Historical Ghost Tour – Durango Ghost Walk
When: 7 p.m. daily in June
Location: Downtown Durango
Cost: $20 for kids and adults ages 10 and over; kids under 10 are free
Info: Visit www.ghostwalkdurango.com/
Take a walk through 140 years of haunted history in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. GHOST WALK DURANGO is a guided walking tour starting at the Old Durango High School (201 East 12th Street) through the historic district of Durango, Colorado. Durango was founded officially in 1880 to serve the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad following an unsuccessful negotiation with the existing settlement of Animas City 2 miles North. Gun battles, including the Stockton Gang and the Simmons Gang feud, lynchings, a fire in 1889 that consumed most of the wooden buildings and sidewalks in town, the Spanish Flu epidemic, and a general reckless ‘Devil May Care’ element that was omnipresent in the early days have all contributed to countless ghost and haunting stories. For the first 40 years of Durango’s existence, no sane person left their home without a pistol. For farmers, ranchers and business people alike a lever-action rifle or double-barrel shotguns were strapped to a plow, in a saddle scabbard, or propped against a desk more often than not. All stories you will hear have been researched and well documented, and may have been experienced by your guide personally. Folklore and legends have been carefully preserved from generations of local storytellers. As educational as it is fun, GHOST WALK DURANGO is one of Durango’s most popular attractions and a sure bet for fun and thrills. Tours are offered nightly at 7:00 pm.
If a time or date isn’t listed on our booking site please contact us, we may be able to accommodate your request. Perfect for couples and kids from 1-101.
Horsefly History Tours’ Quick & Dirty Walking Tour
When: Tuesdays in June, 10 a.m.
Location: Downtown Durango
Cost: $25
Info: Visit horseflyhistory.com
For those seeking the highlight reel of Durangos Historic Downtown history. This is a must-do for locals to learn where actual notorious Wild West events happened (as opposed to the lore) to share with your summer guests. Both tourists and locals alike will walk away with a very different view of Durango and a deeper appreciation. Were six or more outlaws hung on the hanging tree? Where was the hanging tree? Listen to true stories of outlaws, entrepreneurs, red-light districts, and extraordinary lawmen of the time.
This tour meets at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot (gather at the horse sculptures out front). Please note this is a one-way walk down Main Avenue. We will end at the Jack Dempsey Mural at El Rancho Tavern. On this 60-90 minute tour we will not enter establishments. This makes it an option for those in wheelchairs (be prepared for uneven Durango sidewalks however). After the tour you will be right on time for lunch at any of our wonderful downtown restaurants; now with a newfound appreciation of Durango.
Horsefly History Tours’ Hauntings & History
When: Tuesdays in June, 8 p.m.
Location: Downtown Durango
Cost: $25
Info: Visit horseflyhistory.com
Downtown Durango is saturated with paranormal activity. You dont need to walk far to get your fill of ghost stories. Main Avenue was once home to a plethora of saloons, dance halls, brothels, and gambling halls. It was the stomping ground for outlaws, gamblers, prostitutes, miners, and railroad workers. Late night escapades, fueled by whiskey, led to many tragic events resulting in the ghosts that wander the streets today.
Our 90-minute Hauntings & History Ghost Tour will not disappoint. We will meet outside of Hermosa Cafe (738 Main Ave) at dusk. Come early and order a drink from their bar to bring to our first stop. We will be in one of the oldest basements downtown and (spoiler alert!) it’s haunted! We have conducted paranormal investigations in the location and have captured quite a bit of evidence. We only have temporary access to this location so don’t miss out!!!
Wherever we tread on Main Avenue you will hear tales of apparitions who refuse to leave the places they inhabited in life. Because of the tight sidewalks downtown and Covid guidelines we cap our tours at 10 people. Your fully vaccinated guide will not be wearing a mask while outside in order for guests to better hear the information. We do require our groups to wear their masks in order to ensure safety in the case that not everyone is vaccinated.
True Western Roundup
When: Wednesdays in June, 6:30 p.m.
Location: La Plata County Fairgrounds
2500 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: $10-$15
Info: Visit truewesternroundup.com
The True Western Roundup, formerly known as the True West Rodeo, brings together the western heritage of Durango. The 2021 season will involve rodeos with over 4,000 spectators, honoring Durango’s western roots with broncs, bulls and wild west entertainment. Rodeos happen each Wednesday at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
The mission of the True Western Roundup is to preserve western heritage in a family friendly atmosphere. This means each week’s rodeo promises fun and excitement for spectators of all ages. Rodeo has deep roots in Durango. The sport rose from the practices of working cattle herders in Spain and Mexico, who brought the friendly competition to the Four Corners region. True Western Roundup in Durango tests the skills and mettle of cowboys and cowgirls from southwest Colorado and beyond.
The True Western Roundup honors this rich history through bulls, broncs and true western entertainment. Events at the True Western Roundup include open bull riding, saddle broncs, ranch broncs, bareback, novice bull riding, breakaway, barrel racing, and team roping.
Beam Me Up Starlight Trivia Night
When: Every Thursday in June at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Starlight Lounge
937 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
Info: https://www.facebook.com/Starlight-Lounge-109566113771562/
HOSTED BY ARIA PETTYONE – BEAM ME UP STARLIGHT
Drag – Trivia – Prizes
Thursdays 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Social Distancing & CDC Guidelines Will Be Enforced.
Ska-BQ Returns!
When: Every Thursday in June
Location: Ska Brewing
225 Girard St., Durango
Cost: Free/varies
Info: Visit skabrewing.com/ska-bq-every-thursday/
Ska-BQ! Live music every Thursday from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Food specials and $3 mainline pints.
Animas River Days
When: June 3-6; times vary
Location: Santa Rita Park
149 S. Camino del Rio, Durango
Cost: Varies
Info: Visit animasriverdays.com
Animas River Days includes these sporting events: river surfing, stand-up paddling, freestyle kayaking, boatercross, raft and kayak slalom, an inflatable rodeo and the local’s favorite costumed river parade.
Animas River Days started in 1983 when local paddling legend Nancy Wiley put on the first whitewater rodeo in Durango, CO. As time went on, Animas River Days has drawn paddlers from all around the world to its events.
Durango’s Whitewater Park has hosted the U.S. National team trials for freestyle, slalom, and wild water events as well as the U.S. National Championships in slalom and open canoe slalom. From 1989 to 1996, Durango was also the host of the Champion International Whitewater Slalom Series.
Our world class whitewater park includes key features including Smelter Rapid, Corner Pocket, Ponderosa Wave, and Clocktower. This year we have higher than normal snow pack and are expecting a near high-water event!
Pro-athletes from Jackson Kayak, Badfish, Liquid Logic, Red Bull, Pyranha, Hala and SOL have been known to compete at Animas River Days. We also have many talented local paddlers who will show off their skills during the events!
High Country Hustle, live at the Animas Theatre
When: Two shows on June 4, 6:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Location: Animas Theatre
128 E. College Dr., Durango
Cost: $20
Info: Visit animascitytheatre.com
Animas City Theatre & Prohibition Herb present High Country Hustle, a high energy bluegrass group out of Durango, Colorado. High Country Hustle will be playing two shows in one night, one at 6:45 p.m and the other at 9:45 p.m.
Raft & Craft Yampa River 4-Day Trip hosted by Mild to Wild
When: June 3-6
Location: Dinosaur National Park
Maybell, CO
Cost: $1,115 per person
Info: Visit mild2wildrafting.com/events.html
This one-of-a-kind rafting trip is bringing Ska Brewing’s scrumptious suds along for the ride. Beer tastings of Ska’s famous brews elevate this already phenomenal drift through the Yampa River Canyon, and make for a great reason to get groups of friends and family together again. Be prepared for plenty of flights and awesome educational sessions hosted by one of Ska’s brewers in between hikes and whitewater runs.
Movies in the Park presents Jurassic Park (2019)
When: June 4, 7:45 p.m.
Location: Buckley Park
1200 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
Info: Visit www.durangogov.org/DocumentCenter/View/19980/Movies-in-the-Park-Flyer?bidId=
The Movies in the Park Series is FREE to the community thanks to our local sponsors. Join us to watch family friendly movies and classics on a 20’ movie screen! Bring your blankets, chairs, family, and friends to enjoy a night at the movies together under the stars. Popcorn and beverages will be available for purchase at each event. Movies will begin 15 minutes after sunset.
Disco Night at the Roller Rink
When: June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19
Location: Chapman Hill
500 Florida Rd., Durango
Cost: $10 per person
Info: Visit durangogov.org/DocumentCenter/View/20002/Chapman-Summer-Schedule-
Chapman Hill roller rink will open for the season with Disco Nights!
The cost is $10 per person with or without skate rentals. Public skating will be limited to Disco Night at this time. Reservations are not required.
Fox Fire Farms Picnic Concert Series
When: June 12, 4-7 p.m.; June 26, 4-7 p.m.
Location: Fox Fire Farms
5513 County Road 321, Ignacio
Cost: Free
Info: Visit foxfirefarms.com
Pack your own picnic lunch. The concert on June 12 features La La Bones bluegrass; June 26 features Reeder and Spencer, a mandolin and guitar duo featuring classic tunes for everyone.
Wine will be available for purchase at the winery.
Children welcome, and bring your pet on a leash too. No cover charge! No reservations needed!
The 7th Annual Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering
When: June 13, 5-8 p.m.
Location: River Bend Ranch
27846 Highway 550, Durango
Cost: $15 advance tickets; $20 online and at the door; children 12 and under are free
Info: For more information, call 512-517-5619 or visit durangocowboygathering.org
The 7th Annual Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering Outdoor Concert & Barn Dance featuring the Tim Sullivan Band will be held Sunday, June 13th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at River Bend Ranch, 27846 Hwy 550N. This event is a fundraiser for the Gathering and its youth programs. Lone Spur Café will be serving a choice of their delicious pulled pork or chicken sandwiches, coleslaw or beans ,and water, iced tea and/or lemonade for only $10. Scoops of wonderful Cream Bean Berry Ice Cream will be offered for dessert!
Tickets may be purchased at www.durangocowboygathering.org. We ask that you please buy them online, if possible, but they will also be available at the door.
Free admission for children under 12. Tables and chairs will be located inside and out, but you might want to consider bringing lawn chairs or blankets if you would like to sit under the old willows by the beautiful five-acre lake. Please, no pets.
Ride the Rockies
When: June 13-18
Location: Varies
Cost: Varies
Info: Visit ridetherockies.com
The Denver Post Community is the community relations arm of The Denver Post. Through a variety of events and programs – including Ride The Rockies – The Denver Post Community invests a value of more than $6 million in local nonprofit organizations and events each year. Through grants, sponsorship, in-kind advertising, signature events, and volunteerism, The Denver Post Community strives to improve and enrich the lives of those in our community. Through the Foundation, all money raised is distributed to Colorado nonprofits in the areas of arts, youth, education, and basic human services.
Traveling Silent Auction
In partnership with The Denver Post Community Foundation, Ride The Rockies is thrilled to bring back our Traveling Silent Auction, helping to raise even more money for deserving nonprofits across the state. The generous cyclists of this ride help us achieve this goal year in and year out. Be sure to visit the auction tent at the headquarter site in each host community. Bid high and bid often!
Movies in the Park presents Frozen II
When: June 18, 7:45 p.m.
Location: Buckley Park
1200 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
Info: Visit www.durangogov.org/DocumentCenter/View/19980/Movies-in-the-Park-Flyer?bidId=
The Movies in the Park Series is FREE to the community thanks to our local sponsors.
Join us to watch family friendly movies and classics on a 20’ movie screen! Bring your blankets, chairs, family, and friends to enjoy a night at the movies together under the stars. Popcorn and beverages will be available for purchase at each event. Movies will begin 15 minutes after sunset.
Music at The Nugget: Miller & The Other Sinners with Be It A Martyr & Sean Farley
When: June 18, 5-9 p.m.
Location: The Nugget Mountain Bar
48721 N. Highway 550, Durango
Cost: $10
Info: Visit iammusicfest.us/tc-events/nugget-june-18
Raised on gospel and radio, as a singer/songwriter/guitarist, David Michael Miller blends the angst of blues, attitude of rock, sexy of soul and storytelling of country into a blend he calls “southern soul” and presents it with his band, Miller and The Other Sinners. Imagine Chris Stapleton hanging with ZZ Top and Tower of Power and you’ve got his sound.. Miller has been playing solo, solo/duo and up to 10 piece band shows across 21 states, 2 countries, 250,000+ miles of road and over 1000 shows. With and without his “Sinners”, Miller has opened for such talent as The Steve Miller Band, Joe Bonamassa, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gary Clark Jr and Eric Gales, and shared festival stages with Gov’t Mule, Mavis Staples, Jon Oates, The Revivalists, The Campbell Brothers and Anders Osborne. Miller and The Other Sinners has lit up festival stages such as Borderland, Muzikfest, Telluride Blues and Brews, Fairport, Lilac, Blues in the Bay, Silver City Blues and many more. THE iAM MUSIC FEST! featuring Baracutanga & Hello Dollface with Ryelle Carley, Desert Child, and The Secret Circus Society
When: June 19, 4:30-9:00 p.m.
Location: Buckley Park
1200 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: $15 per person to $150 for a 6-person table
Info: Visit iammusicfest.us/tc-events/buckley-june
Baracutanga (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, USA): Baracutanga blends South American ancestral traditions with a modern sensibility, creating songs that cross linguistic and cultural barriers, building bridges between the south and the north, overcoming the barriers of discrimination and promoting intercultural experiences that empower Latinos and all people with a positive message of self-affirmation. Baracutanga promotes non-violence and conceive their music as a vessel to acknowledge cultural pluralism. Baracutanga‘s live shows are joyous, intense and explosive, propelled by the sounds of Andean flutes, charango, accordion, marimba, horns, guitar, bass, drums, vocal harmonies, and an array of percussion, often joined on stage, by Afro-Peruvian and Colombian dancers. Baracutanga have received multiple regional awards and have performed across the United States, as well as in Canada and México.
Sorrel Sky-Durango One-Man Show presenting Greg Overton
When: June 24, 6 p.m.
Location: Sorrel Sky Gallery
828 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Free
Info: Visit https://aotw.com/events/sorrel-sky-durango-one-man-show-presenting-greg-overton/
The art gallery Sorrel Sky presents a one-man show featuring Greg Overton.
Super Pride at Buckley Park
When: June 26, 5-8 p.m.
Location: Buckley Park
1200 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: $15 to $50
Info: Visit eventbrite.com/e/super-pride-tickets-152782298969
Join the Rainbow Youth Center for costumes, cosplay, and concerts!
Welcome to SUPER PRIDE! Join us for our socially distanced Summer Fundraiser at Buckley Park. With live music by Profetic Calaveras and Denae Stucka-Benally + a family-friendly talent show and costume contest, we’ve got a fun-filled night planned! In addition, bid on our silent auction items, take photos at the photo booth, and get dinner from local food vendors.Proceeds from ticket sales will go to forming a LGBTQIA+ youth of culture group.
Also, don’t forget to dress up! We’ll pick our favorite costume of the event, and the winner will get an Osprey backpack filled with RYC goodies.
Throughout the night, enjoy silent auction bidding, take pictures at the comic themed photo booth, purchase RYC merchandise, and eat dinner from various food trucks/booths stationed around Buckley Park
Grilled Cheese Experience
When: June 26, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: La Plata County Senior Center Front Lawn
2424 Main Ave., Durango
Cost: Varies
Info: Visit www.fourcornersexpos.com/grilled-cheese-experience
Get ready for the Grilled Cheese Experience!
The Grilled Cheese Experience is a festival celebrating the delicious combination of melty cheese, freshly toasted bread, and the infinite ingredients that upgrade a regular sandwich to a gourmet recipe.
Participating vendors will create a recipe for a unique grilled cheese sandwich to sample and sell. All participants should try to create the best sandwich by experimenting with various bread, cheeses, and fun, fresh ingredients. Attendees will have the opportunity to then buy samples or full meals from the different Food Vendors.
Free Veterans Float & Picnic
When: June 27, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Santa Rita Park
149 S. Camino del Rio, Durango
Cost: Free for veterans; $10 for others
Info: Email [email protected]