A relaxed summer vibe brings the Colorado music scene alive. From small mountain-town parks featuring local bands to large stadium concerts headlining the hottest acts, there is no shortage of high-quality and superbly entertaining music. Coloradans have a broad taste in music, and musicians of many genres clamor to perform here. Home to one of the most astounding natural amphitheaters in the country, Colorado boasts a thriving homegrown music scene that has flourished in the last two decades. With plenty of options to choose from, here are our favorite venues to get you started. We have included price points from free to pricey and styles of music to suit all listeners. But don’t stop here. You're sure to find more remarkable settings on your own to experience live music outdoors and soak up summer.
Discovery Park
20115 E. Mainstreet, Parker
Celebrate summer with your neighbors at Parker Arts Free Concerts at Discovery Park Amphitheater. Located in the heart of Main Street near the Parker Library, the concert series primarily features local talent. You’ll also find fire pits for s’mores, interactive fountains for cooling off and public artwork. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic basket, or dine on fare from food trucks at select concerts.
Denver Botanic Garden
1007 York St., Denver
World-class talent takes the stage at the most intimate outdoor concert setting in the area, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Denver Botanic Gardens. Your ticket to the show includes entrance into the gardens themselves. For the 2019 concert series, you can experience the special exhibit Human | Nature: Figures from the Craig Ponzio Sculpture Collection.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison
Nothing beats sitting under the stars surrounded by glowing, towering rocks, watching the moon rise while listening to the biggest names in music. The Jeep Summer Concert Series delivers one of the most memorable music experiences to be found. Red Rocks is also host to Yoga on the Rocks, Film on the Rocks, The Colorado Music Hall of Fame and biking/hiking trails aplenty.
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
530 S. Frontage Road E, Vail
Each Summer, the Vail Valley Foundation hosts an array of entertainment at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Enjoy the Hot Summer Nights Free Concert Series, internationally renowned Vail Dance Festival and Whistle Pig Headliner concerts while taking in views of the majestic Rocky Mountains. Covered assigned seating and general admission lawn seating, as well as concessions and full bar, are available.
THE CALENDAR
July 4
Blues Traveler, Leftover Salmon
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Blues Traveler will play an Independence Day show for the 25th year for this annual Colorado tradition. Special guests include Colorado jam-grass band Leftover Salmon and singer-songwriter Jackie Greene.
Tickets: $39–$65
July 8
The Mavericks and Los Lobos
Denver Botanic Gardens
Self-described Mexican American band Los Lobos and their eclectic blend of styles perform with the genre-bending, category-defying music of The Mavericks.
Tickets: $74–$79
July 11
Woodshed Red
Discovery Park
Hailing from the Colorado Springs area, this high-energy band performs music inspired by bluegrass, blues, funk and rock spanning eras of music both old and new.
Tickets: Free
July 16
Norah Jones
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Nine-time Grammy Award winner Norah Jones brings her beguiling vocals and a musical blend featuring jazz, vocal pop, bluesy country and folk to Denver. This tour is a return to her piano-driven roots.
Tickets: $49–$99
July 18
Conjunto Colores
Discovery Park
Specializing in “salsa dura” (hard salsa), Conjunto Colores emphasizes strong percussion and horns over vocals. Just try to keep your hips from swaying.
Tickets: Free
July 25
Buckstein
Discovery Park
“I don’t like country music but I like you.” Buckstein hears that frequently. The 6-foot-4-inch bass-baritone's music is reminiscent of Trace Adkins and Toby Keith.
Tickets: Free
July 26–Aug. 10
Vail Dance Festival
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Created in 1989, this annual two-week event features both performance and educational elements and has established Vail as a premier summer dance destination.
Tickets: $23 and up
Aug. 1
Boogie Machine
Discovery Park
Decked out with giant hair and custom retro-style costumes, Boogie Machine is a four-piece '70s disco tribute band playing all your favorite disco-era hits with a taste of funk and rock.
Tickets: Free
Aug. 13
John Hiatt
Denver Botanic Gardens
A skilled storyteller and keen observer of life’s twists and turns, John Hiatt delivers an all-acoustic set of songs both new and old. He is joined by San Francisco’s Logan Ledger.
Tickets: $68–$73
Aug. 14
Steve Miller Band
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
A presence on the music scene for 50 years, Steve Miller crafted a brand of pop that is smart, polished and irresistible.
Tickets: $65–$199
Aug. 14
Lionel Richie
Red Rocks Amphitheater
One of the world’s bestselling artists of all time, Lionel Richie has been entertaining audiences for more than five decades.
Tickets: $59–$299
Aug. 19
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Missouri bred, Denver-based Nathaniel Rateliff and his Night Sweats blend influences of folk, Americana, and vintage rhythm and blues into a sound uniquely theirs.
Tickets: $55–$89
Aug. 27
One Republic with Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Each summer, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra performs with a mainstream band.
Tickets: $49–$149
Sept. 2
Bon Iver
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
2012 Best New Artist and Best Alternative Album Grammy Award winner Bon Iver brings its American indie music to Vail.
Tickets: $89–$119