What’s new at Red Rocks in 2026? Upgraded merch stand and scenic east terrace

The world-famous amphitheater blends modern improvements with Burnham Hoyt’s original vision ahead of another packed concert season

By David Young

It’s a cool summer evening and the music floats through the high-altitude Colorado air. Lights and notes bounce off the mammoth red rock, and the lights of the city shimmer in the distance. Summer in Colorado means concert season at the world-famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. There’s nothing quite like seeing one of your favorite bands beneath the Colorado stars, flanked by the towers and rocks that create the natural amphitheatre.

If you are planning to catch a show this season, you might notice a couple of changes to the venue. Throughout the 2026 season, Red Rocks is working to create a new south merchandise stand and an east-entrance terrace to improve the concertgoers' experience. Both projects are underway and are expected to provide a smoother entry and exit for visitors looking to purchase merch.

The revamped east terrace at Red Rocks. | Photo provided

The south merch stand is replacing a former tent structure. The new, more permanent fixture provides more space to showcase the goods, as well as store items when not in use. The permanent stand will withstand inclement weather better than the old tent, and it offers more registers, allowing fans to move through the line faster and return to the show with their T-shirts or concert posters.

Like the structures at Red Rocks, the new merch stand is designed to blend in with the current architecture, enhancing the amphitheatre feel rather than detracting from the signature Red Rocks experience.

The other infrastructure improvement involves a new terrace near the east entrance stairs. The new terrace will provide additional space for fans entering the venue through the security gates. 

The terrace, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, was part of Burnham Hoyt's original architectural plan. Similar to the new merch stand, the addition is designed to blend seamlessly with the amphitheatre aesthetics. It is being constructed using the same materials found throughout the rest of the venue.

The improvements are additions to the original amphitheatre, which was constructed between 1936 and 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Following the vision of famed architect Hoyt, CCC crews removed 50,000 cubic feet of dirt and rock. The crews went on to lay more than 90,000 square feet of reddish sandstone that mirrored the natural rocks in the area. The 800 tons of sandstone were quarried from Lyons.

Today, the geologic wonder seats 9,525 people and sits on the 738 acres of Red Rocks Mountain Park, which includes free public trails. Red Rocks hosts more than 100 events each season, including Yoga on the Rocks, Film on the Rocks, Snowshape Winter Fitness, as well as world-class musicians from all genres.

To attend a concert and see the park improvements firsthand, check out the full list of shows here or below: 

CRANKDAT, Mar 27

Ravenscoon & Jantsen, Mar 28

INZO, Apr 3

it’s murph, Apr 4

ZINGARA & LEVEL UP, Apr 10

Liquid Stranger, Apr 11

John Mulaney: Mister Whatever, Apr 15

bbno$ w/ Special Guest Oliver Tree, Apr 16

Sublime, Apr 17-18

Wiz Khalifa, Apr 19

Ice Cube, Apr 20

Ethel Cain, Apr 21

Dustin Lynch & Chase Rice, Apr 22

Subtronics: Cyclops Rocks VI, Apr 23-24

Alesso, Apr 25

Bob Moses | Photo provided

Bob Moses & Cannons, Apr 26

Lewis Capaldi, Apr 28-29

Electric Callboy: Tanzneid World Tour, Apr 30

Two Friends, May 1

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, May 2

Puscifer, May 3

David Guetta, May 5

Bright Eyes, May 6

Alejandro Fernández: de Rey a Rey, May 7

ALLEYCVT PRESENTS: SUPERSONIC ROCKS, May 8

Cloonee, May 9

Hippie Sabotage, May 10

YUNGBLUD: IDOLS – The World Tour, May 11

Russell Dickerson, May 13

LIGHTCODE BY LSDREAM / DREAMROCKS II, May 16

THE ELOVATERS, May 17

Khalid: It’s Always Summer Somewhere Tour, May 18

flipturn, May 21

Seven Lions, May 22

FISHER, May 23

Alabama Shakes | Photo provided

Alabama Shakes, May 24-25

Soulshine Yoga / Michael Franti & Spearhead, May 29

Alan Walker, May 30

Alex Warren: Little Orphan Alex Live, Jun 2

Yo-Yo Ma with the Colorado Symphony, Jun 3

Brit Floyd – “THE WALL”, Jun 4

Brit Floyd – “DARK SIDE OF THE MOON”, Jun 5

Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Jun 6

Trey Anastasio with Colorado Symphony, Jun 7

Jimmy Eat World, Jun 9

Lord Huron, Jun 10

Paul Simon, Jun 12-13

Lenny Pearce / Trevor Hall, Thievery Corporation & Dirtwire, Jun 14

Rod Stewart: One Last Time, Jun 15-16

Amyl and The Sniffers, Jun 17

THIRD DAY 30th Anniversary, Jun 18

Louis Tomlinson: How Did We Get Here? World Tour, Jun 19

O.A.R., Jun 20

“Weird Al” Yankovic, Jun 23

Ziggy and Stephen Marley, Jun 24

Dirty Heads, Jun 25

Treaty Oak Revival, Jul 1

DEADROCKS XII with Zeds Dead, Jul 2-3

The Avett Brothers, Jul 10-12

KALEO, Jul 14

The Head And The Heart, Jul 15-16

The String Cheese Incident, Jul 17-18

Hilary Duff, Jul 20

Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jul 24

Sarah McLachlan, Jul 28

Parker McCollum, Jul 29

Killer Queen, Jul 30

Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jul 31-Aug 1

Slightly Stoopid, Aug 8

Motionless In White, Aug 9

Mt. Joy, Aug 13-14

Train – Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere, Aug 17

Reggae on the Rocks, Aug 22

Joe Bonamassa, Aug 23

MANÁ, Sep 4-5

Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony, Sep 6-7

Get The Led Out, Sep 17

Tape B Presents: Hallow Rocks, Oct 8-9

Sammy Virji, Oct 16

Matt Rife – Stay Golden World Tour, Oct 18

Zac Brown Band, Oct 19-20

Mersiv (Two Sets), Oct 23

Evanescence, Oct 26

Cypress Hill & Method Man & Redman: Haunted Rocks, Oct 29

mike. (with closing DJ set from Stevie Daniels), Nov 14

mike. (with opening set from DJ Stevie Daniels), Nov 15