🍷🥢 Savor & Paddle: Denver Food + Wine + Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Colorado shines with two world-class events this Labor Day weekend, ideal for a weekend escape or extended getaway. Pair gourmet tastings with cultural celebrations and stay cozy in a Be Our Guest Housing rental for a seamless experience.

1. Denver Food + Wine Festival

📅 September 3–6, 2025 | 📍 Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus, Denver

🍷 Denver Food + Wine Festival: A Culinary Celebration in the Heart of the Mile High City

Held over four flavor-packed days, the Denver Food + Wine Festival is more than just a series of tastings; it’s a premier culinary experience that supports Colorado’s vibrant food and beverage scene. Hosted by the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, this signature event raises funds to benefit local hospitality workers while spotlighting the incredible talent and diversity of the state’s chefs, mixologists, and wine professionals. Whether you’re a serious foodie or simply love a good glass of wine paired with small bites, this festival offers the perfect setting to sip, savor, learn, and connect.

🍷 Festival Highlights

Riedel Wine Seminars – Sept 3

Kick off the festivities with a guided tasting led by experts from Riedel, one of the most prestigious names in wine glassware. Discover how the shape and design of a glass can enhance aroma and flavor, transforming the entire tasting experience. Attendees will walk away not just with new knowledge, but also a set of high-quality Riedel glasses to bring the experience home.

Shake + Brake Showdown – Sept 4

This high-energy evening combines the creativity of Colorado’s top bartenders with the culinary variety of local food trucks. Mixologists will shake, stir, and serve innovative cocktails while guests sample bites from Denver’s best street food vendors. With live music and a festive atmosphere, this is one of the most anticipated nights of the festival.

Dine Out Auction – Sept 5

For those looking for a truly unique dining experience, the Dine Out

Auction is your chance to bid on exclusive chef-curated meals, private dinner parties, and one-of-a-kind culinary packages. All proceeds go to supporting local industry professionals, making it a great way to give back while treating yourself.

Grand Tasting – Sept 6

The main event and undisputed highlight of the festival, the Grand Tasting brings together more than 40 of Denver’s top restaurants and over 700 wine and spirit offerings. Held on the Tivoli Quad, this outdoor celebration is your all-access pass to Colorado’s culinary landscape. VIP ticket holders enjoy early entry, exclusive tastings, and access to the shaded VIP lounge, while general admission guests can sip and stroll from 1 PM onward. With live music, chef demos, and plenty of samples, this is the perfect way to toast the end of summer.

✨ Why You Should Go

1. Unmatched Culinary Access: From nationally recognized chefs to hidden local gems, the festival gathers Denver’s best under one sky.
2. Tasting Variety: Sample wines, craft cocktails, and gourmet plates from a wide variety of cuisines and cultures.
3. Support a Great Cause: All proceeds benefit the Colorado Restaurant Foundation, helping sustain the local food community that keeps Denver’s dining scene thriving.
4. VIP Experience: For those seeking a luxury upgrade, VIP passes offer early entry, exclusive food and drink stations, and shaded lounge areas.
5. Perfect Pairing Weekend: Whether it’s a romantic outing, girls’ weekend, or solo foodie adventure, this festival is designed to impress.

2. Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

📅 September 6–7, 2025 | 📍 Sloan’s Lake Park, Denver

🌊 A Cultural & Athletic Spectacle: The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is one of the most dynamic and beloved cultural events in Denver. This vibrant weekend celebration at Sloan’s Lake Park brings together the richness of Asian Pacific American heritage with spirited athletic competition, artistic expression, and family-friendly fun. The festival beautifully merges the ancient tradition of dragon boat racing with a wide array of live entertainment, delicious cuisine, and community storytelling.

🚣‍♂️ Dragon Boat Races

At the heart of the festival are the thrilling dragon boat races, where dozens of teams from across the region paddle in unison across Sloan’s Lake in beautifully adorned longboats. The races begin at 10 AM and run through dusk, offering spectators nonstop excitement and showcasing teamwork, tradition, and fierce competition. It’s not just a race—it’s a cultural ritual rooted in centuries of history and revered across many Asian cultures.

🎭 Three Stages of Entertainment

Throughout the park, three dedicated performance stages come alive with a rotating schedule of traditional and contemporary acts. You’ll experience everything from lion dances, K-pop performances, martial arts demonstrations, and taiko drumming, to live podcasts and fusion music. It’s an immersive celebration of heritage and modern expression, with something engaging for all ages.

🍜 Taste of Asia Courts

Food lovers are in for a treat with the Taste of Asia food courts, where over 30 vendors serve up an incredible variety of authentic Asian and fusion dishes. From crispy egg rolls and steamed dumplings to flavorful noodle bowls, sushi, barbecue skewers, and sweet bubble tea, the culinary experience alone is worth the visit. Whether you’re craving Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, or Japanese food, this is your chance to take a flavorful journey through Asia, right in the heart of Denver.

🎨 Marketplace & Kid Zone

Explore the Asian Marketplace, featuring artisans and vendors offering handcrafted goods, jewelry, cultural apparel, and unique gifts. The Kid Zone is packed with fun and educational activities, dragon puppet making, calligraphy lessons, kite design stations, and drum-playing workshops. It’s an ideal setting for families to learn, play, and discover Asian traditions together in a creative and welcoming space.

Why You Should Attend

Celebrate AAPI culture and authentic cuisine.

Immerse yourself in a colorful array of traditions from across Asia, from music and dance to art and storytelling. Treat your taste buds to delicious dishes like dumplings, noodle bowls, satay, and bubble tea—all prepared by local vendors who bring generations of flavor and culture to life.

Experience a family-friendly, high-energy sporting and cultural event.

Cheer on competitive dragon boat races as teams paddle across Sloan’s Lake in beautifully decorated boats, celebrating unity and heritage. With kid zones, live entertainment, martial arts demos, and craft activities, there's something to engage every age and interest.

🏠 Stay With Style: Be Our Guest Housing

📍 Best Locations:

1. Downtown/Auraria Campus – Walk to Food + Wine venues.
2. Sloan’s Lake/Berkeley – Short stroll to Dragon Boat festivities.
3. Golden/Lakewood/Morrison – Scenic retreats with easy rideshare access.

🏡 Home Amenities:

1. Full kitchens, A/C, laundry, Wi-Fi, and family-friendly layouts (4–8 guests).
2. Off-street parking & flexible check-in/out, perfectly timed for event schedules.

🗺️ Maps & Directions

1. Denver Food + Wine Festival: Located at 1000 Larimer St. (Auraria Campus). Plethora of off-street parking nearby; best to arrive early or use light rail via Union Station.
2. Colorado Dragon Boat Festival: Set at Sloan’s Lake Park (S. Sheridan Blvd & 17th Ave). Street parking fills fast. Ask us about our affordable private car service for easy access.
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🛳️ Sample Event Itinerary

Wed, Sept 3: Arrive, check in, sip seminars.

Thurs, Sept 4: Explore Denver’s dining scene, and enjoy the Shake + Brake showdown.

Fri, Sept 5: Brunch + Wine Auction, relax in your rental home.

Sat, Sept 6: Grand Tasting in the afternoon; walk Sloan’s Lake in the evening.

Sun, Sept 7: Dragon Boat races, cultural exploration, checkout.

❓ FAQs

Q: Are kids allowed?

1. Food + Wine Festival and Dragon Boat allow all ages

Q: Can I attend both events?

1. Absolutely! Just an easy ride or a short drive apart. Rentals offer multi-event stays to sink into the experience.
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Q: Is parking available?

1. Street parking, paid lots are accessible near both venues. Downtown rentals offer private parking.
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Q: What should I wear?

1. September in Denver is mild (60s–70s°F). Pack layers, comfortable shoes, sunscreen,

What are you waiting for?

🎉 Make your festival weekend stress-free, book your stay with Be Our Guest Housing and stay close to all the action!

🏡 From cozy homes near Sloan’s Lake to stylish spaces in downtown Denver, we’ve got the perfect place for your getaway.

✅ Don’t wait, our properties fill up fast during major events. Reserve now and enjoy comfort, convenience, and local charm!