Performing Arts in Boulder

It seems like just about everyone in Boulder has a special talent. The structural engineer ordering coffee in front of you is also a concert violinist. The techie one table over who seems glued to his laptop does improv on the weekends. And your barista? She's been studying ballet since she was 5.

With such a talent pool, it's no surprise that Boulder's array of performing arts companies and organizations are thriving institutions — ones that enjoy enthusiastic community support. It's a boon for visitors, who can find a performance to their liking just about any day of the week.

If you're a classical music fan, it will be music to your ears to learn that Boulder is home to several highly acclaimed orchestral groups, including the Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and Boulder Symphony Orchestra. And top-notch classical music festivals hosted each year in Boulder, such as the Colorado Music Festival and Colorado MahlerFest, bring even more diversity to the annual lineup of performances.

Dance lovers will be impressed by the Boulder Ballet, which performs both classical ballets and originally choreographed works. For something new, catch a gasp-inducing Frequent Flyers Productions aerial dance show. Or marvel at the contemporary edge in the Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet's repertoire.

Want a little drama while you're visiting (the good kind of drama, that is)? Then check out the performance calendars of theater troupes such as Upstart Crow Theater and Nomad Theatre. Or combine dinner with a great performance at Boulder's Dinner Theatre, where recent musical productions include CATS and Hello, Dolly!

Search our performing arts listings for more options, and be sure to check out our calendar of events for can't-miss festivals.

Basic Listings

Aerial Dance Festival

• P.O. Box 1979
• Boulder, CO 80306
• Phone: (303) 245-8272
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The festival provides an opportunity for people from all walks of life to experience the joy of dancing in the air - for beginners through advanced aerial dancers. It is a 2-week immersion experience… more

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Boedecker Cinema

• 2590 Walnut Street
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 440-7826
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The Boedecker Theater, a 60-seat art-house cinema outfitted with plush stadium seating, 5.1 Surround Sound and Hi-Def DLP projection, is a place where patrons can enjoy a glass of beer or wine while… more

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Boulder Ballet

• 2590 Walnut St.
• Suite 100
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 443-0028
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Founded in 1982 by Barbara Demaree and Wanda Tierney, Boulder Ballet has grown to become Boulder County's major professional dance company and school. Each year, Boulder Ballet reaches thousands… more

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Boulder Chamber Orchestra

• 4641 10th Street
• Boulder, CO 80304
• Phone: (303) 583-1278
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Founded in 2004, Boulder Chamber Orchestra (BCO) is a new yet ever-growing organization, whose place in the community has already been established through our successful programs. The sold-out crowds… more

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Boulder Circus Center

• 4747 26th St.
• Boulder, CO 80301
• Phone: (303) 444-8110
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Founded in 2004 by Cindy Marvell and Carter Brown to foster, incubate, and promote circus skills as theatrical art forms. All of this in an environment which is safe, positive, creative and respectful… more

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Boulder International Fringe Festival

• -
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 803-5643
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The Boulder International Fringe Festival is an annual 12-day un-juried arts event packed with live theatre, dance, music, media art, cinema, circus art, visual art, spoken word, puppetry, workshops,… more

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Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art

• 1750 13th Street
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 443-2122
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The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1972 and is located in a historically land-marked, warehouse building in the heart of downtown Boulder. Since 1972 the museum has exhibited… more

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Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra

• Dairy Center for the Arts
• 2590 Walnut St.
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 449-1343
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Under the vision and leadership of Music Director Michael Butterman, theBoulder Philharmonic Orchestra is celebrating its 53rd year of reflecting all that makes Boulder special--its creativity,… more

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Boulder Public Library

• 1001 Arapahoe Ave
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 441-3100
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Open from Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. The library offers childrens' Storytime, activities and… more

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Boulder Public Library Concert Series

• Canyon Theater
• 1001 Arapahoe Ave
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 441-3100
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Unless otherwise noted, all Concert Series performances take place in the Main Library Canyon Theater. Performances are free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Extensive FREE parking is… more

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Boulder Symphony Orchestra

• -
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (970) 577-1550
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The Boulder Symphony has a core of around 70 musicians from several Front Range communities and is proud to offer a wide-ranging and all encompassing symphonic experience for both its musicians,… more

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Boulder Theater

• 2032 14th Street
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 786-7030
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From opera to movies to disco to rock - the historic Boulder Theater has a diverse and colorful past that is being continued with a thriving present and is primed for an exciting future. Opened in… more

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Boulder's Dinner Theatre

• 5501 Arapahoe Ave
• Boulder, CO 80303
• Phone: (303) 449-6000
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Dinner, dessert, and a show! The Boulder Dinner Theatre has a 20+ year history of bringing the best of Broadway to Colorado, and most shows are extremely family-friendly. Your dinner is included in… more

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Century Boulder 16

• 1700 29th Street
• Boulder, CO 80301
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Featuring 16 screens, digital sound, all stadium seating and internet ticketing.… more

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Colorado Music Festival

• 900 Baseline Rd
• Cottage 100
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 449-1397
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The Colorado Music Festival educates, entertains and challenges audiences of all ages by presenting extraordinary classical music performed by professional musicians from around the world. Takes place… more

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Colorado Shakespeare Festival

• Univ. of Colorado, 277 UCB
• Boulder, CO 80309-0277
• Phone: (303) 492-0554
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Boulder's Colorado Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1958 and is still going strong. Held outdoors at the Mary Rippon THeater on the University of Colorado campus, this festival is consistently… more

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CU College of Music

• University of Colorado, 301 UCB
• Boulder, CO 80309
• Phone: (303) 492-8008
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The University of Colorado at Boulder College of Music presents over 400 events every year including faculty and student recitals, ensemble performances, CU Presents events, and much more. Many… more

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CU Presents

• University of Colorado, 302 UCB
• Boulder, CO 80309
• Phone: (303) 492-8008
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CU Presents is a part of the University of Colorado at Boulder College of Music. We present over 50 ticketed concerts every year as well as numerous educational and outreach events. CU Presents… more

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Dairy Center for the Arts

• 2590 Walnut Street
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 440-7826
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The Dairy Center for the Arts is a 40,000 square foot performing and visual arts center located in the former Watts Hardy Dairy. The Dairy is a unique community treasure, now home to twelve of… more

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Etown

• 207 Canyon Blvd
• Ste 302
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 443-8696
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Musicians like James Taylor combined with interviewees like Jimmy Carter create a one of a kind, live radio show, which gives the “E-chievement Award” to an individual or organization around the… more

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Fox Theatre

• 1135 13th Street
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 443-3399
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Frequent Flyers Productions, Inc.

• Frequent Flyers Productions
• 3022 E. Sterling Circle, #C
• Boulder, CO 80301
• Phone: (303) 245-8272
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Historic Downtown Boulder & Pearl Street Mall

• 1942 Broadway
• Suite 301
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 449-3774
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Stroll along our popular pedestrian mall and enjoy a great selection of restaurants, bookstores, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. Also popular are the seasonal art shows, craft fairs, musical… more

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Laughing Goat Coffeehouse

• 1709 Pearl Street
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 440-4628
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The Laughing Goat is a premiere showcase for artistic, literary & musical expression featuring weekly readings, monthly gallery showings and nightly performances. Featuring a comfortable… more

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Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet Dance Center

• Dairy Center for the Arts
• 2590 Walnut Street
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 545-2298
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Lemon Sponge Cake was founded by dancer, choreographer Robert Sher-Machherndl and publicist Jenifer Sher in 2004.   Its mission is to bring change and new possibilities to the field of dance… more

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Macky Auditorium

• University of Colorado @ Boulder
• Campus Box 285
• Boulder, CO 80309
• Phone: (303) 492-8423
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Macky Auditorium is a 2,047 seat concert hall on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus offering a broad range of performances including University ensembles of band, choir, and orchestra, the… more

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Naropa University

• 2130 Arapahoe
• Boulder, CO 80302
• Phone: (303) 444-0202
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The Arapahoe campus and surrounding grounds include a performing arts center, a meditation hall, classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, the Naropa Bookstore and the Allen Ginsberg Library. … more

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Nomad Theatre

• 1410 Quince Ave
• Boulder, CO 80304
• Phone: (303) 443-7510
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Welcome to the Nomad Theatre, Boulder's only professional resident theatre. Our carefully planned seasons offer something for everyone, from comedy to musical theatre -- classic dramas to family… more

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Old Main Theater

• University Theatre Building
• South side of the historic Norlin Quadrangle
• Boulder, CO 80309
• Phone: (303) 492-8181
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Old Main, the first campus building, opened to students in September 1877. Although plans were made to made to demolish Old Main in the 1920s, a full structural renovation was made instead. In the… more

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Peanut Butter Players

• 2474 Mapleton
• Boulder, CO 80304
• Phone: (303) 786-8727
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The Peanut Butter Players are Boulder's premiere children's theatre, providing training in singing, dancing and acting for the young, summer day camp, summer theatre and luncheon theatre for the… more

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