Live Music Venues in Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado and the surrounding region punch well above their weight when it comes to live music. From free summer concerts on the CSU campus to one of the most iconic amphitheaters in the world, there’s no shortage of great ways to pair a day on the river with a night of great music. Here are Mountain Whitewater’s picks.

Mountain Whitewater’s Picks for Outdoor Music in the Region

Paddler’s Pub Summer Music Series — Fort Collins

Start close to home. The Paddler’s Pub at Mountain Whitewater hosts free live music on most weekends throughout the summer, right at our location. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a day on the water — cold drinks, local music, and a crowd of people who just had the same great experience you did. Keep an eye on our events page for the current lineup.

Lagoon Concert Series — Fort Collins (CSU)

Voted the #1 Best Outdoor Concert in the area, the Lagoon Concert Series at Colorado State University is a Fort Collins summer institution. Six weeks of free Wednesday evening concerts on the CSU campus, drawing a mix of local and regional acts across a range of genres. Bring a blanket, grab some food from the on-site vendors, and settle in for a genuinely great evening. The series typically kicks off in mid-June and runs through late July.

  • Where: The Lagoon, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  • When: Wednesday evenings, mid-June through late July
  • Cost: Free
  • Website: lagoonseries.com

Free Summer Music in Loveland

Just south of Fort Collins, Loveland runs multiple free music series throughout the summer — making it an easy add-on to any day trip in the area.

One Sweet Summer / Wednesday Night Concert Series: Downtown Loveland hosts free live music on Wednesday evenings from early July through late August as part of the One Sweet Summer event series. A relaxed, community-oriented evening in the heart of downtown.

  • Where: Downtown Loveland
  • When: Wednesday evenings, July through August
  • Cost: Free
  • Website: downtownloveland.org

Foote Lagoon Amphitheater: The City of Loveland’s free Summer Concert Series takes place at the Foote Lagoon Amphitheater, a lovely outdoor setting at 500 E. 3rd Street. A great option for families.

  • Where: Foote Lagoon Amphitheater, 500 E. 3rd St., Loveland
  • When: Summer — check lovgov.org for current schedule
  • Cost: Free

Sounds of Centerra: Free outdoor concerts every Friday in July at Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra in Loveland — a beautifully landscaped outdoor space that makes for a unique concert setting.

  • Where: Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra, Loveland
  • When: Fridays in July
  • Cost: Free
  • Website: centerra.com/sounds

Dillon Amphitheater — Dillon, CO

If you’re heading into the mountains after your rafting trip, the Dillon Amphitheater is one of Colorado’s great hidden gems. This lakeside venue sits right on the shores of Dillon Reservoir with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks — a genuinely stunning backdrop for live music. The venue hosts both ticketed shows and the free Mountain Music Mondays series, which brings a wide variety of musical styles to the reservoir every week throughout the summer. Nominated for USA Today’s 10 Best Amphitheaters.

  • Where: Dillon, CO (Summit County, ~90 minutes from Fort Collins)
  • When: Summer season — Mountain Music Mondays (free) plus ticketed shows throughout
  • Cost: Free for Mountain Music Mondays; ticketed shows vary
  • Website: dillonamp.com

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre — Morrison, CO

No Northern Colorado music guide is complete without Red Rocks. One of the most iconic music venues on the planet, Red Rocks sits in a natural rock formation southwest of Denver, with 9,000-seat capacity and acoustics that have made it a bucket-list stop for artists and fans alike. Whether you’re catching a major touring act, attending Yoga on the Rocks at sunrise, or watching a film under the stars during Film on the Rocks, Red Rocks is an experience that goes well beyond the music. Plan a full Colorado day: raft the Poudre in the morning, catch a show at Red Rocks in the evening.

  • Where: Morrison, CO (~90 minutes south of Fort Collins)
  • When: Spring through fall
  • Cost: Ticketed (Yoga on the Rocks and Film on the Rocks also available)
  • Website: redrocksonline.com

More Local Favorites — Coming Soon We love supporting the smaller, independent music venues that make Northern Colorado’s music scene what it is. We’re always discovering new spots and will be adding more local picks here — check back through the season for updates.