One more reason to visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, is the strong creative community. Care to kick back after a long day on the trails? Jam to some live music! Love the local history? See a play in historic venues. For a relaxing afternoon, pick up a book by a local author. And bring home the best souvenirs ever with handmade goods from local artists.
Here’s a guide to finding arts and entertainment in Leadville and Twin Lakes!
: Jim Evans
PERFORMING ARTS
For live music, theater, storytelling, and more, check these fun venues.
TABOR OPERA HOUSE
The Tabor Opera House has announced an exciting 2023 summer season! Live music, theater, comedy, community events, and cowboy poetry are all on tap at this elegant opera house. You can enjoy live entertainment in a unique historic setting. The Tabor is also proud to be part of the Colorado Historic Opera Houses Circuit. If you’re touring Colorado, be sure to visit our sister opera houses too!
FREIGHT
A beautifully restored historic train depot, FREIGHT offers a wide variety of arts and community events. Join “The Yak” storytelling sessions, plays, live music, family festivals, and more.
LOCAL SALOONS AND RESTAURANTS
You’ll find live music at many venues around town. The Manhattan Bar, Pastime Saloon, and Scarlet Tavern often have bands and/or karaoke. Before and After Leadville and Treeline Kitchen may have live music. Check our calendar for live music at other venues too!
Festivals
Join us for Leadville Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival Weekend for live music and dances, the first weekend of March. Come for Leadville Boom Days, our mining heritage festival, the first weekend of August for more of the same!
LITERARY ARTS
For books by local authors, a wide array of Leadville history books, novels, poetry, and more, check out Two Dog Market at 603 Harrison Ave.
MAKER SPACES & VISUAL ARTISTS
Local businesses in Leadville and Twin Lakes share many kinds of artistic endeavors!
City on a Hill Leadville sells topograhic carvings of local mountains, paintings, mugs, and more.
Elevation Goods carries all made-in-Colorado and eco-friendly products—housewares, clothing, and much more.
Come to Fire on the Mountain for fiber arts and pottery! Bring home a soft sweater or a mug, or find the yarns and classes to make your own.
At Galena, find exquisite photographs of local landscapes by local artist and shop owner Justin Talbot, as well as locally made clothing.
Gigi’s General stocks gobsmacking maker goods from around the state. Think adorable children’s clothes, stunning photography, gourmet snacks, and more.
Harperrose Studios is a local artists’ collective chock-full of mountain creativity. So full, in fact, that it recently expanded into adjacent space!
Melanzana is legendary for long-lasting, comfortable “Mellys” and other outdoor gear. Make an appointment to shop when you’re in town!
Nourish Leadville offers for purchase a full array of handmade soaks, salts, and scrubs to melt your stress away.
The walls at the Silver Llama Market and Eatery are lined with colorful, creative art, and they host occasional artist receptions.
The new Sweeter than Honey Boutique, brought to you from the creative mind behind Blue Vessel Florista, offers magical artistic flower arrangements (dried and fresh flowers), along with jewelry, bath and body products, and more.
Tenderfoot at Twin Lakes opened in the heart of Twin Lakes Village in late 2022, with teas, jams and jellies, gifts, and even locally raised meat and eggs.
Zero Day Coffee features and sells works from local artists.
Last but not least, keep your eyes peeled for murals in downtown Leadville! You’ll find many painted on the sides of historic buildings, one at a playground, and one with inset tiles showing the area’s geology on West 5th Street just off Harrison Avenue by the courthouse.
Cover : @thundermountainworks
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