Roller coasters, kites, donuts and trains | What’s Up, Colorado
Apr 9, 2026, 11:21 AM | Updated: 4:07 pm
Elitch Gardens is open!
Roller coaster season has officially arrived. Elitch Gardens kicks off with season pass holder appreciation weekend Saturday and Sunday. Don’t have a pass? The downtown Denver thrill park opens to all guests Saturday, April 18. Get details at ElitchGardens.com
Go fly a kite!
The 21st annual Arvada Kite Festival takes over Stenger Sports Complex on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a kite or buy one there. The free event features pro kite demos, inflatables, face painting, more than 100 vendors and food trucks and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science Curiosity Cruiser. Gates open at 10:45 a.m. with free first-come, first-served parking. Get details here!
Run now, donuts later
The annual Donut Dash 5K is Sunday at Washington Park, and yes — donuts are waiting for you at the finish line. All finishers get a medal, a race logo shirt and all the post-race carbs they can handle. Register at ColoradoRunnerEvents.com.
All aboard
The Rocky Mountain Train Show rolls into the National Western Complex on Saturday and Sunday with more than three acres of model trains, LEGOs, face painting and over 600 tables of vendors. It’s the largest model train show west of the Mississippi. Kids 12 and under get in free! Get all the info here.
