Summer in Colorado is a treat for the senses. In June, the hills are a viridescent sight, covered in electric green and punctuated by technicolor blossoms. By July, the farm stands offer a feast of flavor, from rich tomatoes to sweet melons. And in August, local farms, shops, and even homes all across the county beckon music lovers to pack a picnic blanket and sit and stay a while… Here’s where to catch a few tunes before the season finale.
Catch It Before Summer’s End…
City Park Jazz, a staple of summer Sundays in Denver, has one big shebang left in its season-long series. On Sunday, August 3, you can expect a “brass band extravaganza,” featuring Rowdy Brass Band, Tivoli Club Brass Band, and Guerrilla Fanfare. Head to CityParkJazz.org to learn more.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, pay a visit to the Historic Elitch Carousel Shell, where you can hear the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra at the last of this summer’s three free concerts hosted inside the carousel shell. Visit HistoricElitchTheatre.org to learn more.
If you didn’t snag tickets to one of their sold-out summer concert series, you can still catch some tunes among the blooms at Denver Botanic Gardens’ “Al Fresco Evenings.” On Tuesday, August 5, and Wednesday, August 6, hear some of Denver’s many great local talents, showcasing everything from bossa nova jazz to folk pop.
Amphitheaters Abound…
Red Rocks may be iconic, but it’s not the only one. To see for yourself, pack a blanket (and a clear bag!) and head to the lawn at Fiddler’s Green, where hitmakers of every variety, from Cyndi Lauper to Mt. Joy, are on the August calendar. Visit FiddlersGreenAmp.com to see the full lineup.
At Levitt Pavilion, which offers more than 50 free concerts and events every year, all ages can spread out on the lawn and catch a show under the stars, just south of town. Find out more at LevittDenver.org.
To the north, Arvada Center’s outdoor amphitheater plays host to acts like the Colorado Symphony for “Mozart Under Moonlight” on August 1 and The Wallflowers on August 12. Find out more at ArvadaCenter.org.
A Little Further Flung…
While the Mile High City is a destination for many of the can’t-miss shows this summer, plenty of good times and good tunes can be found just a few miles outside of town. Take, for example, the Lyons Folk Fest, which, with its three days of live music and camping, is a bucket-list event for Coloradans. From August 8 to 10, locals and tourists alike will pile into the riverside venue to catch once-in-a-lifetime bluegrass acts. Learn more at Bluegrass.com/Folks.
Just roughly one hour’s drive to the south, the Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs is one of Colorado’s newer additions to the amphitheater scene and boasts acts like Glass Animals, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and Little Big Town—just in its August lineup. See the rest at FordAmphitheater.live.
And no summer bucket list would be complete without a trip to the north shore of the Dillon Reservoir to catch some tunes at the Dillon Amphitheater. The waterside venue is set against a backdrop of big mountain views and fills its lineup with everything from local talents to big-name acts. See the full list at DillonAmp.com.