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Sporadic thunderstorms and rising temps don’t just mark the start of summer in Colorado, they also usher in Denver’s concert season. But as much as we’d love to snag front-row tickets to Hozier, seeing your favorite artists isn’t that simple anymore—especially after Boulder Weekly reported a 23 percent increase in average Red Rocks ticket prices from 2023 to 2024.
But if your concert fund is looking healthy (or you don’t mind a nosebleed seat), there are plenty of acts making stops in the Centennial State this summer. From free shows celebrating local talent to arena-filling legends, here are 10 concerts in and around Denver that are worth braving the Ticketmaster queue to see.
Halsey
The venue: Red Rocks Amphitheatre
When: Sunday, June 22
Why you should get tickets: Halsey’s “For My Last Trick” tour isn’t just a tour—it’s a show that almost wasn’t. The pop singer, who goes by the pronouns “she/they,” was diagnosed with leukemia and lupus in 2023. It was around that time that they wrote The Great Impersonator, an album she thought might be her last. Her tour stops in Denver on June 22, where she’ll be performing her pop rock hits from the album, including “Lillith” and “Lonely is the Muse,” with an Alice in Wonderland–themed twist.
Metallica
The venue: Empower Field at Mile High
When: June 27 and 29
Why you should get tickets: Whether you thrashed with the band’s debut studio album, Kill ’em all, or “Master of Puppets” is more your speed, Metallica has been a defining force in the heavy metal genre since the ’80s. Hear hits like “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman” from the Grammy Award-winning band (which still includes two founding members, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich) over the course of two nights at Empower Field. Each show will have a different set list and unique opening acts (snag tickets to night one for Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills).
Phish
The venue: Folsom Field
When: July 3–5
Why you should get tickets: Last year, electronic music duo Odesza sold out Boulder’s Folsom Field, marking a new era of live music for the stadium that had previously only hosted Dead & Company shows. For three nights this July, catch jam rock band Phish at the field as they perform both their biggest hits (including “Farmhouse”) and tracks from their latest album, Evolve.
Katy Perry
The venue: Ball Arena
When: July 10
Why you should get tickets: Pop singer Katy Perry is traveling a lot this year—and we’re not counting her controversial trip to space. “The Lifetimes Tour” kicked off in April in Mexico City and concludes in December in Abu Dhabi. Before then, though, Denverites will get to see Perry’s high-production show on July 10, which, in classic Katy fashion, includes over-the-top outfits, a light saber battle, and the star flipping over the crowd on a wire.
Punk in the Park
The venue: National Western Stockyards
When: July 18–20
Why you should get tickets: Originally launched in Southern California in 2021, national touring festival Punk in the Park is bringing its biggest iteration yet to Denver for three days in July at the National Western Stockyards. Swap out your cowboy boots for Dr. Martens, and catch renowned acts like Bad Religion and Dropkick Murphys, plus local talent like Denver-based Potato Pirates. Pay an additional $15 on top of your ticket fee ($146 for a weekend pass) and get access to craft beer samplings to fuel your moshing.
Hozier
The venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
When: Sunday, July 20
Why you should get tickets: He took us to church. Now he’s taking us to Commerce City. Folk artist Hozier is a household name now, with tracks like “Too Sweet” earning over 1.5 billion listens on Spotify. But his haunting vocals hit different live, which is why we won’t be missing his tour promoting his latest album, Unreal Unearth. Don’t panic, crying at a Hozier concert is totally normal.
The Beach Boys with the Colorado Symphony
The venue: Red Rocks Amphitheatre
When: Sunday, August 3
Why you should get tickets: Although the surfboards are mostly for show these days, Mike Love and his crew still know how to summon a California dream. Catch this Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award–winning group performing hits like “Good Vibrations,” backed by the Colorado Symphony, at Red Rocks, and know that even in landlocked Colorado, you can still catch a wave with “Surfin’ U.S.A.”
Cinematic Symphony
The venue: Centennial Center Park Amphitheater
When: Saturday, August 23
Why you should get tickets: Not into expensive parking fees, sweaty mosh pits, and unbearable concession lines? Let Symphony of the Rockies, a local orchestra composed of professional musicians and talented community members alike, woo you with scores from iconic movies. The event is free to attend (unless you pay $25 for VIP grass seating) and listeners should come prepared with a blanket, chairs, and picnic grub.
The Fray
The venue: Mission Ballroom
When: Wednesday, August 27
Why you should get tickets: Founding members Isaac Slade and Joe King of rock band the Fray met while students at Faith Christian Academy in Arvada. While Slade has since left the band, you can still catch King, guitarist Dave Welsh, and drummer Ben Wysocki at Mission Ballroom where they’re sure to play hits that remind you of your MySpace era, including “How to Save a Life” and “Over My Head (Cable Car).”
Levitt Pavilion Denver’s Free Concert Series
The venue: Levitt Pavilion
When: Dates vary, see calendar online
Why you should get tickets: Denver’s Levitt Pavilion is more than just another music venue; It’s part of California-based nonprofit Levitt Foundation, which creates community-focused concert spaces throughout the country. At Denver’s 6,500-capacity venue on the grassy slopes of Ruby Hill Park, you’ll have access to over 50 free concerts every year (although RSVPs are encouraged to ensure you’ll get in). This year’s series includes acts like local Grateful Dead tribute band Shakedown Street, Nigerian Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti, and North Carolina rock outfit Big Something.
