.”

She would thrive in a home with other energetic dogs or active kids. She’s full of curiosity and loves to explore. If you’re looking for a fun-loving companion, Cricket is your girl!

This organization is near and dear to my heart. Shortly after we had to say goodbye to our last baby Kira, my wife & I visited CO Puppy Rescue just to love on, pet, smell and hold some puppies, it was heavenly.

For more information about Colorado Puppy Rescue:

Next Adoption Event: Saturday, May 24th | 9:30am-12pm

Adoptive families must complete an adoption application prior to meeting pups. Signing up is strongly encouraged, but not required.
 
Our Address:

18741 Ponderosa Dr. Unit D.
Parker, CO 80134

SPORTS

Denver Nuggets New Coach

On Thursday May 22, David Adelman was named Denver Nuggets Head Coach.

Adelman lead the Nuggets to 3 regular season wins as well as deep into the 2nd Round of the NBA Playoffs.

"Part of the thinking of making the change when we made it was to give David a chance," Kroenke said. "He's grown with the group and he understands their tendencies as players. I think equally important right now ... is he knows them as people, what makes them tick.” - Josh Kroenke

The future is looking bright for the Nuggets and I know we’re all looking forward to winning another NBA Championship in 2026!

Until Next Week!

THANK YOU

P.S. We want Denver Weekly to reach ALL of the metro area. Please help us spread the joy in all your group chats/friend circles. It would really mean a lot to us as we continue to build this incredible community together!