Summer is here (for the most part)! What’s better than sitting in a park, drinking wine, chomping on snacks and listening to live music on a warm summer eve? Well gee, I can’t think of much! CityVids is ready for summer and summer in Denver delivers!
The Denver Metro area has TONS of summer concert series going on, who knew? Well you do now! Check out the list below and find one close to home and ride your bike down and enjoy. Don’t forget to grab a blanket or chairs and a picnic!
We’ve listed all the outdoor concert series we could find in the area and even found some videos for you to watch.
Most of the concert series are free, but some are paid concerts. Be sure to check the official websites for up-to-date details. Now what are you waiting for? Go have some fun!
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
When: Open all year, concerts from May through September
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre is located in Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado, 15 miles west of Denver.
2011 Line-up:
5/7: The Moody Blues
6/3-6/5: Dispatch
6/7: Earth, Wind & Fire
6/8: Jethro Tull with Special Guest Kansas
6/10: Ultimate Thriller: Michael Jackson Tribute Concert
6/11: Big Head Todd and the Monsters
6/13: Peter Gabriel
6/17: Ray LaMontagne
6/18: Bassnectar
6/21: Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour
6/24-6/26: Widespread Panic
7/2: The Glitch Mob & Lotus with MiMOSA, The New Deal, Com Truise
7/3: Red Rocks & Blue II: Umphrey’s McGee
7/4: Blues Traveler / Matisyahu / Toad the Wet Sprocket
7/6-7/8: Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Uncle Kracker
7/9: The Avett Brothers with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
7/10: Sarah McLachlan with the Colorado Symphony
7/14-7/16: Global Dance Festival
7/17: Idina Menzel with the Colorado Symphony
7/18: Soundgarden
7/23: Steve Miller Band / Buddy Guy
7/24: Chicago with the Colorado Symphony
7/26: STYX / Yes
7/28: Train / Maroon 5 / Gavin De Graw
7/29: O.A.R.
7/30: Abba The Concert
8/2: A Perfect Circle
8/3: The Flaming Lips / Primus
8/4: My Morning Jacket / Amos Lee
8/6: Slightly Stoopid
8/12: The John Butler Trio
8/13: Pretty Lights
8/14: Thievery Corporation / Ghostland Observatory
8/16: Unity Tour 2011: 311 and Sublime with Rome
8/17: Incubus
8/19: Atmosphere
8/20: Yonder Mountain String Band
8/23: Death Cab for Cutie
8/26: 1964 The Tribute
8/27: Reggae On The Rocks
8/30: Deadmau5
8/31-9/1: Kings of Leon
9/2: Alison Kraus and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
9/3-9/4: The Divine Rascals Tour with Carlos Santana and George Lopez
9/9-9/10: STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9)
Details: http://www.redrocksonline.com/
Cost: Varies. See website for ticket info.
CityVids.tv Quick Review: If you have never been to Red Rocks, you really need to go. It is truly THE BEST concert venue in the entire United States. There isn’t a bad seat in the house and the sound is awesome. Most shows are general admission. Sitting up front gets you close and intimate with the band. Sitting further back lets you enjoy the show, but also take in the expansive view of Denver and the plains. There truly is something magic about this place. Bring an umbrella because it sometimes rains. And check the site for what you can bring/can’t bring because you definitely don’t want to trek back to your car to put something back after standing in line to get in.
Courtesy of http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_18046255?source=rss
Arvada Center
When: May through August
Where: 6901 Wadsworth Blvd Arvada, CO 80003
2011 Line-up:
5/28: Bruce Cockburn
6/15: Mary Chapin Carpenter & Shawn Colvin
6/18: Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt
6/30: Wynton Marsalis
7/15: Indigo Girls
8/5: Los Lonely Boys & Los Lobos
8/6: Marc Cohn & Shawn Mullins
8/9: Andrew Bird
8/13: Johnny Lang and JJ Grey & MOFRO
8/14: George Thorogood & The Destroyers
8/16: Julieta Venegas
8/17: Gipsy Kings
Details: http://arvadacenter.org/
Cost: Varies. Ticket info: http://www.SummerAtTheCenter.com
CityVids.tv Quick Review: The Arvada Center has an outdoor summer stage that features concerts as well as art performances, like Ballet, Opera, Symphony and Jazz. Check out http://www.SummerAtTheCenter.com for more details on these performances.
Courtesy of cityofarvada
Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
When: May through October
Where: 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Englewood, CO 80111
2011 Line-up:
6/10: KS 107.5 Summer Jam XIV
7/12: Central City Opera Presents Carmen
7/17: Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival
8/5: Emotional Traffic Tour: Tim McGraw w/ Luke Bryan and The Band Perry
8/6: Country Megaticket
8/19: Sugarland with Sara Bareilles
8/29: Def Leppard with very special guest Heart
8/30: KS1075 Back To Skool Jam: Lil Wayne w/ Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, & more
10/1: Journey with special guests Foreigner and Night Ranger
Details: http://www.livenation.com/comfort-dental-amphitheatre-tickets-englewood/venue/245771
Cost: Varies. http://www.livenation.com/comfort-dental-amphitheatre-tickets-englewood/venue/245771
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Better known as Fiddlers Green, CDA is the largest outdoor amphitheatre in the Denver Metro Area, holding 18,000 people. It’s strangely located in the middle of the Denver Tech Center amidst office buildings, but it seems to work. It’s a nice place to watch a concert, the grassy area is quite large and the sound is good.
Rose Garden Summer Concert Series Aurora
When: Tuesday evenings once a month 6-8pm, May-August
Where: At the Lisa Strawn Memorial Rose Garden in Aurora
2011 Line-up:
5/24: Old Skool
6/21: Six Foot Joe & the Red Hot Rhinos
7/26: The Maynard Mills Blues Band
8/24: The Aurora Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet & Community Ice Cream Social
Details: http://www.OnHavanaStreet.com
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: http://cityvids.tv/free-summer-rose-garden-concert-series-in-aurora/
Evergreen Lake Concert
When: Every other Wednesday evening 6-9pm, June-August
Where: Evergreen Lake in front of the Lakehouse (west side) in Evergreen
2011 Line-up:
6/1: The Congress
6/15: Mountain Holler
6/29: Max Wagner
7/13: Your Father’s Mustache
7/27: Josh & the Empty Pockets
8/10: Megan Burtt & the Cure for Love
8/24: Tunisia
Details: http://www.evergreenlakepresents.com/
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Evergreen Lake and the Evergreen Lakehouse make for one gorgeous, typically Colorado scene, with an iconic mountain backdrop. Bring food, drink, lawn chairs and coolers. Alcohol is allowed. Vendors sell food and beverages. Just be sure to leave no trace when you go home.
Courtesy of EvergreenVibe, a channel that covers everything in Evergreen, CO.
Littleton Historic Museum Concert Series
When: Wednesday evenings 7-8pm, June-July
Where: Front Lawn – Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St.
*Regular museum hours are Tues.-Fri. 8 am-5 pm; Sat., 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 1-5 pm; closed Mondays and holidays.
2011 Line-up:
6/1: The Golden Eagle Concert Band
6/8: The Peneplain Jazz Quartet
6/15: Roz Brown & Bill Barwick with special guest, Johnny Neill
6/22: The 17th Avenue Allstars
6/29: Urban Island Steel Band
7/6: The Owen Kortz Trio
7/13: Blue Canyon Boys Bluegrass Band
7/20: The Acoustic Rejuveniles
7/27: Dakota Blonde
Details: http://www.littletongov.org/museum/events/default.asp
Cost: Free
Denver Botanic Gardens Summer Concerts
When: June 1 – August 21, 7pm. Doors open at 6pm
Where: Some shows are the Denver Botanic Gardens York Street location and some are at the Chatfield location. Please check before attending.
2011 Line-up:
6/1: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
6/14: Dr. John & The Lower 911 and Mavis Staples
7/8: Chris Isaak
7/14: Natalie MacMaster & Great Big Sea
7/15: Allen Toussaint and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Buckwheat Zydeco
7/21: India.Arie and Idan Raichel
7/22: Chris Botti
7/24: Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers and Bela Fleck & the Original Flecktones
7/29: Roseanne Cash
8/4: k.d. lang & The Siss Boom Bang
8/7: Keb’ Mo’
8/9: David Sanborn, George Duke, and Marcus Miller
8/21: B.B. King
Details: http://concerts.botanicgardens.org/
Cost: Paid concerts. See website for order information
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Really cool venue where the lawn dips down creating a sloped grass area on all 4 sides of the stage. Check out the video below to see what I mean.
Courtesy of Dcallen1
Music on the Plaza at Belmar
When: Friday evenings in June. 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Belmar Plaza. Belmar is located at Alameda and Wadsworth.
2011 Line-up:
6/3: Molina & Morales
6/10: Scott Martin and Sundays at Vic’s
6/17: Colorado Songwriters Circle
6/24: Tomara
Details: http://www.belmarcolorado.com/events.php#
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Live acoustic and jazz ensembles at Belmar, a new urban development with plenty of great restaurants, a movie theater and shops including anchors, Target, Whole Foods and Macy’s.
Rock Bottom Music at the Bottom Concert Series
When: Fridays. Patio opens at 4pm, bands take stage at 5 and 7pm.
Where: Rock Bottom Brewery Downtown Denver
1001 16th Street Unit A-100
Denver, CO 80265
2011 Line-up for June:
6/3: The Three Shots 5pm, Jakarta 7pm
6/10: The Andy Hackbarth Band 5pm, Hazel Miller 7pm
6/17: The Champions 5pm, Funkiphino 7pm
Details: http://www.rockbottom.com/denver-downtown/events
Cost: Free, but if you sit on the patio, you’ll have to buy food and/or drinks. Otherwise, you can just watch it from the 16th Street Mall.
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Great big patio right on the 16th Street Mall in the middle of all the action downtown. This is a great place to grab a beer and free music. You can even watch it from outside the patio if you can’t get a spot inside.
Elitch Gardens Concert Series
When: June-August
Where: Elitch Gardens, Downtown Denver, Speer and I-25
2011 Line-up:
6/4: Mike Posner
6/18: Thousand Foot Krutch and Hawk Nelson
6/26: Lost Tucanes de Tijuana
7/16: Third Day
7/23: Anberlin
7/31: Big Time Rush
8/13: Miranda Cosgrove
Details: http://elitchgardens.com/entertainment/concerts/
Cost: Free with admission to Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park. Wristbands are required for admission to the concert and are given out on a first-come first-serve basis in front of the arena starting at 10am on the day of the concert. You must obtain a wristband and be in line by 6:30 pm in order to be guaranteed admission to the concert.
This is kind of a dorky video, but it gives you a good idea of what the venue looks like:
Courtesy of randomheroband
Hudson Gardens Concerts
When: Weekends, June-August. 6:30 or 7pm, check the schedule.
Where: 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
2011 Line-up:
6/5: Ambrosia
6/12: Firefall
6/19: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
6/26: Under a Blood Red Sky: U2 tribute
7/3: The Guess Who
7/4: Poco
7/10: Super Diamond: Neil Diamond tribute
7/17: Loverboy
7/24: Sister Hazel
7/30: The Stylistics
7/31: Little River Band
8/7: 38 Special
8/14: Richard Marx
8/21: Frampton Comes Alive 35th Anniversary Tour
8/28: Vertical Horizon
Details: http://www.hudsongardens.org/content/concerts.php
Cost: Varies. Order tickets through TicketHorse 303-53HORSE and ww.tickethorse.com
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Beautiful venue surrounded by flowers. This video gives you a good idea of what the venue looks like and the sound is pretty good as well.
Courtesy of thebandisopiegonebad
City Park Jazz
When: Sundays at 6pm, June- August
Where: The Bandstand by City Park Pavilion on Ferril Lake in City Park. Between 17th and 23rd Avenues, west of Colorado Blvd.
2011 Line-up:
6/5: The Otone Brass Band
6/12: Hazel Miller
6/19: Rekha Ohal
6/26: La Candela
7/3: Denver Municipal Band
7/10: Convergence
7/17: The Bob Montgomery/Al Herman Quintet
7/24: The Manuel Lopez Trio featuring Maria Lopez
7/31: The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
8/7: Chris Daniels and the Kings
Details: http://www.cityparkjazz.org/
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Huge event that draws practically everyone and anyone in Denver every week. People go all out and make an entire day out of these Sundays, bringing full size grills, tents, volleyball nets, etc. People spread out as far as the eye can see. Lots of great spaces under the trees, but may not have as good sound. This quick video that gives you an idea of about ¼ of the people that actually attend this awesome weekly event.
Courtesy of jimleggitt
Sounds of Summer – Englewood Concert Series
When: Thursday Evenings. 6:30pm
Where: CityCenter Englewood Amphitheater
1000 Englewood Parkway (at the base of the Englewood Light Rail Station Bridge, next to Englewood Civic Center)
2011 Line-up:
6/16: Swing Essence
6/23: Face
6/30: Buckstein
7/7: Dean Bushnell Orchestra
7/14: Ricky & the Radios
7/21: Vibe Tribe
7/28: Steel Pennies Bluegrass Band
8/4: Chris Daniels & the Kings
Details: http://www.englewoodgov.org/Index.aspx?page=620
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Englewood CityCenter is a great little urban area that offers restaurants, shops and the Museum of Outdoor Arts.
Thornton Twist & Shout Summer Concerts in the Park
When: Thursdays 7-8:30pm, June- August
Where: Various locations throughout Thornton (see line-up below)
2011 Line-up:
6/16: The Long Run @ Bertha Heid Park
6/23: The Ricardo Pena Band @ Yorkborough Park
6/30: Reckless Red @Springvale Park – Ice Cream Social
7/7: Walker Williams @ High Ridge Court – Ice Cream Social
7/14: Tunisia (the 8 former members of Jakarta) @ Cherrywood Park – Ice Cream Social
7/21: Hot Flash @ Springvale Park
7/28: Steve Manshel @ Cherrywood Park
8/4: Byron Shaw Projex @ Community Park– Ice Cream Social
Details: http://www.cityofthornton.net/Departments/CommunityServices/Arts/Pages/SummerConcertSeries.aspx
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Family-friendly events. Some of the dates are ice cream socials, so be sure to attend those days!
Dancing in the Streets – Streets of Southglenn
When: Every other Wednesday June 15-August 10. 6:30pm
Where: Commons Park in the Streets of Southglenn. University & Arapahoe.
2011 Line-up:
6/15: Funkiphino
6/29: The Fables
7/13: Soul School
7/27: Red Hot Blues Catz Band
8/10: FACE
Details: http://www.shopsouthglenn.com/events/2011-dancing-in-the-streets-summer-concert-series/
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Bring a picnic dinner or get it there from a plethora of restaurants and Whole Foods.
Anniversary Banks in Harmony (Aurora)
When: Thursdays 6:30-8pm, June-August
Where: Various parks throughout Aurora (see line-up below)
2011 Line-up:
6/16: Dean Bushnell Orchestra @ Bicentennial Park
6/23: Papa Juke @ Bicentennial Park
6/30: Queen City Jazz Band @ Del Mar Park
7/7: Deja Blu @ Red-tailed Hawk Park
7/14: 17th Avenue Allstars @ Utah Park
7/21: The Modniks @ Utah Park
7/28: Buckstein @ Meadowood Park
8/4: Pan Jumbies @ Meadowood Park
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Pop to Big Band to Swing. Bring picnic dinner or purchase from on-site vendors.
Sounds of Southlands (Aurora)
When: Fridays 6pm. June 3-August 26
Where: Southlands Shopping Area. 6155 S. Main Street, Aurora, CO
2011 Line-up:
6/3: Hazel Miller
6/10: Chris Daniels and the Kings
6/17: The Long Run
6/24: Soul X
7/1: Hot Lunch
7/8: Kory Brunson Band
7/15: The Nacho Men
7/22: Tunisia (featuring former members of Jakarta)
7/29: Steve Thomas Band
8/5: Chase N’ The Dream
8/12: Dotsero
8/19: Soul Sacrifice
8/26: The Fab 4
Details: http://www.shopsouthlands.com/go/mallEvents.cfm?eventID=2145385472
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Bring a picnic dinner or get it there from the many local restaurants.
Confluence Concerts
When: Thursday evenings in July. 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Confluence Park is located at 15th and Little Raven in LoDo. It is across the South Platte River from the REI Flagship store and Downtown Aquarium on Platte Street. Parking will be available at the Downtown Aquarium, for $7.00.
2011 Line-up:
7/7: The Denver Brass
7/14: Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp
7/21: The Quemando Salsa Orquesta
7/28: The Red Sax Quartet
Details: http://www.greenwayfoundation.org/events/concerts.html
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Confluence Park is downtown Denver’s beach. The Cherry Creek and South Platte Rivers merge here and swimmers, sunbathers, tubers and kayakers all enjoy the water here. The river bike paths also converge here so you’ll see tons of cyclists who stop for a picnic on the grass or sit on the Starbucks patio at REI. Food and beverages will be on site for any and all hungry and thirsty concert goers.
Lone Tree Summer Concert Series
When: Saturday June 18 & July 23
Where: Sweetwater Park (near C-470 & Yosemite)
2011 Line-up:
7/18
6-7pm Message in a Bottle: The Police Tribute
7:30-9:30 Andy Hackbarth and Band
7/23
4:30-6:30 Jeff Brinkman and Band
7:30-9:30 Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra
Details: http://www.cityoflonetree.com/index.aspx?NID=459
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Bring a picnic dinner, lawn chairs or blankets. Fun stuff for kids: face painters, clowns, balloonists, caricaturists.
Boulders Downtown Noon Tunes
When: Fridays June 18-August 20, Noon-1pm
Where: 1300 Block of Pearl Street, Boulder
2011 Line-up:
6/18: Spring Creek
6/25: The Lovely and Talented
7/2: Boulder Acoustic Society
7/9: The Beloved Invaders
7/16: Trio con Brio
7/23: The Dovekins
7/30: Felonius Smith Trio
8/6: The Julia Bryan Band
8/13: Lisa Bell
8/20: Boulder Brass featuring members of the Boulder Philharmonic
Details: http://www.boulderdowntown.com/do/noon-tunes1
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Boulder’s big on community events. Perfect if you work in Downtown Boulder because you can attend on your lunch break. Grab something to eat from the many restaurants on the Pearl Street Mall or bring your own lunch.
Courtesy of BoulderDowntown
Elway’s Cherry Creek Summer Music Series
When: Wednesdays June-August. 6:30-9pm
Where: Elway’s Backyard Patio. 2500 East First Ave. Cherry Creek.
2011 Line-up:
6/22: Opie Gone Bad
6/29: The Parkside Band
7/6: Bop Skizzum
7/13: Something Underground
7/20: Diamonds are Forever
7/27: Message in a Bottle: The Police tribute
8/3: Funkiphino
8/10: New Sensations
8/17: That Eighties Band
8/24: Under a Blood Red Sky: U2 tribute
Details: http://www.elways.com/WhatsNew/Default.asp
Cost: Technically free, but since you’re on Elway’s Patio, you’ll have to order drinks and/or food.
CityVids.tv Quick Review: We haven’t been here yet, so it’s unclear whether or not you can attend the concerts for free or if you have to get a seat on the patio and therefore order drinks or food. We’ll try and update this soon.
Westminster Concert Series
When: Thursdays 7-9pm June-August
Where: City Park, 10475 Sheridan Boulevard
2011 Line-up:
6/23: The Champions
7/14: Jakarta
7/21: The Dueling Pianos
8/4: Southern Exposure
Details: http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/256.htm
Cost: Free
Lakewood Summer Concert Series: 2011 Sounds Exciting!
When: Wednesdays June-August. Opening act at 6:15pm. Headliner at 7:15pm.
Where: Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Amphitheater at Lakewood’s Heritage Center in Belmar Park, located at 801 S. Yarrow St. Lakewood, CO
2011 Line-up:
6/29: Paper Bird
7/6: Hazel Miller Band
7/13: The April Verch Band
7/20: Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp
7/27: Chris Daniels and the Kings
8/3: The Long Run
Details: http://www.lakewood.org/comres/page.cfm?ID=566
Cost:
Individual Ticket Prices: Adult: $5.00 in advance, $6.00 day of show Children: (ages 3-12) $3.00
Season Ticket Prices: Adult: $24.00 Children: (ages 3-12) $18.00
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Bring your own chair or blanket. Bring a picnic. Food, wine, beer and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
Skyline Park Lunchtime Concert Series
When: Fridays noon to 1:15pm July-August
Where: Skyline Park, Downtown Denver. 17th St. and Curtis.
2011 Line-up:
7/2: Bonnie and the Clydes
7/9: John Common
7/16: Coles Whalen
7/23: Bop Skizzum
7/30: Halden Walford and the Hi Beams
8/6: Spring Creek Bluegrass Band
8/13: The Hollyfields
8/20: Boulder Acoustic Society
Cost: Free
CityVids.tv Quick Review: Great lunchtime break if you work in downtown Denver. Bring a blanket or chair.
