Welcome to the month of Memorial Day and the grand entrance of all kinds of summer fun. Life at Stepping Stone puts you close to it all, starting with the neighborhood pool, the charming and super-active Town of Parker, and easy I-25 access to the summer roster of entertainment in downtown Denver and beyond. Start the season off right with the celebratory ideas below.

Evenings at the Lantern House Firepit-Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 6pm-10pm
There’s something magical about hanging out with family and friends around a fire. Especially on a cool spring evening when the fire feels extra cozy. Stop by any weekend night for a little warmth and conversation with fellow residents and their invited guests. Be sure to bring your access card, which is required to turn on the gas.

Music Arts Festival-May 16-17
Dig out your picnic basket and blanket—it’s outdoor concert season again! Presented by the Highlands Ranch Concert Band, the annual Music Arts Festival features two days of performances by music ensembles from around the metro area. Bring the whole family to enjoy music, plus arts and crafts by local vendors. Food and drinks also available for purchase. Held at Civic Green Park.

Opening Day at the Lantern House Pool-May 23
Just in time for Memorial Day (and your children’s out-of-school, over-the-top energy level), the Lantern House pool is open for business. Join the neighbors for a summer kick-off from 11am-2pm, featuring pool games and treats. Located just outside the Lantern House, the space offers something for everyone, with a big pool, splash pad, and adjacent playground, and plenty of lounge chairs for keeping an eye on the kids or dozing with a book and an icy beverage.

ArtStir Denver & Downtown Denver Arts Festivals-May 23-24
Not one, but two visual arts festivals are yours to explore over Memorial Day weekend. And conveniently, they’re within blocks of each other. ArtStir Denver, voted Best New Festival in 2014 by Westword Magazine, happens at the Denver Pavilions downtown and features more than 225 Colorado-only artists specializing in painting, photography, textiles, furnishings, handcrafted goods, and more. Beyond moseying through the booths, enjoy art and style demonstrations and performances, a flea market and food, craft beers and local wine. Drop by the Day of Rock concert at the nearby 16th Street Mall. Free. Learn more.

Then, be sure to catch the 17th year of the Downtown Arts Festival at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Ranked the #1 art show in Colorado by the Art Fair SourceBook, this juried fine art exhibition features some of Colorado and the nation’s best artists representing 15 artistic media, including painting, photography, glass, leather, sculpture, wood, and clay. Free. Learn more.