What is a Pops Orchestra?
A "pops orchestra" is a symphony orchestra that specializes in performing popular music, show tunes, and light classical pieces, often alongside more traditional orchestral works. They aim to be more accessible and engaging for a broader audience than traditional classical orchestras.
Denver Pops Orchestra is a community-based nonprofit organization that has been serving up great music in metro Denver for over 40 years. The 65+ members who volunteer their time and talents represent a variety of ages and vocations. The ensemble aims to serve Denver area communities through performances of familiar music, including a wide range of music from light classical and symphonic to operatic movements, Broadway and movie tunes to dance band and pops compositions. The Denver Pops perform regularly from August through May, offering a variety of concerts, formal dances, benefits, and special events.
10.25
11.06
12.13
10.05
02.07
Holiday Magic: A Pops Celebration
Wheat Ridge
03.13 & 14
08.30
American Impressions: Landscapes in Sound
05.02
2026
2025
Strauss II: Blue Danube Waltz
Stravinsky: The Firebird Finale
Williams: Flight to Neverland
Performances
Yachty Got Back
Saturday, August 30th, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Philip S. Miller Amphitheater - 1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80109
Known for their lively performances, Yachty Got Back brings unforgettable shows featuring stunning choreography, vibrant costumes and nostalgic hits from the 70s and 80s soft rock era that transport fans back to this golden age of smooth tunes. Their immersive live experience has earned them a loyal following, and they are quickly rising as one of the most exciting acts in the yacht rock scene. Get ready to dance the night away and feel the good vibes of Yachty Got Back's amazing production.
Waltzing Through Time
Sunday, October 5th, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Wheat Ridge Center for Music & Arts - 7530 W 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge CO 80033
Step into the glittering ballrooms of 19th-century Vienna as the Denver Pops Orchestra celebrates the 200th birthday of the “Waltz King” himself — Johann Strauss Jr. Founded in 1979 as the Mostly Strauss Orchestra, our ensemble’s earliest days were filled with elegant dances and formal balls. Now, we return to those roots with a dazzling evening of swirling waltzes, lively polkas, and spirited marches that defined an era.
From the elegance of the Blue Danube to the joyful sparkle of Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, Strauss’ music bursts with energy, charm, and irresistible rhythm. This is more than a concert — it’s a toast to two centuries of timeless melodies that built the foundation of the Denver Pops.
Wild Goose Masquerade Ball
Saturday, October 25th, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Avalon Grand Ballroom - 6185 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80303
Attend an evening of elegance, mystery, and exhilarating music at the 74th Wild Goose Masquerade Ball! The Denver Pops Orchestra will sweep you off your feet with a dazzling mix of waltzes, swing, and more, filling the Avalon Grand Ballroom with a lush, vibrant soundscape perfect for dancing the night away. Don your most stunning formal, semi-formal, or ethnic attire, conceal your identity behind a mask, and join in the costume contest for a chance to win prizes. With light refreshments, an atmosphere charged with anticipation, and music that will keep your heart racing, this is one autumn evening you won’t want to miss!
The Heart of a Nation
Thursday, November 6th, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Highlands Ranch Mansion - 9950 E Gateway Dr, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Holiday Magic: A Pops Celebration
Saturday, December 13th, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Wheat Ridge Center for Music & Arts - 7530 W 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge CO 80033
Ring in the holidays with the Denver Pops Orchestra and guest vocalist Amy Maples! Enjoy festive favorites by Leroy Anderson including A Christmas Festival, Sleigh Ride, and Song of the Bells, along with beloved classics White Christmas and The Christmas Song. The program also features Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24, Fantasia on We Three Kings, Groa by Åke Brandt, Festive Sounds of Hanukkah, and a joyful Holiday Sing-Along. A perfect evening of warmth, wonder, and holiday cheer for the whole family!
American Impressions: Landscapes in Sound
Saturday, Feburary 7th, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Wheat Ridge Center for Music & Arts - 7530 W 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge CO 80033
From the majesty of the Rockies to the sun-soaked deserts of the Southwest, the Denver Pops Orchestra invites you on a musical journey across America’s wide-open landscapes. Experience the sweeping grandeur of Jerry Brubaker’s Rocky Mountain Majesty, the rustic charm of Leroy Anderson’s Horse and Buggy and Chicken Reel, and the vibrant colors of Mary Mixter’s contemporary tone poem Southwest Impressions.
We’ll also bring the Old West to life in Rick DeJonge’s cinematic A Western Portrait and end with the energetic rhythms of Copland’s beloved Hoe-Down.
It’s a celebration of America’s spirit, scenery, and sound—vivid, heartfelt, and distinctly homegrown.
Psalms and Passion: The Music of Leonard Bernstein with the Colorado Choir
Friday, March 13th, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 14th, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Bethany Lutheran Church - 4500 E Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
The Colorado Choir and Denver Pops Orchestra join forces for an extraordinary celebration of the legendary American composer Leonard Bernstein. Psalms and Passion showcases the full power and emotion of Bernstein’s music, featuring his stirring Chichester Psalms—a timeless call for peace blending Hebrew text and lush orchestral color. The program also includes favorites from West Side Story and Candide, performed by each ensemble and then combined for a spectacular finale. Experience the passion, drama, and joy of Bernstein’s genius in this unforgettable collaboration!
Lights, Camera, Orchestra!
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Wheat Ridge Center for Music & Arts - 7530 W 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge CO 80033
Step into the magic of the movies as the Denver Pops Orchestra brings the silver screen to life! Experience the sweeping power and cinematic drama of your favorite film scores—from the swashbuckling adventures of The Seahawk and Pirates of the Caribbean to the soaring romance of Titanic and the heroic intensity of The Dark Knight Rises.
Featuring music by Hollywood’s greatest composers—including Erich Wolfgang Korngold, James Horner, Hans Zimmer, and the legendary John Williams—this concert will thrill movie lovers of all ages. Join us for an unforgettable night where the lights dim, the curtain rises, and the orchestra takes center stage!
Sign up with your email address to receive updates on Denver Pops events and more. We respect your privacy.
Subscribe
