Summer in Colorado is one of the glorious perks of living in Denver! Kick off the season strong with a curated list of recommendations for fun outdoor concerts, festivals, tours, events and experiences. Here are 24 things to do in Denver I Love in June.
1. See & Juliet at the DCPA
June 4-15, Buell Theatre at DCPA
Tickets @DenverCenter.org
& Juliet is all the rage in New York, or at least it has been for the past two years. Now it’s in Denver for two weeks. The creative pop musical has 9 Tony nominations and offers a fresh twist on Shakespeare’s classic tale. I love it because it’s an uplifting dose of female empowerment. What if Juliet hadn’t killed herself over a man she couldn’t be with? The high energy performance features nearly 30 chart-topping hits from artists like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and the Backstreet Boys, all woven into a story where Juliet chooses life after Romeo.
2. Spend a Colorful Day at the Denver Chalk Festival
June 7-8, 10 am – 8pm, Golden Triangle Creative District. 12th & Bannock
FREE EVENT, food and drink available for purchase
The Denver Chalk Festival is one of my favorite Denver festivals, a.k.a. “Denver’s most colorful event!” The summer in Denver festival is the largest of its kind in the region and one of the top 10 in the nation! For one weekend, more than 200 professional, amateur, and student artists take to the pavement in Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District,. They transform the city streets into a vibrant open-air gallery of chalk art masterpieces. The festival supports CherryArts’ mission providing access to arts education and experiences across Colorado.
3. Tour Kent Monkman’s One of A Kind Exhibition at the Denver Art Museum
DAM FREE DAY: June 10, but on view all month any day with a ticket.
Tickets @denverartmuseum.org
The Denver Art Museum has an bold and thought-provoking exhibit this summer in denver you must see! Kent Monkman’s History is Painted by the Victors in Denver marks the artist’s first major U.S. exhibition, and it’s so cool it is on view in DENVER! Featuring 41 monumental works that reimagine Western art history through an Indigenous lens, the exhibit addresses themes of colonialism, climate change, and queer identity. Monkman’s alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, appears throughout the paintings, challenging traditional narratives. This show is included with general admission. Note: The Museum’s Free Day is June 10th.
4. Celebrate Denver’s KUVO’s 40th Anniversary at a Concert with Jazz Great Cyrus Chestnut at Dazzle
June 5-7, Denver Dazzle, 1080 14th St, Denver, CO 80202
Tickets @dazzledenver.com.
In case you don’t know, KUVO is Denver’s jazz radio station and an iconic pillar of Denver life for 40 years. In celebration of KUVO big anniversary, jazz great Cyrus Chestnut will be performing at one of my favorite Denver venues: Dazzle at the Performing Arts Complex. Cyrus Chestnut is a renowned jazz pianist known for blending traditional jazz with gospel, blues, and classical influences. Cyrus has played with leading musicians such as Jon Hendricks, Terence Blanchard, Freddie Hubbard, Isaac Hayes, and Dizzy Gillespie, to name a few.
5. Kick off Cherry Creek North’s Summer in Denver Concert Series with a Beach Boys Tribute Concert
June 12th, 4 to 8:30 pm, Fillmore Plaza (between 1st and 2nd Ave)
FREE EVENT. Food and drink available for purchase.
Cherry Creek North’s Summer Concert Series is bigger and better than ever this year with Throwback Thursdays! They have a fun summer lineup planned full featuring favorite music and genres from the best cover bands in Colorado — all in the open air at iconic Fillmore Plaza. First up is the June concert with Surf’s Up, a Beach Boys Tribute Concert. Bring your family & friends, sunscreen & shades, a a good appetite. Chairs and blankets are welcome.
6. Celebrate Pride Month at Drag Me to the Opera at Levitt Pavillon
June 15, Doors open at 4pm, show at 5pm, Levitt Pavilion, Ruby Hill Park, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver, CO 80223
FREE EVENT, but advance tickets needed at Levittdenver.org.
Central City Opera’s Drag Me to the Opera promises a fusion of operatic grandeur and drag artistry. This free, all-ages event is part of Levitt Pavilion’s summer concert series. Performances from CCO’s mainstage artists and community members will feature selections from opera and musical theatre. The evening kicks off with a set by Denver-based music collective Starlux, known for their dynamic blend of DJing, vocals, and electric violin. Attendees are encouraged to dress up or come as they are. Get ready to unleash your inner diva!
7. Be Part of Opening Night Dinner at the Central City Opera Summer Festival
June 28-: Barber of Seville, 5pm dinner 7:30 show, 124 Eureka St, Central City, CO 80427
Tickets at centralcityopera.org
Seeing an opera in the old historic Colorado opera house in Central City, the Teller House, is a coveted Colorado summer experience. Teller House is one of the nation’s most treasured intimate opera houses. The Central City Summer Festival opens with The Barber of Seville. CCO is hosting an opening night celebratory dinner with a lively conversation with expert music staff, artists, creative team members and CCO leadership. The cost of the dinner, is $150 a person, not including the show ticket. So, it’s a little pricey but worth it!
8. Experience an Iconic Denver Summer Tradition: City Park Jazz
Sunday Nights June 8, 15, 22 and , 6-8 pm. Denver City Park
FREE EVENT, Food and drink available for purchase or you can bring a picnic dinner.
City Park Jazz presents free concerts every Sunday night in June. Nothing beats a picnic dinner in the park and a great jazz concert. For extra fun, take a ride on a swan boat before the show. June 8th is a tribute to Neal Bridge, featuring Karen Lee Bridge and the Bridge 12. Upcoming shows after that are: ATOMGA on June 15, a unique brand of afrobeat music infused with elements of jazz, rock, hip hop, and funk; the Colorado Mamba Orchestra (COMO) led by Dr. Raul Murciano Jr. scheduled for June 22nd and Buckner Funken Jazz on June 29th.
9. Ride the Cyclone at Vintage Theatre
June 6, 7, 8th, Fri. and Sat. at 7:30and Sunday at 2:30. 1468 Dayton St. Aurora, Colorado 80010
Tickets at Vintagetheatre.org.
The cool, quirky, cult classic, Ride the Cyclone at the Vintage Theatre, is a regional premiere and one of the only places in the country you can see this show performed live at this time. Although there are other theatres planning to bring it to the stage down the road. For this reason and because of the stellar performances, direction and reputation the show has garnered during its May performances, theatre enthusiasts from around the country have been making the trek to Denver to see it. Hurry, there is one weekend left.
10. Run, Walk, Dance and Show Your Love for Denver Pride Fest
June 28-29, Civic Center Park, 101 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
FREE EVENT
Denver has one of the largest pride festivals in the country with over 500,000 visitors annually. Denver Pride Fest consists of 3 main events: the festival, a 5K, and the parade. The two-day festival features 250 exhibitors, 30 food vendors, live performances and lots of fun activities. There are multiple stages and live music, djs and entertainment throughout the festival.
The Denver Pride Parade
The Vizzy Denver Pride Parade is Sunday June 29, starting at 9:30 am. This year there is a new name for the parade and a new route. The route usually goes from Cheesman Park, down Colfax to the Sate Capitol. That is NOT the case year! The parade will kick off at 17th and Franklin and conclude on Lincoln Street.
11. Glam Up for A Tony’s Watch Party at the Sie Film Center
June 8, 5 to 9 pm . 2510 E. Colfax Avenue
FREE EVENT, RSVP Required @denverfilm.org
Summer in Denver means Denver Film and Colorado Theatre Guild are planning a fun evening to celebrate the best of Broadway and watch the 2025 Tony Awards live with other Colorado theatre lovers. This year’s Tony Awards are going to be extra special with the original cast of Hamilton planning to perform along with other with numbers from other fabulous shows like my favorite: Real Women Have Curves. A $10 donation gets you entry to a “Guess the Winners” contest along with refreshments and Red Carpet Photography by devizualsphotography. For more informaiton about this Tony Watch Party at Denver Film, click here.
12. Find a Seat on the Grass for a Free Concert on the Green in Northfield
June 7th and 21st, 6 ot 8 pm, Conservatory Green, 49th and Valentia in Northfield
FREE EVENT
Denver’s Central Park neighborhood does a great job bringing the community together for entertaining concerts and other fun family summer in Denver events. Two beloved local bands are scheduled to play free concerts on Saturday nights in June. Mark your calendars for That Eighties Band on Saturday June 7th at 6 pm. and Funkiphino on Saturday June 21st, 6 – 8 pm at Central Park’s Conservatory Green. Bring a picnic dinner or grab dinner from a favorite local food truck.
13. Celebrate Japanese Heritage and Culture at Denver’s 51st Annual Denver Cherry Blossom Festival
June 21-22, Saturday 11 am to 6pm; Sunday 11 am to 4pm; 1255 19th Street Denver
FREE EVENT, Food and drink available for purchase.
“Fans of taiko drumming, teriyaki chicken, sake and Japanese artwork and wares won’t want to miss the Cherry Blossom Festival,” says Sakura Matsuri. This annual Denver festival celebrates the Japanese heritage and culture through live entertainment, food and drink, a marketplace and informative exhibits and demonstrations.
14. Support Local Farmers and Vendors at the South Pearl Street Farmer’s Market
Sundays June 15, 22 and 29, 9 am to 1pm, 1400 and 1500 blocks of South Pearl Street (Between Iowa and Arkansas)
I don’t know about you, but I am not going to let a single weekend go by without going to a local Denver Farmer’s Market. Such a summer in Denver treat, and I love having locally grown produce, beautiful flowers and fun salsas and dips in the house for summer gatherings. A few June favorites to look for at the South Pearl Street Farmer’s Market are: peonies, tomatoes and fresh herbs – all are in season right now and perfect to pick up for the week.
15. Laugh Out Loud at RiNO Summer Outdoor Movie: Bridesmaids
June 19th at 8:30, @graffiti.gardens 2631 Larimer Street
FREE EVENT, Food and drink available for purchase.
Yes, you can stream these movies at home, but it’s more fun to go to RiNO on the third Thursday of the month for not just the film, but awesome summer vibes and great food. Walk around RiNO before the movie starts to take in all the great street murals and outdoor art. RiNO has a fantastic summer in Denver movie lineup, including Bridesmaids on June 19th.
16. Pick Peonies by the Bucket
Now through June 8; 9 am to 6 pm daily. Garden Sweet, 719 West Wilcox Lane, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
$20 a bouquet Cup; $60 a bucket, reservation required at gardensweet.com.
Peonies Season is short, so don’t tarry. This is such a cool experience, and it is only about an hour’s drive from Denver. Experience rows upon rows of beautiful, colorful, fragrant, fabulous peonies as you wander through the fields and get to hand pick your own favorites to bring home. The last day for this peonies experience is June 8th. If you miss the peonies you can still sign up to pick other flowers on Sunday June 15th.
17. Bike to Work: Colorado Bike to Work Day
June 25th, various locations throughout Denver
June in Colorado is Bike Month, with Bike to Work Day on June 25. Leave yoru car home and join thousands of community on bikes to celebrate. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will host Bike to Work Stations around the state. The Denver location will be at the intersection of the S. Platte River and Lakewood. Bike over for breakfast burritos, fruit, snacks, coffee and bicycle maps! The City of Denver is also organizing stations. To get in the loop register for Bike to Work Day through the Denver Regional Council of Goverments (DRCOG).
18. Rock the Rocks with a June Concert Under the Stars
June 7, 8, 11 15 16, 17, 20, 25 and 26. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80465
Tickets and Concert Dates @redrocksonline.com
There’s no better place to see a show in the world than right here in Colorado. June in Colorado = concerts at Red Rocks! Here’s the June lineup: Big Head Todd & The Monsters June 7 & 8; Bloc Party June 11; Trevor Hall, June 15, Lindsey Stirling June 16; Barenaked Ladies, June 17, TashSultana June 20, Haaley Crockett June 25, Dirty Heads June 26. See you on the rocks!
19. Bring Your Doggie to Paws with Pride
June 21, 11am-3pm. Terminal Bar Patio at Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver.
FREE EVENT, Food and Drink available for purchase
There are so many exciting events happening in Denver this month to celebrate Pride and support Denver’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. One unique event that caught our eye is Paws, and Pride, a fabulous, dog-friendly Pride celebration hosted by Sploot Veterinary Care and Denver Union Station! The festivities culminate with a Doggie Drag Show at 1:30.There will also be FREE Pet Portraits, prizes, raffles and giveaways and Terminal Bar patio specials. The event supports Canine Partners of the Rockies.
20. See Original Theatrical Performances at Denver Fringe Festival
June 4-8, Various times and locations, tickets @denverfringe.org
Denver Fringe is a festival of live theater, celebrating its 6th year this summer in Denver. A lot of work goes into getting this off the ground, and Denver is lucky to have such a robust and impactful festival. There are over 70 shows at venues from RiNO and beyond. Buy a ticket to any show for just $20 or a full festival pass for less than $100. Whether you like comedy, immersive improv, dramas, one acts or the intersect of music and technology. Its all there! One particular show on our must see list if Transduction, a solo performance by NYU student and Denver School of the Arts grad Sam Charney. Transduction will show June 5 – 7 at 8:30 pm.
21. Evenings al Fresco at the Denver Botanic Gardens
June 23, 24 and 30th. 5 to 8 pm. 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206
Tickets at Denver Botanic Gardens
There are several evenings in June when the Botanic Gardens stays open late for its special Evenings al Fresco. Musical performances occur at several locations throughout the Gardens from 4:30 to 8:30 pm. and are produced by Swallow Hill Music. Discover a new local band and stroll through the beautiful gardens during Denver’s golden hour. The Hive Bistro and the Offshoots Café are open late until 8:30 for dinner options. Visitors can also bring in any food and drink they like. No onsite tickets, so secure entry in advance.
22. Play A Larger than Life Instrument on 16th Street
Throughout June, Downtown Denver on 16th Street between Larimer and Tremont.
FREE EVENT
16th Street in downtown Denver reopened this month with a fun weekend block party. Don’t worry if you missed it because there are special events planned throughout June. The art activation that you really must check out is the one by LeMonde Studio that places several larger than life instruments throughout 16th Street. When you spin the lever, the art pieces play different sounds and music. Denver is lucky to have this fabulous outdoor exhibit on 16th Street in the month of June.
23. Spend an Otter-ly Adorable Day at the Denver Aquarium
June 14 & 15, 10 am to 3pm The Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211
Tickets at https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/
Join the fun and learn more about some otter-ly adorable furry friends at the Downtown Aquarium’s Otter Weekend. The schedule includes demonstrations, talks with otter experts and otter meet and greets. Tickets also include admission to the Aquarium with more than one million gallons of underwater exhibits to explore and 500 species of animals. THe Denver Aquarium is a a cool all ages place to visit. Don’t miss the flash flood!
24. Immerse Yourself in Foam at Denver’s Foam Wonderland Concerts
June 7 and 8, 7 pm to 2 am, National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80216
Tickets at Eventbrite.com
Foam Wonderland is a touring concert series featuring mind-blowing production, talented DJs and other artists. For an experience like none other, plan to get wet from the world’s largest foam machines. So, need to spend long getting your hair ready for this one! Foam Wonderland is making its way across the U.S. and will be in Denver for the “Above Reality Tour 2025” Saturday June 7th and 8th. No pictures yet, but stay tuned for full Denver I Love coverage…we wouldn’t miss it!
