Music in the Mountains: Colorado

Sounds of summer in the Colorado Rockies include the swish of flyfishing rods being cast, crunch of mountain bike tires turning on the trails, clomp of horse’s hooves on a trail ride, and music drifting from the numerous concert venues around Breckenridge, Steamboat and the Vail Valley.

Forego the big indoor concert venues in the city and head to the mountains. Pack a picnic and blanket, spread out under the starry summer nights, breathe in the crisp clean air and enjoy everything from jazz to bluegrass, reggae to classical.

Here's our guide to enjoying live music this summer in the Colorado Rockies:

Amp Summer Concerts is a summer-long music series that brings big acts and a wide range of genres including rock, pop, country, bluegrass, comedy, and more to The Amp stage in Vail. Leon Bridges kicks off the summer season on May 25. Other artists include Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The String Cheese Incident, and The Black Crowes.

Bravo! Vail Music Festival hosts some of the greatest orchestras, musicians, and acclaimed soloists throughout the summer. Come watch these masters perform in a breathtaking mountain setting at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. The Chamber Orchestra of Europe opens the festival's 38th season on June 19.

Amplify your summer and experience free live music at its purest high in the mountains on the Beaver Creek Village stage every Thursday from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Enjoy delicious food from Beaver Creek Village's best restaurants while picnicking out on the covered ice rink in the village.

Avon's Concerts in the Park series at Nottingham Park at the base of Beaver Creek offers four exceptional evenings of live music. This Wednesday evening music series provides an opportunity to come together and experience music, fresh and unique foods from food trucks and enjoy a summer evening outside.

The latest addition to the music venues in Breckenridge is a reborn classic. Breck Create has taken a classic 1975 Airstream trailer and modified it with a pop-out stage that is perfect for mid-summer jam sessions in the Breckenridge Arts District. Enjoy free concerts every Thursday evening from mid-June to mid-August.

Surrounded by the stunning peaks of the Ten Mile and Gore Ranges and overlooking Lake Dillon, is the Dillon Amphitheater, an open-air venue that offers a diverse range of concerts throughout the entire summer. The 2025 season includes Alison Krauss and Union Station, Modest Mouse, and Train. In addition to the ticketed shows, enjoy Mountain Music Mondays every week. The free concert series features Grammy-winning singer-songwriters, classical orchestras, folk rock, jam bands and world music.

One of Steamboat's signature family events of the summer, everyone flocks to the base of Howelsen Hill in town for 5 free concerts throughout the summer. The series features nationally recognized artists across genres including reggae, bluegrass, rock, and funk. Andy Frasco & The U.N. kick off the summer season on June 21. Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bab Marley, will perform July 19. See the full lineup here.