Happy Friday, Colorado Springs! This is a big one, because Saturday is Colorado Day, marking 150 years since Colorado became the 38th state, and this community is celebrating in style all weekend long. Between concerts under the stars, a sunrise on America’s Mountain, and a full slate of local markets and shows, there is truly something for everyone in the Pikes Peak region. Grab your calendar and let’s plan a great weekend.
Music in the Yard featuring Ty Gibbs
Bristol Brewing Company wraps up its free summer concert series with live music in the Schoolyard. Grab a pint, spread out a blanket, and enjoy a laid back Friday evening with friends and neighbors.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, 6:00 PM
- Location: Bristol Brewing Company, 1604 S Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
- Price: Free admission
- Link: bristolbrewing.com
Live Music Night with Signs of Tranquility, Partialist, and Pearl Clutcher
Sunshine Studios Live hosts a full evening of local bands for anyone looking for an indoor show with a great sound system and a fun crowd.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, evening (doors typically 6:00 PM)
- Location: Sunshine Studios Live, 3970 Clearview Frontage Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80915
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: sunshinestudioslive.com
Sound Bath with Singing Bowls of the Rockies
Unwind before the weekend gets going with a relaxing sound bath session using Himalayan and crystal singing bowls. A peaceful way to reset.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, 7:00 PM
- Location: Singing Bowls of the Rockies, 76 S Sierra Madre St Suite C, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: singingbowlsoftherockies.com
Opera Theatre of the Rockies Vocal Arts Festival Performance
Colorado College’s Packard Hall hosts a performance from the Opera Theatre of the Rockies as part of its Vocal Arts Festival, featuring talented vocalists from around the region.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, 7:00 PM
- Location: Colorado College, Packard Hall, 5 W Cache La Poudre St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: operatheatreoftherockies.org
Piano-Oke at The Brit Pub
Live piano meets karaoke in this fun downtown evening out. Sing your heart out backed by a real piano player in a cozy British pub setting.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, 7:00 PM
- Location: The Brit Pub, 645 S Sierra Madre St Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: Free to attend
- Link: downtowncs.com
Cocktails & Canapes Walking Tour
Stroll through downtown Colorado Springs while sampling classic and seasonal cocktails paired with tasty appetizers at several local stops along the way.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Location: Downtown Colorado Springs (meeting point provided upon registration)
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: downtowncs.com
Don’t Tell Comedy: Colorado Springs
This popular secret comedy show pops up in a different location each time, with the address revealed the morning of the event. This one lands in the Knob Hill area for a night of stand up from touring comedians.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, 8:00 PM
- Location: Knob Hill area, Colorado Springs, CO (exact address emailed to ticket holders morning of show)
- Price: $27
- Link: donttellcomedy.com/cities/coloradosprings
Bear Creek Nature Center Summer Evening Program
A special evening program for kids ages 7 to 11 to explore the outdoors, learn about local wildlife, and enjoy nature after hours at this beloved El Paso County nature center.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Location: Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: parks.elpasoco.com
Pikes Peak Sunrise Opening for Colorado Day
Watch the sun rise over the Pikes Peak region from 14,115 feet on the very morning Colorado marks its 150th birthday. The Gateway opens early for this special summit access, and reservations are required in advance.
- Day/Time: Saturday, August 1, Gateway opens 4:30 AM
- Location: Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, 5089 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809
- Price: Timed entry permit and admission fee required, purchase in advance online
- Link: coloradosprings.gov/SunriseOpening
Colorado Day Celebration and Freedom to Thrive Exhibit Opening
The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum throws open its doors for a no cost celebration of Colorado’s 150th birthday, complete with live music from the Air Force Academy “Wild Blue” band, food trucks, a petting zoo, birthday cake, and the opening of its new exhibit, Freedom to Thrive: The American Experiment in Colorado Springs.
- Day/Time: Saturday, August 1, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Location: Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: Free admission
- Link: cspm.org
Walking Tour: Art on the Streets
Join a guided walking tour through downtown to see this year’s outdoor public art installations up close and learn the stories behind the artists and their work.
- Day/Time: Saturday, August 1, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Departs from Story Coffee, 120 E Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: downtowncs.com
Tri-Lakes Smokin’ Showdown and Palmer Paddle
Head up to Palmer Lake for a full day of family fun including paddle board races, the always entertaining “Dumb Things That Float” competition, a barbecue cook off, live music, a local business market, and food vendors. Proceeds benefit Awake Palmer Lake’s restoration efforts.
- Day/Time: Saturday, August 1, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Location: Palmer Lake, Palmer Lake, CO 80133
- Price: $25 for paddle board registration, $50 for cook-off or float competition (higher at the event)
- Link: trilakessmokinshowdown.com
United We Rock Festival
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site comes alive for an afternoon and evening celebrating Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th with live music from Tony Exum Jr., Tiny Pockets, Rafiel and the Roomshakers, WireWood Station, Grass It Up, and Collective Groove, plus food trucks, beer and whiskey tastings, blacksmith demonstrations, and old fashioned games for the whole family.
- Day/Time: Saturday, August 1, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, 3105 Gateway Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Price: General admission $5, children 5 and under free, $25 adds a 21+ tasting pass
- Link: rockledgeranch.com
The Black Crowes with Whiskey Myers and Southall
Ford Amphitheater hosts a huge night of Southern rock and Americana as The Black Crowes headline with support from Whiskey Myers and Southall. A great excuse to catch a show under the Colorado sky.
- Day/Time: Saturday, August 1, doors 5:00 PM
- Location: Ford Amphitheater, 95 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: fordamphitheater.live
Altitude Makers Market
This handmade market brings together local Colorado makers selling everything from jewelry and pottery to art and home goods, with live music and kid friendly art activities included.
- Day/Time: Saturday, August 1, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM and Sunday, August 2, 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Location: Manitou Springs, CO (exact site listed on event page)
- Price: Free to attend
- Link: manitousprings.org
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The Colorado Springs Conservatory caps off its Musical Theatre Intensive with a full production of this Stephen Sondheim classic, performed by talented young artists from across the Pikes Peak region.
- Day/Time: Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, evening performances (check website for exact showtimes)
- Location: Shockley-Zalabak Theatre, Ent Center for the Arts, 5225 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- Price: Check website for pricing
- Link: coloradospringsconservatory.org
Old Colorado City Summer Concert Series
Wrap up the weekend with free live music in the heart of Old Colorado City. Bring a lawn chair, grab a bite from a nearby restaurant, and enjoy blues, jazz, and rock covers as the sun goes down.
- Day/Time: Sunday, August 2, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Bancroft Park, 2408 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
- Price: Free admission
- Link: shopoldcoloradocity.com
Whatever you decide to do this weekend, get out there and enjoy everything that makes Colorado Springs such a special place to call home, especially on a weekend as meaningful as this one. And if you or anyone you know is thinking about buying or selling a home in the Springs, I would love to talk. Reach out anytime at dan@hayespg.com.
