The nonprofit amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park, which opened in 2017, will this season present about 40 free, all-ages concerts and community events, according to executive director Meghan McNamara. The 2026 free-concert season is currently scheduled to kick off Saturday, May 23, with Rock de Mayo featuring Denver act iZCALLiĚý(see the full list below).

People can RSVP in advance for the shows at , or walk in off the street, at least while there’s still lawn capacity at the 6,500-person venue (there usually is).

Levitt also presents a handful of paid shows each season to bolster its bottom line, including the previously announced Hip Hop on the Hill with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Dizzy Wright, Lil Eazy-E, and Seuss Mace on (Friday, May 22) and, for the first time, The Great American Beer Festival, Oct. 10–11, which is going outdoors for the first time.

Check out the current list of free shows below.

Levitt Pavilion Denver 2026 free concerts

May 23 — Rock de Mayo ft. iZCALLi
May 29 — Between Friends, Fly by Midnight
May 30 — Brazilian Day
June 5 — ĚýThe Sapphic Social Club presents Pride Kickoff with Tiana Major9
June 6 — Steph Strings
June 7 — Central City Opera Presents Drag Me to the Opera
June 12 — Fleetmac Wood
June 13 — Sunsquabi
June 20 — Lettuce
June 26 — The Bright Light Social Hour
June 27 — J. Roddy Walston & The Business
July 3– High Fade
July 4 — Flobots with Espiaille and DCI Tour
July 11 — Andy Frasco & The U.N., The Cultet
July 12 — Soul Rebel Reggae Fest with Black Uhuru
July 17 — LCAC & MSU Presents Las Cafeteras
JuLy 18 — Girls Rock Denver Showcase (headliner TBA)
July 31 — Dessa, Kayla Marque
Aug. 1 — Shakedown Street Presents Jerry Day
Aug. 2 — Boulder Philharmonic
Aug. 7 — Fiesta Colorado with Mariachi Sol De Mi Tierra, Chicano Heat
Aug. 8 — Afrik Impact Cultural Day Celebration ft. Élage Diouf
Aug. 9 — AMRC ft. Snotty Nose Rez Kids with Cary Morin and Sierra Spirit
Aug. 13 — Shwayze with Claire Wright
Aug. 14 — Rebirth Brass Band, Deltaphonic
Aug. 16 — Silverada with Blake Brown & The American Dust Choir
Aug. 22 –Inspector with Roka Hueka
Aug. 23 — Rainbow Girls
Aug. 29 — The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of Phish + More for Kids
Aug. 30 — Kyle Hollingsworth Band (of The String Cheese Incident)
Sept. 4 — Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears
Sept. 5 — Mo Lowda & the Humble
Sept. 11 — Chali 2na and Cut Chemist
Sept. 12 — Cool Vibes Reggae Fest with The Wailers
Sept. 13 — Gamelan Tunas Mekar presents Pasar Southeast Asia
Sept. 18 — La Santa Cecilia
Sept. 20 — Japan Fest with JA-NE Cultural Mixtape
Oct. 1 — Rez Metal with Soulfly

This article was updated with new concerts on Tuesday, April 7.

It’s the first time that the event, in its modern form, will be under the open skies — something that is always risky in the fall in Denver. The goal is to blend GABF’s “legendary beer lineup with live music .. and a more immersive festival experience,” the organization said in a statement.

“Taking the festival outdoors lets us reimagine what¶¶Ňőap possible, and we’re excited to bring fresh energy to the festival and provide an experience that feels uniquely Colorado,” said Ann Obenchain, vice president of marketing and communications of the Brewers Association, in the same statement.

“This isn’t just a venue change for us, it¶¶Ňőap an evolution,” she continued. “We’ve listened to our attendees and we’re creating an outdoor festival that invites people to explore, discover, and celebrate craft beer in a completely new way — one that¶¶Ňőap all about gathering your friends, finding your spot on the lawn, and enjoying great beer and good times together.”

Both Levitt and the convention center are owned by the City of Denver, and the organizations worked together to move GABF, said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver, which helps manage bookings at the convention center.

“With the economy, we are seeing a lot of groups reinventing themselves. I think [the Brewers Association] was looking for something new, and they wanted to try something fresh,” he said.

Ruby Hill is more than five miles south, and a little west, of the convention center and even further from the hotels, bars and restaurants that attendees typically frequent during the weekend. It is located in a residential neighborhood. (Levitt executive director Meghan McNamara didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment for this story.)

Scharf said attendees will likely continue to base themselves downtown, just as they do for other big events that are further afield, including the National Western Stock Show and games at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The Brewers Association said the festival will be reduced to two sessions over two days, down from four sessions over three days a few years ago. This year’s event will be Oct. 10-11 from noon to 4 p.m. (rather than Oct. 8-10, as had been previously announced). Tickets go on sale in June.ĚýAttending the festival will cost $60 this year, down from $85-$95 in 2025.

Other details provided by the Brewers Association:

• “The event will be rain or shine. We will be prepared for any weather and expect attendees to come prepared as well.”
• Paired, a food pairing event, will continue. “More details to come.”
• “We are working on event details and layout and still expect hundreds of breweries.”

The festival, often described as the largest or among the largest commercial beer fests in the world, began in Boulder in 1982 before moving to Denver two years later, first to the now-demolished Currigan Hall and later to the Colorado Convention Center. It reached its peak in the early 2010s when tickets sold out within seconds.

Attendance began to slip before the COVID-19 pandemic, however, as interest in craft beer leveled out. GABF was canceled in 2020 and 2021 before returning as a smaller event. The Brewers Association has repeatedly changed formats over the years and added other alcoholic beverages, like cider, seltzer and spirits, in an effort to stay relevant.

Levitt, at 1380 W. Florida Ave, is a nonprofit amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park. It opened in 2017 and is owned by the city of Denver. It typically presents 40-50 concerts and events between May and October each year.

This story was updated several times on Tuesday with new information.

Bonnie Raitt has gotten some much-deserved and overdue love in recent years from younger indie musicians as her lived-in voice and wide-ranging catalog get another listen. The blues-rock singer and guitarist has put on some scorching shows in Colorado over the years, so don’t miss her Thursday, Sept. 25, concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. With Jimmie Vaugh & the Tilt-a-Whirl Band.

Emancipator, a.k.a. DJ/producer Douglas Appling, makes ethereal, often breathtakingly stripped-down electronic music out of Portland, Ore. He’s bringing songs from his latest, “Stories of the Melting Sun,” to Colorado for a Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Sept. 27 run at Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Bellvue. With pheel. and Aphorize (Sept. 26) and Pooldore and Lapa (Sept. 27). Note: Mishawaka is a shuttle-to venue, so arrive earlier than usual.

Levitt Pavilion will close out its free summer concert series — and its 2025 calendar — on Sunday, Sept. 28, with a visit from The Slackers, the longtime New York ska band. The show, with Volores and 5150, should provide some throwback satisfaction for fans of that jumpy genre that had a major moment in the 1990s. While it’s free, you can RSVP or upgrade via .

Air is on a globe-spanning nostalgia lap for 1998’s “Moon Safari,” which snared a generation of listeners with its soft, sweeping electronica (as it was called then) and gossamer melodies. The band’s Thursday, Oct. 2, concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre will see “Moon Safari” performed in its entirety as part of the French duo’s debut at the Morrison venue.

Haim’s new album, “I Quit,” finds the L.A. sister trio continuing to mine platinum from pop, rock and folk traditions with catchy-as-a-cold melodies and airtight playing. They’ll delve into the breakup themes of the new album (and other hits) when they headline Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre in Greenwood Village on Friday, Oct. 2, with Dora Jar.

Laufey’s genre-resistant music and powerhouse voice may lean toward jazz, pop and bossa nova, but there’s so much more to her expansive sound, from orchestral compositions to intimate torch songs. The Icelandic-Chinese artist’s Wednesday, Oct. 8, stop at Red Rocks Amphitheatre promises to be one of those transcendent, instantly memorable concerts at which the venue excels.

New Zealand pop juggernaut Lorde could hardly be more fired-up, with a new, intensely vulnerable album (June’s “Virgin”) and a synth-driven sound that recalls her early work. She’s touring behind her celebrated fourth studio album with a late-season concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Tuesday, Oct. 14, including openers Blood Orange and The Japanese House.

Prolific Miami rapper Denzel Curry’s collab-heavy song for new horror movie “HIM” (also titled “HIM”) has a chant-like quality that plays off the film’s dark take on masculinity, sports and religious zealotry. He’s still rocking tracks from his 2024 release “King of the Mischevious South Vol. 2,” so expect those and more when he headlines Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Halloween (Friday, Oct. 31), with the stacked lineup of Freddie Gibbs, Earl Sweatshirt, 2 Dead Boyz, and Lexa Gates.

Paul McCartney’s touring prowess seemingly knows no limits, with a crack live band and the tireless energy he devotes to playing his decades of hits, from The Beatles and Wings to his solo work. Hearing McCartney play Beatles classics, in particular, sends shivers down one’s spine. See him at Coors Field with 50,000 of your closest friends on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The biggest venues — those with a capacity of 2,000 or more — were constantly booked during the summer and early-fall concert seasons, with homegrown artists such as Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and The Lumineers joining touring biggies like Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Keith Urban, and Metallica.

While metro area stadiums and arenas aren’t purpose-built for music, they host enough concerts (and music fans) to justify inclusion here; anyone who’s seen Denver-based electronic headliner Illenium, The Rolling Stones or Taylor Swift, for example, can recall the giddy throngs at Empower Field at Mile High.

Here are Colorado’s 20 biggest live music venues, in order of size.

Empower Field at Mile High

Capacity: 76,125
Opened in 2001, the home of the Denver Broncos is also is also the largest concert venue in Colorado. The Eagles played the first concert there, but Mile High has gone on to host dozens more. This year, it has already welcomed Post Malone, Coldplay, the Weeknd and two nights of Metallica. As with most sports venues, concert capacity can rise or fall with field seating, or the closure of certain sections to maximize audience views. If you’re U2, you can even play in-the-round (as they did in 2011).

Coors Field

Capacity: 50,398
While concerts at the Colorado Rockies’ 30-year-old baseball stadium are rarer than at Empower Field, the capacity at Coors Field ensures big names and turnout — see recent shows from Billy Joel, Green Day, Kane Brown and Def Leppard. Booking has been relatively light so far this season.
Still to come: Chris Brown (Sept. 24), Paul McCartney (Oct. 11)

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Capacity: 27,000
As Commerce City’s largest venue, the home of the Colorado Rapids also hosted the annual Phish run on Labor Day weekend for many years (this year it’s at Folsom Field in Boulder) and the gigantic Mile High Music Fest (with Tool, Tom Petty, Dave Matthews Band and others). Opened in 2007, its concerts these days are fewer, but the airy layout of the 18,000-seat stadium lends itself to party-heavy events and dancing, with recent performers such as Imagine Dragons, Weezer and Bassnectar. Field seating adds a whopping 9,000 capacity — or just under the entire capacity of Red Rocks.

Ball Arena

Capacity: 21,000
The home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth since 1999, Ball Arena, is a year-round concert venue that hosts the biggest names in touring. Floor seats and section closures put concert capacity around 20,000 or below, but in-the-round shows can make it feel less cavernous; see past visits from Metallica, or Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

Capacity: 17,000
The state’s largest-capacity amphitheater tends to book artists who are too big for a single night at Red Rocks, but who might also fit comfortably in Ball Arena, depending on the time of year. In 2025, that has included Earth, Wind & Fire, Keith Urban, Wu-Tang Clan, and AJR. Having opened in 1988, the Greenwood Village venue also specializes in presenting live orchestral movie scores, package tours and themed throwback nights.
Still to come: Haim (Oct. 3)

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Capacity: 9,525
Arguably the most famous amphitheater in the world — and, since the pandemic, inarguably the best-attended and most lucrative one — Red Rocks is a unique historical wonder in the Morrison foothills that’s a must-visit for music fans. have graced its outdoor stage, which peers up at a wide bowl between the towering formations of Ship Rock and Creation Rock, offering ideal natural acoustics and stunning vistas. Since it officially opened in 1941, notables have included The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, U2, Fleetwood Mac, Widespread Panic, Radiohead, Daft Punk and Blues Traveler’s legendary Fourth of July run. This year, there are shows through October, and then some.
Still to come: Lorde (Oct. 15)

Ford Amphitheater

Capacity: 8,000
Not to be confused with Vail’s more modest Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (a.k.a. The Amp, which opened in 1987), this luxury-minded Colorado Springs newcomer has since 2024 soaked up performers looking to turn their Denver or high-country visit into a lucrative Front Range run. Colorado pop-rock juggernauts OneRepublic opened the venue last summer, and it’s since hosted a crowd-pleasing mix of country, hard rock, hip-hop, pop and other acts.

Broadmoor World Arena

Capacity: About 8,000
The multi-purpose event center opened its doors in 1998 and has hosted classical music, bull riding, circuses, the Harlem Globetrotters, religious gatherings and, of course, tunes from acts such as Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, and Elton John.
Still to come: Alice Cooper and Judas Priest (Oct. 10), and A Day to Remember and Yellowcard (Oct. 28)

Blue FCU Arena

Capacity: 7,200
Northern Colorado residents are well served by this venue, which opened in 2003 as the Budweiser Events Center, and which is part of Loveland’s growing Ranch Events Complex, thanks to investments from Larimer County and others. It’s taken on more stature since FirstBank Center closed in Broomfield in 2023, having already hosted entertainers like Nate Bargatze, Weezer, Salt-N-Pepa, and even David Bowie.
Still to come: Cole Swindell (Oct. 2), and Brantley Gilbert (Oct. 12)

Levitt Pavilion

Capacity: 7,000
Situated in the otherwise quiet Ruby Hill Park, Levitt is a nonprofit outdoor venue that hosts more than 50 free, high-quality concerts each year for all ages. Its bookings since 2017 have developed into an even mix of rock, pop, hip-hop, metal, soul, R&B, country, folk and impressively diverse acts from outside the U.S., with an emphasis on supporting local and up-and-coming artists.

Bellco Theatre

Capacity: 5,000
This perky venue inside the Colorado Convention Center arrived in 2005 as part of a larger renovation, but it stands alone with its booking, which has included one of the city’s most winning mix of musicians, big-name comedians, lecturers, and hybrid movie screenings.
Still to come: David Byrne (Nov. 6-7)

Mission Ballroom

Capacity: 2,200-3,950
The flexible stage at this high-tech, artist-favorite venue allows owner AEG Presents Rocky Mountains to customize the space to different acts’ audience draw, whether that’s Jack White, Olivia Rodrigo or Devo. The layout for in-venue bars, bathrooms, and accessible seating is state-of-the-art and a welcome change from most crowded theaters with mediocre sight lines to the stage.

Dillon Amphitheater

Capacity: 3,656
This high-country amphitheater with gorgeous views first opened in 1993, with a major renovation in 2018, and has, since the pandemic, been supercharged with acts that would normally just play Red Rocks. That includes Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss, String Cheese Incident, Modest Mouse, Pretty Lights and Cypress Hill. Some shows are even free.

Fillmore Auditorium

Capacity: 3,600
Longtime Denverites will recall the long, curved-roof building at East Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street as the Mammoth Events Center. Owned by promoter Live Nation, it has for most of the time since its 1999 rebranding been the Mile High City’s premier mid-size venue hosting rock, hip-hop, metal, electronic music and drag shows (at least until rival promoter AEG Presents, owned by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz, built Mission Ballroom to compete against it.) A note for music historians: it was redesigned in the style of promoter Bill Graham’s seminal Fillmore venue in San Francisco.

Buell Theatre

Capacity: 2,839
While the 34-year-old Buell — full name Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, after the prolific and influential Colorado architect — mostly welcomes touring Broadway productions for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the city-owned theater also books musical artists.
Still to come: Morrissey (Oct. 2)

Boettcher Concert Hall

Capacity: 2,679
Music lovers continue to debate the acoustics at the Colorado Symphony’s home in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, but the mainstream profile of acts there has helped diversify the symphony’s audiences in recent years. That includes collaborations in-the-round with Denver’s Nathaniel Rateliff and DeVotchKa, as well as indie firebrands The Flaming Lips, in addition to standard orchestral fare and familiar classical-crossover acts such as Andrea Bocelli and Lindsey Stirling. Did we mention live movie scores from “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars,” “Home Alone 2” and others?
Still to come: Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Américas (Sept. 25)

Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Capacity: 2,200
One of Colorado’s oldest venues is also its most majestic, hosting thousands of dancers, touring comedians, musicians, theater productions, and celebrity speakers since opening in 1908. Along with the Buell (next door), it’s the biggest venue in the bustling Denver Performing Arts Complex and a beacon of classic Denver style.

Grizzly Rose

Capacity: About 2,000
Since 1989, the Rose has been one of metro Denver’s only dedicated country music venues with a rich history of launching huge performers (see Taylor Swift’s first-ever Denver concert) and bagging acts that would normally play larger venues. Rough-hewn wood, line dancing, cold bottles of beer, barbecue and mechanical bulls bolster the estimable list of country, hard rock, roots and crossover acts that regularly play on Friday nights.

Macky Auditorium

Capacity: 2,036
The University of Colorado’s handsomely renovated Macky Auditorium, which held its first concert in 1923, hosts music festivals, ballet, circus performers, musical theater, symphonic tributes and more — and has been floated as a primary screening venue for the Sundance Film Festival when it moves to Boulder in 2027.
Still to come: Ballet Hispanico (Oct. 9), and Cirque Kalabante (Oct. Nov. 7)

Pikes Peak Center

Capacity: 2,000
Comics such as Jerry Seinfeld and Marlon Wayans, and musical acts including Dream Theater, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett and Hauser, find a cozy reception in this stately venue in downtown Colorado Springs, which opened in 1982, and which can feel much bigger depending on who’s on stage.

Levitt Pavilion’sĚýfree summer concert series

If you love free summer concerts, Denver is a great city to live in — but there’s one series that stands out even among annual heavy-hitters like City Park Jazz: Levitt Pavilion’sĚýslate of free shows.

The nonprofit amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park will host more than 40 free, all-ages concerts and events in 2025, from Flobots to Rebirth Brass Band and Central City Opera. Bring a picnic set-up — take in your own grub or purchase from food trucks on-site — and enjoy the truly local vibes that feel especially refreshing after battling crowds of tourists at Red Rocks. — Beth Rankin

1380 W. Florida Ave., Ěý

Club Vinyl

One of dance promoter CoClub’s premier venues on Broadway, Club Vinyl stands out for its three floors and summertime view of the city. The rooftop has plenty of cushioned seating under misters, several bars and a hookah menu with more flavors than a Baskin-Robbins. Its dance floor, where fans blow a cool breeze and the house and disco music packs the most punch, is a joyous respite from the summer heat. — Miguel Otarola

1082 Broadway,

Wild Love Tigress

I love nothing more than a good local band that will make you dance, and Denver’s Wild Love Tigress does it every time. I first saw the nine-piece, high-energy funk band while on a date at the good ol’ on East Colfax and was hooked by the big energy, big sound and various tiger-themed costumes. The band released its second studio album this year and frequently plays at venues and festivals across the metro. — Elise Schmelzer

Look for upcoming dates and more at .

ESP

ESP was one of the first bars in Denver to take its main inspiration from the “listening bars” of Japan, named for the audiophile-quality sound of the in-house speaker system and the clientele who are there as much to listen to rare vinyl records as they are to sip whiskey and smoke cigarettes. The sound at ESP is actually more rounded the closer you are to its speaker system, and its bartenders and guest DJs are more on point than pretentious with their picks. Plus, ESP’s wine menu is one of the best in the city. — Miguel Otarola

1029 Santa Fe Drive;

The Galentines

I saw The Galentines play at The General Store in Nederland in June and then talked about them endlessly for several days straight. The all-girl rock band out of Boulder fully captured my attention with their high-energy pop punk and incredible, incredible vocals. They put out their first album, “1140,” in 2024 and continue to do shows across the state. Go see them; you won’t regret it. — Elise Schmelzer

To see a video of the group and find out where they’re playing next, go to or find them on Instagram @thegalentines.band.

Meow Wolf’sĚýPerplexiplex

For music fans who want a no-nonsense show with killer sound, excellent visuals and fees under $7 per ticket (which feels like a genuine miracle in Denver), don’t sleep onĚýThe Perplexiplex.

Meow Wolf’s 500-person venue inside Convergence Station is intimate, accessible and features a sensory experience with interactive projection-mapped visuals. The venue has some limitations — security will go through your bag more thoroughly than TSA on a bad day and parking and transit aren’t always easy, especially if there’s an event happening nearby at Empower Field — but the intimate space and amazing sound system make this a worthwhile visit if an artist you love is on the bill. Chances are, you’ll be standing inches away from them. — Beth Rankin

Upcoming shows include MC Chris, Uncle Lucius and MĂşm. 1338 First St.;

Invincible Vinyl

The one-man establishment of owner and buyer Dave Cleland, Invincible Vinyl stays true to the name by offering unbeatable deals in town for an increasingly costly medium. The two-room shop has bins with everything from new and used jazz and electronic to rock divided by British, Irish and Scottish and Australian bands. Expect to listen in on a conversation about a beloved record or artist while browsing – or taking part in it yourself. — Miguel Otarola

99 Kalamath St., Denver; 720-645-2577. Open 12 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 12 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Look for them .

Pon Pon

A RiNo treasure that gets rowdier by the night as people keep filing in through its narrow entrance, the DJ keeps spinning rock records and the bar itself, not much longer than a dining room table, keeps the glasses overflowing. It¶¶Ňőap dim, has an art gallery in the back and all sorts of vintage seating and furniture. Loosening up at Pon Pon is as confident and comfortable an experience as reclining on a Barcalounger after a long day of work. — Miguel Otarola

2528 Walnut St. #104, Denver; 303-867-5309. Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Find them .

Dazzle Jazz

If you haven’t been to Denver’s premier jazz nightclub yet, what are you waiting for? Certainly, you should go just to support this club, a treasure that has been around since 1997 (and in its current space since 2023). But you will want to go for the cool, swinging, bluesy, sexy, jumpin’ sounds, from performers such as Monty Alexander, Purnell Steen, Keith Oxman, Nelson Rangel, Adam Bodine, Hazel Miller and many others. You can thank me later. — Barbara Ellis

1080 14th St., 303-839-5100; .Ěý

Best venue for short people

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is iconic for so many reasons, from its illustrious history to its world-class entertainment and topography. But for folks 5’5″ and under, it’s a favorite for one very important reason: The venue boasts amazing sightlines, especially for music lovers who are short in stature.

Forget trying to weave between shoulders and other body parts to find the perfect viewing hole. Red Rocks “amps” up the concert experience by allowing shorties unfettered views of the stage. Whether you’re up close or in the higher-most sections, whether you’re on stage right or left, the world is a short king’s oyster here. — Tiney Ricciardi

South Broadway’s musical heart

The corner of in the Baker neighborhood has been central to Denver’s layout dating back to the 1880s, when Broadway first became the dividing line between east and west avenues, and Ellsworth the dividing line between north and south streets, according to . But in the 21st century, it’s also become ground zero for some of the city’s best independent music, comedy and DIY culture. That’s because the Hi-Dive and Sputnik, two side-by-side businesses, have been booking many of the best local and national independent bands, and slinging some of the best food and drinks before and after shows, respectively, since the early 2000s.

We still miss Mutiny Information Cafe, which was pushed further south in 2024 by the rising rents and gentrification that have destabilized businesses everywhere. But it remains a vital corner for Denver’s underground music and stand-up scene, given the walkable festivals that have long been anchored there. Those include the Underground Music Showcase (various venues, July 25-27) and High Plains Comedy Festival (Sept. 18-20), which both paint a colorful sidewalk scene as people laugh, hug, smoke and dance while performances go on inside (including DJ sets at Sputnik). The larger stretch of South Broadway counts a lot of vital music venues — HQ (formerly 3 Kings Tavern), the Skylark, the Roxy Broadway, Gothic Theatre, Swallow Hill Music and more — but the corner of South Broadway and Ellsworth still pulses with an energy that can’t be duplicated anywhere else. — John Wenzel

Fort Greene

Named after the hip-happening neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., the Fort Greene bar has had to walk a fine balance over the years between its aesthetic desires and those of the marginalized Globeville neighborhood it calls home. It does so respectfully, maintaining quiet hours and also serving as a hub for private events and community outreach. Its interior has an instant cooling effect, the walls painted dark green and reflected in the back bar mirror. Fort Greene hosts regular DJ nights on weekends and special events featuring dancing and other entertainment. It feels like partying in your best friend’s living room. — Miguel Otarola

321 E. 45th Ave., Denver. Open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Pelican Bay

Looking to chill out to the oldies we know and love? Toss off your sandals and dig your toes into the sand at the Live! At the Lake summer concert series on Tiki Beach, located on the water at Pelican Bay in Cherry Creek Reservoir. Water laps at the shore and paddleboarders and kayakers pull up behind the stage to groove to the tunes.

There are chairs set up, or bring a blanket. Drinks and bar food (hot dogs, pretzels, etc.) are sold, but if you don’t like what you find there check out the food truck outside.

This year, shows are on Wednesdays during the month of August, at 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tap your feet (or even dance) to bands like Smokin’ ’70s (arena rock and Boston tribute), Those Crazy Nights (Journey and legends of the ’80s) and others.

In previous years, I saw Dolls in the Attic, an Aerosmith cover band, and Ten Years Gone, a Zeppelin cover band, there. It’s a sweet, low-key experience that will make you long for a simpler time. — Barbara Ellis

Tickets and information at , or go to .

Switchfoot

I may not be an expert on Switchfoot, an alternative rock band from San Diego with a worldwide following, because I’ve only seen them 20 times. I do know if I could only listen to one band for the rest of my life, it would be them. I know they never put on a bad show, and that frontman Jon Foreman is the kind of human I aspire to be: humble, gracious and fun to be around (as I have witnessed up close in VIP sessions). I know the group’s values spring from a Christian foundation, but its music seeks to unify and inspire. One of their slogans is “Hope needs an anthem” — and they have given their fans many. — John Meyer

Visit for tour dates and more.Ěý

City Park

Finally, we’d be remiss to ignore those free jazz concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sundays at City Park. This year, starting in June, there has been a mix of mambo, funk, soul, brass band big band and more.

Grab some food and drinks, a blanket or low-profile chair and plant yourself on some grass around the pavilion. Remaining concerts: Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra on July 20; Dzirae Gold, on July 27; and a Brass Band Extravaganza, on Aug. 3. — Barbara Ellis

For more info, go to .

But bigger isn’t always better. Some of the state’s best, most beloved stages only play to a few hundred people, which is just the way some music fans like it. Here are six of our favorites, of any size, in the Denver metro area.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

If you and 9,525 of your closest friends have ever seen a show at Red Rocks, you know why it’s so special: mind-blowing rock formations that create unique natural acoustics; staggering views of Denver and the plains; a true sense of place and history; and a legendary, always-growing list of artists who have truly earned their way to the stage. If you can catch your breath from climbing the stairs at the Morrison venue, the feeling of unity during singalongs and dancing is unparalleled, too.

Gothic Theatre

A historic hall with great sight lines and booking, the Gothic has endured ownership and programming changes since it opened as a movie house in the 1920s to become one of Colorado’s best-sounding, best-looking and most charming music stages. With a capacity of 1,100, the art deco gem in Englewood is a reliable place to catch touring hopefuls on their way up, as well as locals and mid-level acts with solid fan bases.

Paramount Theatre

Denver has no shortage of historic theaters — see the Ogden, Bluebird, Gothic, Ellie, etc. — but none are as elaborate as the Paramount. Its vertical neon sign has beckoned artists and fans since the 1930s, with multiple renovations preserving its balance of Art Deco and classic movie-house touches. That includes “fanciful and ornamental architectural” touches from the Jazz Age (just try to stop looking at the ceiling), according to its website. It’s also a favorite spot for touring comics such as Amy Schumer and Nikki Glaser as well as folks wanting to record albums.

Hi-Dive

Since 2003, when Denver’s music scene was making moves into the modern era, the Hi-Dive has anchored South Broadway and the Baker neighborhood with a constantly churning, live-wire lineup of indie rock, folk, punk, metal and country, plus festival shows during the Underground Music Showcase and High Plains Comedy Festival. Its credibility and cool would be nothing, of course, without a great staff, cold beers, and a subversive sense of humor and style that sets it apart from more corporate-minded clubs.

Levitt Pavilion Denver

An incredible resource for the city, Levitt Pavilion Denver offers more than 50 free shows per year with diverse global artists from its location at Ruby Hill Park. That means everything from Indigenous metal to African pop, but also Elvis Costello, STS9, Larkin Poe, Lyrics Born, and Jimmy Eat World (a few of them paid, which supports the free programming). The wide lawn, kid-friendly vibe and accessible seating and food/drink options make it easy to get into and out of, and an ideal, last-minute summer activity.

Mission Ballroom

Artists and fans have given this AEG Presents venue in the River North Art District nothing but stellar reviews since it opened in 2019, and they’re roundly justified. In addition to nabbing many of the best, large-ish and mid-sized touring acts along the Front Range, its GA-seating bowl allows for great sight lines from anywhere in the venue, plus an adjustable capacity space (i.e., a stage that moves forward and backward) that allows promoters to cater to an artist’s specific draw. Bars, bathrooms and entry/exit layouts are also some of the best in Colorado.

The nonprofit amphitheater in Ruby Hill Park, which opened in 2017, will this season present more than 40 free, all-ages concerts and community events, according to executive director Meghan McNamara. The 2025 season is currently scheduled to kick off Friday, May 30, with the DUPB Presents Musicfest, featuring Jeremy Zucker (see the full list below).

McNamara said this season will include several firsts for the venue, including its debut Girls Rock Denver showcase, with former Denver singer-songwriter Esme Patterson at the top of the bill.

“That’s something we’ve been trying to get for a while, so it’s exciting to see it finally coming together,” McNamara said. “We’re also doing our first-ever presentation with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, which is playing along to ‘Wallace & Gromit’ shorts, and bringing in Brazilian artist Luciane Dom, and Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti for our 9th annual Dashiki Fest.”

People can RSVP in advance for the shows at , or walk up at will, at least while there’s still lawn capacity at the 7,500-person venue (there usually is).

Following upgrades last year such as a new dance floor and ADA-compliant pathways, Levitt is recommitting to its youth and education-focused mission, McNamara said. The venue’s many nonprofit partnerships support young people with stage opportunities, paid internships, summer jobs and other offerings, she said.

“There are really great organizations doing work in schools focused specifically on arts education and youth development, so we see ourselves in a unique position to provide emerging artists with those early stage and production experiences,” she said.

This week’s announcement sets the Levitt 2025 calendar from late May to October, with early free-concert highlights including Denver’s own DeVotchKa (June 6), indie-sensation Low Cut Connie (June 27), and Red Rocks Amphitheatre headliner Andy Frasco & The UN (Aug. 2).

“Getting (Frasco) out to a public park for a free show is a pretty big deal,” McNamara said, noting that Frasco made a surprise appearance on stage there in the past. “It’s always exciting when artists are compelled by the Levitt mission and want to be a part of it.”

Levitt also presents a handful of paid shows each season to bolster its bottom line; they’ll be announced in the coming weeks, McNamara said, along with dates for Yoga on the Lawn and more free shows. Check out the current list of free shows below.

Levitt Pavilion Denver 2025 free concerts

May 30 — DUPB Presents Musicfest ft. Jeremy Zucker

May 31 — Luciane Dom with Michele Castro and Bill Kopper

June 6 — DeVotchKa with Circling Girl

June 7 — Wallace & Gromit in Concert with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra

June 14 — Levitt¶¶Ňőap Pride Celebration ft. Emily Wolfe with Lips Speak Louder

June 15 — Central City Opera Presents Drag Me to the Opera

June 27 — Low Cut Connie*

June 28 — Shakedown Street

June 29 — Marchfourth with Banshee Tree

July 4 — Flobots with School of Rock Denver

July 11 — KUVO’s 40th Anniversary ft. Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

July 12 — Girl Rock Denver Presents: Esme Patterson & GRD Showcase

Aug. 1 — Rebirth Brass Band with Flow Tribe

Aug. 2 — Andy Frasco & The UN*

Aug. 3 — 9th Annual Dashiki Fest ft. Femi Kuti & The Positive Force

Aug. 17 — The Vegabonds*

Sept. 14 — Viva Southwest Mariachi Fest ft. Lupita Infante

Sept. 28 — The Slackers*

* support to be added

Here’s a handy preview.

Higher ticket prices

The average ticket price is expected to rise again in 2025, with promoters blaming ballooning costs on unprecedented demand. In addition to inflation, digital scalpers are gumming up the works, prompting false sell-outs the minute many shows go on sale and sending some fans to the secondary market, where prices usually skyrocket. And if you’re able to snag them, solid seats at Ball Arena, Red Rocks or Dick’s Sporting Good Park will rarely dip below the $50 mark, with many tickets topping $100 (or much, much more).

In 2024, the average price of a ticket for one of the top 100 tours was $127.38, which was 9.4% higher than in 2019, and an all-time high, according to Pollstar. Even before the pandemic, prices were creeping skyward: reported that Red Rocks tickets jumped more than 60% between 2018 and 2024. Concerts look to increasingly become a luxury item for a society whose wealth gap .

Tours and cost-reckoning

Canceled shows due to low ticket sales dotted 2024, with embarrassing about faces from The Black Keys, Jennifer Lopez and others angling for full-scale arena comebacks. This year looks to be more measured in its tour launching, with proven acts slotting comfortably into the biggest venues and mid-sized and smaller acts owning the city’s historic theaters and indie clubs.

On the bright side, Colorado consumers can now see the full list of taxes and other fees before buying their tickets, thanks to recent legislation. That helps in the decision-making process and offers more transparency on the true cost of your purchase.

Huge shows are not going anywhere

Taylor Swift dominated the national music sphere in 2024 with an “Eras” tour that sold out a pair of shows at Empower Field at Mile High. Slightly less top-of-mind but still huge acts Coldplay (June 10), Post Malone (June 15), and Metallica (June 27-29) are hitting Empower Field in 2025. Coors Field is also likely to unveil more concerts on the level of 2024’s Billy Joel, Green Day, Kane Brown and Journey/Def Leppard shows.

At Ball Arena, which remains the metro area’s dominant arena, already-announced shows feature Rod Wave, Sebastian Maniscalco, Justin Timberlake and a multi-night run from Billy Strings — and that’s just in January. include Tyler, the Creator (Feb. 11); Mary J. Blige (Feb. 25); Kylie Minogue (April 29), Andrea Bocelli (June 17); Linkin Park (Sept. 3), and comic Nate Bargatze (Sept. 12-13).

Venues — and their neighbors

As Broomfield’s FirstBank Center has fallen to the wrecking ball, there are glimmers of new venues along the Front Range.ĚýWhat that means for fans is that certain shows may be much closer to home. Colorado Springs music lovers no longer need to drive to Denver to see some Red Rocks headliners thanks to the city’s new Ford Amphitheater. That controversial outdoor venue continues to rankle some neighbors over noise issues, which have prompted critics to take their case to local politicians and the news media. (Venu, the owner of the amphitheater, recently launched a that dubbed itself “Fan Founded. Fan Owned,” and claimed that the AEG Presents-booked amphitheater was a disrupter in the industry.)

In Loveland, the home of Blue Arena, Larimer County in December on which the Ranch Events Complex plans to grow — including building yet another new venue. We’ll see what kind of capacity and booking it has when it’s finished (likely not this year, since it hasn’t even broken ground) but it promises even less of a reason for people who live in the area to head into metro Denver.

Whither the weather?

Extreme weather will continue to poke holes in the calendar, as it has over the last couple years due to wind, hail and other safety-prompting concerns. Certainly, unpredictable weather has long been a factor at Colorado’s hundreds of annual outdoor concerts, from early-season snow to summer hail and fall/winter ice. And yet, , potentially giving pause to fans who were excited about open-air music. Meteorologists have said was largely to blame for the rising number of storms and long bouts of extreme heat.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre’s Louis Tomlinson concert in 2023 turned into a wailing mess as nearly 100 concertgoers were treated for bloody lacerations, broken bones and other injuries due to a solstice-coinciding hail storm (seven people required hospitalization).ĚýThat year also saw tours in which heat, dust and wildfire smoke affected Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder’s voice in Paris; “Jason Aldean collapsed onstage from heat stroke during a performance in Hartford, Conn.; and Disturbed canceled a Phoenix gig because their equipment wouldn’t turn on in the 117-degree heat,” Billboard reported.

“Fans, meanwhile, have been forced to evacuate to tents, cars and bathrooms amidst storms, and risked overheating both at Ed Sheeran’s Pittsburgh show in July and Las Vegas concert in September,” according to the report. We also saw Burning Man , from dust storms to mud, which has hurt ongoing ticket sales for the desert festival in Nevada.

In 2024, shows from Foo Fighters, Hozier, Pink, AJR and others were canceled internationally due to extreme weather, , including a May 4 show from that was scuttled due to dangerous winds.

Colorado’s outdoor venues, from Red Rocks and Levitt Pavilion Denver to the 18,000-seat Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, are all vulnerable to extreme weather. At all of them, consider bringing seats or something sturdy to shelter under, in addition to the usual ponchos and cold-weather gear, and carefully watch weather reports on your phone.

Here are five ideas for the days before and after the holiday, including free, cheap and family-friendly options. (Find more things to do at denverpost.com/things-to-do.)

Denver Food + Wine Festival

Labor Day week means the return of the Denver Food + Wine Festival, one of the city’s biggest and most popular eat-and-drink events. The Sept. 4-7 gathering features hundreds of restaurants and spirits brands. Stick around for educational seminars and the Grand Tasting. It all takes place at the Tivoli Quad, Auraria campus, 1000 Larimer St. in Denver. Tickets are $150-$225 for the Grand Tasting, with varying prices for other programs.

Music festivals, big and little

While Phish owns Labor Day music in Denver — with its traditional Aug. 29-Sept. 1 run at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City (plenty of GA, standing-room tickets are still available at ) — there’s much more on tap. Monument Lake in Weston hosts the Caveman Music Festival, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, with on-site camping and a well-booked mix of 20 indie- and ’90s alt-rock, folk, Americana and other artists. That includes sets from Kurt Vile and the Violators, the Wallflowers, Toadies, Jamestown Revival, Band of Heathens and Red Clay Strays. Tickets: $120 per day or $220 for all three days.

Also check out Levitt Pavilion’s free, all-ages festivals over Labor Day weekend, including the Rocky Mountain Tentaclefest on Aug. 30, featuring bands from punk legend Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label: Tsunami Bomb, Kulture Shock, Wheelchair Sports Camp and Dead Pioneers. Biafra, a part-time Boulderite, will host.

The next day, on Aug. 31, Dashiki Fest from the Colorado African Cultural Center has live music, arts and crafts, vendors, fashion, dance and more. Both shows are free and family-friendly. 1380 W. Florida Ave. in Denver. See for more free, all-ages shows.

Outdoor movies, fading fast

Movies under the stars won’t last much longer, with series such as Denver Film’s popular Film on the Rocks already wrapped up as of Aug. 19. Avanti Food and Beverage Denver’s free series will screen “Legally Blonde” on its patio on Aug. 29 (), while Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace hosts Film on the Field with Aug. 31’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (). Evergreen Park and Recreation has “Barbie” at Buchanan Park Field on Aug. 30 for its latest Family Movie Night ().

Golden’s Parfet Park will also have “Barbie” on Sept. 6, and 88 Drive-In’s Retro Week features “Grease” and “Dirty Dancing,” through Sept. 29 ($10 per person, children under 12 free; ).

The crack of the bat

Colorado Rockies diehards and and visiting-team fans tend to equal each other in number at Coors Field most days. But whether you love the Blake Street Bombers or their rivals, you’ve still got a few chances to catch a late-summer game before the Rox hit the off-season. That includes their home series against the Miami Marlins, Aug. 26-29, followed by more games against the Baltimore Orioles, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Prices vary (wildly). ()

Last call for theme parks

While theme parks tend to reopen during lucrative holiday weekends to capture Halloween and Christmas traffic, their primary runs are swiftly coming to an end. Just as pools empty over Labor Day weekend, so does Water World in Federal Heights, the 50-attraction water park that ends its regular seasonal hours on Sept. 2 ().

Elitch Gardens in downtown Denver also ends its regular season on Sept. 2, with limited weekend hours through the fall (). The historic (if often half-open) Denver theme park Lakeside Amusement Park will be open through Sept. 16 ().

THE CITY PARK JAZZ series is one of Denver’s best free Sunday traditions. There’s still a lot of celebrating to take in when beloved Colorado singer Hazel Miller and the Collective take to the park’s Pavilion stage June 30 at 6 p.m. In July, enjoy the vibrations of JoFoKe & Same Cloth on the 7th, Delta Sonics Blues Revue July 14, the powerful Denver Jazz Orchestra on July 21, and saxophonist Nelson Rangell July 28. Everything you need to know is at .

SEUN KUTI BEGAN performing with his father, Fela Kuti, and the band Egypt 80 when he was 9 years old. The Nigerian revolutionary Fela died in 1997; now, vocalist and saxophonist Seun leads the expansive Egypt 80. The group plays Denver’s Levitt Pavilion on July 20. The youngest son of Fela has kept his dad’s thunderous, polyrhythmic genius alive, and you can be awed by their free performance, though it¶¶Ňőap a good idea to RSVP at levittdenver.org. There are also VIP tickets available for $35 with early entry and access to a reserved viewing section.

RENDEZVOUS EVENT CENTER at Hideaway Park hosts the annual Winter Park Jazz Festival July 20 and 21. Headliners include Boney James, Pieces of a Dream, Anthony Hamilton and Lalah Hathaway. Escaping to the mountains may be the best way to beat the oppressive heat for a weekend, and you can find tickets and lodging information at .

ALSO OUTDOORS, THE ideal setting that is the Denver Botanic Gardens presents Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue on July 22. New Orleans’ Trombone Shorty, aka Troy Andrews, is an exciting, charismatic stage presence, and his live shows project an energy not often found on his studio albums. Get ticket information at .

OF COURSE, THERE’S an abundance of live music indoors in July, too. Vocalist Jenna McLean performs at Denver’s Nocturne on July 5. … The Squirrel Nut Zippers presents “Jazz from the Back O’ Town” at Boulder’s Chautauqua Auditorium on July 13. … Trumpeter Hugh Ragin is an integral part of The Sun Ra Project at Lumonics Light and Sound Gallery on July 19. … Straight No Chaser, the a cappella group inspired by the Thelonious Monk composition of the same name, appears at Chautauqua Auditorium on July 20. … The El Chapultepec Legacy Project, featuring an excellent lineup of Denver-based artists, performs at Dazzle on July 21. … Also at Dazzle: saxophonist Allison Young and her Quartet on July 29; pianist Benny Green on July 30; bassist Derrick Hodge on July 31 and Aug. 1; and pianist Bill Charlap on Aug. 3 and 4. … The Evergreen Jazz Festival takes place in venues all over the community July 26-28.

AND, HEY, PERHAPS you prefer to stay in the basement and listen to jazz when it¶¶Ňőap 100 degrees outside. I get it! This summer, I’m thoroughly enjoying saxophonist David Murray’s “Francesca” (Intakt Records) which is as thrilling as straight-ahead quartet records get in 2024. South African pianist Ndudzo Makhathini just released “Unomkhubulwane” on Blue Note, deep Spiritual Jazz from a complex thinker. Finally, bassist Kim Kass has an intriguing new album on the excellent Pi Recordings label, titled “Levs.” Inspired by “hand-notated scores from the 19th and early 20th centuries,” Cass, aided by star drummer Tyshawn Sorey and pianist Matt Mitchell, makes surprising, glorious sounds.