250 years ago this Saturday, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, thus creating the United States of America. Shortly after, the commander of the Continental Army, George Washington, would scare the redcoats back across the Atlantic when he led the American troops into battle while driving a Dodge Challenger, which really did happen and was in no way impossible to do in the 1700s. Since then, it has been two and a half centuries of screeching eagles, fireworks, ballparks, Star Wars, Toby Keith, Transformers, Chili’s, rejecting the metric system, and, most importantly, freedom. This is no ordinary July; this is America’s 250th birthday, and to celebrate, we are (checks notes) bringing in a British pop megastar to sing at Mile High Stadium during the world’s largest soccer tournament? That can’t be right… Well, at least Denver can remind Ed Sheeran and the United Kingdom what happened on July 4, 1776.

Anyway, this is the raddest, most patriotic Rad Things (to) Do of the year (and possibly for the next 250 years), so don your finest denim vest, style your finest mullet, and let freedom ring with this month’s Rad Things (to) Do.

NOTE: Due to ongoing impacts around the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, all D, H, and L lines have been suspended through the first quarter of 2027. To alleviate disruptions caused by the project, the C Line has been temporarily reinstated between Littleton•Mineral and Union stations. Additionally, a new Temporary Line (T Line) has been added between I-25•Broadway and Lincoln stations.

The no-cost 16th Street FreeRide offers connections to venues in and around the Central Business District between Union and Wade Blank Civic Center stations, including the Colorado Convention Center, Denver Performing Arts Complex, and the Paramount Theatre. All transit options listed below have been updated to include the most relevant transit information. Please plan ahead and allow extra travel time when using RTD services. Visit https://www.rtd-denver.com/railproject for more information.

THE PRIMER

The United States was founded on the ideals of liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness. These ideals remain a powerful force that brings together people from every background. Denver embodies that spirit, and this month’s event lineup celebrates the rich diversity, cultures, and freedoms that strengthen our community. Of course, sports are intertwined into the very fabric of not just American culture, but the American identity, and there’s no sport more American than baseball. Now, this is where a joke about the Colorado Rockies would be in order, but it’s apparent the club took years of jokes at their expense to heart and decided to become the most exciting baseball team in the MLB. While the Rockies still have a way to go before being back at the top, there’s no denying that the Blake Street Bombers are finally getting their mojo back. From SportsCenter Top 10-worthy highlights to impossible comebacks that cannot even be replicated in video games, the Rockies are the most exciting team in baseball right now, and Denver’s best bar is the place to be to celebrate America’s pastime. Catch the Rockies as they host five homestands taking on the Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, and Kansas City Royals. And, be sure not to miss the Fourth of July fireworks show at the July 3-4 games against the Giants.

In Centennial, Denver’s newest professional sports team, Denver Summit FC, continues its inaugural season with three matches at home against the Kansas City Current, Houston Dash, and Portland Thorns.

What is more American than watching giant monster trucks crush cars and send them off jumps as pyro jets into the sky? The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour will do just that and then some. For two nights July 11-12 at Ball Arena, see the trucks you grew up playing with in your bedroom as a kid do all the flips, spins, and tricks you had them do with your imagination in real life, including Bone Shaker, Skelesaurus, and the iconic Bigfoot. It’s not just all monster trucks though, as the Hot Wheels Freestyle Motocross Team performs gravity-defying tricks that would make Sir Issac Newton rewrite his theory of gravity.

While America prides itself on being bold and loud, it also prides itself on the arts. Music, literature, painting, and crafting have long been staples of American culture, dating back to before the country was founded. For those looking to celebrate the finer side of Americana, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and Colorado Black Arts Festival are must-attend events. The 35th annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival takes over the Cherry Creek North neighborhood July 3-5, featuring hundreds of booths showcasing art from esteemed and up-and-coming artists, food, live music, education, and family fun. July 10-12, the Colorado Black Arts Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary at City Park, bringing together hundreds of Black artists to showcase their works to tens of thousands of attendees, all in an effort to develop, promote, and celebrate Black arts culture.

Speaking of the arts, aside from movies and film, America’s greatest cultural export is music. From country to hip-hop to pop to metal, music has helped to grow and shape this country, and there are few cities in this country that do music quite like Denver. This month, one of electronic music’s most popular DJ groups, Zeds Dead, returns for its annual Deadbeats Backyard Jamboree, which takes place July 4 at the Tivoli Quad, featuring performances by Caspa, Jessica Audiffered, Nostalgix, Levity, Justin Jay, Sicaria, MPH, Chief Kaya, and XL. Additionally, the Underground Music Showcase (UMS) returns after taking a year off, now at a new location in River North Arts District (RiNo). Over 100 artists and bands from across all genres of music take over RiNo for two days of nonstop music, headlined by 54 Ultra, Slenderbodies, and Goldie Boutilier. While UMS moved to RiNo, those along South Broadway are not going to be left hanging without live music, as Blucifer’s First Rodeo Music Festival moves in to celebrate Denver’s famous evil mascot and defender of bad vibes, Blucifer. The festival focuses on independent artists and bands and amplifies the importance of supporting local, live music, headlined by Horse B***h, Cheap Perfume, and Wheelchair Sports Camp.

Aside from an onslaught of music festivals, British superstar Ed Sheeran makes the bold choice to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by performing to a nearly sold-out Empower Field at Mile High Stadium on Independence Day. It’s never too late to fly the Stars and Stripes, Ed-boy. Later this month, Australian rock pioneers AC/DC take over Empower Field with an unforgettable night of their greatest hits, bringing with them The Pretty Reckless as support. Fun fact: Remember Cindy Lou Who from the 2000 film “How the Grinch Stole Christmas?” She’s the frontwoman for The Pretty Reckless! Sure, September is still a couple of months away, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to not remember the “21st night of September” with an unforgettable co-headliner of Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind, and Fire at Ball Arena July 31. Other notable concerts this month include Interpol, Josh Groban, Don Toliver, Joji, Silverstein, Hatebreed, Streetlight Manifesto, and Benson Boone.

Check out the full lineup of events below and get out there and celebrate 250 years of the United States. *Eagle screeches*

THE MAIN EVENT

This month’s featured events

July 3-5: Cherry Creek Arts Festival

The deets:

• Venue: Cherry Creek North neighborhood
• Transit options:
  • Bus routes: 3, 3L, 83D, 83L (1st Avenue and Fillmore Plaza)
• Ticketing and event information: https://cherryarts.org

July 4: Ed Sheeran – “Loop Tour: North America 2026”

The deets:

• Venue: Empower Field at Mile High Stadium
• Transit options:
  • Light rail lines: C, E, W (Empower Field at Mile High Station)
  • Bus routes: 30 (Colfax and Federal Transfer Center) | 20, 31 (Federal Boulevard and West 17th Avenue) | 15L, 16 (Decatur•Federal Station)
• Ticketing and event information: https://www.empowerfieldatmilehigh.com/events/detail/ed-sheeran-2026

July 4: Deadbeats Backyard Jamboree: Zeds Dead & Friends

The deets:

• Venue: Tivoli Quad
• Transit options:
  • Light rail lines: C, E, W (Ball Arena•Elitch Gardens Station)
  • Bus routes: 1, 15L, 20 (Auraria Parkway and 7th/9th Street)
• Ticketing and event information: https://deadbeatsbackyardjamboree.com

July 10-12: Colorado Black Arts Festival

The deets:

• Venue: City Park
• Transit options:
  • Bus routes 20 (17th Avenue and Esplanade or Colorado Boulevard) | 24 (York Street and 21st Avenue) | 40 (Colorado Boulevard and 17th Avenue)
• Ticketing and event information: https://colbaf.org

July 11-12: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

The deets:

• Venue: Ball Arena
• Transit options:
  • Light rail lines: C, E, W (Ball Arena•Elitch Gardens Station)
  • Bus routes: 1, 15L, 20 (Auraria Parkway and 7th/9th Street)
• Ticketing and event information: https://hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com

July 23-26: Blucifer’s First Rodeo Music Festival

The deets:

• Venue: Various venues along South Broadway
• Transit options:
  • Bus routes: 0 (various stops along South Broadway)
• Ticketing and event information: https://bluciferfest.com

July 24-26: Underground Music Showcase

The deets:

• Venue: Various venues in River North Art District
• Transit options:
  • Commuter rail line: A (38th•Blake Station)
  • Bus routes: ART (Larimer Street and 28th, 30th, Downing streets)
• Ticketing and event information: https://www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com

July 28: AC/DC – “PWR/UP TOUR”

The deets:

• Venue: Empower Field at Mile High Stadium
• Transit options:
  • Light rail lines: C, E, W (Empower Field at Mile High Station)
  • Bus routes: 30 (Colfax and Federal Transfer Center) | 20, 31 (Federal Boulevard and West 17th Avenue) | 15L, 16 (Decatur•Federal Station)
• Ticketing and event information: https://www.empowerfieldatmilehigh.com/events/detail/acdc-2026

July 31: Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind, and Fire

The deets:

• Venue: Ball Arena
• Transit options:
  • Light rail lines: C, E, W (Ball Arena•Elitch Gardens Station)
  • Bus routes: 1, 15L, 20 (Auraria Parkway and 7th/9th Street)
• Ticketing and event information: https://www.ticketmaster.com/lionel-richie-and-earth-wind-fire-denver-colorado-07-31-2026/event/1E006436C8EAA410

THE UNDERCARD

Notable sports, concerts, musicals, and plays; speakers, and other rad events taking place nearby RTD stops and stations this month

Sports

Baseball

Colorado Rockies

Venue: Coors Field

Transit options:

• Commuter rail lines: A, B, G, N (Union Station)
• Light rail lines: C, E, W (Union Station)
• Bus routes: 52 (20th and Blake streets) | RX (20th and Larimer streets) | 10, 19, 32, 120X, FF1, FF2, FF3, LD1, FMR, 16FR (Union Station)

Ticketing and event information: https://www.mlb.com/rockies/tickets

Schedule:

• July 1-2: vs. Miami Marlins
• July 3-5: vs. San Francisco Giants
• July 3-4: Fireworks games
• July 17-19: vs. Cincinnati Reds
• July 20-22: vs. Washington Nationals
• July 31: vs. Kansas City Royals

Soccer

Denver Summit FC

Venue: Centennial Stadium

Transit options:

• Bus routes: 153 (Fremont Place and South Potomac Street)

Ticketing and event information: https://www.denversummitfc.com/schedule/

Schedule:

• July 3: vs. Kansas City Current
• July 12: vs. Houston Dash
• July 18: vs. Portland Thorns

Live theatre and musicals at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts

NOTE: Since June 7, light rail service has not been available near this venue due to the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. Alternative options are available via bus, listed below. Connections can be made between light and commuter rail services via the 16th Street FreeRide at Union Station.

Transit options:

• Bus routes: ART (Champa and 13th streets) | 9, 15/15L (15th and Curtis streets) | 0, 6, 8, 19, 48, 52 (15th and Champa streets) | 10, 28, 38, 43, 44 (15th and Stout streets) | FREE (16th and Curtis streets)

Ticketing and event information: https://www.denvercenter.org/tickets-events/

Events:

• Ongoing through July 26: The Improvised Shakespeare Company
• July 29-Aug. 2: The Sound of Music

Concerts

Empower Field at Mile High Stadium

Transit options:

• Light rail lines: C, E, W (Empower Field at Mile High Station)
• Bus routes: 30 (Colfax and Federal Transfer Center) | 20, 31 (Federal Boulevard and West 17th Avenue) | 15L, 16 (Decatur•Federal Station)

Concerts:

• July 4: Ed Sheeran – “Loop Tour: North America 2026”
• July 28: AC/DC – “PWR/UP Tour”
  • Support: The Pretty Reckless

Ball Arena

Transit options:

• Light rail lines: C, E, W (Ball Arena•Elitch Gardens Station)
• Bus routes: 1, 15L, 20 (Auraria Parkway and 7th/9th Street)

Concerts:

• July 1: Josh Groban
  • Support: Jennifer Hudson
• July 5: Don Toliver – “Octane Tour”
  • Support: Sahbabii, SoFayGo, Chase B
• July 14: Daniel Caesar – “Son of Spergy Tour”
  • Support: Faye Webster
• July 20: Forrest Frank – “The Jesus Generation Tour”
  • Support: Tori Kelly, Cory Asbury, The Figs
• July 23: Joji – “Solaris Tour”
  • Support: Nate Sib, Corbin
• July 25-26: Olivia Dean – “The Art of Loving Live”
  • Support: Baby Rose
• July 28: Megan Moroney – “The Cloud 9 Tour”
  • Support: JP Saxe, Solon Holt
• July 30: Benson Boone – “Wanted Man Tour 2026”
• July 31: Earth, Wind, & Fire, Lionel Richie – “Sing a Song All Night Long”

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

Transit options:

• Light rail lines: E, R, T (Arapahoe at Village Center Station)
• Bus routes: 66, 153, 169, AT (Arapahoe at Village Center Station) | 66 (South Yosemite Street and Peakview Avenue)

Concerts:

• July 18: Tyler Childers
  • Support: Jon Batiste, Wednesday
• July 22: Ella Mai – “Do You Still Love Me? Tour”
  • Support: Ama, Girlfriend
• July 25: Rainbow Kitten Surprise
  • Support: Spacey Jane
• July 30: Howard Jones – “Things Can Only Get Better Tour”
  • Support: Wang Chung, The English Beat, Modern English, Richard Blade
• July 31: Excision – “Mile High”
  • Support: Space Laces, Layz, Sodown, Capochino, Jon Casey, The Resistance, USayBFlow

Paramount Theatre

NOTE: Since June 7, light rail service has not been available near this venue due to the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. Alternative options are available via bus, listed below. Connections can be made between light and commuter rail services via the 16th Street FreeRide at Union Station.

Transit options:

• Bus routes: 1, 9, 10, 15/15L, 20, 44 (17th Street and Glenarm Place) | FREE (16th Street and Glenarm Place)

Concerts:

• July 8: Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks
• July 11: George Harris – “El Pueblo de Uno”

Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre

NOTE: Since June 7, light rail service has not been available near this venue due to the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. Alternative options are available via bus, listed below. Connections can be made between light and commuter rail services via the 16th Street FreeRide at Union Station.

Transit options:

• Bus routes: ART (Champa and 13th streets) | 9, 15/15L (15th and Curtis streets) | 0, 6, 8, 19, 48, 52 (15th and Champa streets) | 10, 28, 38, 43, 44 (15th and Stout streets) | FREE (16th and Curtis streets)

Concerts:

• July 7: Wynton Marsalis Septet
• July 25-26: Colorado Symphony – “Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert”

Mission Ballroom

Transit options:

• Commuter rail line: A (38th•Blake Station)
• Bus route: 48 (Brighton Boulevard and 43rd Street)

Concerts:

• July 4: Zeds Dead
  • Support: PapaJay
• July 8: Streetlight Manifesto – “The Presence of the Past Tour”
  • Support: AJJ
• July 10: Artifakts
  • Support: BrickSquashMafia, Two Guys, Curra, WeSelects, Brownee
• July 18: Bunt
• July 19: Totally Tubular Festival
  • Lineup: Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock of Seagulls, Bow Wow Wow, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, Tommy Tutone
• July 20: The Marcus King Band – “Darling Blue Tour Pt. 2”
  • Support: Penelope Road
• July 22: Silverstein, Story Of The Year – “Camp Screamo Tour”
  • Support: Origami Angel, Ally Nicholas
• July 31: Interpol
  • Support: Youth Lagoon

Fillmore Auditorium

Transit options:

• Bus routes: 15/15L (Colfax Avenue and Ogden Street) | 12 (Corona Street and Colfax Avenue)

NOTE: Construction work on the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project may impact RTD service to this venue. Check NextRide and Service Alerts for the latest updates before boarding.

Concerts:

• July 16: Lee Brice
  • Support: Grace Tyler
• July 28: Suki Waterhouse – “The Loveland Tour”
  • Support: Charlotte Lawrence
• July 29: Poppy – “Constantly Nowhere Tour”
  • Support: Landmvrks, Thousand Below
• July 30: Chiodos – “It’s Not You, It’s Me Tour”
  • Support: 156/Silence, sace6, Second Harbour
• July 31: Vishal & Sheykhar

Ogden Theatre

Transit options:

• Bus routes: 15/15L (Colfax Avenue and Ogden Street) | 12 (Corona Street and Colfax Avenue)

NOTE: Construction work on the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project may impact RTD service to this venue. Check NextRide and Service Alerts for the latest updates before boarding.

Concerts:

• July 9: The Bouncing Souls – “The Born To Be Tour”
  • Support: The Suicide Machines, Death By Stereo, The Drowns
• July 13-14: Chance Peña – “When I Change My Mind, I Don’t Mean It Tour”
  • Support: Hans Williams
• July 23: Kim Gordon – “Play Me Tour”
  • Support: Sasami

Summit Music Hall

Transit options:

• Commuter rail lines: A, B, G, N (Union Station)
• Light rail lines: C, E, W (Union Station)
• Bus routes: 0, 9, 15, 20 (18th and Blake streets) | 52 (20th and Blake streets) | RX (20th and Larimer Street) | 38 (Lawrence and 20th streets) | 10, 19, 32, 120X, FF1, FF2, FF3, LD1, FMR, FREE (Union Station)

Concerts:

• July 2: 42 Dugg, Babyface Ray – “4 The Trenches Tour”
• July 5: Rave Jesus – “Rave Revival Tour”
• July 11: The Church – “The Singles: 1980-2025”
• July 14: Hatebreed – “Summer Slaughter Tour 2026”
  • Support: Devourment, Snuffed on Sight, The Last Ten Seconds of Life, Face Yourself
• July 18: Hard Candy
• July 19: Honey Revenge – “idobi Radio presents: Summer School 2026”
  • Support: Games We Play, Winona Fighter, South Arcade, Chase Petra
• July 21: Jinjer – “Duel North America 2026”
  • Support: Entheos
• July 29: The Strike
  • Support: Kids That Fly
• July 31: Eslabon Armado – “Amor Nocturno”

Marquis Theater

Transit options:

• Commuter rail lines: A, B, G, N (Union Station)
• Light rail lines: C, E, W (Union Station)
• Bus routes: 0, 9, 15, 20 (18th and Blake streets) | 52 (20th and Blake streets) | RX (20th and Larimer streets) | 38 (Lawrence and 20th streets) | 10, 19, 32, 120X, FF1, FF2, FF3, LD1, FMR, FREE (Union Station)

Concerts:

• July 10: Sincere Engineer – “The Probable Claws Tour”
  • Support: Ways Away, Kali Masi
• July 14: I Promised The World
  • Support: Rosasharin, Guilt, athousandangelsandseven
• July 17: I Set My Friends On Fire
  • Support: Strawberry Girls, Current Comfort, Mrs. Nezbitt
• July 18: Belmont
  • Support: Major League, Spite House, all in ur head
• July 22: Wavves
  • Support: Bass Drum of Death, Worlds Worst
• July 24: Yhapojj
  • July 26: Vacation Manor
• Support: Nolen Durham
  • July 28: Slow Joy
• Support: Glom, Bike Routes
  • July 30: System Of A Clown
• Support: Ninety Percent 90s
  • July 31: Oakwood
• Support: Love Letter, Shorts, John Pankey

Gothic Theatre

Transit options:

• Bus routes: 0 (South Broadway and Eastman Avenue)

Concerts:

• July 10: Futurebirds
  • Support: Deloyd Elze
• July 12: Max Cooper – “Feeling is Structure Live Album Tour”
• July 18: Fiddlehead
  • Support: Narrow Head, Knumears, Destiny Bond
• July 23: Old 97’s
  • Support: River Shook
• July 24: Black Moth, Super Rainbow
  • Support: Giant Day
• July 25: Jamestown Revival
  • Support: Kolton Moore & The Clever Few
• July 31: All – “All My Senses Summer Tour 2026”

Other venues RTD provides bus or rail service to include, but are not limited to: Bluebird Theater, Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom and Other Side, Larimer Lounge, HQ, Hi-Dive, The Oriental Theater, The Federal Theatre, and Fox Theatre. Visit app.rtd-denver.com/nextride/plan and enter the desired destination to view available nearby transit options.