Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend and didn’t find yourselves on a flight back yesterday as bumpy as mine.
Couples Dinner (55+) — we’ve got one more spot for Parker tomorrow night at 6:30pm if you want to grab it here
We’re also giving away two $50 gift cards to a locally owned and operated restaurant or bar in Douglas County to the winners of our DougCo Social Giveaway — we’re celebrating hitting 300+ individuals joining us! Giveaway closes today (5/26) at noon. You can find the giveaway here
Summer Fun in Castle Rock
Alright…with graduations in the rearview and school out for the summer, we've got plenty on the docket. Castle Rock is not messing around: between the 10th-anniversary concert series, 18th-annual car show, 6th-annual whiskey fest, rodeo featuring Trace Adkins, packed double-header Colorado Day, free yoga + fitness + concerts all summer, and special America 250 / Colorado 150 4th of July — here's everything happening.
Five categories of stuff happening in Castle Rock this summer:
Ticketed concerts — the 10th anniversary PSM Summer Concert Series
The Castle Rock Summer Concert Series at Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater hits its 10th anniversary this year. Five Friday nights, June through August:
Jun 26: The Marshall Tucker Band with opener Ben Chapman — $39.05. They were part of the inaugural Summer Concert Series lineup back in 2016, and they're back to kick off the 10th anniversary.
Jul 18: Jackson Dean with opener Tigirlily Gold — $39.05.
Aug 1: Fitz and The Tantrums with opener Sun Room (Colorado Day show) — $49.35–$85.40
Aug 15: Cheap Trick with opener Pat Travers Band — $49.35
Aug 29: Still the Same — A Bob Seger Tribute with Denver Pops Orchestra — $33.90–$44.20
Gates open 6pm for most shows (Bob Seger Tribute is 7pm gates / 8pm show). Food trucks + full cocktail bar on site. Full lineup at CRgov.com/Concerts.
Free concerts all summer
Castle Rock's free concert calendar this year:
First Fridays at Festival Park — free 5K at 5:30pm, live music 6–9pm Jun 5 (Mallrats), Jul 3 (That Arena Rock Show), Aug 7 (Six Million Dollar Band). Food trucks + cocktails on site. CRgov.com/FirstFridays
Jazz in the Park — every Wednesday in June, July, August at Festival Park, 6:30–8pm. Free.
Tunes for Trails / Perks for Parks at the PSM Amphitheater — Jun 18 (The Rick Lewis Project), Jul 16 (That Eighties Band), Aug 20 (Santa Rios). Free; donations support Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation.
Rock the Mountain Summer Concert Series at the Outlets — every Saturday and Sunday, 3–6pm, May 23 through early September. 40+ shows. Free, just walk up.
Festivals + Castle Rock classics
The marquee Castle Rock events you'll want to plan around:
Jun 19–20: 18th Annual Classic Rock Cruise-In Car Show Weekend — Friday street party + free concert 6–9pm at Wilcox Square (Shelvis and the Roustabouts), Saturday main show 10am–3pm (Steve and the Cruisers, then 6202). All 300 car spots sold out — spectator entry free both days. More →
Jun 20: Colorado Whiskey Fest (6th annual) — 11am–5pm at the Fairgrounds. 21+ to taste. $75 GA / $35 non-drinker. Same Saturday as the Car Show — if you've got a designated driver, you can hit both. Get tickets →
Jun 28: Castle Rock Rotary Ducky Derby at Festival Park — annual family fundraiser. Free. More →
Jul 25: Boots and Brews — downtown Castle Rock 11am–4pm. Country music + local brews. Free admission. Details →
Jul 24 – Aug 2: Douglas County Fair & Rodeo at the Fairgrounds (10-day run) — Trace Adkins opens the Fair with his 30th Anniversary Tour on Friday Jul 24 ($65+). PRCA ProRodeo, livestock shows, carnival, food trucks. douglascountyfairandrodeo.com
Aug 1: Colorado Day Festival at PSM — free, 10am–2pm, 9am cornhole tournament, 10:30am fun run (1-mile or 5K trail, free with registration open until July 10), live music from Off Ramp / LoCo Country / Chris Daniels & The Kings, family activities, bubble & foam party, silent disco, root beer floats, food trucks. Then Fitz and The Tantrums plays the Summer Concert Series at the same amphitheater that night — full double-header day. crgov.com/3930/Colorado-Day-Festival
Get Outside
Free recurring weeklies and the bigger one-off outdoor events. The Town just rolled out a full Summer Fitness lineup that runs all summer — pick whichever fits your week.
Fridays Jun 5 – Aug 28: Fitness Fridays at Philip S. Miller Park (8–9am, cardio strength + Zumba + Reb3l dance fitness, rotates week to week) — free. Register at CRgov.com/SummerFitness
Mondays Jun 1 – Aug 31: Yoga in Festival Park (6:30–7:30pm) — free
Sundays Jun 7 – Aug 30: Yoga at PSM Amphitheater (8:30–9:30am, no class July 19 or August 16) — free
Wednesdays Jun – Aug: Free Summer Trolley Rides downtown (6–8pm) — pairs nicely with Jazz in the Park the same evening
Wednesdays all summer: Bike Night at Wide Open Saloon, Sedalia (5–9pm, free, rotating live bands).
Monthly May–Sep: Castle Rock Downtown Walking Tours (10:30am — May 30, Jun 27, Jul 18, Aug 22, Sep 26) — free, led by Castle Rock Museum staff.
May 30: Beginner Birdwatching at Lost Canyon Ranch — Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation guided 1.7-mile early-morning walk on the brand-new Willow Creek and Bootlegger trails. Free + $20 suggested donation, ages 8+, bring binoculars. Lost Canyon isn't otherwise open to the public — this is one of the only ways in. Register at Givebutter →
Jun 6: National Trails Day Guided Hikes at Gateway Mesa Open Space (8:30am–11:30am) — free, ages 7+, register at CRgov.com/TrailsDay
Jun 13: Climb4Change on the 200-step Challenge Hill at PSM — timed races, sponsored by No Limits Physical Therapy, proceeds to the Town. $25+.
Jun 13: Twilight on the Trails at Lost Canyon Ranch — 5th annual benefit for Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation. 21+ cocktail reception, $75. Sunset views, live music, tour of the brand-new trails. Attire theme: "Cocktail on top, Trail on bottom."
Jul 4: Rock-It Run — 5K, Half Marathon, free Kids 1K + post-race concert at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Largest July 4th race in DougCo. Hosted by Run to Change Lives. $43+.
Aug 8: 21st Annual Reece's Roundup at PSM — 5K + 1 Mile Walk, benefiting the Reece Rubino SMA fund. Confirm current pricing on the registration page.
Castle Rock 4th of July at Festival Park
The Town's annual Independence Day celebration runs Saturday July 4 from 5:30pm to 9:30pm at Festival Park (302 Second St). 2026 is a special America 250 / Colorado 150 version — live music, local food trucks, face painting, family activities, and the return of the Town's Pie Bake-Off competition. Weather permitting, the evening will conclude with a fireworks display. Free.
Make a day of it: start the morning at the Rock-It Run at the Fairgrounds, end the night under the fireworks at Festival Park.
Want to bookmark all of this information? Check out our guide, which we’ll continue to update, here
DougCo Social Dinner Club
We have our Parker dinner tomorrow night and will be back in Castle Rock on Wednesday, June 10.
We’ll also be hosting another Couples Dinner that night in Castle Rock. If you’d like to join us, sign up below. Please note this sign-up is on a separate platform from the Dinner Club above.
Pet Adoptions
This shaggy “little” guy, Rocco, just showed up at the Buddy Center and needs a home!
Sports
Broncos — Quiet offseason week. Rookie OL Kage Casey signed his rookie contract and fourth-round RB Jonah Coleman signed his. On the business side, the team named Dan Lolli the new general manager of Empower Field at Mile High. And Bill Barnwell's AFC offseason rundown is worth a read if you want a take on how Denver stacks up against the rest of the conference heading into camp. Barnwell’s got the re-signing of J.K. Dobbins as our best move and not addressing the Franklin-Myers vacancy as our worst move.
Nuggets — With us out, the playoff picture has narrowed to the Conference Finals. In the East, the Knicks swept the Cavaliers 4-0, finishing it off Sunday in Cleveland with a 130-93 blowout — they're now off to the NBA Finals and waiting on whoever comes out of the West. In the West, the Thunder and Spurs are tied 2-2. San Antonio took Game 4 at home Sunday 103-82, evening it up. Game 5 is back at OKC Tue, May 26 at 6:30pm. Off the floor, the All-NBA teams dropped Sunday and we landed two guys on it — Jokic on the First Team with SGA (unanimous, won MVP for the second straight year), Wembanyama, Doncic, and Cunningham; and Jamal Murray on the Third Team alongside Jalen Johnson (ATL), Jalen Duren (DET), Tyrese Maxey (PHI), and Chet Holmgren (OKC). Jokic now has twice as many All-NBA honors as anyone in Nuggets history. Trade rumors keep buzzing around Cam Johnson and Aaron Gordon as the front office tries to navigate the second apron.
Avalanche — Brutal. Down 0-3 to Vegas in the Western Conference Final after losing Game 3 in Vegas 5-3 Sunday night despite leading 3-0 after the first period. Landeskog, Kadri, and Drury (short-handed) staked us to the lead and then the wheels came off in the second when Stone, Karlsson, and Kolesar scored in a span of about twelve minutes to tie it. Hertl put Vegas ahead in the third and an empty-netter sealed it. The franchise was 74-1 all-time when leading by three or more goals. Worse, MacKinnon was hobbled after blocking a slap shot off Shea Theodore's stick midway through the second period — he managed four shifts in the third but no real intensity. Cale Makar did return for the first time after sitting out Games 1 and 2 with an upper-body injury. Per ESPN, teams that take a 3-0 lead in the round before the Stanley Cup Final are 49-0 historically (13-0 when they got there with two straight road wins to start, which Vegas did). Only four teams in NHL history have ever come back from 0-3 in any best-of-seven. Game 4 is Tue, May 26 @ Vegas (elimination game). Game 5 (if necessary) is home Thu, May 28. Game 6 (if necessary) is Sat, May 30 @ Vegas. Game 7 (if necessary) is home Mon, Jun 1.
Rockies — We're 20-35, last in the NL West. Awful week. Lost both home games to Texas (10-0 Tuesday, 5-4 Wednesday). Then headed @ Arizona and dropped three of four: 2-1 loss Thursday, 3-2 win Friday, 5-4 loss Saturday, 9-1 loss Sunday. Came into LA and dropped Monday's opener 5-3. We stay @ the Dodgers Tue, May 26 and Wed, May 27, then come home for a three-game series vs the Giants Fri, May 29 through Sun, May 31. Then we head back to California @ the Angels Mon, Jun 1.
Rapids — We're 5-9-1 (16 points), 11th in MLS. Big week split — beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at DSGP Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals to advance to the semis, then dropped a tough one at home Saturday losing 2-1 to FC Dallas. No match this coming week — MLS goes on its FIFA World Cup break and the next regular-season game isn't until Wed, Jul 22 @ San Diego FC. The Open Cup semifinal is locked in for Tue, Sep 15 at home vs St. Louis CITY SC.
Summit FC — We're 3-4-3 (12 points), 12th in NWSL. Lost 2-1 at Utah Royals Saturday — the Royals sit 1st in the NWSL table at 7-2-2. One match this week and it's on the road: we head @ Racing Louisville Fri, May 29 at 6pm.
Noteworthy: Castle Rock Water just declared a Drought Stage 1 Advisory
At Tuesday's May 19 council meeting, the council approved a Stage 1 Advisory for the Castle Rock Water service area. The town is asking customers for voluntary conservation, with a goal of reducing overall water demand by about 10% — no mandatory restrictions, no rate adjustments, existing watering schedule still applies. Local storage is fine; the call is preemptive given regional drought conditions and the town's shared WISE supply with Aurora and Denver.
Council also passed first reading of an ordinance that would temporarily block HOAs and metro districts from fining residents for brown or dormant lawns during a declared drought. Second and final reading is June 2.
Castle Rock Jobs
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Events
Next week — Tuesday Taco at Unity on Park
Our friends over at Sunday Salmon — an amazing organization we've featured before — are bringing out their taco trailer for their first public no-cost Tuesday Taco, hosted by their friends at Unity on Park, in conjunction with Wellspring. If you've been wanting to try Sunday Salmon, this is the easy intro. Show up, eat, hang out. Everyone's welcome.
Unity on Park, 884 Park St - Tuesday, June 2 - 4:45pm–6pm - Free · event details on Facebook
Tuesday, 5/26:
Provision - Ocho Plate to Glass Event - 6:00pm–9:00pm - $80 - tickets
Alidade Brewing - 2000's Millennial Trivia at Alidade Brewing - 6:00pm–8:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Trivia Night - 6:00pm–8:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Line Dancing with Joyce at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:30pm–9:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Tuesday Trivia ($0.85 Wings) - 7:00pm–8:00pm
Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co. - Geeks Who Drink Classic Trivia - 7:00pm–9:00pm
Wednesday, 5/27:
Alidade Brewing - Music Bingo - 6:00pm–8:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Trails and Ales Mountain Bike at 105 West Brewing - 6:00pm–7:00pm
Pines Bar and Grill - Karaoke Night - 6:00pm–9:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Wednesday Bingo - 6:30pm–8:30pm
Thursday, 5/28:
Crowfoot Valley Coffee & Crowbar - Trivia Night - 6:00pm–8:00pm
105 West Brewing Company - Trivia Night at 105 West Brewing - 6:00pm–8:30pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Thursday Trivia by Myxed Music at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:00pm–8:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Thursday Line Dancing - 6:00pm–10:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Free Whiskey Tasting & Poker - 7:00pm–10:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Karaoke with Jammin Joes at The Stagecoach Saloon - 8:00pm–11:00pm
Friday, 5/29:
Wide Awake Eatery - Steve Thomas (Guitar) - 5:30pm–9:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Tequila Tasting at the Castle (Currently Sold Out) - 6:00pm–9:15pm - $86.95 - tickets
Pines Bar and Grill - Blue Moon Band Live at The Pines Bar and Grill - 6:00pm–9:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - The Band Last Call Live at The Stagecoach Saloon - 6:30pm–10:30pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Friday Karaoke - 7:00pm–10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Dueling Pianos - 7:00pm–10:30pm - $13-$34 - tickets
Sinners & Saints - Grey Rails - Live at the Altar - 8:00pm–11:00pm
Saturday, 5/30:
Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space - Beginner Bird Watching at Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space - 8:00am–10:00am - suggested donation of $20/pp
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Backcountry Hike (Currently Sold Out) - 8:30am - $39.50 - tickets
Teaology Tea Cafe - Yoga with Karen - 9:30am–10:30am - $25 - tickets
Wide Awake Eatery - Shaun Peace (Guitar) — Brunch - 10:00am–1:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Acoustic Show - 2:00pm–5:00pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain: Jordan Yewey at Outlets at Castle Rock - 3:00pm–6:00pm
Alidade Brewing - Retro Video Game Tournament at Alidade Brewing - 5:00pm–9:00pm
Wide Awake Eatery - Shaun Peace (Guitar) — Dinner - 5:30pm–9:00pm
Honnibrook Craft Meadery - Mead & Magic at Honnibrook Craft Meadery - 6:00pm–7:00pm
The Stagecoach Saloon - Mountain Magic Band - 6:30pm–10:30pm
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: Giant Zero at 105 West Brewing - 6:30pm–9:30pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - John Denver "The Tribute" - 6:45pm–10:00pm - $89 - tickets
Wide Open Saloon - Chainsaw Rodeo - 7:00pm–10:30pm
Sinners & Saints - Live DJ in the Lounge with DJ Max - 9:00pm–11:59pm
Sunday, 5/31:
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Petrified Wood Hike - 8:00am - $39.50 - tickets
The Ridge at Castle Pines North - Yoga & Abeille at The Ridge - 8:30am–11:00am - $44.52 - tickets
Festival Park - Festival Park Farmers Market - 9:00am–2:00pm
Teaology Tea Cafe - Watercolor Classes with Raelene - 1:00pm–3:00pm - $42 - tickets
105 West Brewing Company - Live Music: David Chapa at 105 West Brewing - 2:30pm–5:30pm
Outlets at Castle Rock - Rock the Mountain: Blaze Duo at Outlets at Castle Rock - 3:00pm–6:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Soul School — Funk & Rock Dance Party - 5:30pm–9:00pm - $85.95 - tickets
The Whiskey Lodge - Sunday Karaoke - 6:00pm–9:00pm
Monday, 6/1:
105 West Brewing Company - Trails and Ales Run Club at 105 West Brewing - 6:00pm–7:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - Monday Bingo - 6:30pm–8:30pm
Festival Park - Yoga in the Park at Festival Park - 6:30pm–7:30pm
Heads up on events that are further out:
Wide Open Saloon - Bike Night feat. Brian Hornbuckle at Wide Open Saloon - Wed 6/3, 5:00pm–9:00pm
Festival Park - Free Summer Trolley Rides - Wed 6/3, 6:00pm–8:00pm
Festival Park - Jazz in the Park - Wed 6/3, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Wide Awake Eatery - Dueling Pianos at Wide Awake Eatery - Thu 6/4, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $23.18+ - tickets
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Fitness Fridays: Dance Party Kickoff - Fri 6/5, 8:00am–9:00am
Festival Park - First Fridays Family 5K and Concert: Mallrats - Fri 6/5, 5:30pm–9:00pm
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Wine Tasting at the Castle: Summer Sippers of the West Coast - Fri 6/5, 6:30pm - $69.95 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Hike: A Walk Through Time - Sat 6/6, 8:00am - $39.50 - tickets
Gateway Mesa Open Space - National Trails Day Guided Hikes - Sat 6/6, 8:30am–11:30am
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Denver Jazz Orchestra - Sun 6/7, 2:00pm–5:30pm - $83.25 - tickets
Festival Park - Yoga in the Park at Festival Park - Mon 6/8, 6:30pm–7:30pm
Festival Park - Castle Rock Artisan Expo at Festival Park - Fri 6/12, 10:00am–5:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park - Climb4Change Castle Rock — 5K, Trail, Stairs - Sat 6/13, 7:00am–11:30am - $25-$45 - tickets
Festival Park - Castle Rock Artisan Expo at Festival Park (Saturday) - Sat 6/13, 10:00am–5:00pm
Lost Canyon Ranch Open Space - Twilight on the Trails 2026 - Sat 6/13, 6:00pm–9:00pm - $75+ - tickets
Festival Park - Castle Rock Artisan Expo at Festival Park (Sunday) - Sun 6/14, 10:00am–5:00pm
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Tunes for Trails / Perks for Parks Free Concert: The Rick Lewis Project - Thu 6/18, 6:30pm–9:00pm
Wilcox Square (Downtown Castle Rock) - Castle Rock Car Show Weekend Kickoff Concert 2026 - Fri 6/19, 6:00pm–9:00pm
Wilcox Square (Downtown Castle Rock) - Castle Rock Car Show 2026 — Main Show Day - Sat 6/20, 10:00am–3:00pm
Douglas County Fairgrounds & Event Center - Colorado Whiskey Fest 2026 - Sat 6/20, 11:00am–5:00pm - $35-$75 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Waterloo: The Centennial Gala at Cherokee Castle - Sat 6/20, 6:00pm - $180-$381 - tickets
Wide Open Saloon - Float Like a Buffalo (Outdoor Concert Series Kickoff) - Sat 6/20, 7:00pm–10:30pm - Starts at $23.18 (GA) / VIP $33.85 - tickets
Cherokee Ranch & Castle - Wine Tasting: Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine of Verona - Wed 6/24 - $72 - tickets
Philip S. Miller Park Amphitheater - Summer Concert Series: The Marshall Tucker Band with Ben Chapman - Fri 6/26, 6:00pm–10:00pm - $35+ - tickets
Worth the drive: other Douglas County events can be found in our sister newsletter, DougCo Drop — subscribe below.
⚠️ Please verify event details and availability with the respective venues or organizers, as schedules may change.
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