Red Rocks Amphitheatre: What to know before going to a concert in 2024

Brooke Williams

March 30, 2024 at 5:10 AM·8 min read

DENVER (KDVR) — This weekend, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is kicking off its concert season.

The iconic venue has already announced over 150 concerts through November for this year, as well as some features that will be new for visitors in 2024.

If you plan on going to a Red Rocks concert this year, here is what you need to know before you go.

What is allowed inside?

Red Rocks has rules and regulations for what kind of bags are allowed and what items are permitted inside the venue.

Whatever you may bring, the website notes that all possessions must fit under the patrons’ designated seat (18 inches by 12 inches).

Bags

All bags must be single-pocket only. The venue does not allow bags with multiple pockets inside, according to the website.

Here are the guidelines for bags:

Bags must be no larger than 13 inches wide by 15 inches tall and 8 inches deep.
Purses and fanny packs must be no larger than 6 inches by 9 inches.
Empty hydration packs have to be 2 Liters or smaller with one pocket in addition to water reservoir.
Soft-sided, six-pack-size coolers should be no larger than 10 inches by 7 inches by 7 inches.

Food and drink

Certain food and drinks are allowed inside Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Non-alcoholic drinks can be up to 32 ounces and must be in a factory-sealed container. The website notes that some shows may require lids to be removed upon entering the venue. Empty reusable water bottles 32 ounces or smaller are allowed.

According to the website, food for personal consumption only is allowed. Food must be in a clear plastic bag that is one gallon or smaller. Fruit and vegetables must be sliced beforehand. Plastic utensils are also allowed.

While food is allowed inside, gum is prohibited from the venue.

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Medications

Prescription medications are allowed only in the amount needed for the duration of the show.

If you plan to bring prescription medications, the website states that concertgoers should bring the medication in the original prescription container with the patient’s name and dosage on the label.

Staff will verify medications at the entrance and any excess medication should be stored in vehicles, or it can be stored with medical staff in the first aid room at the South Ramp entrance.

Other items allowed

Binoculars
Blankets no larger than 40 inches by 60 inches. They can’t extend beyond the ticketed seating area and are not permitted on any walkways
Stadium seats and seat cushions (must be under 18 inches wide, cannot have legs)
Personal point-and-shoot cameras without removable lenses (unless prohibited
by the show)
Empty poster tubes

The website notes that some shows may have specific rules for what is allowed inside.

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Prohibited items

Security will be watching for prohibited items, some of which may come as a surprise to concertgoers.

Chains and studded or spiked jewelry are considered weapons, according to the website.

Some flow toys, which are often used at electronic dance concerts, are not allowed. According to the website, hula hoops and poi are prohibited.

Security at Red Rocks will not allow these items inside the venue:

Bags larger than the paramaters listed above
Alcoholic beverages, marijuana and illegal drugs
Glass bottles/objects or aluminum cans
Liquids in non-factory sealed containers
Umbrellas
Aerosols (hairspray, sunscreen and oxygen canisters)
Animals including emotional support animals (with the exception of service animals as defined by the ADA)
Remote controlled flying devices or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles, drones)
Weapons of any kind (guns, knives, pepper spray/mace, chains, studded/spiked jewelry)
Tarps
Yoga mats/camping and sleeping mats (except for Yoga on the Rocks events)
Hula hoops or Poi (sticks, ropes, balls)
Audio or video recording devices, Go Pros, 360-degree cameras, tablets and cameras with removable lenses
Laser pointers
Selfie sticks
Totems (self-crafted, decorated sticks or poles)
Bullhorns and noisemakers
Strollers of any kind
Full face masks/helmets which obscure the identity of the wearer
Confetti, glitter and other items that can be thrown
Gum

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Prepare for adverse weather

Because Red Rocks is an outdoor venue, concert goers should check the forecast on the day of the show.

Colorado weather can turn on a dime, so be prepared for adverse weather conditions including full sun exposure, strong wind, severe rain, hail or snow. Red Rocks recommends bringing sunscreen and wearing appropriate attire.

If weather gets bad, concertgoers may be instructed to leave the venue for a weather delay or cancellation. There is not a lot of areas to take cover in the venue, and Red Rocks says vehicles are often the safest shelter. If this happens, keep your ticket handy for re-entry.

How does parking work?

Parking is often free with concert tickets. The lots open two hours before the show’s door time. Red Rocks recommends arriving early to avoid traffic.

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Prepare for a hike if you drive a vehicle to the venue. Routes from parking lots to entry gates may be partially dirt, uphill and can be lengthy in distance. Red Rocks recommends wearing comfortable walking shoes.

Red Rocks staff members may direct cars where to park to make sure the parking lots are maximized.

Vehicles that block or impede traffic or are illegally parked will be moved. Contact a staff member if this happens to you. Vehicles that are parked incorrectly or left overnight and not moved by 10 a.m. might be ticketed or towed. Overnight vehicle camping is not allowed.

Oversized vehicles like RVs, buses, party bus limos or any vehicle with a trailer must be parked in Lower South Lot 2 and cannot be left overnight.

While there is plenty of parking, Red Rocks recommends carpooling or using rideshare services.

Tailgating

Tailgating is allowed and restricted to the back of vehicles. Tailgating can’t interfere with other vehicles parking.

Note that loud speakers, canopies, open flame fires and charcoal grills are not allowed. Small gas-controlled grills are allowed so long as there are no temporary fire bans in effect.

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Dropoff and pickup locations

There are four designated locations for those being dropped off by non-commercial vehicle drivers at Red Rocks.

Upper south lot: Accessible drop-off point for patrons requiring the free Accessible Shuttle or those who are seated in rows 1 – 36.
Top circle lot: Accessible drop-off point (seating in rows 37 – 70)
Trading Post: Preferred rideshare and Taxi drop-off point
East stairs: Preferred general drop-off point located along Ship Rock Road at the Half Moon Lot prior to the East Stairs.

For those picking someone up, Red Rocks recommends arriving 30 minutes before the concert ends. Concertgoers can meet the pickup vehicle in Lower South Lot 2. Drivers are required to wait at their vehicle.

Rideshare services may drop off patrons at the Trading Post, upper north lot and upper south lot. Rideshare pickup is in Lower South Lot 2.

Oversized vehicles must drop-of and pick up in Lower South Lot 2. The East Stairs are the preferred drop-off point for those arriving by limousine. Limos and shuttles may also drop off at the Top Circle lot. For pickup, limousines may use the “Limo Lane” on West Alameda or meet patrons at the Top Circle lot.

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Smoking and drinking

No alcoholic beverages are allowed through security, but Red Rocks sells drinks like beer, seltzers and cocktails.

However, Red Rocks does allow the consumption of full-strength beer and wine in the park and the parking lots. This does not include hard liquor. The venue asks that visitors do not bring glass bottles as glass is prohibited throughout the park.

That means you can pre-game in the parking lot, but staff can deny entrance or eject impaired or intoxicated guests or underage drinkers, according to the website.

Smoking or vaping isn’t allowed in the stands. There are designated smoking areas located along the outside rail of exterior stairs.

Smoking marijuana is not allowed and all marijuana products are prohibited at Red Rocks. Consuming marijuana in public is illegal in Colorado.

Ticketing

Red Rocks primarily uses AXS for ticketing services. Tickets can be purchased online or, if not sold out, at the box office.

AXS Mobile Delivery is the preferred admission method at Red Rocks. Tickets can be downloaded via the AXS app and presented digitally. Photo ID may be required. Tickets can also be managed on the Red Rocks app.

Children under 2 years old generally do not need a ticket and must sit on an adult’s lap and not interfere with someone else’s seat.

For security purposes, Red Rocks does not allow re-entry with the exception of weather and medical emergencies.

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Accessibility

Accessibility accomodations must be requested at the point of sale, so watch for accessibility options when purchasing a ticket.

The venue has seating options that are wheelchair accessible on Row 1 and Row 70. Rows 2 and 3 have seats reserved for guests with limited mobility and guests who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or low vision.

There are two I-MAG screens on the sides of the stage that magnify live video and important messages.

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