Whether it's concerts, amusement parks or a hot summer night at Coors Field, we've got a collection of the best summer events in and around Denver.

🎭 Arts

88 Drive-In Theatre

• Enjoy a blast from the past at this charming drive-in, the last of its kind in metro Denver, where kids under age 12 get in free. Cost: $10

Cherry Creek Art Festival

• 260 artists will share their work along the streets of Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood, along with live music, activities for children and food in this walkable extravaganza. Cost: Free

Movies at McGregor

• Enjoy blockbuster hits including a "Top Gun" double feature on July 4 and the wildly popular "Wicked" musical July 24 on this giant, outdoor downtown screen. Cost: Free

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

• Red Rocks kicks off its summer movie series with a sci-fi classic, "2001: A Space Odyssey," on June 6 and four more films slated to screen at the Morrison venue. Cost: $25

🎸 Festivals

Colorado Renaissance Festival

• Welcome to Larkspurshire, where noblemen and women can enjoy more than 180 vendors and 30-plus special events at this immersive homage to the Middle Ages. Cost: $30

Juneteenth Music Festival

• Rapper Juvenile will headline this year's Juneteenth Music Festival in Denver's Five Points neighborhood. The holiday commemorates the day enslaved people learned about their freedom. Cost: Free

Taste of Ethiopia Festival

• The festival marks its 10th anniversary with a two-day event recognizing Ethiopian culture, including food, vendors, music and dance in Denver. Cost: Free

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The sunset views. The creative cocktails. And the city skyline at night. This is why Denver's rooftop bars are the place to be when the weather warms.

If you go: We have four soaring spots for you to visit.

Kisbee on the Roof (Jacquard Hotel, Cherry Creek)

• The vibe: Think elevated nightlife that matches the luxury hotel's sophistication. Enjoy live DJ sets Fridays and Saturdays and a pool where you can reserve cabanas.

Rook (Catbird Hotel, RiNo)

• The vibe: The former Red Barber space is transformed into a social clubhouse that blends "curated chaos with irreverent energy." Try daily riddles to unlock drink specials, join 9-ball pool parties and play popular games like Scrabble or Gin Rummy to keep the mood playful.

Hey Kiddo (Tennyson Street)

• The vibe: Hey Kiddo, OK Yeah and The Rooftop are three distinct spaces at the same restaurant. The latter offers snacks and cocktails to get you started. Walk-in only, no reservations.

Spritz (Sheraton Denver Downtown hotel)

• The vibe: Cabanas and a pool bar make this a great place to cool off in downtown. Open to guests and the public through ResortPass.

Go deeper: 5 more of Denver's best rooftop bars

Don't pack away your ski pass — Colorado's resorts offer plenty of summer fun.

If you go: In mid-June, the lifts at most mountains begin spinning for hikers, sightseers and mountain bikers. On the mountain, you can also find live music, golf and festivals.

Zoom in: Mark your calendar for these events:

🎸 Vail Summer Sessions features live music at the new Eagle's Nest Rooftop venue June 27-29. Other acts will headline the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and Lionshead Live.

• Beaver Creek offers a free Thursday night concert series.

🏌 Hit the greens at Beaver Creek and Keystone, where golf is paired with great views.

🎢 Breckenridge is the place to take the family. It offers ropes courses for kids and adults, as well as bungee trampolines, miniature golf, an alpine slide, roller coaster and climbing wall.

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Grilling season is here — and lucky for us, Colorado is home to dozens of ranches responsibly raising cattle and pigs for premium beef and pork.

Why it matters: Buying local meat supports Colorado ranchers and often guarantees a more humane, sustainable process behind what you'd find on grocery shelves.

Zoom in: Whether you're flipping burgers or searing steaks, here are three standout Colorado ranches offering curated meat boxes for your summer cookouts.

Eagle Rock Ranch (Jefferson): Run by first-generation ranchers, the Gottenborg family specializes in pasture-raised, hormone-free Black Angus.

• Their grill boxes ($198–$259) come with New York strips, ribeyes and sirloins — plus burger patties and hot dogs. Orders online only.

Prosper Meats (Flagler): This family-run ranch specializes in lean, organic, grass-fed beef — a mix of Angus, Hereford and Red Devon breeds known for top-tier flavor and tenderness.

• Their 15-pound grill box ($169) includes flat irons, flanks, hangers, short ribs, ground beef and more. Order online for shipping or Denver-area pickup.

Craig Angus Ranch (Fort Collins): Family-owned since 1978, this ranch raises natural grain- and grass-fed Black Angus.

• Their BBQ box ($173) features sirloin steaks, ribeyes and a rotating premium cut — like T-bone, porterhouse, NY strip or ranch steak. Order online or pick up at the ranch.

Pass to a pit master