Museum Free Days 2026 Many Denver-area museums and attractions offer free admission on certain days every month, with some even hosting special activities. The free days are funded, in part, by taxes collected through the Science and Cultural Facilities District and/or donations from sponsors. Parti cipating facilities include the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Museum of Nature Science, among many others. (While general admission is free, some special exhibitions or other add-on activities may incur a fee.) For a full review of participants and dates, visit milehighonthecheap.com/free-museum-days-denver. Denver Digs Trees Though it seems a wee bit early to be thinking about spring, now’s the time to apply for more than 1,200 free and low-cost medium to large shade trees that will be distributed in the spring during The Park People’s Denver Digs Trees program. All Denver residents, businesses, nonprofits and schools are eligible. Trees cost $50 each (a $200 value), and are only $15 if you live in one of the “low-tree-canopy” neighborhoods. Those with a financial hardship may apply to get a free tree. Applications are due no later than Feb. 15. Learn more and apply online at theparkpeople.org. Recycle your Christmas tree Nationally, approximately 93 percent of the real Christmas trees are recycled through community programs. Colorado is no exception with most cities and/or counties offering free Christmas tree recycle. Some programs have already started and run into January, with drop-off sites open various length of time, from the first week in January to as long as Jan. 31. A few municipalities offer curb-side pick-up, others ask you to take your tree to a drop-off site. Some even turn the trees into mulch, which is then distributed free to residents. There is no comprehensive holiday tree recycling site, so check your city or county recycling website for details. DCPAccess Tickets Among the Denver Center for Performing Arts’ discount programs, the most popular is its DCPAccess, which provides affordable access to many of its productions — even the occasional touring Broadway show — at up to 75 percent off. The discounted price includes the base ticket cost, as well as all fees and city seat tax. A first set of on-sale dates for 2026 have been announced: Jan. 6, Feb. 17 and April 7, and discounted tickets go on sale at noon each day. The shows and performance dates available changes each time, and there is a limit of four tickets per show. (Tickets often sell out within the same day, so be sure to set a reminder.) New sales and additional shows are added on a rolling basis throughout the year. The DCPA also offers special limited-time discounts on additional shows, so be sure to sign up for e-mail updates. denvercenter.org/dcpa-access-sale International Sportsmen’s Expo Each year the International Sportsmen's Expo brings thousands of anglers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to see hundreds of vendors and hear seminars at the Colorado Convention Center. (Photo by Kenneth D. Lyons/The Denver Post) Colorado is all about the outdoors, so it makes sense that the 2026 International Sportsmen’s Expo is one of the larger consumer shows to visit Denver. The Expo sets up camp at the Colorado Convention Center Jan. 8-11. Show hours vary by date. Celebrate such outdoor pursuits as fishing and hunting; take advantage of numerous show specials; visit hundreds of exhibitors; try gear at the casting pond; attend scores of seminars and workshops; and let the young enthusiasts get a taste of outdoor skills. Tickets are $18 for adults, with children 15 and under and active military getting in for free. Purchase tickets in advance online or at the door. Find a $3 discount coupon on the Colorado Parks Wildlife site. Big O Tires is also expected to have coupons for the show available in-store. sportsexpos.com/attend/denver Denver Zoo free days Go wild with family and friends at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for free in 2026. The popular local attraction opens its gates with Community Free Days on Jan. 9, Jan. 25, Feb. 22, April 19, and Nov. 11, 14 and 22. The complimentary tickets are available only online on a first-come, first-served basis, and are available nine to 11 days prior to each scheduled Free Day. Get up to five tickets per person. All visitors must have a timed and dated ticket for entry, including children 2 and under. Reservations for Jan. 9 open on Jan. 1. denverzoo.org/free-days. NWSS free admission Professional Saddle Bronc rider Brandon Lansford from Cotulla, Texas gets thrown off of Vitalix Slugger during the afternoon rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post) The National Western Stock Show gallops into the National Western Complex (4655 Humboldt St.) Jan. 10-25. Cowboys and cowgirls of all ages can saddle up for Free Grounds Admission Day on Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The complimentary admission does not include ticketed events. Families will definitely round up big savings, given the regular price on Tuesdays is $27 for adults and $7 for children. Parking is free, but space is limited, so consider parking at Coors Field in paved, well-lit lots dedicated to Stock Show attendees. The lots open at 8 a.m. daily with free shuttles taking attendees the 20-minute trip to the National Western Complex. nationalwestern.com MLK Free Concert The Colorado Symphony honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its annual tribute concert on Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Boettcher Concert Hall (1000 14th St.) in Denver. Admission is free. The evening will feature special guest performances and honor recipients of the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. Tickets are required for admission, which are now available online (limit 10 per household). All seating is general admission. However, a ticket does not guarantee a seat, so arrive early. tickets.coloradosymphony.org Martin Luther King Jr. Marade Marade participants make their way down Colfax Avenue, celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Denver, on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) King’s legacy is also commemorated in Denver with what has grown to be one of the largest MLK Day celebrations in the U.S. Among the local events set to honor Dr. King is the annual Marade, on Monday, Jan. 19 (held rain, snow or shine). This year, due to construction, the marade (a combo of march and parade) starts at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue at City Park. Participants strut their stuff west along Colfax, ending 3 miles later at the  State Capitol. The event is preceded by a 10 a.m. program honoring Dr. King at City Park, with the actual walk stepping off at about 11:45 a.m. There will not be a closing ceremony this year. facebook.com/DrMLKJrColoradoHolidayCommission Niwot Community Seed Swap Gardening enthusiasts itching for spring will want to mark their calendars for the Niwot Community Seed Swap at Niwot Hall (195 Second Ave.) on Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hosted by the Niwot Garden Club, the swap is ideal for local seed savers who would want to share, gardeners wanting to learn how to save seeds and even people who want to garden from seed. Find a wide variety of seeds including native and pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds, Colorado-adapted vegetable varieties, and fruit and perennial garden favorites. Bring your harvested or packaged seeds, bulbs or starts to share, but don’t forget to bring envelopes or containers to take home your new seeds. If you don’t have any seeds, you’re still welcome to take some home. There is a suggested donation of $5. eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-community-seed-swap-tickets-1978290589407 The Ultimate RV show will offer 200 different types of RVs, campers and other accessories to check out at the Colorado Convention Center. (Provided by Meadows PR) The Ultimate RV Show Hit the road with the Ultimate RV Show at the Colorado Convention Center (700 14th St.) Jan. 28-31. Show hours vary by date. Admission is free. See exhibits of all new 2026 RVs ranging from van campers to travel trainers to large motorhomes and more. Check out fully-staged new and pre-owned RVs, all at show-only special pricing. There will be new product debuts, complimentary show bags, a Kids Zone and RV experts on site to share their tips and insights. Visitors can also attend myriad how-to and idea-filled workshops, learn more about area campgrounds/resorts, and get tips on how to get the most out of items they already own. campingworld.com Laura Daily and Bryan K. Chavez are freelance writers. Send tips to [email protected] 14 to 21 days in advance. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox. ...read more read less