Rad Things (to) Do - May 2025

Welcome to May in the Mile High City, where snow-capped peaks still shine bright in the distance while the grassy plains of the Front Range dress into their best shade of brown. It’s that magical time of year when Denver thaws out, stretches its legs and dives headfirst into outdoor everything. Concerts crank up, runners take to Colfax Avenue to run like they’re Forrest Gump, and the Rockies keep swinging like maybe this time they'll hit something besides air.

There’s no shortage of Rad Things (to) Do this month — and most are just a short walk from an RTD stop. So, grab your sunscreen, your reusable water bottle, and possibly your parka (just in case), and get out there!

Festivals, parades and special events

May 9-10: Colorado Chocolate Festival

Location: National Western Complex (Expo Hall)

Transit access: N Line at 48th & Brighton•National Western Center Station and Route 48 at Brighton Boulevard and 47th Avenue

Have a sweet tooth? Head to the National Western Complex May 9-10 to indulge in as much chocolate as one can handle at the Colorado Chocolate Festival. Dozens of chocolatiers will be in attendance to dish out their best creations to thousands of chocolate lovers.

To get tickets, visit www.cochocolatefests.com.

May 17-18: Colfax Marathon

Location: City Park

Transit access: Routes 20 and 40 at Colorado Boulevard and Montview Boulevard

Time to lace up those running shoes, because the Colfax Marathon returns May 17-18. Over two days, tens of thousands of runners and marathoners from all over the world will dash down Colfax Avenue in a variety of different races and distances. This year, in addition to the main 26.2-mile marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon, participants can particpate in the Urban 10-Miler through some of downtown’s most prominent landmarks and in a series of relay races, including the open class, corporate, government and public schoolsrelays.

While registration is closed, bystanders can still cheer on the athletes along Colfax Avenue.

For course maps and more information, visit www.runcolfax.org.

May 24: Grupera Fest

Location: National Western Complex

Transit access: N Line at 48th & Brighton•National Western Center Station and Route 48 at Brighton Boulevard and 47thAvenue

Get your live music fix at Grupera Fest! Head to the National Western Complex for a day of concerts by grupero bands such as Los Yonic’s Zamacona, Guardianes Del Amor Arturo Rodriguez, Chicos de Barrio, Mandingo and La Mera Vena, headlined by Industria Del Amor and Bryndis X Siempre.

To purchase tickets and learn more about the music festival, visit www.nationalwesterncomplex.com.

May 26: BolderBoulder

Location: Various locations around Boulder

Transit access: Any Downtown Boulder Station-bound route, with a transfer to Boulder’s HOP route*

*detours will likely be in place for the event; please plan trips accordingly

The Colfax Marathon isn’t the only marathon happening in May. The world-famous BolderBoulder 10K takes place May 26. The route takes runners from the start line at 30th and Walnut streets through Boulder neighborhoods and downtown, finishing on the turf at Folsom Field. While registration for the event has closed, customers can still ride the FF1 up to Boulder to cheer on the runners as they pass through downtown.

Visit https://www.bolderboulder.com for route maps and details.

May 31-June 1: International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Climbing World Cup

Location: 16th and Welton

Transit access: Free MallRide at 16th and Welton streets, D and H lines at Theatre District•Convention Center Station and via any Civic Center Station-bound bus

Smack dab in the heart of downtown Denver, the IFSC brings the top speed climbers in the world to the 16th Street Mall for the next stop on the Climbing World Cup. Be amazed as the best men and women climbers in the world race to dizzying heights in a matter of seconds for a shot at earning the world title.

To learn more about the event, visit www.ifsc-climbing.org.

May 31-June 1: Outside Festival

Colorado is known for its endless outdoor activities and a burning passion for live music. That’s why there’s no better place to celebrate what makes Colorado so special than at the Outside Festival. Outside Magazine brings its signature festival back to Civic Center Park May 31-June 1 for two days full of music, competition, speakers, films and fun.

This year’s music lineup features the following artists and bands:

• Saturday
  • Khruangbin (headliner)
  • Sylvan Esso
  • Neal Francis
  • Husbands
  • Squeaky Feet
  • Brothers of Brass
• Sunday
  • Lord Huron
  • Trampled By Turtles
  • Waxahatchee
  • Hazlett
  • The Copper Children
  • Cole Scheifele

In addition to two days of great music, enjoy speakers from all walks of life, including celebrity magician David Blaine, X Games host and action sports icon Selema Masekela, professional snowboarder Kimmy Fasani, and former United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.

This festival is not one to miss, especially for those who spend more time out in the wild than inside a building. Visit festival.outsideonline.com to learn more and purchase tickets.

Sports

Well, it is a bittersweet time to be a Denver sports fan. On one hand, the Denver Nuggets continue their quest towards winning another NBA Championship. On the other hand, the Colorado Avalanche have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs after going the distance with the Dallas Stars. Oh, and there’s also the Colorado Rockies. Not much more needs to be said about them except that they’re still playing baseball at Coors Field.

In addition to the Nuggets and Rockies, Denver’s own arena football team takes to the turf at the Denver Coliseum for a high-octane clash with the Omaha Beef, who might just have the best name in minor league sports. Also, volleyball fans will get the chance to see the best volleyball players and teams in the United States battle it out for the 2025 USA Open Volleyball Championship later this month.

Check out what major sporting events are taking place this month below!

Ball Arena (accessible via the E and W lines at Ball Arena·Elitch Gardens Station, as well as Routes 1, 15L and 20 at Auraria Parkway and 9th Street)

• Denver Nuggets (NBA):
  • Throughout May: 2025 NBA Playoffs

Coors Field (accessible via any Union Station-bound bus or train)

• Colorado Rockies (MLB):
  • May 6-8: vs. Detroit Tigers
  • May 9-11: vs. San Diego Padres
  • May 19-22: vs. Philadelphia Phillies
  • May 23-25: vs. New York Yankees

Denver Coliseum (accessible via Route 48 at 43rd Street and Brighton Boulevard)

• Colorado Spartans (NAL):
  • May 31: vs. Omaha Beef

Colorado Convention Center (accessible via D and H lines at Theatre District•Convention Center Station)

• May 23-26: 2025 USA Open Volleyball Championship

Musicals, plays and live theater

It’s a busy month for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA)! Head out to the DCPA to enjoy beloved sci-fi musical Little Shop of Horrors, the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama The Hot Wing King, a showcase of the talent of some of the best improv comedians alive at the Bluebird Improv, and a satirical take on some of Broadway’s most renown plays with Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole A Song, all headlined by the return of nine time Tony Award-winning hit comedy musical The Book of Mormon.

Enjoy a night out at DCPA this month and let RTD do the driving.

Buell Theatre

• May 6-18: The Book of Mormon

Kilstrom Theatre

• Ongoing through May 25: The Hot Wing King

Ellie Caulkins Opera House

• May 16: 2025 Bobby G Awards

Wolf Theatre

• Ongoing through May 25: Little Shop of Horrors

Garner Galleria Theatre

• May 16-18: Bluebird Improv
• May 28-June 29: Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole A Song

Concerts

Thankfully, May is here, which means the Justin Timberlake “It’s gonna be May” joke goes into hibernation for another year. To celebrate that joke’s return to a deep slumber, Denver’s finest music venues have completely loaded their calendars with night-after-night of incredible concerts, such as performances by Jack White, Ministry, Matisyahu, Knuckle Puck, Thornhill and Iann Dior; there’s literally something for everyone. This month’s star is none other than the legend herself, Katy Perry performing at the Ball Arena on May 15. With over a hundred concerts all across the metro area don’t let May be “The One That Got Away.”

Check out this month's lineup below! Don't forget to save the official Rad Things (to) Do - May 2025 Spotify playlist and scroll all the way down to get a sampler of the artists performing around the metro this month.

Ball Arena (accessible via the E and W lines at Ball Arena·Elitch Gardens Station, as well as Routes 1, 15L and 20 at Auraria Parkway and 9th Street)

• May 15: Katy Perry – “The Lifetimes Tour”
• May 27: Kool Koncert – “Simple Minds: Alive & Kicking Tour 2025”
• May 30: Ivan Cornjeo – “Mirada Tour”

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre (accessible via the E and R lines at Arapahoe at Village Center Station)

• May 31: Yacht Rock Revue

Mission Ballroom (accessible via the A Line at 38th·Blake Station)

• May 7: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – “The Wild god Tour”
• May 8-9: Jack White
• May 11: The Menzingers
  • Support: Lucero and Queen of Jeans
• May 13: Emperor
  • Support: Wayfarer
• May 14: Beach House
  • Support: Cass McCombs
• May 15: Ben Rector – “The Richest Man In The World”
  • Support: The National Parks
• May 16: St. Vincent
  • Support: Black Country and New Road
• May 23: Malla – “Malaa vs. Malaa’s Alter Ego”
• May 24: Virtual Rot – “Stealing Fire”
  • Support: Eliminate, Zeke Beats, Ubur, Phiso and Rankz
• May 27: Alex Warren
  • Support: Michael Sanzone
• May 30: Ganja White Night – “Wobble Rocks IV”
  • Support: Smoakland, Xotix, Stylust Beats and Myrias
• May 31: Ministry
  • Support: My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult and Die Krupps

Paramount Theatre (accessible via the Free MallRide at 17th Street and Glenarm Place)

• May 9: Kenny Wayne Shepard
• May 10: Sam Orril – “The Errors Tour”
• May 13: Beth Hart
• May 15: We Can Do Hard Things
• May 16: Nils Frahm
• May 17: Noel Miller – “New Supply Tour”
• May 18: Air Supply
• May 21: Jimmy Carr – “Laughs Funny”
• May 30: Ryan Adams – “Heartbreaker ’25 World Tour”
• May 31: Marlon Wayans – “Wild Child Tour”

Fillmore Auditorium (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Emerson Street or Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street)

• May 9: Central Cee – “Can’t Rush Greatness 2025 World Tour”
• May 11: Kevin Kaarl – “Ultra Sodade Tour 2025”
• May 14: Dying Fetus and Cradle of Filth – “Chaos & Carnage 2025”
  • Support: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Ne Obliviscaris, Undeath, Vomit Forth and Corpse Pile
• May 16: Toro y Moi and Panda Bear
  • Support: Kassie Krut
• May 29: Dope Lemon
  • Support: The Palms

Ogden Theatre (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Emerson Street or Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street)

• May 7: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic – “Just For The Funk Of It”
• May 9: Maddie & Tae
  • Support: Just Jayne
• May 10: Itchy-O
  • Support: JG Thirlwell and Carnivale Dé Sensuale
• May 11: Anees
  • Support: Jayo
• May 12: Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory
  • Support: Love Spells
• May 13: Magdalena Bay
  • Support: Sam Austins
• May 16: The War and Treaty
  • Support: Rootbeer Richie & The Reveille, and Madeline Edwards
• May 17: Berlioz
• May 20: Matisyahu
  • Support: Electric Kif
• May 21: Devin Townsend – “Powernerd North American Tour 2025”
  • Support: Tesseract
• May 22: Orion Sun
  • Support: Chlothegod
• May 24: Rachel Chinouriri
  • Support: Alemeda and Bizzy
• May 26: The Bouncing Souls
  • Support: H20, The Adolescents and The Jack Knives

Oriental Theater (accessible via Route 44 at West 44th Avenue and Tennyson Street)

• May 8: Robert Cristian Jordan
  • Support: Wendy Woo Band
• May 9: Suicide Cages
  • Support: Cobranoid, Irah Nox and Among The Bodies
• May 10: Blake Horstmann – “Element”
  • Support: Shotty Otter and Mr. Fancy Pants
• May 11: Stereo MC’s
  • Support: The Casual Sound DJs
• May 15: George Clanton
  • Support: Slater
• May 16: Inthewhale
  • Support: Hellgrammites and Musuji
• May 18: The Fall Of Troy – “20 Years Of Doppelganger”
  • Support: A Lot Like Birds, Origami Button and Rhododendron
• May 19: Midge Ure and Blancmange
• May 22: Dr. Bert Walkpack and Dr. Brady Smith – “The Oral Fixation Comedy Tour”
• May 24: L.A. Guns
  • Support: Sticks N’ Stones and Cönaxx
• May 31: Luis Coronel – “Enterno Enamorado 2025 Tour”

Boulder Theater (accessible via any Downtown Boulder Station route)

• May 9: Steel Pulse
  • Support: Chala
• May 15: Zoe Keating
• May 28: Michael Franti and Spearhead
  • Support: Niko Moon
• May 30: Ozomatli

Fox Theatre (accessible via routes 204, 225/225D/225T, AB1, DASH, GS and SKIP at Broadway and Pleasant Street)

• May 6: The Aristocrats – “The Duck Tour”
• May 7: The Dirty Turkeys
  • Support: Bluehouse and Grove
• May 8: WonkyWilla
• May 9: Wampus Cat
  • Support: Sketchwork and Second Hand Band
• May 11: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
  • Support: Dead On A Sunday
• May 13: Guardin
  • Support: Sewerperson and Kennedyxoxo
• May 15: The Garcia Project
• May 16: Nahko
  • Support: Lily Fangz and Naia Kete
• May 18: The Lemon Twigs
  • Support: Honey Blazer
• May 23: Brandon “TAZ” Niederauer
• May 30: Tyler Grant, Michael Kirkpatrick, Ace Engfer, Sean Macaulay and Bill McKay

Bluebird Theater (accessible via Route 15 at Colfax Avenue and Cook Street)

• May 6: Matt Hansen – “Versions of Forever World Tour”
  • Support: Steinza
• May 8: Raveena
  • Support: Renao
• May 9: Venjent
  • Support: Nvoke
• May 10: Yola – “Sovereign Soul”
• May 11: Miya Folick – “Erotica Veronica: The Tour”
• May 12: Jane Remover
  • Support: Dazegxd and D0llywood1
• May 14: Peter Bjorn and John – “Writers Block Album Tour 2025”
  • Support: Autumnal
• May 15: Ramirez
• May 16: Your Neighbors – “The American Hedonism Tour”
  • Support: Dreamfone
• May 17: Spellling – “Portrait Of My Heart Tour”
  • Support: Ramakhandra
• May 18: Jensen McRae – “The ‘Praying For Your Downfall’ Tour”
  • Support: Lauren Juzang
• May 19: Cheekface
  • Support: Pacing
• May 20: Mirador
  • Support: Laney Jones and The Spirits
• May 21: La Lom
  • Support: Gio Chamba
• May 23: Know Good – “Up To Know Good Tour”
  • Support: Froogle, Harvest and Inventor Xem
• May 24: Samplifire – “Rocky Inferno”
  • Support: Ivory, Drushuu and Squeege
• May 27: Phoneboy – “Heartbreak Designer Tour”
  • Support: Inoha
• May 31: Rivers of Nihil
  • Support: Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, Glacial Tomb and High Fells

HQ (accessible via Route 0 at South Broadway and West Bayaud Avenue)

• May 10: The Supervillains
  • Support: All Waffle Trick and Kenny’s Login
• May 13: Wormrot – “’Scums’ North American Tour”
  • Support: No/Mas, Oxygen Destroyer and Poison Tribe
• May 15: Raynes
  • Support: Ian Mahan
• May 18: Casket Robbery
  • Support: Crotalus and Goat Hill Massacre
• May 19: The Effigies
  • Support: Battle Sights and The Nervous
• May 20: The Cockney Rejects
  • Support: Out For Blood and The Sleights
• May 23: One Step Closer – “All You Embrace Tour”
  • Support: Bleed, Ends Of Sanity and Footballhead
• May 24: Frontside Five and Stalag 13
  • Support: Nobodys
• May 25: The Blameshells
  • Support: Reposer and Gila Teen
• May 25: Ramona
  • Support: Twin Seas
• May 29: Beborn Beton
  • Support: Voicecoil and Faces Under The Mirror

Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom (accessible via the L Line at 25th·Welton and 27th·Welton stations) (NOTE: Shows listed are for Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom ONLY; visit https://cervantesmasterpiece.com for more information on shows at Cervantes’ Other Side)

• May 10: Oppidan
  • Support: Hans Glader and Keenan Mathias
• May 11: Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 – “Heavier Yet Us Tour”
  • Support: Tatanka
• May 16: Ternion Sound – “Bass Coast Pre-Party Tour”
  • Support: The Librarian, Hypho, Litalotus, Sling Wave and Pav4n
• May 21: The Wailers – “Natural Mystic 30th Anniversary Tour”
  • Support: Dubskin
• May 22: Joy Orbison
  • Support: Covex, Klo and Sebaz
• May 23: Rusko – “1 Man Army Tour”
  • Support: Subdocta, Kumarion and Furtha
• May 25: Coco Jones – “Why Not More? Tour”
  • Support: Lady London
• May 30-31: Sunsquabi
  • Support:
    • May 30: Luzcid and 3420
    • May 31: Junowhat?! and Drew Birch

Larimer Lounge (accessible via Route 44 at Larimer and 28th streets)

• May 7: Alix Page
  • Support: Cameron Schmidt
• May 8: Mystic Methods
  • Support: Sleazy Lettuc, Soosi and Saumii
• May 9: Occam’s Rose
  • Support: Pretty Loud and Becca Jay
• May 9: Bada Boom, Brando, Groove District and RHNO
• May 9: Body Ocean, Vicious Pink and Pulse Control
• May 10: Frances Whitney – “Old Hobbies Tour”
  • Support: Macy Todd
• May 10: Spektral Groove Collective
• May 10: Discrete
  • Support: Jeckett and Mitch
• May 11: Future Druug
  • Support: Yazi Diaz and Social Contract
• May 13: Lambrini Girls
  • Support: Party Dozen
• May 15: Space Hippy and Friends
• May 15: Sasami
  • Support: mood Killer
• May 16: The Worst Generation
  • Support: Ransteez, 1KCXXPE, Tyb0 and Reefwya
• May 16: Zenith and Nico Sonntag
• May 16: Kenyon, Stonee, Lawnce and Menzo
• May 17: The Dead Yetis
  • Support: Break Balance and Wiji Moma
• May 17: Evco and Michael Surface
• May 17: Sherm, Housewife, Logan Camin and Phat Jazz
• May 18: Tidepool
  • Support: Charlie Daze, Prototype and Zenthar
• May 21: Louyah
  • Support: Ryman Leon
• May 22: Skippy Vonn, DNTNO and Side?uest
• May 22: Shizz Lo – “The Dial Up Tour”
  • Support: Brainrack, Fraxure, Walschlager and D!lemma
• May 23: Briana Jannyne
  • Support: Luckiee B and Thriive
• May 23: P!nto, Lingo, Hirshi and Justquinn
• May 23: Bombays, Garrett Dix and Bnjmn Sndvl
• May 24: Brookelyn Rose
  • Support: Chase Cavanaugh and Areyma
• May 25: Troll, Out Of Nowhere and Maddglass
• May 24: Quiet Light, Jaspr, Neffertiti and Apothekari
• May 25: Bicycle Day
  • Support: Airavata, Null & Void and Ripcords
• May 25: Thug City, Brownee, Bubonic and Why_Not?!?!
• May 27: Breakup Shoes and Cardinal Bloom
• May 29: Avello
  • Support: Papajay, Spoone, Thresh and Sam Burt
• May 30: James Compton, Yaakov and Bitoku
• May 30: Kitty Ca$h
• May 31: Will Evans
  • Support: Layton Meacham
• May 31: Homie and Briella
  • Support: El Santo and The Mean Machine

Gothic Theatre (accessible via Route 0 at South Broadway and Eastman Avenue, or South Broadway and West Floyd Avenue)

• May 6: Nightly
  • Support: Jonah Marais and Brooke Alexx
• May 7: Magic Sword
  • Support: Starbenders and Mega Ran
• May 12: Allison Russell – “All Returners Tour”
  • Support: Kara Jackson
• May 13: Mayday Parade
  • Support: Microwave, Grayscale and Like Roses
• May 15: Gang Of Four
  • Support: Colfax Speed Queen
• May 16: The Black Angels
  • Support: Gift
• May 18: Mike – “#aotc Tour”
  • Support: Anysia Kym and Duendita

Summit Music Hall (accessible via Routes 0, 9, 15 and 20 at 18th and Blake streets, or via Route 52 at 20th and Blake streets)

• May 7: Knuckle Puck – “Copacetic Anniversary Celebration”
  • Support: Hunny and Stateside
• May 9: Eem Triplin – “Melody of a Memory”
  • Support: DC the Don
• May 10: Magnolia Park – “The VAMP Tour”
  • Support: Hot Milk, Savage Hands and South Arcade
• May 13: Nekrogoblikon
  • Support: Revocation, Ov Sulfur and BRAT
• May 17: Nazareth – “’Bite The Bullet’ Tour – 50 years of ‘Love Hurts’”
• May 18: Beach Bunny – “The Tunnel Vision Tour”
  • Support: Scarlet Demore
• May 21: Sleigh Bells
  • Support: Sophie Hunter
• May 26: The Kiffness – “Vote4Pets Tour”
• May 27: Napalm Death and Melvins
• May 30: Reyna Tropical*

(*) denotes show will be held in the Moon Room at Summit Music Hall

Marquis Theatre (accessible via Routes 52 and RX at 20th and Larimer streets, or via Route 38 at Larimer and 21st streets)

• May 6: nothing,nowhere – “The Return of the Reaper – A Decade of Darkness”
  • Support: sace6
• May 9: Thornhill – “Bodies North American Headline Tour 2025”
  • Support: Avoid, Banks Arcade and Ocean Grove
• May 10: 2000 Tears
• May 11: Guardin
• May 13: Iann Dior
• May 14: Stephen Stanley – “’Trustfall’ Tour”
  • Support: Jake & Shelby
• May 15: Youth Lagoon – “Indie 102.3 presents: ‘Rarely Do I Dream Tour’”
  • Support: Kaleah Lee
• May 16: Isabel LaRosa – “Psychopomp Tour”
  • Support: Chris Grey and Thomas LaRosa
• May 17: Momma – “Indie 102.3 presents: ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ Tour”
  • Support: Wishy
• May 18: Friko
  • Support: Youbet
• May 19: Dave Blunts – “Standing For What I Believe In Tour”
• May 20: Mallrat – “KBCO welcomes: Mallrat – Light hit my face like a straight right”
  • Support: Anna Shoemaker
• May 21: Cold – “107.9 KBPI presents: Cold”
  • Support: September Mourning and University Drive
• May 23: Red Stinger
  • Support: King Rat
• May 24: New Aesthetic
• May 25: Dreamer Isioma
• May 30: Lyn Lapid – “Buzzkill: The Tour”
  • Support: RC Avenue