What to Do Before a Red Rocks Concert (Besides Waiting Around)

You scored tickets to a show at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre, curated the perfect outfits, and are ready for an incredible night. There's just one little problem: What are you supposed to do before the show?

Figuring out what to do before a Red Rocks concert can be surprisingly tricky. If you start the party too early, you might be running on fumes by the time the show starts. But if you get to the venue too soon, you’ll have hours to kill in the middle of nowhere. 

Fortunately, there’s a third option: build some fun and relaxing downtime during your Red Rocks day trip. A pre-show reset at Oakwell Beer Spa is the perfect way to try something new while recharging before a night of music under the stars. 

Here's how to turn those awkward pre-concert hours into a memorable pre-Red Rocks adventure.

The Problem With Red Rocks Downtime

Red Rocks is the main event, but most shows start after dinnertime. What are you supposed to do with the rest of your day? 

You could kill time over a long lunch or wander around Denver looking for something to do. There are certainly plenty of fun things to do in Denver for adults, but squeezing too much sightseeing into the morning and afternoon can leave you tired before the hour-plus drive to Red Rocks. 

You could head to the venue super early, but that isn’t much fun. Red Rocks is gorgeous, but there's only so much pre-show wandering you can do, especially since you can’t get into the venue for food, drinks, or merch that early. 

Some music fans have no problem filling the day with brewery tours and crowded restaurants, but not everyone is into that. Plus, packing in too many Red Rocks day trip activities can be overstimulating. 

If you're wondering what to do before a Red Rocks concert, consider using those extra hours to recharge instead. A little pre-concert relaxation in Denver gives you a chance to slow down and save your energy for the big show.

Don’t Twiddle Your Thumbs: Plan a Pre-Show Spa Reset

Instead of filling the afternoon with more noise and crowds, give yourself some time for self-care. Of all the things to do the day of a Red Rocks show, you can’t beat unwinding in a warm bath and sauna, either solo or with your partner or friends. 

Oakwell Beer Spa offers pre-concert relaxation in Denver that’s a destination in its own right. If you want to sip on some drinks before Red Rocks, check out the Oakwell taproom. You can sample craft beer from the self-pour taps or enjoy wine, cider, kombucha, and non-alcoholic beverages while you unwind. 

Book the Beer Therapy Ritual package to get access to your own private spa suite and the signature Oakwell experience. You get 90 minutes to:

• Warm up in the infrared sauna
• Soak in an herbal beer- or wine-infused bath
• Rinse off in a private rain shower
• Get dressed and ready for the show

If you’re visiting Red Rocks with a group, book the Garage Party to unwind with 3-6 people (location dependent) in two connected private spa suites. 

Compared with spending hours hopping between crowded bars, visiting a Denver spa before a concert gives you a chance to recharge your social battery. You'll still get a memorable experience—you just won't exhaust yourself before the headliner takes the stage. 

Making the Most of Your Red Rocks Day From Start to Finish

A concert doesn't have to be the only memorable part of your day. With a little planning, you can turn the day into a full adventure that won’t exhaust you before the concert.

If you're looking for Denver concert day ideas, follow this sample one-day Denver itinerary.

Morning 

Grab breakfast or coffee, then choose one Denver activity rather than trying to see everything in the city. Walk around a neighborhood like RiNo, visit a museum, browse local shops, or spend some time outside at a park. 

Early afternoon

Have lunch, but don't chow down on a big, greasy meal that will put you in a food coma. Think salads, sandwiches, wraps, or another meal that'll keep you full without making you want to crawl into bed afterward. If the weather cooperates, pick up lunch and have a picnic at one of Denver's public parks. 

Mid-afternoon

Head to Oakwell for your private spa session. Soak, sauna, shower, and give your feet a break before you spend the night dancing with your friends. You'll also have time to get dressed and ready afterward, so you can leave feeling refreshed rather than sweaty from a full day of sightseeing. 

Late Afternoon

Double-check that you have your tickets and essentials before making your way to Red Rocks. The venue is about one hour from Denver, but drive time varies, especially on busy concert days. Build in some buffer time for traffic, parking, and walking from your car to the doors (it’s further than you think!). If you’re taking a shuttle instead of driving, know where and when you’re supposed to meet it. 

Evening

Most Red Rocks concerts start around 7 pm, with doors opening at 6 pm and parking at 5 pm. To figure out your schedule, work backward from there, adding generous buffers between your spa reservation, transportation, and arrival. It's much better to have an extra half hour at Red Rocks than anxiously staring at the clock.

Make the Pre-Show Part of the Show

If you’re planning what to do before a Red Rocks concert, try to strike a happy medium between having fun and relaxing. Make those extra hours part of your experience. Explore Denver, grab a bite, then slow things down with your own private spa suite at Oakwell. You'll get to enjoy more of the city and build some relaxation into a busy day.

Ready to upgrade your pre-show plans? Book the Beer Therapy Ritual to plan a much-needed Red Rocks reset.