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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

Wednesdays, June 14-August 2, 2023

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.

2023 lineup

  • June 14 – The Long Run and opening act The Keeps 
  • June 21 – The Goonies and opening act Intergalactic Peace Jelly 
  • June 28 – Hazel Miller & The Collective and opening act Julia Kirkwood
  • July 5 – Chimbangle and opening act Amaryllis
  • July 12 – Chain Station and opening act Lucas Wolf 
  • July 19 – The Sweet Lillies and opening act Natural Motives
  • July 26 – JJ Brown's Raw Soul Band
  • August 2 – Mighty Mystic and opening act Sarah Banker 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Fred Zapp (@fredzapp)

Twenty Ninth Street Summer of Love Concert Series

July 7-August 25, 2023

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. A beer garden will be open, food trucks on hand and games of cornhole for play.

2023 lineup

  • July 7 – Face
  • July 14 – Chris Daniels & the Kings 
  • July 21 – Jacob Larson
  • July 28 – Daddyblue
  • August 4 – Hunter Hamilton
  • August 11 – Quemando Salsa
  • August 18 – Cody Qualls
  • August 25 – Hazel Miller

Twenty Ninth Street Love the Tunes Concert

63rd Street Farm Dinner Concert Series

May 5-October 20, 2023

Music on the farm! 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. We recommend checking for the latest event updates on the farm's social media.

2023 lineup

  • May 5 – Hunter Burnette and Erika Ryann
  • May 19 – Greg Schochet and Little America
  • June 2 – Lonely Choir and Travis McNamara 
  • June 16 – Sound of Honey
  • July 7 – El Javi and Dechen Hawk
  • July 21 – Covenhoven
  • August 4 – Anna Cutler and Morning Bear
  • August 18 – Bonnie and Taylor Sims Band
  • September 1 – Anna May and Liz Barnez
  • September 15 – Sturtz
  • October 6 – Scott T. Smith and Alysia Kraft
  • October 20 – LVDY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Laura Hobbs (@lghobbs)

Arts in the Park

June-July

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.

2023 musical lineup (additional events listed here)

  • July 4 – Boulder Symphony
  • July 29 – Boulder Opera
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Grady Ward (@gradyint)

Concerts in the Park

City Parks, June-August, 2023

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

2023 locations 

  • June 12 – East Palo Park
  • June 19 – East Boulder Community Park
  • July 3 – Harlow Platts Community Park
  • July 10 – Scott Carpenter Park
  • July 17 – Salberg Park
  • July 24 – Martin Park
Meadow Music for Families

Various dates, June-July, 2023. 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.

2023 dates

  • June 12 – 5:30pm hike, 6pm show
  • June 19 – 5:30pm hike, 6pm show
  • June 26 – 5:30pm hike, 6pm show
  • July 8 – Time TBD, Chautauqua's 125th Anniversary Celebration
  • July 22 – 9:30am hike, 10am show

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 2023, we can't wait to see Dermot Kennedy, Lord Huron, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, The Avett Brothers and so, so, so many more! Here's the 2023 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.

2023 lineup

This is Chautauqua's 125th anniversary and the musical lineup is stellar!

  • June 1 – The Wailers 
  • June 10-11 – Orebolo
  • June 13 – Mary Chapin Carpenter
  • June 20 – Marc Cohn and Shawn Colvin
  • June 24 – Graham Nash
  • July 5 – Indigo Girls
  • July 8 – Los Lobos and Ozo Matli
  • July 17 – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
  • July 22 – The Wood Brothers
  • July 31 – Mat Kearney
  • August 4-5 – Andrew Bird
  • August 8 – Amos Lee
  • August 9 – Gipsy Kings
  • August 18 – Leo Kottke and Julian Lage
  • August 21 – The Wallflowers
  • September 12 – Herbie Hancock
  • September 28 –The SteelDrivers
  • September 28 – Tig Notaro
  • October 1 – Snarky Puppy
Musical Vanguards Concert Series at the Dairy

TBA, June-August, 2023

The Dairy Arts Center will be kicking off its second season of the 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.

2023 lineup TBA

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.

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 28-July 26, 2023

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 29-August 6, 2023
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 20, 2023
Upslope Get Down is a family-friendly event and features Upslope beer, barbecue and, of course, live music.

Colorado Brazil Fest

TBA, 2023
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 26-39, 2023
Boulder Creek Fest is Boulder's biggest annual celebration of music, markets, food, craft beer, family-friendly activities and much more.