Summertime in Denver is all about the outdoors. Denverites spend these months making the most of the plentiful sunshine and copious fresh air — hiking, biking and enjoying a host of live music extravaganzas.
RED ROCKS PARK & AMPHITHEATRE
WHEN: May–September
No summer in Denver is complete without at least one — or two, or five — trips to the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Amphitheatre, just 15 miles from downtown Denver. More than 70 million years in the making, the 9,450-seat venue is flanked by enormous 300-foot red sandstone rock formations and always boasts a star-studded musical schedule.
Highlights of the 2018 lineup:
May
Mon., May 28: Haim with Maggie Rogers and Lizzo
Tues., May 29: Five Finger Death Punch with Of Mice & Men
Wed., May 30: Vance Joy with Alice Merton
June
Fri., June 1: Michael Franti & Spearhead with Xavier Rudd and Victoria Canal
Sun., June 3: Marshmello
Tues., June 5: Ween
Sun., June 10: John Butler Trio with Tash Sultana and Mama Kin Spender
Tues., June 12: Bryan Adams
Thurs., June 14: Ryan Adams with First Aid Kit
Fri.–Sat., June 15–16: Odesza
Tues., June 19: Barenaked Ladies with Better Than Ezra and KT Tunstall
Wed., June 20: Kaleo with Anderson East
Thurs., June 28: Chromeo and The Glitch Mob with Elohim and Kittens
Fri.–Sun., June 29–July 1: The Avett Brothers with David Crosby, Mandolin Orange and Jill Andrews
July
Mon.–Tues., July 2–3: Zeds Dead with Russo
Wed., July 4: Blues Traveler with G. Love & the Special Sauce and The Wailers
Thurs.–Sat., July 5–7: Umphrey's McGee
Thurs., July 12: moe.
Sun., July 15: Seal with The Colorado Symphony and Corinne Bailey Rae
Wed., July 18: Sylvan Esso
Thurs., July 19: Trampled by Turtles with The Oh Hellos and Dead Horses
Fri.–Sun., July 20–22: The String Cheese Incident with JJ Grey & Mofro, The Main Squeeze and Rising Appalachia
Thurs., July 26: Sarah McLachlan with The Colorado Symphony
Fri., July 27: Beats Antique and The Polish Ambassador & The Diplomatic Scandal
August
Fri., Aug. 3: Lucero and Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls with Face to Face
Sat., Aug. 4: Yonder Mountain String Band & The Infamous Stringdusters with The Earls of Leicester and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Mon., Aug. 6: Steve Martin and Martin Short
Wed., Aug. 8: Portugal .The Man with Oh Sees
Sun., Aug. 12: Brandi Carlile with Shovels & Rope and The Secret Sisters
Mon., Aug. 20: Niall Horan with Maren Morris
Wed.–Thurs., Aug. 22–23: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats with Tank and The Bangas and Slim Cessna's Auto Club
Mon.–Tues., Aug. 27–28: David Byrne
Thurs., Aug. 30: Shakey Graves, Jose Gonzalez & The Brite Lites with Twin Peaks
September
Sun., Sept. 2: Jason Mraz with Brett Dennen
Mon., Sept. 3: Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit with Aimee Mann and Amanda Shires
Sun., Sept. 9: O.A.R. with Matt Nathanson
Mon., Sept. 10: Mac DeMarco
Mon., Sept. 17: Punch Brothers & Gillian Welch
Sun., Sept. 30: Gregory Alan Isakov with Patty Griffin
MUSIC FESTIVALS
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WESTWORD MUSIC SHOWCASE: JUNE 23, 2018
Held at the end of June, this summer music festival brings local and national acts together for a day of great entertainment. Westword, Denver's alternative newsweekly, has been a staple in the community for decades and it continues to bring great events to the city.
UNDERGROUND MUSIC SHOWCASE: JULY 27–29, 2018
As is the case with most Denver music festivals, the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) started from humble beginnings. During its first year, 300 attendees came out to the Bluebird Theater to hear four bands. By 2006, the festival had to move to South Broadway to accommodate the number of music acts and festivalgoers. Today, it's one of the most popular music festivals in Denver, spanning four days in July with more than 400 local and national acts and more than 15 venues and stages. If you want to experience Denver at its best when it comes to music, make sure to check out this festival.
VELORAMA: AUG. 17–19, 2018
Velorama is a three-day street party that accompanies the annual Colorado Classic, a four-day series of cycling races. Launched in 2017, Velorama attracts top acts.
A TASTE OF COLORADO: AUG. 31–SEPT. 3, 2018
It might be known as a food festival (hence the name), but A Taste of Colorado also features around 120 bands playing during the four-day weekend. Listen to a variety of genres as you savor culinary offerings from Colorado’s favorite food establishments.
GRANDOOZY: SEPT. 14–16, 2018
Superfly Productions, the creators of popular festivals including Bonaroo and Outside Lands, will launch its latest music festival in Denver this fall. It will be a three-day weekend festival, featuring big-name headliners — Kendrick Lamar, Florence and the Machine, and Stevie Wonder — plus Denver bands, as well as local food and drink purveyors.
PEPSI CENTER
WHEN: Year-round
Rock, pop and country's biggest stars often make a stop at Pepsi Center — a major sports arena that's right in the heart of the city. When the center isn't hosting basketball's Denver Nuggets, hockey's Colorado Avalanche or lacrosse's Colorado Mammoth, you can catch killer music acts here year round.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Tues., June 12: Steely Dan & The Doobie Brothers
Sun., June 17: Kesha and Macklemore
Wed., June 20: Chicago and REO Speedwagon
Tues., July 3: Harry Styles with Kacey Musgraves
Tues., July 24: Foreigner with Whitesnake and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening
Fri., July 27: Shania Twain
Wed., Aug. 8: Jeff Lynne's ELO
Fri., Aug 10: Chris Stapleton
Tues., Aug. 21: Sam Smith
Wed., Aug. 22: Rod Stewart with Cyndi Lauper
Wed., Sept. 5: The Smashing Pumpkins
Fri.–Sat., Sept. 7–8: Bruno Mars with Cardi B
Sun., Sept. 9: Maroon 5 with Julia Michaels
SPORTS AUTHORITY FIELD AT MILE HIGH
WHEN: May–June
In town during summer but still want to get a peek at the Denver Broncos' famed home stadium? A summer concert at Sports Authority Field at Mile High might be just the ticket. Big-name acts take to the open-air stage as music carries on the Colorado breeze above the storied gridiron for a concert experience you won't forget.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Sat., June 30: Kenny Chesney with Thomas Rhett, Old Dominion and Brandon Lay
Sat., Aug. 4: Luke Bryan with Sam Hunt, Jon Pardi and Morgan Wallen
COORS FIELD
WHEN: June–July
Summer is baseball season, but when the Colorado Rockies are away, the musicians will play — at Coors Field.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Thurs., June 28: Eagles with Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band
Sat., July 21: Def Leppard and Journey
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
WHEN: June–September
Denver Botanic Gardens is a lush oasis located in the heart of The Mile High City, with hundreds of rare and lovely species of plants populating the grounds. But it's also home to a stellar summer concert series. The lawns surrounding the stage are general admission, so bring a blanket or lawn chair along with a bottle of wine and a picnic dinner and enjoy the great music in an unparalleled setting. Word to the wise: virtually all Botanic Gardens concerts sell out — so get your tickets early!
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Mon., June 11: Violent Femmes
Fri., June 22: Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mon., June 25: The Milk Carton Kids
Wed., June 27: Chris Botti
Mon., July 9: The Mavericks
Mon.–Tues., July 23–24: TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' Band
Wed., July 25: Melissa Etheridge
Fri., July 27: Chaka Khan
Sun., July 29: Guster
Wed., Aug. 1: Amos Lee
Wed., Aug. 8: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers
Thurs., Aug. 9: Angelique Kidjo's Remain In Light and Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Wed., Aug. 15: Gipsy Kings
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS PARK
WHEN: Fri.–Sun., Aug. 31–Sept. 2, 2018
Jam out to three days of Phish at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. It's a Denver tradition!
CITY PARK
WHEN: June–early August, Sun., 6–8 p.m.
The City Park Bandstand and Pavilion turns into a swinging, open-air jazz club, as music lovers of all ages congregate for City Park Jazz. Bring a blanket or folding chair—but be prepared to spend plenty of time on your feet, too. City Park Jazz encourages dancing. Best of all, these concerts are free.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Sun., June 3: Jyemo Club
Sun., June 10: Katie Glassman & Snapshot
Sun., June 17: Hazel Miller with Harmony Chorale and Badda Boom Brass Band
Sun., June 24: Paa Kow
Sun., July 1: Eufórquestra
Sun., July 8: La Pompe Jazz & Friends
Sun., July 15: Pat Bianchi Trio
Sun., July 22: Mistura Fina Band
Sun., July 29: The Sammy Mayfield Blues Band
Sun., Aug. 5: Chris Daniels & the Kings with Freddi Gowdy and Tivoli Brass Band
ELITCH GARDENS THEME & WATER PARK
WHEN: June–August
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park is not only a great, family-friendly attraction with roller coasters, water slides and more — it also offers an excellent concert series. All concerts are free with admission to the park.
Check back later for more of the summer 2018 lineup.
Sat., June 2: Chris Lane with Dylan Scott
Sat., June 9: Jack & Jack
Sun., June 17: Banda El Recodo
Sat., June 30: Why Don't We
Sat., July 14: Colton Dixon & Sidewalk Prophets
Sat., July 21: Jacob Sartorius
Sun., July 29: La Septima Banda
Sat., Aug. 4: Switchfoot
LEVITT PAVILION
WHEN: May–August
The Levitt Pavilion is a new, state-of-the-art amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park that was created as a gift to the community. This outdoor venue plans to host a slew of free concerts every summer, and a few ticketed events, too. Bring a blanket and a picnic, kick back on the lawn and enjoy artists from a wide range of genres.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Sat., June 2: Alan Parsons — Eye in the Sky 35th Anniversary Tour (ticketed)
Fri., June 22: Home Free (ticketed)
Fri., July 27: Robert Earle Keen (ticketed)
Sat., Aug. 4: War & Tower of Power with Megan Burtt (ticketed)
Fri., Aug. 24: ABBA The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA (ticketed)
Mon., Sept. 3: YES 50th Anniversary Tour Featuring Joe Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman
FIDDLER'S GREEN AMPHITHEATRE
WHEN: May–September
Grab a blanket and take a seat on the lawn or buy a reserved seat at this beautiful venue just south of Denver in Greenwood Village. Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre has a variety of acts coming up this spring and summer.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Sun., May 27: James Taylor & His All Star Band with Bonnie Raitt
Wed., May 30: Paul Simon
Tues., June 5: Styx and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Thurs., June 21: Sugarland with Brandy Clark and Clare Bowen
Sat., June 23: I Love the 90's with Vanilla Ice, Salt-N-Pepa, Montell Jordan, Biz Markie, Rob Base and DJ Kool
Sun., June 24: Summer Song Festival with Jeremy Camp, Phil Wickham, Tenth Avenue North, Britt Nicole and Tauren Wells
Sat., July 14: Keith Urban with Kelsea Ballerini
Sun., July 15: Thirty Seconds to Mars / Walk the Moon with K.Flay, Welshly Arms, lovelytheband, Jukebox the Ghost, Two Feet and L.I.F.T.
Tues., July 31: Weezer / Pixies with Sleigh Bells
Sat., Aug. 4: Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton
Sun., Aug. 12: Lost 80's Live with A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, Men Without Hats, Animotion, Missing Persons, Dramarama, Gene Loves Jezebel & Farrington and Mann
Sat., Aug. 18: Slayer with Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Testament, Napalm Death
Fri.–Sat., Aug. 24–25: Dave Matthews Band
Sat., Sept., 8: Boy George & Culture Club with The B-52s and Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey
HUDSON GARDENS
WHEN: June–September
Hudson Gardens is known for presenting some of the best touring artists in the world in a picturesque natural setting, and the 2017 season is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic and exciting yet! All seating is general admission, so bring a blanket or low-back chair. You can bring your own food, or visit one of the many local food trucks that will be dishing out eats during the shows.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Sun., June 10: Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot!
Sun., June 17: 38 Special
Sun., June 24: The O'Jays
Tues., July 3: Super Diamond
Wed., July 4: Firefall
Sun., July 8: Tommy James & The Shondells and Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
Sun., July 15: Sheryl Crow
Sun., July 22: Third Eye Blind
Sun., July 29: Chris Isaak
Sat., Aug., 4: Little River Band
Sun., Aug. 5: UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell, Astro & Mickey
Sat., Aug 11: Kenny Loggins
Sun., Aug. 12: Toto
Sat., Aug. 18: Josh Turner
Sun., Aug. 26: Big & Rich
Sun., Sept. 2: Boz Scaggs
ELWAY'S CHERRY CREEK
WHEN: Wednesdays, mid June–mid August (Backyard opens at 5 p.m., music runs from 5:30–9:30 p.m.)
Head to the Backyard at Elway's Cherry Creek every Wednesday this summer for Elway's Taste & Tunes Summer Music Series. Enjoy free music from some fantastic bands (including some of the area's best tribute bands), cocktails, the restaurant's signature menu and beautiful Colorado evenings. Bands play from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Wed., June 13: The Tripping Griswolds
Wed., June 20: Funkiphino
Wed., June 27: The Samples
Wed., July 11: The Railbenders
Wed., July 18: Swerve
Wed., July 25: The Long Run
Wed., Aug. 1: Under a Blood Red Sky
Wed., Aug. 8: Deja Blu Dance Band
Wed., Aug. 15: The Eighties Band
COMMONS PARK
WHEN: Select Sundays, June–September
On a few special Sundays this summer, join Swallow Hill Music at Commons Park, along the South Platte River at the edge of downtown Denver, for an evening of tunes by indie artists performing from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Sun., June 3: Blue Canyon Boys
Sun., June 17: Grown Ass Man Band
Sun., July 1: The Currys
Sun., July 15: Alan Bibey & Grasstowne
Sun., Aug. 5: Half Pint & The Growlers
Sun., Aug. 19: Mama Magnolia
FOUR MILE HISTORIC PARK
WHEN: Wednesday Evenings, June–August
Pack up some picnic provisions (and your family) and bring them to the Shady Grove Picnic Series at Four Mile Historic Park on Wednesday evenings for shows that begin at 6:30 p.m. (doors 6 p.m.). This summer tradition has been going on for almost two decades!
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Wed., June 6: A Hawk and a Hacksaw
Wed., June 13: Clay Kirkland and Al Chesis & the Delta Sonics
Wed., June 20: Shakedown Street
Wed., June 27: Dexter Payne Quintet
Wed., July 11: Color
Wed., July 18: Bryan Bowers w/ Martin Gilmore
Wed., July 25: Harry Tuft
Wed., Aug., 1: The River Arkansas
Wed., Aug., 8: Ricky Earl Band feat. Cherise
Wed., Aug., 15: Rocky Mountain Jewgrass
Wed., Aug., 22: Felonious Smith Trio
CLYFFORD STILL MUSEUM
WHEN: Friday Evenings, June–September
Fridays at 5:30 p.m., art and music lovers gather in the forecourt of the Clyfford Still Museum for live concerts, with the contemporary architecture of the art museum as backdrop.
A few highlights of the 2018 lineup:
Fri., June 29: Chimney Choir
Fri., July 27: Red Baraat
Fri., Aug. 17: Dustbowl Revival
Fri., Sept. 7: Kyle Emerson