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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. 

2023 Dates Coming Soon!


Outdoor Concerts

Arts in the Park

May-August

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.

2022 lineup:

  • May 20 – Mahler and the Movies
  • May 28-30 – Streetwise Art Battle at Boulder Creek Fest
  • June 2 – Cultural Caravan | ZiMbria Concert
  • June 3-5  – Public Domain Theater Festival at The Catamounts
  • June 10-11 – Boulder Ballet
  • June 24 – Butterfly Effect Theater (two performances)
  • July 2-3 – DIY Casual Fest
  • July 21 and 28, August 4, 11 and 18 – Boulder Arts Outdoors
  • August 12-13 – Colorado Brazil Festival

Only live-music events are listed above. Check the Arts in the Park website for a full lineup of performances, including dance and more.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Bands on the Bricks

Wednesdays, June 15-August 3, 2022

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. 

2022 lineup:

  • June 15 –Hazel Miller & the Collective
  • June 22 – Saritah
  • June 29 – Chimbangle
  • July 6 – The Long Run - "Colorado's Tribute to the Eagles"
  • July 13 – Titonic
  • July 20 – The Coffis Brothers
  • July 27 – Chain Station
  • August 3 – The Goonies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Concerts in the Park

Mondays, June 20-August 1, 2022

Monday evenings throughout summer, the Boulder Concert Band plays a different Boulder park each week for Concerts in the Park. Bring a picnic!

2022 locations:

  • June 20 – North Boulder Park – 9th Street and Dellwood Avenue
  • June 27 – Harlow Platts Community Park – 1360 Gillaspie Drive
  • July 11 – Scott Carpenter Park – 1505 30th Street
  • July 18 – Central Park & Civic Area (The Green) – 1236 Canyon Blvd.
  • July 25 – Chautauqua Park – 9th Street and Baseline Road
  • August 1 – Park East Park – Aurora Avenue and Mohawk Drive
Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series

July 8-August 26, 2022

Friday concerts take place at Twenty Ninth Street, an outdoor shopping mall that opens up its Central Plaza so concertgoers can sprawl out and soak up the incredible Flatirons views while they listen to local bands. 

2022 lineup:

  • July 8 – SweetSummer
  • July 15 – Hazel Miller
  • July 22 – Jacob Larson
  • July 29 – The Hamilton Band
  • August 5 – Chris Daniels & The Kings
  • August 12 – Dotsero
  • August 19 – FACE
  • August 26 – Quemando Salsa

Twenty Ninth Street Love the Tunes Concert

63rd Street Farm Dinner Concert Series

May 20-October 21, 2022

Grab your friends, some beer, chairs and a blanket for 63rd Street Farm's Farm Dinner Concert Series this season. The series will feature amazing local musicians, wood-fired pizza and farm meals. So come hungry and ready for some fun! We recommend checking for the latest event updates on the farm's social media.

2022 lineup:

  • May 28 – Dave Tamkin and Jordan Smart
  • June 17 – Jake Leg Band
  • July 3 – Gasoline Lollipops Duo
  • July 22 – Foxfeather Trio
  • August 19 – Heavy Diamond Ring
  • September 23 – Sturtz
  • October 21 – TBA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Laura Hobbs (@lghobbs)

Meadow Music for Families

Various dates, June 4–Aug 28, 2022. Free.

Meadow Music, an annual series of kids' concerts that takes place in Chautauqua Meadow, 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.

2022 dates:

  • Sat., June 4, 10:30am (Season Opener)
  • Mon., June 13, 5:30pm
  • Mon., July 11, 5:30pm
  • Mon., July 18, 5:30pm
  • Sun., July 24, 10:30am
  • Mon., Aug. 1, 5:30pm
  • Mon., Aug. 8, 5:30pm
  • Mon., Aug. 15, 5:30pm
  • Sun., Aug. 21, 10:30am
  • Sun., Aug. 28, 10:30am (Season Finale)

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 2022, we can't wait to see Lord Huron, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Glass Animals, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Brandi Carlile and so, so, so many more! Here's the 2022 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 Music Series. Additionally, the Colorado Music Festival takes up residency in the auditorium each summer, June–Sept., putting on several weeks' worth of orchestral concerts.

2022 lineup:

  • Apr. 29 – Peter Bradley Adams
  • May 21 – Andrea Gibson and Zoe Keating
  • May 28 – Samantha Fish
  • June 4 – Ólafur Arnalds
  • June 27 – Keb' Mo'
  • July 9 – An Evening with Kenny G
  • July 16 – An Evening with Cowboy Junkies
  • July 18 – The Wood Brothers
  • Aug. 3 – Steve Earle & The Dukes with Special Guest The Whitmore Sisters
  • Aug. 13 – Jesse Cook
  • Aug. 18 – Robert Cray
  • Aug. 31 – Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes
  • Sept. 15 – Bela Fleck
  • Sept. 23 – Dirtwire
  • Sept. 30 – The Wailin' Jennys
Musical Vanguards Concert Series at the Dairy

Select dates, June 30-August 18. Prices vary.

This summer the Dairy Arts Center is launching the all-new Musical Vanguards Concert Series, a concerted effort to present musicians from far and wide who are leaders within their genres, and often beyond genres. All shows will be held in the Gordon Gamm Theater at the Dairy Arts Center. Tickets are available through the Dairy's box office, 303-444-7328, and online at thedairy.org.

2022 lineup:

  • June 30 – John Pizzarelli Trio
  • July 28 – Ariel Posen
  • August 13 – Miss Mojo
  • August 18 – Emmaline
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.

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.

Chautauqua Silent Film Series

June 29-July 27, 2022

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. 

Music Events and Festivals

Colorado Music Festival

June 30-August 7, 2022

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's Summer Music Series Kick-Off

May 7, 2022

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

Colorado Brazil Fest

August 12-13, 2022

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.

Boulder Creek Fest

May 28-30, 2022

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