The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is set to host a summer of world-class entertainment for Vail Valley locals and visitors.

The nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation, which operates the venue, also today announced that its Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights free concert series has been named the top outdoor concert series by USA Today readers.

A summer of fun 

The Gerald R Ford Amphitheater’s entertainment schedule kicks off on May 31 with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, followed by high-energy performances by Dispatch, Xavier Rudd, Lotus & Daniel Donato as part of the 2024 Mountains of the Music series during the GoPro Mountain Games. The season is scheduled to end with a concert by Barenaked Ladies on Sept. 22, promising a memorable end to summer at The Amp.

Nestled at the base of Vail Mountain, this intimate outdoor concert venue offers many outstanding performances, including classical music presentations by Bravo! Vail Music Festival, internationally renowned dance at the Vail Dance Festival, free Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights concerts, and the Amp Summer Concert series booked in partnership with AEG Presents.

Other signature performances this summer include Steve Martin and Martin Short’s The Dukes of Funnytown!, the annual Fourth of July Patriotic Concert, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Vail Valley Foundation’s Community Concert: JoJo Hermann & Friends.

“This year, we are proud to present another amazing summer lineup at The Amp with our partners and sponsors,” said the Vail Valley Foundation’s Dave Dressman. “This lineup reflects a commitment to our ongoing mission to enhance our Valley as a place to live, work, and visit.”

Nationally recognized free concert series 

The commitment to providing exceptional entertainment is being recognized nationally. As part of USA Today’s 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards, Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights music series has been voted the country’s top outdoor concert series for 2024. Hot Summer Nights, which features a diverse lineup of artists and genres, was nominated by an expert panel, and voted for by readers, further validating the special combination of the venue and the free concert series.

“To get recognition today for our free summer concert series, which has been running every year since 1987, is especially gratifying because it is a beloved project in our community and a special way for locals and visitors to get to enjoy the magic of Vail and The Amp all summer long,” added Dressman.

Buy tickets and find the full summer schedule and venue information at grfavail.com

About the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater 

Each summer, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail plays host to various cultural and entertainment offerings, ranging from headliner music and comedy, to internationally renowned dance and classical music presentations, courtesy of the Vail Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, to the free weekly concerts of Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights series. In addition, local chorale and community events annually grace the Amphitheater stage. The venue, named after President Gerald R. Ford and family, opened in 1987, and is operated by the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation. Learn more at grfavail.com.

About the Vail Valley Foundation

The Vail Valley Foundation is a 501c3 Colorado nonprofit corporation with a mission to provide leadership in arts, athletics, and education and address community needs to enhance our valley as a place to live, work, and visit.

The organization’s work in education is through YouthPower365, a 501c3 Colorado nonprofit organization. From early childhood to college and career, YouthPower365 provides programs to help youth reach their full potential and support youth and families every step of the way. The Vail Valley Foundation also provides the Vail Valley with several of its most treasured annual events, such as the GoPro Mountain Games, the Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races, the Vail Dance Festival, and the Moe’s Original BBQ Hot Summer Nights and ShowDown Town free concert series. The Vail Valley Foundation also manages and operates two performing arts centers, the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek Village and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, providing more than 150 Broadway, dance, comedy, classical, rock, pop, jazz, community and family events per year.

Vail Valley Foundation activities and events are in part made possible by cornerstone partners: Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, GMC, GoPro, Nature Valley, Constellation Brands, CELSIUS, TINCUP Mountain Whiskey, and Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.

To learn more about the Vail Valley Foundation, visit vvf.org.