Seventh annual independent arts fest spans theatre, dance, comedy, circus and more — plus FringeART installations and a full KidsFringe weekend

Denver’s most freewheeling performing arts event is back. The seventh annual Denver Fringe Festival runs June 3-7, taking over more than 20 venues across the city with 80-plus original, self-produced shows and over 220 performances.

True to the Fringe ethos — unconventional, uncensored and unjuried — the lineup spans theatre, dance, comedy, circus, storytelling, cabaret and just about anything else artists can dream up. Venues range from mid-size theatres to intimate black boxes to more unexpected spots like oddity shops, giving audiences a reason to wander into corners of Denver they might not otherwise visit.

Beyond the main performance schedule, this year’s festival includes two curated FringeART visual art exhibitions and a full weekend of KidsFringe programming with free, family-friendly performances and activities.

“We strive to open the door to all kinds of creative expression,” said Executive Director Ann Sabbah. “What makes Fringe so exciting is that artists are taking risks, audiences are stepping into the unknown, and together we’re creating this spontaneous, inclusive experience where anything can happen.”

Aerial dance performer Karlyn Griswold added that Fringe “has become such an inclusive, accessible community staple with space for everyone to showcase their work, with no barriers to entry. It makes me hopeful that the arts are very much alive and providing a place for people to truly be themselves.”