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Is the music festival really dead in Denver? Don’t be a punk.

By John Moore July 10, 2025 | updated 3 weeks ago

Crosscurrents Greenway

A look at the picturesque 2024 CrossCurrents Music Festival at Confluence Park. It's back July 12.

@juliannaphotography

John Moore Column sig

John Moore Column sig

Many local media outlets have been quoting an NPR report that declared 2024 as “the year the music festival died” ever since the distressing announcement that the upcoming Underground Music Showcase will be the last “in its current form.”

Then came more bummer word Wednesday that the upcoming Unhinged Festival has been canceled, also “in its current form.” That’s an outdoor music and tattoo festival that was set to bring a dozen popular metal and rock bands to the National Western Stockyards on July 26-27. The good news is the shows will go on at individual clubs like so:

So is the music festival really DOA in Denver? That’s a little premature.

Glyph’s 'March of the Northern Clan.' Coming to the Oriental Theater

Jon Asher

The 25th UMS now stands to be an epic blowout going-away party along nine blocks of Broadway from July 25-27. And there is reason to hope that a more modest iteration will take its place in 2026. Meanwhile, several other smaller niche festivals are coming to melt Denver’s face:

  • CrossCurrents (July 12, Confluence Park) is a free, one-day festival headlined by Poolside – the stage name of an L.A. producer and songwriter named Jeffrey Paradise. We’re talking chill, light but danceable vibes that have been described as “Daytime Disco.” Also performing: Thomas Jack, Indigo Waves, The High Lines, Goldilox, Crl Crrll. It’s free, but donations will benefit The Greenway Foundation. Info at crosscurrentsdenver.com
  • Punk in the Park (July 18-20, National Western Center Stockyards): Considered North America’s premier outdoor punk rock and craft beer circuit, Punk in the Park’s Denver dates will feature legendary bands like Bad Religion, Descendents, Dropkick Murphys, Circle Jerks and more. And while other fests are getting smaller, “Punk in the Park” is getting bigger. Denver will be the first three-day “Punk” party in the history of the circuit, which includes six other cities. In Denver, there will be 40 bands on two stages, with no overlapping set times. Passes start at $145.50 plus fees at axs.com.
  • Mile High Power Fest (Oriental Theater): Organizers call this wall-rattler akin to “the thunderous clash of steel against the cold, untamed spirit of the Rocky Mountains.” Its second iteration will headline with Boston’s PowerGlove and feature Seattle heavy-metal titan Greyhawk and Glyph, described as “a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord.” Are you not intrigued? Tickets $45 at
  • The Denver Oktoberfest (Sept. 19-28, LoDo): You might not think Denver’s cherished keg-bowling, stein-hoisting and drunk-dancing fall tradition (going back to 1969!) qualifies as a music festival, but it is becoming more and more so. The 2025 live-music lineup has not yet been announced, but the party will center around a huge concert stage at 21st and Larimer streets. Info at thedenveroktoberfest.com.

Other upcoming festivals further from Denver but still within Colorado include: Winter Park Jazz Festival (July 19-20); Rockygrass (July 25-27, Lyons); Bluegrass and Beer (Aug. 2-3, Keystone); Beanstalk (Aug. 7-9, Bond); Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (Aug. 8-10, Lyons); Telluride Jazz Festival (Aug. 8-10); Jazz Aspen Snowmass (Aug. 29-31) and Telluride Blues and Brews (Sept. 12-14)

Let the music play!

Greyhawk Mile High Power Fest

Greyhawk will perform at the Mile High Power Fest at the Oriental Theater.

COURTESY OF BAND

Greyhawk Mile High Power Fest

Greyhawk will perform at the Mile High Power Fest at the Oriental Theater. 



COURTESY OF BAND


Live at the Elitch Theatre 

Last year, the long-dormant Historic Elitch Theatre showed momentary signs of life when it introduced “The Elitch Encore” series – two skeletal stagings of bona fide theater productions that constituted the first full, live ticketed theater performances with (some) production values on that hallowed stage since 1991.

This summer, the theater will host a trio of live productions on Denver’s most storied cultural landmark: A.R. Gurney’s “The Dining Room” (July 19-20) Jeffrey Hatcher’s “Murderers” (Aug. 16-17) and “Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words,” (Sept. 21-22), a solo play written by Carole Levin in collaboration with Tammy Meneghini (who will perform). No word on who the other creatives are who will be following in the footsteps of legends such as Grace Kelly, Vincent Price and Sarah Bernhardt.

The theater, located at 4600 W. 37th Place, is still not ready to host full runs of live theater productions. (There is no permanent lighting equipment, heating or air conditioning.) Info on tickets or donating at historicelitchtheatre.org.

Dixie closing the lid on ‘Tupperware’

One of the Denver Center’s great ongoing traditions has been hosting regular visits from Dixie Longate and her (real) Tupperware Parties, packaged like a cabaret show. Actor Kris Andersson is retiring the beloved, tart-talking Tupperware character after an appearance in Carbondale on July 12 (info at app.arts-people.com) and her final run (but never say never) at the Galleria Theatre from July 16-Aug. 17 (info at denvercenter.org).

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Featured Local Savings

Concert news

Portugal. The Man brings the Denali Tour to Mission Ballroom on Nov. 16. Tickets at axs.com …

Beloved Boulder jam band Leftover Salmon is out touring with Virginia’s The Infamous Stringdusters, and they stop Aug. 7 at the Las Colonias Amphitheatre in Grand Junction, with Kitchen Dwellers opening. Tickets at ticketmaster.com …

For 21 years, musicians have gathered in Denver and elsewhere to celebrate The Band’s historic farewell performance in 1976, dubbed “The Last Waltz.” This year’s 49th anniversary will showcase members of Polytoxic together with more than 60  musicians from across Colorado on Nov. 26 at the Fillmore Auditorium. Tickets on sale Friday at ticketmaster.com  …

It has been said “if Los Angeles had a soundtrack, it would be Ozomatli.” Well, drop that needle. Ozomatli brings its 30 Revolutions Tour to the Arvada Center amphitheater July 31, with Las Cafeteras opening.

Symphony mourns Ozzi

Ozzi Lehnert

Ozzi Lehnert

Darrell Howe Mortuary

Ozzi Lehnert

Ozzi Lehnert



Darrell Howe Mortuary


The Boulder Philharmonic is mourning violinist Ozzi Lehnert, a true musical giant who served as music director of the Boulder Philharmonic from 1972-96. “He shaped the orchestra with visionary leadership, deep musical integrity and strong dedication to the Boulder community,” the org said in a statement. Lehnert performed as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony at just 14, and he taught violin at the University of Colorado Boulder for more than 40 years.

Film news

The documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” was so well received at Denver Film’s recent Women+Film Festival, it is being given a full week (at least) starting Friday at the Sie FilmCenter. The doc probes the Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin on her life and what it means to be a trailblazer – all in her primary mode of communication: American Sign Language. Presented with open captions.

And finally …

This fall, MSU Denver will launch Colorado’s first-ever degree in Mariachi Performance and Culture. As a preview, the University is hosting a Mariachi Teacher Training Workshop from July 15-17 for music educators across the state in partnership with Cuerdas Y Canciones Center for Mariachi Arts and Culture. Info at msudenver.edu.

Acro-Cats in Denver

The Amazing Acro-Cats have arrived in Denver! At the Bug Theatre through July 20. Read more at denvergazette.com

JOHN MOORE/DENVER GAZETTE

Acro-Cats in Denver

The Amazing Acro-Cats have arrived in Denver! At the Bug Theatre through July 20. Read more at denvergazette.com 



JOHN MOORE/DENVER GAZETTE


Online bonus: The Acro-Cats are here! 

We told you it was happening, and it is: “The Amazing Acro-Cats Dilly-Dally in Denver” is bringing utter critter chaos to the Bug Theatre from July 3-20. Please enjoy the video below. 

“The Amazing Acro-Cats Dilly-Dally in Denver” at the Bug through July 20.

JOHN MOORE/DENVER GAZETTE

John Moore is The Denver Gazette’s senior arts journalist. Email him at john.moore@gazette.com

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