Slide into Summer Fun at Elitch Gardens

Posted May 30, 2024

Memorial Day Weekend marked the unofficial start to summer fun at Elitch Gardens as the park’s Island Kingdom Water Park splashed open and a fireworks extravaganza sets the stage for this season’s spectacular lineup of special events.

Island Kingdom Water Park is open for the season. The water park boasts an array of wet n’ wild attractions including exhilarating speed slides for thrill-seekers, exciting raft rides for families, a lazy river for laid-back sun bums, Barefootin’ Bay for little ones to splash around and relaxing cabana retreats perfect for taking it all in.

The season is stacked with entertaining events that are included with any Season Pass or Park Admission Ticket. Here’s what guests can look forward to this summer at Elitch Gardens:

*Elitch Gardens Island Kingdom Water Park is open for the season.* **(Photo: Elitch Gardens)**

Concerts: The park’s scintillating summer concert series opens with the sensational Hispanic band La Septima Banda on Sunday, June 16. Then, guests will enjoy a tribute celebrating the iconic sounds, style, looks and essence of Selena during Karla Perez as Selena The Show and the vibrant, youthful sounds of Banda La Chacaloza de Jerez Zacatecas on July 13 and July 14. Lastly, guests can ride all day then rock all night as they rejoice in the uplifting sounds of Newsboys, Worldwide Revival Nights on Saturday, July 20.

Mermaid Mondays: Start the week with an unforgettable experience meeting, greeting and interacting with the Mystic Mermaids from Downtown Aquarium! Two enchanting mermaids will make a special appearance at the park for unique photo ops on June 17, June 24 and July 8.

Super Hero Weekend: Guests of all ages will enjoy this action-packed weekend celebration from June 21 to June 23. Super hero enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet, greet and snap photos with Spider-Man, Thor and Black Widow. Plus, young super heroes-in-training can partake in themed games, silly dancing and fitness-focused fun during a series of activities in KiddieLand!

Dive-In Movies: Elitch Gardens is thrilled to bring back the fan-favorite Dive-In Movies, where guests enjoy blockbuster films while floating around in the Wave Pool. Three fun-filled shows are planned this summer: Migration on July 12, Wonka on July 19 and Monsters, Inc. on July 26. Shows begin around 7:30 p.m.

Fireworks: Don’t miss the traditional spectacle as the park lights up the Downtown Denver skyline with two more fireworks extravaganzas this season. Elitch Gardens will display Independence Day Fireworks on July 5 and Labor Day Fireworks on September 1. Shows start at park closing time.

“This season is brimming with excitement for all ages,” says David Dorman, General Manager of Elitch Gardens. “From character meet and greets to family-friendly movies in the wave pool to a jam-packed summer concert series, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Where else can you get a variety of free entertainment plus unlimited theme and water park visits for one low price?”

2024 Event Line-Up: June 16: La Septima Banda; June 17: Mermaid Monday; June 21 – 23: Super Hero Weekend; June 24: Mermaid Monday; July 5: Independence Day Fireworks; July 8: Mermaid Monday; July 12: Dive-In Movie: Migration; July 13: Karla Perez as Selena The Show; July 14: Banda La Chacaloza de Jerez Zacatecas; July 19: Dive-In Movie: Wonka; July 20: Newsboys, Worldwide Revival Nights; July 26: Dive-In Movie: Monsters, Inc.; September 1: Labor Day Fireworks.