Summer Events in Southern Colorado 2023
Best Events in the Royal Gorge Region
As the school year wraps up in Colorado this time of year, it is time to start planning for summer adventures and events! The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park not only promises a day filled with heart-pumping fun, but our summer events lineup features experiences you can’t miss.
Family fun activities fill the agenda this summer at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, such as live birds of prey demonstrations from Nature’s Educators, live dancers, face painting, animal visits from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and more!
Read more in this month’s blog about our seasonal events and adventures to go beyond your typical summer break in Colorado.
Along with summer events at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, our most popular excursion is the Royal Gorge Via Ferrata. This guided climbing experience takes guests along the rock walls of the famous gorge with stunning views of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Arkansas River. The Via Ferrata tour is available for climbers of any experience level ages 10 years and older. The tour also includes general admission to the entire Royal Gorge Bridge & Park and our summer events, making it the best value Via Ferrata in Colorado.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park Events Lineup
From Memorial Weekend, starting on May 27th 2023, catch these summer events and entertainment performances by local organizations coming to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park! Events run on the following days of the week through Labor Day Weekend, September 4th, 2023. All events in the list below are available to guests within the park and included with general admission tickets.
Be sure to grab your tickets for summer by purchasing in advance on our website. By purchasing general admission tickets online, guests save on ticket prices and may use the tickets for any day up to one year from the purchase date. Plus, ask about a next day return at the visitor information desk.
Local kids from the Colorado Springs area will love seeing their favorite zoo animals at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park on days the Cheyenne Mountain ZOOMobile is visiting! Parents will appreciate the live music from Deja Bluz, a beloved local band, at Elk Park Amphitheater on holiday weekends through Labor Day.
Bring the whole family to watch incredible demonstrations of Live Birds of Prey from Nature’s Educators daily at the Plaza Theater. These birds are brought by a nonprofit organization who aims to educate the public about wildlife through intimate experiences with birds of prey. Nature’s Educators will also be at Elk Park Amphitheater this summer to teach lessons on wildlife and the importance wild animals have on our environment.
Continue reading below for more information and details on our summer events for Southern Colorado in 2023:
Don’t miss out on summer days in the Colorado sun and fresh mountain air when you visit the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park! Reserve your tickets to the park and join us for family fun events, (included with your general admission), along with our exhilarating rides and more. Summer events and entertainment include the Cheyenne Mountain ZOOMobile and a live band for the music lovers. Continue reading in this month’s blog about more summer events in 2023 at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park.
2023 Summer Events Lineup
1. Demonstrations of Birds of Prey
Daily demonstrations at Plaza Theater
Step into the wild world of Nature’s Educators, where they are all about bridging the gap between people and furry (and feathered) friends! Watch live demonstrations of these amazing animals, and discover the incredible impact they have on our environment. During this interactive show inside the theater, you will witness amazing raptors in flight while learning about the species, behavior, diet, and conservation. The educators will also give you some tips on how to spot wild raptors seen in the park. These shows are exciting, fast-paced, and sure to be one of your favorite stops!
2. Live Music From Deja Bluz
Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July Weekend, Labor Day Weekend at Elk Park Amphitheater
On holiday weekends through Labor Day, catch local favorite Deja Bluz at the Elk Park Amphitheater for dance-worthy music! This Rock ‘n Roll band has been rockin’ Royal Gorge crowds for years with blues, blues-rock, and classic rock songs. Our Elk Park Amphitheater offers plenty of space for either sitting to enjoy the band’s performance as well as a lush grass lawn for summer dancing!
3. Cheyenne Mountain ZOOMobile Visits
Fridays and Sundays at Elk Park Amphitheater
The zoo is coming to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park! Catch the Cheyenne Mountain ZOOMobile on Fridays and Sundays this summer at our park to meet exotic animals from the world famous zoo in Colorado Springs. Handlers will share inspiring details about these animals and provide some meet and greets with certain species. We love partnering with the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and their efforts in promoting wildlife conservation and safety with both animals native to our region of Colorado as well as to species from all over the world.
4. Live Cultural Dance Performances
Select Saturdays June through August 2023
Grupo Folklorico Del Pueblo are a local nonprofit dance group from Pueblo that teaches the history and cultural significance of dances and costumes, as well as the regions from which the dances originate. They incorporate dances and history that pertain to the New Mexican and Mexican American experience. Watch live performances at the park this summer Saturdays, July 29th and August 12th 2023. Discover the culture of the Aztecsfrom Grupo Xochitl Aztec Dancers at the park on select days (June 3rd and 17th, July 1st and 15th, and August 26th). This local group brings the culture of the Aztecs through dance and ceremonial display.
5. Nature’s Educators Lessons
Daily Monday through Thursday and various Saturdays at Elk Park Amphitheater
This talented and passionate team is dedicated to sharing the fascinating tales of birds of prey and other wildlife that we all coexist with. By sharing their stories, they hope to inspire a passion for conservation in each member of the audience. So head on over to Elk Park Amphitheater and join the fun – let’s learn and grow together!
*For visits on May 29th, July 3rd, July 4th, and September 4th, find Nature’s Educators on the north side of the Park.
6. Free Face Painting
Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July, and Labor Day Weekend on the north side of the Park
Looking for some summer fun that’s free and great for the whole family? Look no further than our amazing face painting at the park! Bring the kids and get ready to transform into fairies and creatures in your favorite colors. Our talented artists will be on-site to create colorful and vibrant designs that will make your summer days even brighter at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. So come on down and join the fun – let’s make some memories together!