A new dawn approaches, illuminating the Mile High City in an orange hue. It’s nature’s way of saying the Broncos are back… or it may just mean that it’s going to be another scorcher of a day. Regardless, August is finally here, and it is bringing with an onslaught of concerts, festivals and sports that will even get the most introverted homebody outside to play.

Welcome to August’s Rad Things (to) Do. Enjoy the party.

NOTE: Due to the ongoing impacts from the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, access to downtown via light rail is being provided via Union Station. Visit the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project webpage for the latest updates.

Festivals, parades and special events

Aug. 1-25: “Wicked” at the Buell Theatre

One of the most well-known Broadway productions of all time comes to Denver’s Buell Theatre this month. Wicked takes place in the Wizard of Oz universe years before Dorothy’s arrival, where a friendship between two polar opposite ladies turns sour thanks to society’s impressions of the two.

This legendary musical will only be in town until Aug. 25, so get your tickets today at https://www.denvercenter.org/tickets-events/wicked/.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts can be accessed via the Free MallRide and routes 9, 15, 15L at 15th and Curtis streets.

Aug. 22-24: Q BBQ Fest Denver at Civic Center Park

Imagine a world where the only things to eat are brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, ribs, turkey legs and all the fixings that come with it. If that sounds like a world worth living in, then head to Civic Center Park for one of the largest barbecue festivals this side of the Mississippi. The annual Q BBQ Fest brings some of the best pitmasters from Colorado, Texas, Missouri and even Mississippi to Denver to showcase some of the best BBQ in the land. Over 30,000 pounds of meat will be smoked, grilled and devoured over three days. For the competitor eaters out there, enter the Rib Rumble, where contestants have five minutes to eat as many ribs as possible.

Learn more about the festival and get tickets at https://www.qbbqdenver.com.

Civic Center Park can be accessed via any Civic Center Station-bound bus.

Aug. 24: Mile High Power Fest at the Oriental Theater

What is power metal? Well, just imagine that Ludwig van Beethoven was given a Power Rangers Blu-Ray box set to binge watch while eating that pretzel Michael Scott ordered in that one episode of The Office, and was handed a guitar right after and told to write a metal song. That’s basically power metal, and lovers of the genre will be able to celebrate it at the Mile High Power Fest at the Oriental Theater. Headlined by Seven Spires and Aether Realm, this music festival dials the adrenaline up to 11.

Catch the Route 44 to West 44th Avenue and Tennyson Street to embrace the chaos.

Aug. 24: Denver BrunchFest at the Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus

Gather the brunch squad and head over to the Tivoli Quad for the 2024 Denver BrunchFest! Enjoy samples from Denver’s finest brunch spots, live music, games and more.

Get tickets today at https://www.brunch-so-hard.com/denver-brunchfest/.

The Tivoli Quad is just a short walk away from Auraria Parkway and 9th Street, served by routes 1, 15L and 20.

Sports

To quote the great UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer, “IT’S TIIIIIMMMMEEEEEE!” for what, exactly? It’s time for the Broncos to take the field and hopefully not disappoint the Broncos’ faithful for yet another consecutive season (Editor’s note: I am not holding my breath).

The Broncos kick off their 2024 preseason with a battle for the starting quarterback position. The Broncos’ 2024 first round draft pick, Bo Nix, looks to get the starting job as a rookie, but NFL veteran Zach Wilson, acquired from the Jets in the offseason, and journeyman Jarrett Stidham are not making it easy. The preseason will be the ultimate test to see which of the three gets the starting job to lead the Broncos out of a purgatory of mediocrity.

The football action isn’t just limited to Denver, as the University of Colorado Buffaloes look to rebound from an underwhelming 2023 season as they take on NCAA Football Championship Subdivision powerhouses North Dakota State University later this month. Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders is hoping his Buffaloes squad, led by his son Shedeur Sandars at quarterback and star wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, can get back to their winning ways. The Buffs are in uncharted waters this year, as the university is back in the Big XII after over a decade in the Pac-12 Conference. A lot has changed in 13 years, and the Big XII is bigger than ever. Their campaign for redemption begins Aug. 29 at Folsom Field

Not only are the Broncos and the Buffs taking the field for the first time this year, but the Rockies are still in action at Coors Field. While the chances of making the postseason continue to diminish, the Blake Street Bombers look to get out of their slump and get some wins on the board to finish the season on a high note. Hey, at least the weather is nice and there really isn’t anything better than a day at the ballpark!

Empower Field at Mile High Stadium (accessible via the D, E, H and W lines at Empower Field at Mile High Station)

• Denver Broncos (NFL preseason):
  • Aug. 18: vs. Green Bay Packers
  • Aug. 25: vs. Arizona Cardinals

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

• Colorado Rockies (MLB):
  • Aug. 6-8: vs. New York Mets
  • Aug. 9-11: vs. Atlanta Braves
  • Aug. 16-18: vs. San Diego Padres
  • Aug. 26-29: vs. Miami Marlins
  • Aug. 30-31: vs. Baltimore Orioles

Folsom Field (accessible via routes 204, 225D/225T, DASH, SKIP, AB1 and GS at Broadway and Pleasant Street, and Broadway and University Avenue)

• University of Colorado Buffaloes (college football):
  • Aug. 29: vs. North Dakota State University

Concerts

Buckle up, buckaroos, as August’s concert slate might just be the best the area will see the rest of this year, especially for lovers of rock and metal. Get ready to throw the horns up to sets by bands such as Megadeth, Twenty One Pilots, Five Finger Death Punch, I Prevail, Hailstorm and Sunny Day Real Estate, all headlined by none other than the Foo Fighters. Hip-hop and R&B heads are in for a huge treat this month as well, with shows by Ice Spice, Jhené Aiko, Chief Keef, Schoolboy Q and Ski Mask The Slump God all throwing down, headlined by Future and Metro Boomin’.

This month is going to be wild for music lovers.

Want to see a preview of some of the artists and bands performing this month? Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see music videos of select artists and bands and get hyped!

Empower Field at Mile High Stadium (accessible via the D, E, H and W lines at Empower Field at Mile High Station)

• Aug. 3: Foo Fighters – “Everything or Nothing At All Tour”
  • Support: Pretenders and Mammoth WVH

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

• Aug. 6: Megadeth – “Destroy All Enemies Tour”
  • Support: Mudvayne and All That Remains
• Aug. 9: Peso Pluma – “Exodo Tour”
• Aug. 15-16: Twenty One Pilots – “The Clancy World Tour”
• Aug. 17: Jhené Aiko – “The Magic Hour Tour”
  • Support: Coi Leray, Tink, Kiana Ledé and Umi
• Aug. 18: Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake – “Summer Worship Nights Tour”
• Aug. 22: Five Finger Death Punch
  • Support: Marilyn Manson, Slaughter To Prevail and The Funeral Portrait
• Aug. 23: Grupo Firme – “La Ultima Peda”
• Aug. 27: Future and Metro Boomin’ – “We Trust You Tour”
• Aug. 29: The Doobie Brothers
  • Support: Steve Winwood

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

• Aug. 1: Bush – “Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour”
  • Support: Jerry Cantrell, Candlebox and Tim Montana
• Aug. 2: Sam Hunt – “Locked Up Tour”
  • Support: Russell Dickerson and George Birge
• Aug. 10: Blue October, Switchfoot and Matt Nathanson – “Help From All My Friends Tour”
• Aug. 11: I Prevail and Halestorm
  • Support: Hollywood Undead and Fit For A King
• Aug. 16-17: Cody Johnson – “The Leather Tour”
  • Support:
    • Aug. 16: Tracy Byrd and Ty Myers
    • Aug. 17: Ned Ledoux and Jesse Raub
• Aug. 19-20: $uicideboy$
  • Support: Denzel Curry, Pouya, Haarper, Shakewell and Ekkstacy
• Aug. 22: Lauren Daigle
  • Support: Blessing Offor
• Aug. 23-24: Dave Matthews Band
• Aug. 28: Train and REO Speedwagon – “Summer Road Trip 2024”
  • Support: Yacht Rock Revue
• Aug. 29: Carin León
• Aug. 30: Hozier – “Unreal Unearth Tour 2024”
  • Support: Allison Russell

Folsom Field (accessible via routes 204, 225D/225T, DASH, SKIP, AB1 and GS at Broadway and Pleasant Street, and Broadway and University Avenue)

• Aug. 17: Tyler Childers – “Mule Pull ’24 Tour”
  • Support: Shakey Graves and Laid Back Country Picker

Bellco Theater (accessible via the Free MallRide at 15th and Champa streets)

• Aug. 24: Michael Che and Colin Jost
• Aug. 28: Don Omar – “Back to Reggaeton Tour”
• Aug. 30: Gloria Trevi – “Mi Soundtrack on Tour”

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

• Aug. 1: Ken Carson – “Chaos Tour”
  • Support: 2Hollis
• Aug 2: Eli Brown
  • Support: Alan Fitzpatrick, Wehbba and Anne-cé
• Aug. 3: Reckless Kelly
  • Support: Steve Earle
• Aug. 4: Schoolboy Q – “Blue Lips Weekends”
  • Support: Devin Malik
• Aug. 6: Stray Cats – “Summer Tour ‘24”
  • Support: The Midnight Cowgirls
• Aug. 9-10: Detox Unit
  • Support:
    • Aug. 9: Schmoop, Vinja, Lone Drum and Layer
    • Aug. 10: Mickman, Aptic, Dendroid and Ezra
• Aug. 13: Alice Cooper – “Too Close for Comfort”
• Aug. 14: Santigold
  • Support: Ogi
• Aug. 15: The Marías
  • Support: Automatic
• Aug. 16: Sierra Ferrell – “Shoot For The Moon Tour”
  • Support: Nick Shoulders
• Aug. 20: The Struts – “Pretty Vicious Tour 2024”
  • Support: Barns Courtney
• Aug. 24: Alvvays
  • Support: The Beths
• Aug. 26: Khruangbin
  • Support: Peter Cat Recording Co.
• Aug. 27: Bikini Kill
  • Support: Sweeping Promises
• Aug. 29: Raise The Ruff Benefit Concert featuring Rick Springfield
• Aug. 30: Gregory Alan Isakov – “Appaloosa Bones Tour 2024”
  • Support: Josiah and The Bonnevilles
• Aug. 31: Rezz
  • Support: Holly and SFAM

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

• Aug. 3: Grupo Duelo – “Evítame La Pena Tour 2024”
• Aug. 5: Donny Osmond – “Direct From Vegas”
• Aug. 10: Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks
• Aug. 11: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
• Aug. 12: Dweezil Zappa – “The Rox”
• Aug. 13: Tim Minchin – “An Unfunny Evening With Tim Minchin and His Piano”
• Aug. 14: The Alan Parsons Live Project
• Aug. 16: Jim Breuer – “Survival with Laughter Tour”
• Aug. 17: America – “Ride On”
• Aug. 22: Jessica Kirson
• Aug. 24: Glen Hansard – “All That Was East Is West Of Me Now Tour”
• Aug. 25: The Mavericks – “Moon & Stars Summer Tour ‘24”
• Aug. 29: Lionheart

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

• Aug. 6: Magnolia Park – “idobi Radio presents: Summer School”
  • Support: Stand Atlantic, The Home Team, Scene Queen, Honey Revenge and Letdown
• Aug. 8: Orville Peck – “Stampede Tour”
• Aug. 9: Chief Keef – “A Lil’ Tour”
  • Support: Lil’ Gnar and The Glo Boyz
• Aug. 10: JPEGMafia – “Lay Down My Life Tour”
• Aug. 15: $NOT
• Aug. 17: Ice Spice
  • Support: Cash Cobain and RiotUSA
• Aug. 20: Lucki
• Aug. 27: Joshua Bassett – “The Golden Years Tour”
  • Support: Thomas Day
• Aug. 30: Yung Gravy – “Grits & Gravy Tour”

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

• Aug. 3: Citizen Cope
• Aug. 5: Tinariwen
• Aug. 6: Hobo Johnson and The Lovemakers – “HJ Drinks Tour”
  • Support: Remo Drive and So Much Light
• Aug. 7: Killer Mike and The Mighty Midnight Revival – “The Down By Law Tour”
• Aug. 11: D’aydrian Harding – “The Stay Sober Summer Tour”
• Aug. 17: The Crane Wives
  • Support: Hayward Williams
• Aug. 24: Acraze
• Aug. 30: Lee Youngji – “All or Nothing World Tour”
• Aug. 31: Powerwolf
• Support: Unleash the Archers

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

• Aug. 1: The Unlikely Candidates
  • Support: The Losers Club, Nolo and Citra
• Aug. 9: Afroman
• Aug. 11: Loose Ends
  • Support: Jane Eugene and Bobby Wilson
• Aug. 16: The Exile Follies
  • Support: John Doe, Kirstin Hersh and Grant Lee Philips
• Aug. 24: Mile High Power Fest
• Aug. 30: Riot
  • Support: Leatherwolf and Chamber Mage

Boulder Theater (accessible via any Downtown Boulder Station route)

• Aug. 3: Nepathya
• Aug. 6: The Japanese House
  • Support: Skullcrusher
• Aug. 8: Digable Planets – “Reachin’ 30th Summer Tour”
  • Support: 2MX2
• Aug. 9: Rickie Lee Jones
• Aug. 10: Face Vocal Band – “Boulder Bash!”
• Aug. 16: Sam Barber
• Aug. 24: The 502s – “Great American Road Trip”
  • Support: Max McNown
• Aug. 25: Laurie Berkner
• Aug. 30: OhGeesy – “Off the Xtras Tour: Part 2”
  • Support: 310babii and Yung Chowder

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

• Aug. 3: Dada – “Return to Dizz Knee Land Tour”
• Aug. 5: The Arcadian Wild
• Aug. 8: Clay Street Unit
  • Support: Danno Simpson
• Aug. 9: CG5
• Aug. 10: Mountain Grass Unit
  • Support: High Horse
• Aug. 11: The Greeting Committee
  • Support: Toledo
• Aug. 13: SeeYouSpaceCowboy – “The Coup De Gráce Tour”
  • Support: The Callous Daoboys, Omerta, Stateside and Destiny Bond

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

• Aug. 1: Jonny Craig
  • Support: Call Me Karizma and Vegas Valley Drive
• Aug. 2: Heavy Temple – “Nation of Heathens Tour”
  • Support: Lost Relics and Temporal Driver
• Aug. 7: Nox Novacula
  • Support: Church Fire and Weathered Statues
• Aug. 8: Urban Heat
  • Support: Gvllow and Delores Galore
• Aug. 11: Dizasterpiece – “Zzonebound Tour Pt. 2”
• Aug. 12: Dead Posey – “Graveyard Gang Tour”
  • Support: Heart Shaped Zombie
• Aug. 15: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
  • Support: Losers Club and HRZN
• Aug. 16: Cobranoid
  • Support: Valiomierda, Riff Dealer and Crypt Keeper
• Aug. 18: Sorcia
  • Support: Kamru and Red Mesa
• Aug. 19: Haunt and Savage Master – “Thee Eternal Reign Tour”
  • Support: Viperwitch
• Aug. 22: Tunnel Jumper, Hellgrammites and Tickle Fight
• Aug. 24: Jughead’s Revenge
  • Support: Nobodys and Good Family
• Aug. 29: Dayglo Abortions
  • Support: The Brothels and Cluster
• Aug. 30: Peelingflesh
  • Support: Snuffed On Sight, Corpse Pile and Two Piece
• Aug. 31: Grey Daze and Julien-K

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

• Aug. 6: The Last Dinner Party
• Aug. 9: 49 Winchester
  • Support: Coleman Jennings
• Aug. 10-11: The Bouncing Souls
  • Support:
    • Aug. 10: Sorry Sweetheart and Vic Ruggiero
    • Aug. 11: Guttermouth and Vic Ruggiero
• Aug. 14: Protest The Hero – “Volition X North America 2024”
  • Support: ’68 and Greyhaven
• Aug. 16: Bay Ledges – “Rivers Tour”
• Aug. 17: Mind Incision – “World Tour Kick Off Show”
  • Support: Leveler, Purge The Heretics and Burning Through Darkness
• Aug. 20: Cupcake
• Aug. 22: Orbit Culture
  • Support: Glacial Tomb
• Aug. 23: Peter Rowan and Sam Grisman Project
• Aug. 24: Bilmuri – “American Motor Tour”
  • Support: Driveways
• Aug. 31: Ghostland Observatory

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)

• Aug. 3: Veil of Maya and Brand of Sacrifice – “The Summer Slaughter Tour 2024”
  • Support: Gideon, Left To Suffer, Ten56 and Tallah
• Aug. 5: STRF*R
  • Support: Ruth Radelet and Holy Wave
• Aug. 6: Ski Mask The Slump God
• Aug. 7: Crown The Empire – “Not Dead Yet Tour”
  • Support: Dark Divine, Capstan and Oni
• Aug. 8: Darius
• Aug. 13: SiR – “Life is Good Tour”
  • Support: Zacari and Davion Farris
• Aug. 15: Mac Sabbath – “10 Year Anniversary Tour”
  • Support: Tejon Street Corner Thieves
• Aug. 17: Sunny Day Real Estate – “Diary 30th Anniversary Tour”
  • Support: Kevin Devine
• Aug. 19: Lil’ Lotus
  • Support: sace6 and Freak
• Aug. 20: Sheppard – “Say Geronimo! Tour”
• Aug. 21: Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies
  • Support: The Schizophonics, DJ Thirst n’ Howl and Still Animals
• Aug. 24: GorillaT – “Wonk Factory Tour”
• Aug. 28: Dread Mar I
• Aug. 29: Onf – “2024 Onf Concert in North America”
• Aug. 30: X – “Smoke & Friction Tour”

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

• Aug. 2: His Lordship
  • Support: Spells
• Aug. 4: Through the Roots
• Aug. 9: Cults
  • Support: Bnny
• Aug. 10: The Young Dubliners
• Aug. 13: Banners – “All Back To Mine Tour”
  • Support: Culture Wars
• Aug. 15: Hot Freaks
  • Support: Dante Elephante and Horse B****
• Aug. 16: Grateful Dub
  • Support: Roots of Creation
• Aug. 17: Red Wanting Blue
• Aug. 19: Together Pangea – “Celebrating 10 Years of Badillac”
  • Support: Lilly
• Aug. 25: Bobby Oroza
• Aug. 29: Strawberry Girls
• Aug. 30: Lazer Dim 700 – “Liltwan Tour”
  • 2sdxrt3all
• Aug. 31: Thousand Frames