There’s something special about live music in a mountain town, and Durango and Southwest Colorado are no exception. From intimate stages tucked inside historic buildings to outdoor parks, Durango offers an impressive range of local venues that welcome musicians and live music fans, even without a major event center/stadium.
Fort Lewis College Concert Hall
The largest live performance venue in the Durango area, the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College hosts 600 seats and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Multiple seating areas, concession stands, and in-town location on the Fort Lewis campus provide a wonderful setting for live music, theater, and more.
Animas City Theater
Located in downtown Durango, the Animas City Theater is a live music venue for local and touring musicians. You can find techno, bluegrass, country, reggae, rock, and every genre in between. Other performances include magic, movies, and community events in this 270-person capacity space. There are two bars, a balcony, and lots of room for dancing!
Bars, Restaurants, and More
With Durango’s large number of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, it’s no surprise that live music can be shared throughout these venues too. Establishments such as The Balcony Bar & Grill, The Office Spiritorium, Durango Coffee Company, James Ranch, The Garage, Starlight Lounge, Ska Brewing, El Rancho Tavern, and 11th Street Station often host live bands, DJs, and open mic nights.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad also transforms into a unique moving stage during events like the Blues Train where train cars fill with live music. Durango is also home to the Bar D Chuckwagon, the home stage to the Bar D Wranglers, performing classic western music throughout the summer as well as many special events. Purgatory Ski Resort and Durango Hot Springs also host many local musicians to give their visitors a special experience.
Parks
We’re very lucky to have so many green spaces in Durango which also serve as music venues for special events. Many local businesses and organizations utilize these spaces for their events which commonly feature live music performances. Buckley Park in downtown and Rotary Park near the Animas River are just a few. Annual events such as FLC Concert Hall @ The Park, San Juan Brewfest, and KSUT Party in the Park are ones not to miss!
Community events like the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Snowdown, and the La Plata County Fair offer even more opportunities to enjoy live music in our area.
With Durango’s extensive and creative music venues, there are always plenty of performances to attend throughout the year. For more Durango information and things to do, please contact The Durango Team.
