2014
Founded in 2014 as a weekly market, Saturdays and Final Fridays, July 12 to November 1, at Sustainability Park (26th and Lawrence) in Denver's RiNo Art District. Free to attend, built around food trucks and up-and-coming food makers, local beer and cocktails.
The music booking relationship with Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom began this year and has programmed the stage with local and national bluegrass acts ever since.
“Summer food truck meetups are pretty common, but this one has heart.”
Westword (2014)
“TheBigWonderful, Denver's first year-round food-incubator market”
Westword (2014)
“TheBigWonderful Is the Ultimate Patio Experience”
Westword (2014)
“TheBigWonderful is like walking into a working food science lab disguised as a farmer's market. Area chefs, cooks, brewers, farmers, entrepreneurs, or anyone with something delicious to share can participate and share something new. Your favorite restaurant might be there testing out a new dish, or you might get a taste of the next big thing on tap.”
303 Magazine (2014)
2015
Season two opened May 2 with a Derby-themed party, the first of many, and drew 15,000 people on opening weekend. The weekly block party ran through October 17 with beach volleyball, urban farming, cornhole, a dog park, and a full-sized stage for local bluegrass bands and DJs.
On stage: Trout Steak Revival, Whitewater Ramble, Kyle Hollingsworth Band, Rob Drabkin, Grant Farm, The Drunken Hearts, Eufórquestra, Dragondeer
“TheBigWonderful has solidified itself as a nucleus of Denver's burgeoning craft community.”
303 Magazine (2015)
“Soak up hipster culture at TheBigWonderful”
Thrillist (2015)
“While we can't predict what the next big thing in Denver's foodie scene will be, we can pretty much guarantee where it will come from, TheBigWonderful”
5280 Magazine (2015)
2016
From weekly block parties to single-day, two-day and three-day festivals around the metro: Sustainability Park, Geneva Park with the City of Littleton, Stanley Marketplace, Art Blast on the 16th Street Mall with the Downtown Denver Partnership, Secret District (12 DJs in a secret location), Blues & Brews Fest, Oktobergrass headlined by Jeff Austin Band, and Wondergate, the tailgate twist with Denver Housing Authority.
On stage: Jeff Austin & Friends, Otis Taylor Band, Golf Clap, The Drunken Hearts, Polyrhythmics, Eddie Roberts 'Big Wonderful' Soul Party, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, DeadPhish Orchestra, The Congress, Wake Up and Live, Analog Son, The Sweet Lillies
“TheBigWonderful, a marketplace that brings art, music, fashion, and food together in Denver, is stepping it up a notch”
Denver Post (2016)
“Perfect for a family day out or a Sunday Funday”
303 Magazine (2016)
“5 Reasons You Should Plan A Trip To Denver Right Now”
Forbes (2016)
2017
Three multi-day festivals. Derby Weekend moved to the former Denver Post printing plant in Globeville, home for the next three years. A three-day summer bash at Stanley Marketplace in July, then a two-day Oktobergrass back in Globeville in September.
On stage: Jeff Austin Band, Drew Emmitt Band, Andy Thorn & Friends, Rob Drabkin, Everyone Orchestra, Chain Station, Meadow Mountain
“TheBigWonderful is back and spilling over with its trademark something-for-everyone trifecta, including a huge shopping bazaar and food-truck congregation, a big beer-and-spirits fest and lots of live music, all at one large, open location”
Westword (2017)
“Indulge in Denver's best food, drink, and retail at TheBigWonderful”
303 Magazine (2017)
2018
Winter Park Resort for the first time, plus Littleton with Reinke Brothers, LoHi Music Fest and Westminster. Derby Weekend and Oktobergrass in Globeville again, and an extended spring festival at Stanley Marketplace.
On stage: Leftover Salmon, Jeff Austin Band, Trout Steak Revival, WhiteWater Ramble, DeadPhish Orchestra, Chain Station, Woodshed Red
“Fuse the waning days of ski season with the amped energy of summer festivals.”
303 Magazine (2018)
“Since its beginning, TheBigWonderful's growth has been very evident. What began as a small event with 100 attendees is now a giant festival, one that people all around Colorado are attracted to.”
303 Magazine (2018)
2019
Second year at Winter Park Resort, Derby Weekend in Globeville, and a bigger footprint in Stapleton at The Shops at Northfield. Boulder Beer BAZAAR with Denver BAZAAR over Memorial Day weekend of the Boulder Creek Festival brought the makers-and-beer mix to Boulder for the first time.
On stage: The Lil Smokies, Meadow Mountain, Whitacre, Whippoorwill, Tejon Street Corner Thieves, My Blue Sky, Brianna Straut, Pick & Howl
“A crafty shopping extravaganza”
303 Magazine (2019)
“The annual Derby weekend festival takes Colorado's beloved food, music, and market experiences with an emphasis on 100-plus local entrepreneurs and sustainability.”
Eater Denver (2019)
“All the beer, wine, shopping, and fun making you hungry? A wide selection of Denver's favorite Food Trucks will come together to create a mobile Food Court during the festival.”
Stapleton Scoop (2019)
2020
A new permanent home: TheBigWonderful Beer Garden at Belleview Station in the DTC, with the shipping container bar and local musicians every Saturday and Sunday for eight straight weeks that fall.
On stage: Chain Station, My Blue Sky, Brianna Straut, Pick & Howl, Chandler Holt Duo, Saturday Jam ft. members of Lotus, The Heavy Pets, Wood Belly
2021
Belleview Station and Belleview Beer Garden hosted every event. A two-day Derby Weekend with more than 10 bands, live music every Saturday from May through the Fourth of July weekend, and Oktobergrass to close the year.
On stage: Deadphish Orchestra, Puma Borracha, Pick and Howl, Wake Up and Live, Chain Station, Sugar Moon, Dogs Off Leash
2022
Back to Winter Park Resort after two years: Spring Splash and Bash in late March and a Summer Session in June. The annual Derby Party in May at Belleview Station, then the music series became monthly concerts on the Belleview Beer Garden stage from June through October.
On stage: Meadow Mountain, Jon Stickley Trio, Magic Beans, Float Like a Buffalo, Drunken Hearts
2023
A few blowout events: Winter Park in spring, the annual Derby Party at Belleview Station with 700+ in their derby best, and a Winter Park Summer Session.
Pouring booths: Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, Denver Beer Co, New Terrain Brewing Co, Hooch Booth, Mad Lemon, Dirty Dill, Cerebral Brewing, Vicious Cycle Brewing, Golden Moon Distillery
Small business: Loom, Czech Out The Rock, B Fresh Gear, Climax Jerky, Atomicchild, Unleash the Crunch, Quarantine Project, Aspen Soap Company, MEC Vintage Posters, Clark Woodworks, Switchwood, Rocky Mt. Outback Hats
Musicians: The Wrecklunds, Head for the Hills, Ms. Amy & The Jet Set, Martin Gilmore Band, The Fretliners
2024
Ten years. Weekend 1 of Spring Bash + Splash at Winter Park Resort, the annual Kentucky Derby Party at Belleview Station in May, Winter Park again in June, and a two-block anniversary party on Larimer St. in the RiNo Art District in August, where it began. Thousands came out.
Pouring booths: Wibby Brewing, Los Dos Potrillos, Cerveceria Colorado, Parktake Brewing, New Terrain Brewing Co, SUNBOY, Vaqit, Wisetails, Skyy Vodka, Seedstock Brewing
Small business: Glue Bunny Games, Send Flours Baking Co, Miso Heat, Adventurist Backpack Co, Keja Designs Jewelry, Cityscape Knits, Hop Passport, Prefare Meals, Zoe Rae Art, Hooha, Mile-Hi Sweets & Treats, Switchwood
Musicians: Deer Creek Sharp Shooters, Liver Down the River, Clint Koury & Gil Clark (formerly of Avenhart), That Damn Sasquatch, High Lonesome, Slay & Stinson, The Bluegrass Journey Men, Tonewood, Bill Mckay, Deborah Solo Trio
Every act,every year.
The full artist alumni list, year by year since 2014, is on its own page. Notable acts.
The next dategoes to thelist first.
Get on the list or see every event.
