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Auraria campus buildings with the iconic Tivoli Brewing Company repurposed campus center in Denver
Auraria

Events in Auraria, Denver

Student-oriented, cultural, educational

1 upcoming events
1 upcoming events
3 venues
Student Events
Auraria West Station (C/W Line)
Nightlife: Low
4 restaurants & bars
Student Events
Cultural Programs
Historic Architecture
Community Lectures
Craft Beer
  • Tivoli Brewing Company occupies the historic 1866 Tivoli Union brewery building
  • Three colleges share the campus: CU Denver, MSU Denver, and Community College of Denver
  • 9th Street Historic Park is one of Denver's oldest surviving Victorian neighborhoods
  • Auraria's Performing Arts Center hosts student productions and community events
  • Direct light rail access to downtown Denver and Union Station

Things to Do in Auraria

🍺

Tivoli Brewing Company

Nightlife

Denver's oldest surviving brewery building (1866) is now the shared student union for three colleges. Visit the Tivoli Brewing taproom for Colorado craft beers in a spectacularly historic setting.

🏛️

9th Street Historic Park

Free

A preserved block of 1870s–1890s Victorian homes in the heart of a modern campus. One of Denver's most unusual historic sites — free to walk through and explore any time.

🎭

King Center Performing Arts

Arts

The Auraria campus's King Center hosts professional and student theater productions, dance performances, and community events. Affordable tickets and high-quality productions.

🎓

Public Lectures & Cultural Events

Free

Three colleges mean a constant stream of free public lectures, art exhibitions, cultural celebrations (MLK Day, Diwali, Cinco de Mayo), and community events on campus year-round.

🌉

Platte River Trail Access

Outdoor

The Auraria campus sits along the South Platte River trail system — excellent access for biking or walking toward Confluence Park, RiNo, and beyond.

🎨

Campus Art Exhibitions

Arts

CU Denver and MSU Denver galleries host rotating exhibitions of student and professional work throughout the year — free admission and a great way to discover emerging Colorado artists.

What's Opening in Auraria

BALL ARENA

restaurant

90d ago

Explore Auraria by Category

The Story of Auraria

🏕️
1858

Auraria Town Founded

The Town of Auraria was founded in November 1858 — just weeks before Denver City across Cherry Creek. Named after Auraria, Georgia, it was one of Colorado's first settlements during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.

Gold Rush prospectors with mining equipment — the era that brought settlers to Auraria, 1858

Gold Rush prospectors with mining equipment — the era that brought settlers to Auraria, 1858

Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections

📜
1860

Auraria Absorbed into Denver

Auraria was absorbed into the City of Denver in 1860. The neighborhood retained its name and character as a working-class residential area distinct from Denver's commercial core.

🍺
1866

Tivoli Brewery Founded

The Tivoli Union Brewery was founded in 1859 and rebuilt in its current form in 1866 — one of Denver's oldest surviving buildings and a landmark of Colorado brewing history.

Interior tasting room of Tivoli-Union Brewery with bartender Harry Pfalzgraf

Interior tasting room of Tivoli-Union Brewery with bartender Harry Pfalzgraf

Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections

🏘️
1870s–1960s

Working-Class Mexican-American Community

Auraria developed as a tight-knit working-class neighborhood, home to Denver's Mexican-American community. The neighborhood had homes, churches, schools, and businesses serving generations of families.

St. Cajetan's Catholic Church at 1170 9th Street — heart of Auraria's Mexican-American community

St. Cajetan's Catholic Church at 1170 9th Street — heart of Auraria's Mexican-American community

Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections

🔨
1973–1976

Urban Renewal Demolishes the Neighborhood

In a controversial urban renewal project, the City of Denver demolished virtually the entire Auraria neighborhood to build a higher education campus. Over 300 Victorian homes and businesses were razed, displacing 4,000+ residents.

Aerial view of Auraria/Lincoln Park before demolition, 1977

Aerial view of Auraria/Lincoln Park before demolition, 1977

Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections

🎓
1976–Present

Auraria Higher Education Campus

The Auraria Campus opened in 1976, shared by three institutions: University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University, and Community College of Denver. The 9th Street Historic Park preserves a single block of Victorian homes.

Aerial view of Auraria Higher Education Campus with Tivoli building in foreground

Aerial view of Auraria Higher Education Campus with Tivoli building in foreground

Source: Denver Public Library Special Collections

Upcoming Events in Auraria

Top Venues in Auraria

Denver Open Data for Auraria

Explore food safety and licensing data for restaurants, bars, and food businesses in Auraria.

View Restaurant Health Scores in Auraria
Auraria campus buildings with the iconic Tivoli Brewing Company repurposed campus center in Denver
Photo by Cole Keister on Unsplash

Auraria is one of Denver's most distinctive neighborhoods — a student-oriented, cultural, educational destination that draws locals and visitors alike. Whether you're looking for student events, cultural programs, historic architecture, community lectures, craft beer, denver's higher education campus shared by three colleges, adjacent to downtown with student-oriented events, cultural centers, and the tivoli brewing company. Browse upcoming events on this page and plan your visit to Auraria, Denver.

From seasonal festivals to nightly live music, Auraria has something happening every week of the year. Use 303Happenings to discover the best Auraria events, find venues near you, and get notified when new events drop. Explore Denver events by neighborhood

Auraria Quick Facts
🎯 Best for: Student Events, Cultural Programs, Historic Architecture, Community Lectures, Craft Beer
🚌 Transit: Auraria West Station (C/W Line) · RTD Bus 1
🚗 Parking: Campus lots (paid)

What Is Auraria Best For?

Auraria excels at Student Events, Cultural Programs, Historic Architecture, Community Lectures, Craft Beer. Here's what makes this Denver neighborhood stand out: What's happening tonight

  • Tivoli Brewing Company occupies the historic 1866 Tivoli Union brewery building
  • Three colleges share the campus: CU Denver, MSU Denver, and Community College of Denver
  • 9th Street Historic Park is one of Denver's oldest surviving Victorian neighborhoods
  • Auraria's Performing Arts Center hosts student productions and community events
  • Direct light rail access to downtown Denver and Union Station

The Story of Auraria


Top Event Venues in Auraria

The following venues are the heart of Auraria's event scene, hosting everything from intimate shows to large-scale festivals:

  • Tivoli Brewing Company
  • Auraria Campus

Browse the full venue list and upcoming events at each location on 303Happenings.

Denver at a Glance

Discover what makes Denver unique — from the Mile High skyline to vibrant neighborhood culture.

Basketball arena crowd cheering
Ball Arena, home of the Nuggets and Avs

Best Time to Visit Auraria

Spring (March–May): Auraria comes alive as Denver shakes off winter. Patio season kicks off, outdoor festivals return, and the neighborhood energy picks up significantly.

Summer (June–August): Peak season — outdoor concerts, festivals, block parties, and the longest bar patio hours. Auraria is at its absolute best in summer.

Fall (September–November): A beloved time to visit — cooler evenings, fall festivals, Denver's famous Restaurant Week, and the Rockies playoff push bring energy to the streets.

Winter (December–February): Denver's 300 days of sunshine keep Auraria active even in winter. Holiday markets, cozy bars, and indoor events make it a year-round destination.

Getting to Auraria Denver

🚌 Public Transit

  • Auraria West Station (C/W Line)
  • RTD Bus 1

RTD day passes ($6.50) are available at all rail stations and online.

🚗 Parking

Campus lots (paid)

For major events, rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or transit is recommended as parking can fill quickly.

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