Colorado Events & Things to Do: Rocky Mountains, Ski Towns, Denver, Red Rocks & More

Quick answer: The best things to do in Colorado include exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, catching a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, skiing world-famous resorts like Breckenridge, Vail, and Keystone, visiting the free Garden of the Gods, riding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to 14,115 feet, and cheering on the Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche, and Rockies in Denver. Summer and early fall are best for hiking and concerts. Ski season runs from about November through April.

Planning things to do in Colorado this weekend, with kids, or around Colorado Springs? Colorado has Rocky Mountain National Park, world-class ski towns like Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge, concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. Denver has the Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche, and Rockies, and hot springs from Glenwood to Pagosa are perfect after a day outdoors.

Start Here: Your Colorado Trip Planner

Use these Get Your Ticket guides to plan every part of your trip:

• Garden of the Gods Tours & Tickets: Guided tours and outdoor experiences.
• Pikes Peak Highway Tours & Tickets: Top-rated tours, tickets, and experiences.
• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre Tours & Tickets: Guided tours and outdoor experiences.
• Pikes Peak Tours & Tickets: Top-rated tours, tickets, and experiences.
• Colorado Food, Wine & Nightlife: Browse food, wine & nightlife in Colorado.

Quick Links: Colorado Tours & Activities • Colorado Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises • Colorado Seasonal & Special Occasions • Colorado Ghost & Vampire Tours

Upcoming Colorado Events in 2026 and 2027

Planning a trip in the next few months? Here's what's coming up:

• Great American Beer Festival: The nation's favorite craft beer celebration moves outdoors to Denver's Levitt Pavilion October 10–11, 2026.
• Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry: Reservations are required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 12, 2026.
• Ski season kicks off: Keystone is projected to open October 31, 2026, with Breckenridge on November 6 and Vail on November 13.
• Red Rocks concert season: Shows run through the fall. Check the Red Rocks calendar for upcoming dates.

Find Tickets: Colorado Food, Wine & Nightlife • Colorado Outdoor Activities • Colorado Snowmobiling

What Is There to Do in Colorado?

Colorado offers adventures in every season. All year long, visitors can find concerts, pro sports, festivals, craft beer and food experiences, skiing and snowboarding, hiking, scenic drives, hot springs, national parks, sightseeing tours, and family activities across the state.

Want to know what's happening during your visit? Explore our listings to find upcoming events and experiences for your travel dates.

Explore: Colorado Sightseeing Tours • Colorado Sightseeing Tickets & Passes • Colorado Dining Experiences

What Are the Best Things to Do in Denver?

Denver, the "Mile High City," sits at an official elevation of exactly one mile (5,280 feet) and is the gateway to the Rockies.

Denver is packed with things to do: craft breweries, museums, Union Station, LoDo nightlife, Larimer Square, and year-round sports and concerts. It's also the easiest starting point for day trips to Red Rocks, the mountains, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Explore: Denver Tours • Larimer Square Tours & Tickets • Lower Downtown Denver (LoDo) Tours & Tickets

Why Is Red Rocks Amphitheatre So Famous?

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, just west of Denver in Morrison, is one of the most famous concert venues in the world. Its stage sits between massive natural red sandstone rock formations, creating incredible acoustics and views you can't get anywhere else.

Even without a show, you can visit Red Rocks Park during the day to hike, explore the Performers Hall of Fame, or join a guided tour.

Find Tickets: Red Rocks & Denver Tours • Colorado Active & Outdoor Classes • Colorado State Capitol Building Tours & Tickets

Colorado Sports Events & Game Day

Colorado is a big-league sports state, with every major team based in Denver:

• Denver Broncos: NFL football at Empower Field at Mile High.
• Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche: NBA basketball and NHL hockey at Ball Arena.
• Colorado Rockies: MLB baseball at Coors Field in LoDo, one of the most walkable ballpark neighborhoods in baseball.
• College sports: Colorado Buffaloes football in Boulder and Air Force Falcons in Colorado Springs.

Find Tickets: Denver 16th Street Mall Tours & Tickets • Denver Civic Center Park Tours & Tickets • Denver Art Museum (DAM) Tours & Tickets

What Are the Best Ski Resorts in Colorado?

Colorado is one of the top ski destinations in the world. Popular resorts include:

• Breckenridge: Five peaks, a historic mining town, and a free gondola. See our full Breckenridge guide.
• Vail: One of North America's largest ski resorts, with a European-style village.
• Keystone and Arapahoe Basin: Often among the first in Colorado to open each fall.
• Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Telluride, and Winter Park: Each with its own personality, from luxury to laid-back.

Explore: Breckenridge Tours • Colorado Outdoor Activities • Colorado Seasonal & Special Occasions

What National Parks Are in Colorado?

Colorado is home to four national parks:

• Rocky Mountain National Park: Alpine lakes, elk, and Trail Ridge Road near Estes Park. Plan ahead for timed-entry reservations in peak season.
• Great Sand Dunes National Park: Home to the tallest dunes in North America. Star Dune rises 750 feet.
• Mesa Verde National Park: Ancient cliff dwellings. A ranger-led tour reservation is required to enter a cliff dwelling.
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Dramatic, sheer canyon walls and jaw-dropping overlooks along the rim drives.

Explore: Rocky Mountain National Park Tours • Colorado White Water Rafting • Colorado Kayaking & Canoeing

Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak & Garden of the Gods

About an hour south of Denver, Colorado Springs is packed with iconic sights:

• Garden of the Gods: Towering red rock formations in a free city park and National Natural Landmark.
• Pikes Peak Cog Railway: A 9-mile ride to the 14,115-foot summit of "America's Mountain."
• Cave of the Winds, Manitou Springs, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum round out a great day trip.

Explore: Colorado Springs Tours • Garden of the Gods Tours & Tickets • Pikes Peak Tours & Tickets

What Are the Best Outdoor Adventures in Colorado?

• Climb a fourteener: Colorado has 58 peaks over 14,000 feet.
• Soak in hot springs: Glenwood Springs is home to the world's largest hot springs pool, open since 1888.
• Raft, bike, and zipline: Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and ziplining are popular from late spring through early fall.
• Leaf peeping: Golden aspens light up the mountains in late September and early October.

Explore: Colorado Adventure Tours • Lookout Mountain Tours & Tickets • Colorado Sightseeing

Colorado Food, Beer & Nightlife

Colorado is one of America's top craft beer states, with hundreds of breweries and the famous Great American Beer Festival in Denver. You'll also find award-winning restaurants, green chile, farm-to-table dining, mountain-town après-ski, and a lively nightlife scene in Denver and Boulder.

Explore: Denver Center for the Performing Arts Tours & Tickets • Colorado Food, Wine & Nightlife • Arkansas River Tours & Tickets

Things to Do in Colorado With Kids

Traveling with kids? Colorado has plenty of family-friendly attractions and activities, including the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Garden of the Gods, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the Great Sand Dunes, ski school, hot springs, and summer mountain activities in towns like Breckenridge.

Families can mix outdoor adventures, animals, science, and live sports to build a trip everyone will enjoy.

Explore: Pikes Peak Highway Tours & Tickets • Garden of the Gods Tours & Tickets • Pikes Peak Tours & Tickets

Free Things to Do in Colorado

• Garden of the Gods: Red rock formations and trails in Colorado Springs with no entrance fee.
• Red Rocks Park: Hike and see the amphitheater when there's no show scheduled.
• Colorado State Capitol: Free tours in Denver, including the dome.
• Mountain town main streets: Breckenridge, Telluride, and Estes Park are free to explore.

Things to Do in Colorado for Adults & Couples

• Concert at Red Rocks: One of the world's most famous outdoor venues.
• Brewery tours: Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins are craft beer hubs.
• Hot springs soak: Glenwood Springs and the Hot Springs Loop.
• Ski town après: Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge nightlife in winter.

Things to Do in Colorado This Weekend & Today

Colorado weekends are built around the outdoors: summer hikes and Red Rocks shows, fall color in September, and ski season from November into spring. Rocky Mountain National Park often needs timed-entry reservations in the busy season.

Browse Now: Colorado Tours & Activities • Mount Blue Sky Tours & Tickets • Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave Tours & Tickets • Colorado Classes & Workshops

Popular Colorado Questions

What are the best free things to do in Colorado?

Free favorites in Colorado include Garden of the Gods, Red Rocks Park, Colorado State Capitol, and mountain town main streets. See the free things to do section above for details.

What are the best things to do in Colorado for adults and couples?

Popular picks for adults and couples in Colorado include concert at Red Rocks, brewery tours, hot springs soak, and ski town après.

When is the best time to visit Colorado?

It depends on what you want to do. June through September is best for hiking, national parks, Red Rocks concerts, and festivals. Late September and early October bring golden aspens. December through March is peak ski season. Spring and November are quieter shoulder seasons with better deals.

Do you need a reservation for Rocky Mountain National Park?

During peak season, yes. In 2026, timed-entry reservations are required from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily from May 22 through October 12.

When do Colorado ski resorts open?

Most Colorado ski resorts open between late October and late November. For 2026–27, Keystone is projected to open October 31, Breckenridge on November 6, and Vail on November 13. Opening dates always depend on snow conditions.

Can you visit Red Rocks without a concert ticket?

Yes. Red Rocks Park is open to visitors during the day when there's no event, so you can hike, take photos, and explore the amphitheater. Check the Red Rocks website for hours and closures.

Is Garden of the Gods free?

Yes. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is a free city park, and its visitor center is free too.

How many fourteeners are in Colorado?

Colorado has 58 peaks over 14,000 feet, known as "fourteeners" or "14ers." Pikes Peak is one of the easiest to reach, thanks to the Cog Railway and the Pikes Peak Highway.

What is there to do in Colorado this weekend?

Browse Colorado tours and activities for mountain tours and adventures you can book for your dates.

Explore Nearby

• Denver Events & Things to Do
• Breckenridge Events & Things to Do
• Best Ski Resorts & Skiing Destinations

Plan Your Colorado Trip

Colorado is a destination you can experience differently in every season. See a show at Red Rocks, ski Breckenridge and Vail, explore Rocky Mountain National Park, ride to the top of Pikes Peak, soak in hot springs, or cheer on the Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche, and Rockies in Denver.

Start exploring Colorado with Get Your Ticket and discover your next concert, game, tour, or mountain adventure.

Keep Exploring Colorado: Colorado Unique Experiences • Colorado Transfers & Ground Transport • Colorado Rail Tours

More Colorado Experiences: Colorado Horseback Riding • Colorado Tubing • Colorado Water Sports

Get Travel Tips & Event Guides: Read the Get Your Ticket Blog