Immerse yourself in the creativity of COS
Updated: June 17, 2026
The Pikes Peak Region has an arts and culture scene as vibrant as its landscape!
From art museums and galleries to live performances, you can explore something new every day in the Pikes Peak Region.
With lodging options like Kinship Landing, Mining Exchange Hotel or Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, you’ll be plugged into the local arts scene without even leaving your hotel (though we still recommend getting out and about)! All three properties offer regular on-site events like live music, art shows and fun festivals.
Browse all lodging options and categories here.
Rico’s Wine Bar & Cafe is a local staple that hosts live performances most nights of the week. It’s also connected to Poor Richard’s Books and Gifts, a bookstore that also carries masterpieces by local artisans. You can even grab a glass of wine while you browse the stacks. Streetcar 520 is a hip spot on the New South End of Downtown Colorado Springs offering an eclectic menu and artsy atmosphere, perfect for happy hour, dinner or drag brunch! Feeling fancy? The Rabbit Hole is a swanky underground dinner destination that will make you feel like you’ve been transported into the world of Alice in Wonderland.
Browse all dining options and categories here.
AM: Visit the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
PM: Check out the Knob Hill Urban Arts District
PM: Catch a concert at Ford Amphitheater
Start your day with a visit to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. This renowned museum housed inside a gorgeous Art Deco building was founded in 1919 as the Broadmoor Art Academy. Nowadays, the institution offers world-class rotating art exhibits and stunning artifacts from across the region. It’s also located on the grounds of Colorado College; just because you’re not a CC student, that doesn’t mean you can’t take a walk on the beautiful, historic campus after your museum visit!
In the afternoon, check out the Knob Hill Urban Arts District (KHUAD). This eclectic neighborhood is known for its unique art experiences. There are more than 70 murals created by street artists, plus cool spots for art shows and music like Shutter & Strum, Vultures, What’s Left Records and Platte Collections.
In the evening, turn up the energy with a show at Ford Amphitheater. This new outdoor music venue provides a luxurious live entertainment experience, complete with on-site dining, fire pit suites and breathtaking views of the sunset over Pikes Peak. Past performers include big names like Glass Animals, The Black Keys and Miranda Lambert.
AM: Art on the Streets walking tour
PM: Peruse Downtown Colorado Springs art galleries
PM: See a show at the Ent Center for the Arts
Did you know that Downtown Colorado Springs is a Certified Creative District? Now you do! One of the major reasons is Art on the Streets; every year, new sculptures and murals are added to the district’s public art collection by artists from all over the world. You can book a guided walking tour to learn more about the art pieces or use the Art on the Streets interactive map and hunt for them yourself!
While you’re Downtown, make sure to stop into some art galleries! The LookUp Gallery and Auric are local favorites. Auric Gallery hangs incredible contemporary work, rotating monthly. You’ll also find smaller, affordable keepsakes like handmade ceramics, jewelry, prints and more. The LookUp Gallery is on the New South End of the Downtown area. It’s located inside of Yobel, a conscious clothing boutique that stocks ethical fashion pieces for men and women. Don’t leave without grabbing a drink from the shop’s bar!
Think you’ve seen enough masterpieces for today? Think again! Drive up to Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS! This world-class performance venue attracts local and national talent. Make sure to check out the Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA) before your show; it’s a fabulous contemporary art gallery inside the Ent Center. Then, watch a touring dance troupe, a stunning orchestra performance or production by Theatreworks, the in-house professional theatre company.
AM: Sunrise show at Green Mountain Falls Skyspace by James Turrell
PM: Candle making workshop at Matchbox Candle Co
PM: See a Springs Ensemble Theatre production
Get your tickets for Green Mountain Falls Skyspace by James Turrell: a meditative art experience that blends the beauty of the Colorado Sky with mesmerizing light displays. To get to Skyspace, a short, steep hike is required, or you can request an ATV ride up the hill. Afterward, make sure to peruse the awesome public art at Green Box Arts!
Then, spend the rest of your day in Old Colorado City. First, we recommend heading to Matchbox Candle Co to craft a custom candle using clean, quality ingredients. Get creative blending scents and make it your own! After creating your masterpiece, pop into the many locally owned boutiques and galleries along Colorado Avenue. End the night by catching a production at nearby Springs Ensemble Theatre, a company that creates big theatre in a small space. The productions are performed inside a classy speakeasy called the Fifty-Niner, so you’ll already be in the perfect place for a nightcap when the show is over!
AM: Stroll Historic Manitou Springs
PM: Check out Concrete Coyote Community Park
PM: Catch a show at the Black Sheep
Grabbing a coffee and taking a morning walk in beautiful Manitou Springs is a delightful way to start your day. This quirky mountain town is another Certified Creative District, and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. From the colorful architecture to the abundance of art galleries and artisans, the fun sculptures on every corner and frequent live music events, this place is an art lover's dream.
Concrete Coyote Community Park is run by a local arts nonprofit, Concrete Couch. It’s full of trails, sculptures, playgrounds, a soccer field and more, all constructed by community members. Check the park’s calendar to catch poetry readings, skill shares and more free and low-cost art events.
Close out your trip with a bang: an exciting show at The Black Sheep. This Knob Hill venue has been beloved by locals for nearly twenty years and hosts musical artists of all genres, both touring and local. Despite its intimate atmosphere, it’s boasted performances by renowned artists before they were huge, including Imagine Dragons, Twenty-One Pilots, Chappell Roan and more. See an indie artist now before they make it big!
If you’re looking for some local happenings to inspire the timing of your trip, these arts celebrations are not to be missed!
October 16 — 18, 2026
Join us for the 39th Annual Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival, celebrating the powerful voices and stories of women through…
July 4 — July 19, 2026
Ignite your artistic spirit surrounded by nature's beauty at the Green Box Art Festival.
May 22 — 24, 2026
Tap your feet to infectious beats at the annual MeadowGrass Music Festival, discovering details on the official dates, tickets, activities…
Festivals & Events
Colorado College Summer Music Festival5 W Cache La Poudre St, 112 Packard Hall
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
October 2026
October is Arts Month in Colorado Springs. This year, let Arts Month open your world with the arts with new…
Year Round
Browse the local art galleries and art studios along W. Colorado Avenue in Historic Old Colorado City.
August 8 — 9, 2026
Experience the 40th annual Mountain Arts Festival at Woodland Park as more than 70 artists showcase a variety of their…
June — October 2026
The Old Colorado City Farmers Market has been taking place in the streets of this quaint town for more than…
Looking for even more? Check out these resources to plan additional days in the Pikes Peak Region. And don't forget – you can always use our AI chatbot Penny in the bottom righthand corner to further assist you in your trip planning.
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