Crystal Valley Blog

Labor Day weekend and beyond bring plenty of family fun, from the Summer Concert Series at Philip S.Miller Amphitheater, featuring Yachty Got Back, joined by the 65-member Denver Pops Orchestra to Neil Young performing live at Fiddler’s Green. Don’t miss out on the fun things to do this weekend and next in and near Castle Rock.

TODAY/TONIGHT, Thursday, August 28

BUFFALO LODGE SUMMER MARKET
Come enjoy an evening of shopping and fun with live music, locally crafted drinks, and a rotating mix of local artists and vendors set up outside the main Lodge. The market runs on Thursday nights all summer, with vendors and music varying weekly — plus limited parking at the back of the property (please bike in or carpool if possible).

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, 2 El Paso Blvd., Colorado Springs
6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

GIDDY UP TO THE RANCH
Rustle up some fun at The Ranch, where young cowpokes can put their imagination to work tending horses and animals, baling hay, gardening, and more, using play materials and equipment. With a standalone stable, tractor, and mini grain silo, the spirit of the West comes to life in this interactive play space.

Sponsored by Rotary Club of Castle Rock, these hands-on exhibits offer the littles a lot of “what’s-it-like” kid friendly exploration right up Plum Creek and north on Wilcox.

Castle Rock Library, 100 S. Wilcox, Castle Rock
Library Hours
FREE

TOMORROW, Friday, August 29

S’MORES & STORYTIME
Spend a cozy evening in nature with your little ones at this family-friendly event in the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Enjoy a picnic dinner, explore the outdoors together, and then gather around the campfire to roast s’mores while staff share a seasonal story — perfect for winding down as the sun sets.

Backcountry Wilderness Area, 6005 Ron King Trail, Highlands Ranch
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Tickets: HRCA Member $12/Program Guest $15

NOCTURNAL NATURE
Discover the wild wonders of the dark during this unique after-hours program at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Middle and high school students will join zoo staff and teens to explore nocturnal animals living in our own backyard and learn about the fascinating adaptations that help them thrive at night.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs
5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $36.75 per student

Saturday, August 30

COFFEE WITH A RANGER
Start your morning with coffee and conversation at Dawson Butte Open Space. Join Ranger Lindsay at the trailhead for a casual chat about Leave No Trace principles and the importance of outdoor ethics while enjoying the fresh air. Coffee is provided — just bring your favorite mug!

Dawson Butte Open Space, 1753 Tomah Rd., Castle Rock
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Tickets: Free

SECOND ANNUAL GREEN CHILE KICKOFF
Celebrate the return of chile season at Summerland Gardens with live roasting of Hatch and Pueblo green chiles, food trucks, and a fiesta of flavor. Freshly roasted chiles will be available for purchase in bags and bushels — perfect for stocking up and savoring all year long.

Summerland Gardens, Colorado Springs
11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

ROCK THE MOUNTAIN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Celebrate the season with live, local music at the Outlets at Castle Rock’s East 4th Street Courtyard. Enjoy good vibes, great performances, and tasty food trucks as part of the Rock the Mountain Summer Concert Series — back for its third year! Don’t miss David Chapa Music rocking the stage this Saturday.

Outlets at Castle Rock, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

LITTLE BIG TOWN
AEG Presents brings country superstars Little Big Town to the Ford Amphitheater with special guests Wynonna Judd and Shelby Lynne.

Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music under the Colorado Springs sky.

Ford Amphitheater, 95 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs
7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Varies (all ages)

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES — YACHTY GOT BACK WITH DENVER POPS ORCHESTRA
Dance the night away at Castle Rock’s premier summer concert series with Colorado’s favorite yacht rock band, Yachty Got Back, joined by the 65-member Denver Pops Orchestra. This high-energy 13-piece band delivers nostalgic ‘70s and ‘80s soft rock hits with powerhouse vocals, choreography, and costumes for the ultimate yacht rock experience. Gates open at 7:00 p.m. at the stunning Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater.
Amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, 1375 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30–$60

Saturday–Monday, August 30–September 1

LABOR DAY LIFT OFF
Watch the skies fill with color at Colorado Springs’ annual Labor Day Lift Off, where dozens of hot air balloons launch at dawn in a breathtaking celebration of the holiday weekend. Held at Memorial Park, this family-friendly festival also features live entertainment, food vendors, and interactive activities, drawing visitors from across the country for one of the region’s most iconic end-of-summer traditions.

Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs
6:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. daily
Tickets: Free

51ST LABOR DAY ART FESTIVAL
Celebrate creativity and community at the 51st Annual Commonwheel Labor Day Art Festival in Manitou Springs. Featuring over 90 artists from across the country, this beloved tradition offers dazzling glasswork, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, woodwork, and fiber arts. Stroll through vibrant booths, meet talented makers, and enjoy an end-of-summer festival the whole family will love.

Memorial Park, 502 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily
Tickets: Free

Sunday, August 31

FESTIVAL PARK FARMERS MARKET
Shop nearly 40 local vendors offering farm-fresh produce, locally raised meats, eggs, baked goods, and artisan-made products at the Festival Park Farmers Market. Enjoy a Sunday morning outdoors while supporting local business, connecting with neighbors, and savoring the best flavors of the season. The market runs weekly through October 12.

Festival Park, 300 Second St., Castle Rock
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free admission

MARKET IN THE PARK-ET
 Shop vintage and up-cycled fashion, handmade jewelry, home décor, artwork, gifts, and more at Denver’s newest outdoor market. Held at the historic Washington Park Boathouse, this monthly event blends local vendors with live music, food, drinks, and laid-back park vibes for a full day of fun.

Washington Park Boathouse, E. Kentucky Ave. & S. Downing St., Denver
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free admission (vendors on-site)

NEXT WEEK: Monday, September 1

LABOR DAY VINTAGE BASE BALL
Step back to the 1880s and cheer on the Camp Creek Cloud Busters at Rock Ledge Ranch’s annual Labor Day vintage base ball match. With old-fashioned rules, lively crowd interaction, and classic treats like sodas, peanuts, and crackerjacks, this historic pastime brings America’s favorite game to life. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and root for the home team! First pitch at 1:00 p.m.

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, Colorado Springs
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $8 · Seniors/Military $5 · Youth (3–17) $4

55TH ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL & PARADE
Celebrate Labor Day with the 55th Annual Fall Festival, a beloved community tradition featuring a lively parade, live music, food trucks, and local vendors offering everything from arts and crafts to delicious treats. With this year’s theme, The Spirit of the West, families can enjoy kid-friendly entertainment, games, and festivities that bring neighbors together for a day of fun and fall celebration.

Main Street, Fountain
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

NEIL YOUNG AT FIDDLER’S GREEN!
Neil Young’s work is characterized by deeply personal lyrics, distinctive guitar work, and signature nasal tenor (and frequently alto) singing voice.  Although he accompanies himself on several different instruments including piano and harmonica his style of hammer-on acoustic guitar and often idiosyncratic soloing on electric guitar are the linchpins of a sometimes ragged, sometimes polished, yet consistently evocative sound. Although Young has experimented widely with differing music styles, including swing, jazz, rockabilly, blues, and electronica throughout a varied career, his best-known work usually falls into either of two distinct styles: folk-esque acoustic rock (as heard in songs such as Heart of Gold, Harvest Moon and Old Man) and electric-charged hard rock (in songs like Cinnamon Girl, Rockin’ in the Free World and Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black).

Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater, 6350 Greenwood Plaza, Greenwood Village
7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Tickets: Starting at $56

Thursday, September 4

“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC
Get ready for laughs, parodies, and a larger-than-life performance as “Weird Al” Yankovic brings his BIGGER & WEIRDER 2025 Tour to the Ford Amphitheater. With his legendary band and a super-sized multimedia production, Al will perform his biggest hits along with rare fan favorites in an unforgettable comedy rock spectacle. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Ford Amphitheater, 95 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs
8:00 p.m.
Tickets: Varies

Friday, September 5

NIGHT OF WHITE LIGHTS
Step into an enchanting evening with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association at Night of White Lights — a sophisticated outdoor celebration in a secret location revealed just before the event. Dress in all white and enjoy live music, dancing, a silent auction, and community connection. Bring your own gourmet picnic or try local food trucks, all while supporting world-class music education for youth in the Pikes Peak region.

Colorado Springs Youth Symphony, 3113 Primrose Drive, Colorado Springs
6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Tickets: Varies

Saturday, September 6

BUMPS & BABIES COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER 2025
Celebrate the journey into motherhood at this fun and welcoming community baby shower! Expecting and new moms can connect with local businesses and professionals, enjoy food and excitement, and take home plenty of free giveaways with chances to win great door prizes. VIP packages with special gift bags are also available.

HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge, 10101 Ridgegate Parkway, Lone Tree
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (doors at 8:50 a.m.)
Tickets: $5 in advance/$10 at the door · VIP $30 (includes gift bag)

OUTDOOR MODEL TRAIN DAY & 150TH CELEBRATION
All aboard for a special day at the Castle Rock Museum! Explore the garden model train and historic building replicas on display, enjoy free train rides, and listen to live music from the Castle Rock Band. This year’s event also marks the 150th anniversary of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway depot, now home to the museum. Don’t miss the official anniversary ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

Castle Rock Museum, 420 Elbert St., Castle Rock
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

HRCA WILDCAT MOUNTAIN TRAIL RACES
Hit the trails at the annual Wildcat Mountain races, starting from the Douglas County East/West trailhead at Rocky Heights Middle School. Runners will follow the scenic E/W trail into the HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area’s Wildcat Mountain trail system for a challenging and beautiful course.

Rocky Heights Middle School, 11033 Monarch Blvd., Littleton
6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $11.85–$54.25

Sunday, September 7

TRI THE ROCK
Pull on your swimsuit, hop on your bike, and lace up your sneakers for the 20th annual Tri the Rock youth triathlon in Castle Rock! Open to athletes ages 5–18 of all ability levels, this fun event features age-based swim, bike, and run distances at Butterfield Crossing Park & Pool. Registration includes a T-shirt, goody bag, and post-race meal — don’t miss this Castle Rock tradition.

Butterfield Crossing Park & Pool, 3952 W. Butterfield Crossing Dr., Castle Rock
7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (bike racks open at 6:30 a.m.)
Tickets: $66.38 (registration required; deadline Sept. 1)

Tuesday, September 9

BATTY ABOUT CASTLE ROCK
Discover the fascinating world of bats and other local wildlife in this educational program presented by Douglas Land Conservancy and the Town of Castle Rock. Part of the Animals Around the Rock series, this evening event explores the unique characteristics of raptors, reptiles, bats, insects, and more.

Millhouse at Philip S. Miller Park, 1381 W. Plum Creek Pkwy., Castle Rock
6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Suggested donation $10 per person/$20 per family (registration required)

Crystal Valley: Location, Location, Location

As summer winds down and Labor Day approaches, there’s still time to soak up the sunshine in Crystal Valley. From outdoor concerts and community festivals to golden-hour walks along scenic trails, Castle Rock is alive with ways to enjoy the season’s final moments. Discover beautifully crafted ranch-style and two-story homes by D.R. Horton, Richmond American, and Taylor Morrison (final opportunity!) starting from the $600s — where Labor Day celebrations, late-summer fun, and everyday comfort come together.