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Boulder's Hot Summer Music Scene

Several nights a week throughout the summer, you can head to a live show under the stars for dancing, picnicking and soaking up the sweet sounds of music on the Colorado breeze. There are also several annual music festivals to celebrate all things song. Or beat the heat with an indoor concert or silent film series with live musical accompaniment.


Outdoor Concerts

Bands on the Bricks

June 11-July 30, 2025. Free.
On Wednesdays, Bands on the Bricks rocks the 1300 Block of Pearl Street. Enjoy performances from top local and regional musicians, and get your groove on Pearl Street's famous brick walkway. An outdoor beer/wine/margarita garden is available at 5:30pm, with the opening musical acts starting at 6pm and headlining acts 7-9pm.

Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series

TBA, 2025

Twenty Ninth Street Love the Tunes Concert

Flatiron Sounds Music Festival

June 21, 2025. Free.
Single-day festival held in the historic and beautiful Chautauqua Park at the base of the Flatirons. Enjoy musical performances from local Colorado bands, a beer garden, a variety of food trucks and a local artisan market featuring a variety of Colorado vendors.

2025 Lineup:

  • The Main Squeeze
  • Salin
  • Improvement Movement
  • Selasee and Fafa Family
  • Cousin Curtis
  • Megan Burtt

Chautauqua Park Picnic

Arts in the Park

June-July. Ticket prices vary.
Arts in the Park plays host to vibrant arts and cultural performances at the historic Glen Huntington Bandshell in Boulder’s Civic Area. Times and prices vary, so make sure to check the website for details.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Concerts in the Park

May 25-July 14, 2025. Free.
Monday evenings throughout summer, the Boulder Concert Band plays a different Boulder park each week for Concerts in the Park. Bring a picnic!

Meadow Music for Families

June 2-July 19, 2025. Free.
Meadow Music, an annual series of kids' concerts that takes place in Chautauqua Meadow and the Boulder Bandshell, are free, science and nature-focused, with creative costumes and loads of audience participation. Come see the dynamic duo of Jeff and Paige perform to their little fans and sing about science in the most creative ways imaginable.

People gathered on the grass listening to a band at the Meadow Music Concert

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Select dates, spring–fall. Prices vary.
The legendary Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in nearby Morrison (not to be confused with Boulder's own Red Rocks hiking trail) is a summertime must, hosting an unbelievable lineup of bands all season long. It is just a 45-minute drive from Boulder. In 2025, we can't wait to see Lucy Dacus, Sting, Lord Huron, Halsey, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and so, so, so many more! Here's the 2025 schedule.

Pearl Street Buskers

Anytime. Free (tipping encouraged).
Pretty much anytime you walk down Pearl Street — a brick-paved pedestrian lane in historic downtown Boulder — you'll see crowds gathered around street performers, as they put on their shows. And often those street performers are musicians: violinists, a bassist who stands atop his instrument as he plays, singer-songwriters, drummers and even a pianist.

Musicians on Pearl Street


Indoor Concerts

Chautauqua Auditorium

Select dates, summer–fall. Prices vary.
Shawn Colvin said that playing in the Chautauqua Auditorium was like playing inside a guitar. That's how good the acoustics are in this all-wood structure built in 1898. Each summer the auditorium hosts musicians such as the Indigo Girls, Lucinda Williams, St. Paul & The Broken Bones and The Gipsy Kings during the Chautauqua Summer Concert Series. Additionally, the Colorado Music Festival takes up residency in the auditorium each summer, June–Sept., putting on several weeks' worth of orchestral concerts.

2025 lineup

  • June 14 — Judy Collins
  • June 16 — Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
  • June 19 — Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda & Antonio Sánchez Trio
  • June 20 — Joseph
  • July 12 — Tab Benoit
  • July 14 — Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam with Ivan Pulley
  • July 16 — Jake Shimabukuro
  • July 19 — Lucinda Williams & Her Band
  • July 21 — Steve Earle
  • July 26 — Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos & the Buena Vista Orchestra
  • July 28 — Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue
  • September 10-11 — Ani DiFranco with Special Guest Tune-Yards
  • September 15 — Mat Kearney
  • September 26 — Nate Smith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Velvet Elk Lounge

Select dates, year round. Prices vary.
Boulder's newest music venue is the intimate, always-happening club you've been craving, with great food and cocktails on top of that. The Velvet Elk's musical lineup is perpetually packed with great acts and new discoveries, just a few steps off Pearl Street.

Fox Theatre

Select dates, year round. Prices vary.
Rolling Stone magazine named the Fox Theatre one of the best places in the U.S. for live music. Being on University Hill, it caters to a college crowd but draws a huge variety of accomplished artists. Shows happen year-round, and in August, the Triple A Radio Conference comes to town, and the Fox plays host to several top-name acts associated with the event. Previous performers have included Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Grace Potter and John Mayer.

The front marquee of Fox Theatre in Boulder

Boulder Theater

Select dates, year round. Prices vary. 
The art deco marquee on the outside of the historic building is the first suggestion of an exceptional experience. Located in downtown Boulder, just steps from the Pearl Street Mall, the Boulder Theater is beautifully restored with art deco ornamentation, including hand-painted murals and a fresco ceiling. The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow, Madeleine Peyroux, Branford Marsalis and Johnny Cash have all performed here.

Boulder Theater

Etown Music Hall

Select dates, year round. Prices vary.
eTown is a weekly radio broadcast heard on NPR and commercial stations. The shows are taped in front of a live audience at eTown Hall, the most eco-friendly music venue in Colorado, with performances from musicians as well as conversations about the world. Being in the audience is a peek behind the scenes — you'll be a part of the soundcheck, witness how the show is produced and hear bloopers. Musicians like Warren Haynes, Martin Sexton and David Gray coupled with interviewees like Jimmy Carter create a one-of-a-kind, live radio show. It is a fun evening of music and inspiration.

Music Events and Festivals

Colorado Music Festival

July 3-August 3, 2025
The internationally acclaimed Colorado Music Festival is held four nights per week for seven weeks at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium, showcasing an orchestra of professional classical musicians from all over the world.

Upslope Get Down

TBA, 2025
Upslope Get Down is a family-friendly event and features Upslope beer, barbecue and, of course, live music.

Boulder Creek Fest

May 23-26, 2025
Boulder Creek Fest is Boulder's biggest annual celebration of music, markets, food, craft beer, family-friendly activities and much more.

Colorado Brazil Fest

August 7-10, 2025
Colorado Brazil Fest is hosted by Boulder Samba School, the only organization in the state dedicated to promoting the rich heritage of Brazilian music, dance, and culture. Enjoy live music performances and dance at the Glen Huntington Bandshell in Boulder’s Civic Area.

Chautauqua Silent Film Series

TBA, 2025
Live musical accompaniment to films of the twenties makes the Chautauqua Silent Film Series a truly unique summer experience inside the Chautauqua Auditorium. Films starring favorites like Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin and Lillian Gish, play on the big screen while rousing, live music (often piano) is provided by local artists. 

Upcoming Live Music Events