Denver's Summer Music Festivals

Red Rocks Denver's growing roster of summer music festivals, jam-packed with big-name headliners and the Mile High City's best local bands, are a music-lover's dream come true. You'll also find that tickets are often extremely affordable -- let's just say you're going to get more than enough bang for your buck! Here's a look at some of the biggest and best of the bunch. (And don't forget to check out all the incredible Summer Music in the Outdoors taking place in Denver this summer, including shows at Red Rocks, the Botanic Gardens and Fiddler’s Green.)

Denver Day of Rock

When: June 6, 2009
Where: Throughout Denver
More Info: www.concertsforkids.org
Want to make a difference in the lives of local children – and enjoy some incredible live music at the same time? The first annual Denver Day of Rock in June, presented by Concerts For Kids, will let you do just that. Sure to be one of the summer's most fun and memorable events, Day of Rock features full day of music throughout the city, including local Denver faves The Flobots. Go to www.concertsforkids.org for a full list of performers, venues and events.

Westword Music Showcase

When: June 13, 2009
Where: Golden Triangle Museum District, Denver
More Info: http://musicshowcase.westword.com
Music-lovers look forward year-round to the Westword Music Showcase, a one-day blow out featuring 50 of the best local bands, plus a handful of incredible national headliners. This year’s bill boasts the sprawling guitar epics of Built To Spill, the recently reunited Denver band, The Fluid, and the piano-based pop of Meese, a Mile High City group that has been earning a sizable nationwide audience. The showcase takes place all over the Golden Triangle Museum District – under the sun in Civic Center Park, in clubs like Dazzle, and practically anywhere else a band could possibly play. But the best part of the showcase? The extremely affordable ticket price: $9.33. Check the Web site for the schedule and ticket information.

Latino Rhythms

When: July 18, 2009
Where: Sloan's Lake, Denver
More Info: www.denvergov.org/HomePage/LatinoRhythms/tabid/426710/Default.aspx
Get your required dose of Latino music and dancing at Sloan's Lake in the Highlands neighborhood during the annual Latino Rhythms festival. The entire 177-acre park comes to life with spicy foods, delicious drinks and vendors selling one of a kind items – not to mention all varieties of music, from traditional mariachi to contemporary pop to hip hop.

Mile High Music Festival

When: July 18-19, 2009
Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Denver
More Info: www.milehighmusicfestival.com
In the tradition of such popular (and enormous) music festivals as Coachella and Bonnaroo, the annual Mile High Music Festival’s 2009 lineup is jam-packed with stars, including Tool, Widespread Panic and The Fray. The two-day festival is the largest event of its kind ever held in the Denver Metro Area, but the big names are only part of what's great about this festival. The Outer Fields of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park boast immaculate lawns and spectacular views of both the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountain Front Range. Concertgoers enjoy music and and food, with a wide range of cuisines to choose from, offered by Denver's most popular restaurants. Get ticket information and updates at the festival Web site.

Denver Post Underground Music Showcase

When: July 23-26, 2009
Where: Multiple Venues on S. Broadway, Denver
More Info: www.theums.com
Want to know what the locals know about Denver’s extremely hot music scene in the shortest amount of time possible? The Denver Post Underground Music Showcase is your best bet. More than 200 of Denver’s best bands – ranging from punk to indie to folk to everything in between – will play during this music-filled weekend on the south end of Broadway. A mere $20 admits you into every venue during the three days and nights of the showcase. The deal gets even better, though: An exclusive offer through VISIT DENVER gets you four three-day passes to The UMS, a value of $100, for $52.80, while supplies last. Go to www.Denver5280Deals.com for details.

Mile High Blues Festival

When: August 8-9, 2009
Where: Mile High Marketplace, Denver (I-76 and 88th Avenue just North of Downtown Denver)
More Info: www.milehighbluesfestival.com
Mark your calendar for the first annual Mile High Blues Festival, coming to Mile High Marketplace this summer, with world-class artists performing in a great outdoor setting. Performers include the living legend John Hammond, the Delta Sonics and many more bluesy masters.

Monolith Music Festival

When: September 12-13, 2009
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison
More Info: www.monolithfestival.com
Last year’s second annual Monolith Music Festival attracted more than 4,000 attendees, who enjoyed the hippest bands on the scene, and this year’s lineup is continues the tradition. Already confirmed are Girl Talk, The Walkmen and The Dandy Warhols. Held over two days and two nights at Red Rocks, Monlith boasts multiple stages, a wide array of food and drink and thousands of fellow music lovers. Full information on this incredible festival coming soon!

Discover more live music this summer in Denver!

Upcoming Events

36th Annual Denver March PowWowMar. 19, 2010 - Mar. 21, 2010
36th Annual Denver March PowWowMar. 19, 2010 - Mar. 21, 2010
36th Annual Denver March PowWowMar. 19, 2010 - Mar. 21, 2010
36th Annual Denver March PowWowMar. 19, 2010 - Mar. 21, 2010
Cinco de Mayo FestivalMay. 8, 2010 - May. 9, 2010

Book Your Trip

Featured Property

VISIT DENVER, The Convention and Visitors Bureau.

1555 California Street, Suite300 | Denver, CO 80202 | (303) 892-1112