Castle Rock · Free Summer Concerts
Tunes for Trails: Castle Rock’s Free Summer Concert Series
Free Thursday-evening concerts on the hill at Miller Park Amphitheater, hosted by the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and toss a few bucks toward the trails.
By Connor Tien, DougCo Social
If you’ve driven past Philip S. Miller Park on a summer Thursday and seen the hill filling up with lawn chairs, that’s Tunes for Trails. It’s the town’s free concert series — a handful of Thursday nights each summer where a Colorado band plays the amphitheater and the whole thing doubles as a fundraiser for local parks and trails. No tickets, no gate price. Gates open at 5:30, music runs 6:30 to 9.
It’s run by the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation (you’ll also see it billed “Tunes for Trails / Perks for Parks”), and the donations at the gate go right back into the trails you probably hiked to get in shape for concert season. Food trucks are on-site; bring a low chair or a blanket.
The 2026 lineup
| Date | Act | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jun 18 | The Rick Lewis Project | Season opener |
| Thu, Jul 16 | That Eighties Band | 80s tribute — big hair, neon, synth-pop |
| Thu, Aug 20 | Santa Rios | Nine-piece Santana / Latin-rock tribute |
| Thu, Sep 17 | Ninety% 90s | Season closer — 90s alt, pop, and grunge |
All shows are free at Miller Park Amphitheater (5650 Lake Gulch Rd). Gates 5:30 p.m., music 6:30–9 p.m. Dates and acts from the Town of Castle Rock calendar and getoutdoorscastlerock.org.
Know before you go
- Cost: Free. Donations at the gate support Castle Rock parks and trails — bring a little cash.
- Where: Miller Park Amphitheater, inside Philip S. Miller Park, 5650 Lake Gulch Rd, Castle Rock.
- Times: Gates 5:30 p.m., music 6:30–9 p.m.
- Bring: A low lawn chair or blanket for the hill, and a picnic if you like. Food trucks are there too.
- Host: Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation (“Perks for Parks”). More at getoutdoorscastlerock.org.
Tunes for Trails FAQ
What is Tunes for Trails in Castle Rock?
Tunes for Trails (also billed Tunes for Trails / Perks for Parks) is a free summer concert series at the Miller Park Amphitheater in Castle Rock. It's hosted by the Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation, and admission is free — the shows raise money for the town's parks, trails, and open space through donations at the gate.
When are the Tunes for Trails concerts?
The concerts run on select Thursday evenings across the summer. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the music runs 6:30 to 9 p.m. The 2026 dates are Jun 18, Jul 16, Aug 20, and Sep 17.
Where is Tunes for Trails held?
At the Amphitheater inside Philip S. Miller Park — 5650 Lake Gulch Rd, Castle Rock, CO 80104 (the Miller Activity Complex). Parking is on-site.
Is Tunes for Trails free?
Yes. Admission is free. The Castle Rock Parks and Trails Foundation asks for donations, which go straight back into local parks and trails. Bring a little cash if you want to chip in.
What should I bring to Tunes for Trails?
Pack a picnic and a low lawn chair or blanket for the hill. Food trucks are on-site if you'd rather grab dinner there. It's an easygoing, family-friendly evening.
Who is playing Tunes for Trails in 2026?
The 2026 lineup is The Rick Lewis Project (Jun 18), That Eighties Band (Jul 16), Santa Rios — a nine-piece Santana/Latin-rock tribute (Aug 20), and Ninety% 90s closing the series (Sep 17).
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