🎶 Your Weekend Soundtrack: Bluebird Festival & Easter Brunch Picks

Bruce Hornsby, Watchhouse, tulips, and mimosas — it’s a full spring weekend in Boulder. Here’s your festival guide (plus Easter brunch + trivia!).

☀️ The Insider’s Guide to the Boulder Reservoir

Hey Boulder! 🌞

This weekend in Boulder is bringing the vibes — music lovers, brunch enthusiasts, and tulip gazers, you’re all in luck. We’ve got the Bluebird Music Festival taking over Macky Auditorium with a lineup that’ll melt the snow off the Flatirons (just in time for the sunshine on Sunday). Add in festive Easter brunches, springy strolls along Pearl Street, and plenty of live events all over town, and you’ve got yourself a packed weekend of culture, color, and community. Let’s get into it. 🎶🌸🍳

— The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 😉

🎻 Your Guide to the Bluebird Music Festival Weekend

This weekend, the Bluebird Music Festival returns to Boulder’s iconic Macky Auditorium — bringing two days of soul-stirring folk, Americana, and indie sounds to the stage. Expect stacked lineups featuring Bruce Hornsby, Watchhouse, The Tallest Man on Earth, Hiss Golden Messenger, Isaac Slade (f/o The Fray), and more.

The weekend includes:

  • 🎟️ Opening Night Gala on Friday

  • 🌄 Saturday Main Stage performances with Daniel Rodriguez, Hiss Golden Messenger & Bruce Hornsby

  • 🎶 Strings & Stories on Sunday afternoon

  • 🌌 Sunday Night Finale featuring Watchhouse, Wrenn Van Band, and more

This isn’t just another concert — it’s a fundraiser for the Future Arts Foundation, which helps get musical instruments and free youth arts programming into Colorado classrooms.

🍽️ Dinner Before the Show?

🍕 The Sink1165 13th St | American | $10–20 | Laid-back, college-town energy with surprisingly creative eats.  Try the brussel sprout mac & cheese.

🔥 Oak1400 Pearl St | New American | $50–100 | Seasonal dishes, craft cocktails, and upscale vibes in the heart of downtown. 🍸 Great for a date night or pre-show celebration.

🌄 Flagstaff House1138 Flagstaff Rd | Fine Dining | $100+ | Boulder’s iconic splurge-worthy dining spot with sweeping views.🍷 Perfect if you’re dressing up for opening night.

🌸 Easter in Boulder: Spring Vibes, Brunches & Bloom Walks

Whether you’re celebrating Easter or just vibing with the tulips this spring, Boulder’s got something for everyone this weekend.

🥚 Easter Brunch Picks

From rooftop views at Corrida to buffet spreads at St Julien and Hotel Boulderado, Boulder’s best restaurants are serving festive spring menus. Favorites like The Post, Stella’s, Jax, and Gemini also have special dishes lined up.

🌷 Tulip Time + Egg Hunts

Take a stroll down Pearl Street to see thousands of tulips in bloom. Little ones can join the Calvary Bible Church Egg Hunt on Saturday (April 19) for games and prizes.

🚲 Weekend Extras

Boulder Farmers Market kicks off April 5 — pick up local goodies and picnic by Boulder Creek.

• Try an e-bike tour for a zippy ride with mountain views.

• Or stretch your legs on a wildflower hike if trails are clear.

• Want something chill? Check out Boulder’s art walks and mural tours for inspiration between meals.

🌼 However you spend it — indoors or out, in hiking boots or brunch shoes — here’s to a bright and beautiful Boulder spring.

🏛️ Trivia Time: Macky’s Big Gift

How much did Andrew J. Macky bequeath to the University of Colorado to help build the iconic Macky Auditorium?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

👉 Think you got it? Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer!

🎶 What’s Happenin’ Boulder Buzz 🎭

Looking for something fun to do? Whether it’s live music, trivia, or a laid-back DJ set, here’s what’s happening in Boulder this weekend!

📅Friday, April 18

🆓 Free Events

🎶 College Night – Cheap drinks + great vibes = perfect Friday night. Just bring your student ID! 9–11 PM @ Avanti F&B (Recurring Fridays)

🧵 King Crimson’s “In the Court of the Crimson King” – Musical Meditation📍 Pine Street Church | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 🆓 Free

💵 Ticketed Events

🧵 Huck n’ Pray with Blurred Radio, Experimental Brunch📍 Fox Theatre | 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM | 🎟️ $15

🧵 Tyler Grant: Album Release Show📍 eTown Hall | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM | 🎟️ $25–$40

🧵 Kirkos, Dylan Kishner Band, The Dirty Turkeys + Treecyle DJ Sets📍 Roots Music Project | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 🎟️ $17–$22

🧵 The Cactus Blossoms📍 Velvet Elk Lounge | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 🎟️ $20

🧵 Tucker Wetmore📍 Boulder Theater | 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM | 🎟️ $35–$40

📅Saturday, April 19

🆓 Free Events

🧵 Black & Gold Spring Game Watch Party📍 Boulder Social | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM | 🆓 Free
💵 Ticketed Events

🧵 CU Buffs Football Spring Game📍 Folsom Field | Game day | 

🧵 After Midnight: Chappell-Inspired Dance Party📍 Fox Theatre | 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM | 🎟️ TBA

🧵 Billy Hoke’s XTRAV XVIII Super Pro Jam📍 Roots Music Project | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 🎟️ $17–$25

🧵 Boulder Concert Band – A Garden of Delights📍 355 Ponca Place | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 🎟️ $10 (Kids under 12 Free)

🧵 Kids Movie Night📍 Yoga Pearl | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM | 🎟️ $55

🧵 Dairy Comedy in the Boe📍 Dairy Arts Center | 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM | 💵 $15

🧵 Trouble’s Braids at the St. Julien📍 St Julien Hotel & Spa | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM |

📅Sunday, April 20

💵 Ticketed Events

🧵 The Backseat Lovers with Jonny’s Day Out📍 Fox Theatre | 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM | 🎟️ $49.50

🧵 Why Conservation Matters: An Afternoon with Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald📍 Dairy Arts Center | 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM | 💵 $5 – $30

🌤️ Boulder Weather Outlook

Friday, Apr 18 – ❄️ Snow | High: 33°F | Low: 29°F | 💧 80% chance of snow | 💨 NE 8 mph | Grab the boots — it’s a snowy spring Friday. Good excuse to cozy up somewhere warm.

Saturday, Apr 19 – 🌨️ AM Snow Showers | High: 47°F | Low: 32°F | 💧 49% chance of snow | 💨 ESE 6 mph | Flurries in the morning, clearing later. Bring layers if you’re out for the Bluebird Fest!

Sunday, Apr 20 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 63°F | Low: 40°F | 💧 3% chance of rain | 💨 ENE 7 mph | Just in time — sunshine and perfect temps for a festival Sunday.

Monday, Apr 21 – ☀️ Mostly Sunny | High: 70°F | Low: 42°F | 💧 1% chance of rain | 💨 WSW 12 mph | A beautiful start to the week. We’re back in Boulder spring mode.

That’s a Wrap, Boulder!

Whether you’re bundling up for Friday’s snow or basking in Sunday’s sun, the Bluebird Music Festival is sure to bring warmth, good vibes, and unforgettable performances to Macky Auditorium. Don’t forget to grab brunch, wander through Pearl Street’s tulips, or check out one of Boulder’s springtime art walks between sets.

Got a favorite local artist, venue, or event you want us to feature next?

Hit reply and let us know — we love hearing from you. 💌

The What’s Happenin’ Boulder Team 🏔️🐝

🧠 Trivia Answer:

C) $300,000 — Boulder legend Andrew J. Macky left this generous gift in 1907 to help build Macky Auditorium. Now that’s what we call a lasting legacy.

Did you enjoy this post?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Interested in other What’s Happenin’ newsletters?

Reply

or to participate.