Cherokee Ranch & Castle Events 2026
A Scottish-style stone castle on 3,000 acres of Colorado foothills — between Sedalia and Highlands Ranch — hosting 17+ ticketed public events every summer. Concerts at the castle. Tribute acts on the veranda tent. Wine and whiskey tastings. Guided geology and archaeology hikes. And in 2026, a once-in-a-century milestone: the 100th anniversary of Cherokee Castle itself. All tickets are through OvatiOnTix.
Part of the Summer of Fun: Douglas County 2026 guide.
About Cherokee Ranch & Castle
Cherokee Ranch & Castle sits at 6113 N Daniels Park Rd in Sedalia — on more than 3,000 acres of foothills in unincorporated Douglas County, roughly halfway between Sedalia and Highlands Ranch. The Scottish-style stone castle was built by Tweet Kimball, an eccentric philanthropist who turned the high plains property into a working cattle ranch centered on a castle she had constructed in the style of a Scottish highland fortress.
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Cherokee Castle — a milestone celebrated with the Waterloo: The Centennial Gala on June 20. The property is operated today by the Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation, which runs a full calendar of public ticketed events: castle concerts, tribute acts on the veranda tent, wine and whiskey tastings inside the castle, guided outdoor hikes across the 3,000-acre property, afternoon tea, castle tours, murder mystery dinners, and elk bugling season viewings each fall.
All public events are ticketed through OvatiOnTix. Browse the full calendar at cherokeeranch.org/events or purchase directly at ci.ovationtix.com/36426.
Summer 2026 at a Glance
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June | ||
| Jun 6 | Walk Through Time | Outdoor Hike |
| Jun 12 | Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE! | Castle |
| Jun 13 | Geology Hike | Outdoor Hike |
| Jun 20 | Waterloo: The Centennial Gala at Cherokee Castle100th anniversary gala | Castle |
| Jun 20 | Archaeology Hike | Outdoor Hike |
| Jun 21 | Father's Day Brunch | Castle |
| Jun 24 | Wine Tasting at the Castle — Featuring Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine of Verona | Castle |
| Jun 29 | Cherokee Setting of the Sun and Rising of the Full Moon | Outdoor Hike |
| July | ||
| Jul 10 | Groove 'N MotionPowered by The Rocky Mountain Horns | Tent |
| Jul 12 | The Jersey's Rock the Veranda at the Castle!Frankie Valli & Four Seasons tribute | Veranda Tent |
| Jul 15 | Wine Tasting at the Castle — Featuring Shannon Ridge Family of Wines | Castle |
| Jul 18 | Lookin Back BandClassic rock — 60s, 70s, and 80s | Castle |
| Jul 24, 6 p.m. | Face Vocal Band | Castle |
| August | ||
| Aug 8 | Backcountry Hike | Outdoor Hike |
| Aug 9 | Peter Kater LiveGrammy-winning pianist | Castle |
| Aug 21 | Wine Tasting at the Castle — California Wines | Castle |
| Aug 28 | Whiskey Tasting — Wild World of Bourbon | Castle |
All events ticketed through OvatiOnTix — ci.ovationtix.com/36426. Dates and lineups subject to change — verify before driving.
Concerts & Tribute Acts
Six concerts and tribute performances fill the Cherokee Ranch summer calendar — a mix of events inside the castle itself and shows on the outdoor Veranda Tent. The tribute act format is a house specialty: expect show-quality performances, not cover-band versions, in an intimate and genuinely unusual setting. Buy early — castle-capacity shows sell out.
- Jun 12
- Jul 10
- Jul 12
- Jul 18
- Jul 24, 6 p.m.Face Vocal BandCastle
- Aug 9
Wine & Whiskey Tastings
Three wine tastings and one whiskey tasting run inside the castle through the summer months. Each tasting is curated around a specific producer or region — not a generic pour. The August whiskey event, Wild World of Bourbon, closes out the tasting calendar before elk bugling season begins in September.
- Jun 24
- Jul 15
- Aug 21
- Aug 28
Hikes & Nature Programs
Cherokee Ranch's 3,000+ foothills acres include geology, archaeology, and wildlife programs that are not available anywhere else in Douglas County. Summer hikes run from early June through August. The crown jewel of the outdoor calendar is the elk bugling season viewing program in September and early October — when the elk on the property become visible at dusk during peak bugling season.
- Jun 6Walk Through TimeOutdoor Hike
- Jun 13Geology HikeOutdoor Hike
- Jun 20Archaeology HikeOutdoor Hike
- Jun 29
- Aug 8Backcountry HikeOutdoor Hike
Elk Bugling Season Viewings — Sep 15 – Oct 1, 2026 (Tue–Thu evenings)
As summer gives way to fall, Cherokee Ranch opens its elk bugling season viewings — Tuesday through Thursday evenings from September 15 through October 1. Elk on the 3,000-acre property are visible at dusk during bugling season, when the bulls challenge each other across the foothills. This is a distinctive wildlife experience with no real equivalent in the rest of Douglas County. Tickets via OvatiOnTix.
Special Events
Waterloo: The Centennial Gala — June 20, 2026
- When: Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Where: Cherokee Castle (interior)
- What: One-night ticketed gala marking the 100th anniversary of Cherokee Castle — a once-in-a-century event at the venue
- Tickets: ci.ovationtix.com/36426
2026 marks 100 years since Cherokee Castle was built. The Waterloo: The Centennial Gala is the signature event celebrating that milestone — inside the castle itself. If there is one Cherokee Ranch event to prioritize in 2026, this is it. Buy early.
Father's Day Brunch — June 21, 2026
- When: Sunday, June 21, 2026
- Where: Cherokee Castle (interior)
- Tickets: ci.ovationtix.com/36426
Year-Round Programs (May through October)
- Castle Tours: May 19 – Oct 30, 2026, Tuesday–Friday — 90-minute guided tours inside the castle. Tickets via OvatiOnTix.
- Arts Afield: May 20 – Sep 2, 2026 — visual arts program at the ranch.
- Afternoon Tea at the Castle: May 21 – Oct 30, 2026, Thursdays and Fridays. Tickets via OvatiOnTix.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Shows: Monthly (May 22, Sep 4, Oct 2, Oct 17, Nov 20, Dec 18 — summer months Jun–Aug are omitted from the murder mystery rotation, which resumes in September). Tickets via OvatiOnTix.
- Princess Parties at the Castle: Jun 28 – Dec 13, multiple Sundays. Tickets via OvatiOnTix.
- Cherokee Ranch Summer Teacher Institute: Jun 2, 9, 16, 2026 — STEM professional development for teachers.
Getting There & Tips
- Address: 6113 N Daniels Park Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135. In unincorporated Douglas County — between Sedalia and Highlands Ranch, off Daniels Park Road / CO-67.
- Buy tickets in advance. Castle-capacity events (especially the Centennial Gala, wine and whiskey tastings, and concerts inside the castle) sell out. Do not wait. All tickets through OvatiOnTix.
- Outdoor hike prep. Cherokee Ranch sits in the foothills at elevation. Bring water, sunscreen, and layers — afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended for all hikes.
- Parking. Parking is on-site at the property. Arrive with enough time before the posted event start — the road into the property is not lit at night for evening events.
- Full calendar. Cherokee Ranch events run May through December. Summer (Jun–Aug) is the densest window, but fall brings elk bugling season and murder mystery dinners resume. See cherokeeranch.org/events for the complete calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cherokee Ranch & Castle?+
Cherokee Ranch & Castle is located at 6113 N Daniels Park Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135 — on 3,000+ acres of foothills in unincorporated Douglas County, between Sedalia and Highlands Ranch. The property is operated by the Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation.
Can the public tour Cherokee Castle?+
Yes. Castle Tours run May 19 – October 30, 2026, Tuesday through Friday. Each tour is a 90-minute guided experience inside the Scottish-style stone castle built by Tweet Kimball. Afternoon Tea at the Castle is offered Thursday and Friday from May 21 – October 30, 2026. All tickets are through OvatiOnTix at ci.ovationtix.com/36426.
What concerts are at Cherokee Ranch in summer 2026?+
The confirmed summer 2026 concert lineup: Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE! (Jun 12, Castle), Groove 'N Motion powered by The Rocky Mountain Horns (Jul 10, Tent), The Jersey's Rock the Veranda — Frankie Valli & Four Seasons tribute (Jul 12, Veranda Tent), Lookin Back Band — classic rock 60s/70s/80s (Jul 18, Castle), Face Vocal Band (Jul 24, 6 p.m., Castle), and Grammy-winning pianist Peter Kater Live (Aug 9, Castle). All tickets via OvatiOnTix — ci.ovationtix.com/36426.
Does Cherokee Ranch host weddings?+
The verified event calendar (ci.ovationtix.com/36426) covers public ticketed events — concerts, hikes, tastings, and special programs. For private event inquiries including weddings, see cherokeeranch.org/events for contact information.
How do I buy Cherokee Ranch tickets?+
All Cherokee Ranch & Castle events are ticketed through OvatiOnTix. Go to ci.ovationtix.com/36426 to see the full calendar and purchase tickets. There is also a link from cherokeeranch.org/events.
Are there hikes open to the public at Cherokee Ranch?+
Yes — Cherokee Ranch offers ticketed guided hikes across its 3,000+ acres of foothills. Confirmed summer 2026 hikes: Walk Through Time (Jun 6), Geology Hike (Jun 13), Archaeology Hike (Jun 20), Setting of the Sun and Rising of the Full Moon (Jun 29), and a Backcountry Hike (Aug 8). All hikes are ticketed via OvatiOnTix at ci.ovationtix.com/36426.
When can you see elk bugling at Cherokee Ranch?+
Elk Bugling Season Viewings run September 15 – October 1, 2026, Tuesday through Thursday evenings. Elk on the 3,000-acre property are visible at dusk during bugling season — a distinctive wildlife experience unique to the foothills setting. Tickets via OvatiOnTix at ci.ovationtix.com/36426.
What is the 2026 Centennial Gala at Cherokee Castle?+
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Cherokee Castle. The special anniversary event is the Waterloo: The Centennial Gala at Cherokee Castle on Saturday, June 20, 2026. This is a one-night ticketed gala inside the castle. Tickets via OvatiOnTix at ci.ovationtix.com/36426.
More Summer 2026 in Douglas County
Summer of Fun: Douglas County 2026
The full county-wide summer calendar — every big concert, festival, race, and free event from June through August.
Wide Open Saloon Outdoor Concert Series
Buckcherry · Moonshine Bandits · Struggle Jennings — ticketed outdoor shows in Sedalia, just down US-85 from Cherokee Ranch.
Free Summer Concerts Across DougCo
Every free outdoor concert series in Douglas County — Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Outlets, and Stagecoach Saloon.
Castle Rock Summer Events 2026
The Summer Concert Series, Car Show Weekend, 4th of July, Douglas County Fair & Rodeo — all in Castle Rock.
Castle Rock Events Calendar
Full upcoming events calendar for Castle Rock and the surrounding area.
Back to: Summer of Fun Pillar →
All seven satellite guides in one place — Larkspur Ren Fest, Parker Days, the DC Fair, the Car Show, the Whiskey Fest, and more.
Sources
Every event, date, and program on this page was verified against the Cherokee Ranch & Castle OvatiOnTix calendar scraped on 2026-05-22. Confirm with the source before driving — dates and lineups can change.
- Cherokee Ranch & Castle — OvatiOnTix calendar (all Jun–Aug 2026 events) · ci.ovationtix.com/36426 (scraped 2026-05-22)
- Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation — official events page · cherokeeranch.org/events
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