Where to Enjoy Summer Music in Northern Colorado

The Poudre River Public Library District has gathered a pretty great list of the FREE musical performances available in the Fort Collins, Windsor, and Loveland areas this summer.  It’s certainly not a complete list of live music entertainment, but it’s a good start.

Please check the organizers’ or performers’ websites for schedule updates and weather cancellations. This list was compiled based on information available at the time.

 

FORT COLLINS AREA

Poudre River Public Library District will be hosting various musical performances for young and old as part of the Game On! Summer Reading Challenge – check the events calendar on our website for dates and times.

Concerts at Harmony Library (Select Fridays @ FRCC Student Center Plaza)
Whether you’re into the musical styles of jazz and swing, or want to get outside the box with Celtic-pirate-punkgrass-rock, we’ve got something for you. More info: Poudre River Public Library District events website.

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM        4616 S. Shields St., Fort Collins

June 24th              The Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra (jazz, swing)
July 22nd               Potcheen (Celtic, pirate, punkgrass, rock)

 

Noontime Notes Concert Series (Tuesdays @ Oak Street Plaza)
This lunch-time concert escape is held in Oak Street Plaza with live music performances. More info: Downtown Fort Collins website.

11:30AM –1:00PM        College & Oak St., Old Town Fort Collins

June 7th                Moors & McCumber (Americana)
June 14th              Cary Morin (acoustic, finger picking)
June 21st              The Twirling Zucchini Trio (blues, world blend)
June 28th              Liz Barnez (folk)
July 5th                  Michael Kirkpatrick (folk, rock)
July 12th                Justin Roth (singer-songwriter, acoustic)
July 19th                Mark Sloniker & Colleen Crosson
July 26th                Elise Wunder (Americana)
August 2nd           The Seers Band (acoustic)
August 9th            Dale Cisek Duo (R&B, soul)

 

2016 Food Truck Rally Series (Tuesdays @ City Park)
The series features live music and mobile food trucks every week. Bring a blanker or camp chair for picnic-style seating in the grass. For details, weather cancellations, and announced performers and musicians, visit their website.

5:30PM – Dusk        1500 W. Mulberry St., Fort Collins

 

2016 Children’s Summer Series (Wednesdays @ Lincoln Center Lawn)
Great for children of all ages, this entertainment series features hour-long presentations of culture, comedy, music and dance. Bring blankets and sunscreen as shade is limited; those with blankets get priority lawn seating. More info: Lincoln Center website.

10:30AM – 11:30AM        417 W. Magnolia St, Fort Collins

June 15th              Jeff & Paige (music, stories, science/nature)
June 22nd              Salida Circus Olympic Games (circus troupe)
June 29th              Mr. Kneel’s Hip Hop for Families (children’s hip hop, education)
July 13th                Rocky Mountain Puppets (ventriloquist)
July 20th                Flamenco Vivo! (Flamenco, instruments)

 

Lagoon Series (Wednesdays @ Colorado State University Lagoon)
The popular Lagoon music series is back! Pack up your blanket, lawn chairs and picnic gear. Dogs welcome! Visit the Lagoon Series website for more info.

6:00PM – 8:30PM        CSU Lagoon

June 15th              Wendy Woo Band (pop, singer-songwriter)
June 22nd            Bonnie and the Clydes (country)
June 29th             Maxwell Mud (classic rock)
July 6th                Euforquestra (funk, groove)
July 13th               The Burroughs (funk, soul)
July 20th              Winchester Holiday (folk rock)
July 27th              Union Gray (country)
August 3rd           Danielle Ate the Sandwich (indie singer, ukulele)

 

Bohemian Nights Thursday Night Live (Thursdays @ Old Town Square)
The music series showcases new, emerging, and established Colorado artists. Visit the Bohemian Nights website for more info.

7:00PM – 9:00PM        354 Walnut St., Fort Collins

June 9th                Katie Glassman and Snapshot (western swing, fiddle)
June 16th              Blues Dogs (blues, rock)
June 23rd              Kerry Pastine and the Crime Scene (roots rock)
June 30th              Blue Grama (bluegrass)
July 7th                  Kutandara Marimba Experience (world)
July 14th                Mama Lenny & the Remedy (R&B)
July 21st                Surprise concert (to be announced July 18th)
July 28th               Grupo Presidio (Latin)
August 4th            Pandas and People (alt-folk)

 

Downtown Summer Sessions Concert Series (Select Fridays @ Old Town Square)
The evening concert series feature a diverse line-up of small and medium-sized Colorado musical acts. More info: Downtown Fort Collins website.

July 1st
7:00PM – 8:00PM             Tallgrass (“dirt stomping soul”)
8:30PM – 10:00PM          Young Ancients (blues, folk rock, soul, gospel)

August 5th
7:00PM – 8:00PM             TBA
8:30PM – 10:00PM          Dan Treanor’s Afrosippi Band ft. Erica Brown

September 2nd
7:00PM – 8:00PM             The Patti Fiasco (rock, rockabilly, blues)
8:30PM – 10:00PM          Taylor Scott Band (soul, jam, funk)

October 7th
7:00PM – 8:00PM             Winchester Holiday (indie, folk rock)
8:30PM – 10:00PM          Blue Grama (bluegrass)

 

Ben & Jerry’s FAC Concert Music (Various Fridays @ Old Town Square)
The locally-owned scoop shop sponsors a free all ages live music series. Visit their website for more info.

7:00PM – 9:00PM

June 10th             Dale Cisek Band (R&B, blues, rock, Americana)
June 17th              In the Mojo (high-energy dance)
June 24th             Daddy Rab (“classic hot hits and cool originals”)
July 8th                 The Absolutes (blues, dance, funk, R&B, soul)
July 15th               Buzz Brothers Band (blues)
July 22nd              Doctor Robert (Beatles tribute band) for Ben & Jerry’s FoCo 20th Anniversary Celebration
July 29th               Johnny Johnston & Colorado Blue (finger picking’ blues)
August 26th         Amplified Souls (classic and current pop/rock)
Sept. 9th               Youth Night (11 year-old Emma Marie & 15-year-old Maya Bennett)

 

Sounds of Summer (Saturdays @ Front Range Village Shopping Area)
Grab a lawn chair or blanket and set up on the lawn next to Mary’s Mountain Cookies, just east of the Council Tree Library. Visit the Sounds of Summer website for more info.

6:30PM – 8:30PM        2720 Council Tree Avenue, Fort Collins

July 9th                 Steve Manshel Band (rock, pop, country)
July 16th               Winchester Holiday (indie, folk rock)
July 23rd              The Coteries (folk rock)
July 30th              Archie Funker (funk, rock)
August 6th           The Scones (Americana rock)
August 13th         The Backline (Motown, classic rock)
August 20th        Pandas & People (alt-folk)
August 27th        14ers (rock, acoustic rock)

 

Bohemian Nights New West Fest (3-Days in August @ Old Town)
The annual 3-day free music festival will be held in Old Town Fort Collins from August 12–14. The musical lineup will be announced in mid-June.Visit the New West Fest website for information and updates.

 

WINDSOR AREA

Windsor 2016 Summer Concert Series (Thursdays @ Boardwalk Park)
The Town of Windsor offers a variety of family-friendly special events and concerts throughout the summer. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Visit the concert series website.

6:30PM – 8:30PM        100 N. 5th St., Windsor

June 9th                 Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams (honky tonk)
June 16th               Taarka (indie, gypsy folk)
June 23rd              The Country Music Project (modern country)
June 30th              Equally Challenged (reggae rock)
July 4th                  Concert & Fireworks featuring The Burroughs (soul, R&B)
July 14th                Taste of Windsor (4:30PM) with Chris Daniels & the Kings (funk)
July 21st                 Finnders & Youngberg (Americana folk, roots)
July 28th                The Stolen Winnebagos (cover rock)
August 4th             Rusty 44 (bluegrass)

 

Free Music Friday (Fridays @ The Sand Bar at Pelican Lakes)
Located in the Water Valley neighborhood, The Sand Bar is part of the Pelican Lakes Golf Club, open to the public. Visit the Sand Bar’s Facebook page for info.

7:00PM – 10:00PM        1600 Pelican Lakes Point, Windsor

June 10th              Jiggawatt (rock, dance rock)
June 17th              Dale Cisek Band (roots music, blues, rockabilly)
June 24th              The Seers Band (indie, folk rock)
July 1st                  My Pet Fly (classic rock)
July 8th                 Come August (classic rock)
July 15th                Retro Radio (80s music)
July 22nd              Weekend Weather (rock, country rock, power pop)
July 29th               Jiggawatt (rock, dance rock)
August 5th            My Pet Fly (classic rock)
August 12th          I-69 (rock)
August 19th          Retro Radio (80s music)
August 26th         Jiggawatt (rock, dance rock)
Sept. 2nd              My Pet Fly (classic rock)
Sept. 9th               Come August (classic rock)
Sept. 23rd            Weekend Weather (rock, country rock, power pop)
Sept. 30th            I-69 (rock)

 

LOVELAND AREA

Loveland Foote Lagoon Music Series (Thursdays @ Foote Lagoon)
The City of Loveland, along with the Loveland Museum/Gallery, hosts the summer concert series. Visit the museum’s concert series page for information.

Foote Lagoon Amphitheater       500 E. 3rd St., Loveland

July 7th (Rock, pop, vocals)
7:00PM                 Michelle Lambert
8:00PM                 FACE Vocal Band

July 14th (folk)
7:00PM                 Skean Dubh
8:00PM                 Liz Barnez

July 21st (Jazz, funk)
7:00PM                 Tina Phillips
8:00PM                 Zyzzyx

July 28th (Bluegrass & new-grass)
7:00PM                 Blue Canyon Boys
8:00PM                 Chain Station

August 4th (Tribute to the Beatles)
7:00PM                 The Fab 4 Mop Top (early years)
8:00PM                 The Fab 4 Sgt. Pepper (later years)

August 11th (Broadway to Nashville)
7:00PM                 The Wild Road Band
8:00PM                 Rebecca Folsom

 

9th Annual Sounds of Centerra (Fridays @ Chapungu Sculpture Park)
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and find a comfortable spot on the Great Lawn to enjoy local and regional musicians. There’s something for everyone. Visit the Sounds of Centerra webpage.

7:00PM – 9:00PM        6105 Sky Pond Drive, Loveland

July 8th                  101st Army Dixieland Band (Dixieland, traditional jazz)
July 15th                The Michael Scott Band (country)
July 22nd               The Scones (rockin’ Americana)
July 29th                Soul School (funk, R&B)
August 5th            The Commoners (Irish rock)
August 12th         Hey, Lady (B-52’s tribute band)

 

10th Annual Loveland Loves BBQ, Bands & Brews (2-Days in July @ Downtown Loveland)
The popular Loveland event brings together BBQ, local brews, and great live bands. This event goes on rain or shine! Visit the event website for all the details.

July 15th & 16th        Railroad Avenue (between 4th & 5th Streets)

July 15th
5:30PM – 7:30PM             Bakersfield Band (country)
8:00PM – 10:00PM          Cable Ten (rock cover band)

July 16th
12:00PM – 2:00PM          Dixie Leadfoot (rockabilly)
2:30PM – 4:30PM             Plumb Loco (rock, country rock)
5:00PM – 7:00PM             Off The Clock (classic rock, country)
8:00PM – 10:00PM          Soul School (all kinds of music)

 

Do you know of other free family-friendly music being offered throughout the regioni? Share it with our readers in the comments section.